Rainbow Lake via Peaks Trail

Type … Hike

Highlights … Views, Alpine Lake, Creek, Aspens

Seasons … Summer, Fall, Winter

Difficulty with Kids … Easy

Trail Details … 1.5 Miles, Out + Back (AllTrails)

Closest Town … Frisco

Shade … Some

Parking Situation … Very Limited

Potty Situation … No Potty (sometimes a Port-a-Potty)

I love this trail for the variation of landscape which always helps my kids stay interested - on this one, there are small creeks for splashing, aspen groves, boardwalks, and an alpine lake at the very end!

If you’re an alpine lake superfan like me, this won’t be the prettiest one you’ve ever seen but my kids loved it and didn’t hesitate to throw off their shoes and wade around for an hour to cool off during a warm summer day. We didn’t do it in fall, but this is on the top of my list to go back to when the aspens change!

TRAIL TIPS

Don’t go to Rainbow Lake(s)! If you’re mapping from GoogleMaps, be sure you don’t map to Rainbow Lakes in Nederland as this trailhead is in Frisco.
Likely gonna get wet! Extra socks + shoes are a must for this one if your kids are into water. I always carry kids aqua socks or Native shoes in my pack because they are light and easy to pull on and off as they get in the water.
Download the map on AllTrails before you go as there are several spots where the trail forks (with signage). We ran into several lost groups when we were there.
Very limited parking. Because of the very limited parking and the hike’s proximity to popular tourist towns, come early! There isn't really overflow parking as this hike is basically tucked into a neighborhood.

MAKE A DAY OF IT

Giberson Bay (Lake Dillon). If you want to splash around some more and soak up the sun on a Lake Dillon beach, head over to Giberson Bay (see Drive-up post on this one). It’s less than a 10-minute drive from the trailhead.
Blue Moon Bakery in Silverthorne. A great low-key lunch + coffee spot if you’re headed back towards the foothills.