Updated : September 2024
Grizzly Creek Trailhead is located at an I-70 rest stop in Colorado. Let me type that again. THIS TRAILHEAD IS AT A REST STOP! As an avid hiker and RV nomad this couldn’t excite me more!
(Read on for parking, trail and hiking details)
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Hiking Trails at Rest Stops? I Couldn’t Love Colorado Any More
I live nomadically in my RV and I hike a lot. Yet the challenge most times is finding trail heads that will accommodate parking for my RV. Having ample parking is super important to me.
Grizzly Creek trail is located right off HWY 70 in Glenwood Canyon. The best time to hike this trail is April to November. And I found out why. One, in the winter Interstate 70 can be a snowy mess or simply closed. It’s a terrible place to drive in the winter.
Two, spring and summer rains can bring mudslides to the area also closing the interstate. As you hike the trail you’ll see remnants of a mudslide here in recent years.
CLICK HERE to check with Colorado DOT before heading to this region.
Getting to Grizzly Creek Trail in Colorado
To get to the Grizzly Creek trailhead take exit 121 also known as Grizzly Creek. Parking is pretty ample if you get there early but since it’s a rest stop people are moving in and out constantly. If you don’t find one right away, just wait, one will pop up.
I needed to park my RV in special larger parking so the following is how I found the trailhead yet there is parking closer to where the trail begins for smaller vehicles.
Look for the rest rooms and head that way but don’t stop there, unless you need to use it or get water and snacks. Continue past the restrooms, past the location that Grizzly Creek joins the White River and make a left under the highway. There is it!
Grizzly Creek Trail
Now that you’ve gone to the rest room, filled your water bottle and put your hat on you’re ready to hike this gorgeous area.
The trail follows Grizzly Creek through a gorge where you’re surrounded by shear rock cliffs to one side and a more gradual hill on the other. The first 2 miles are rather easy with some meandering up and down. Yet it does get a little more difficult as you head further back, climbing up. If you simply do the 2 miles in and out you have a respectable 4 mile hike.
At around 3 miles in I ran into a trail maintenance crew and thanked them for the wonderful work they do. Trail maintenance can be grueling work so be sure to always thank the crews out there.
Part of this hike is in a burned area hence the horrific mud slides that can occur here. The dead trees can feel eerie and sad yet forest fires are vital to forest health and absolutely necessary.
Read more about forest fires : https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ecological-benefits-fire/
I walked about another .5 miles then turned around, completing almost 7 for the day. The trail heads back for another .5 or so.
Overall this was a beautiful relaxing hike that meanders through woods by a creek. Go early, take lunch and enjoy the scenery!
More about Grizzly Creek Trail https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recreation/recarea/?recid=41223&actid=50
Tips for Hiking Grizzly Creek
- There are no grizzly bears at this trail. There are no more grizzlies in Colorado. WHEW!
- AllTrails rates this hike as difficult yet if you stick with heading out for about 2 miles or so you’ll avoid the steep climbs that I encountered later or you can take them on slowly.
- As always take water, sunscreen and a layers, Colorado weather can turn bad very quickly.
- Dogs are welcome on leash.
- When you get off trail head behind the restrooms with a beach towel to stretch and enjoy the green grass.
- Please pack it in and pack it out – Leave No Trace
Thank You for Stopping By!
I’m Allie. At 48 I set out solo to live in my RV. That journey is on hold but my passions for hiking and living well in my 50s still live on! Join me below for more inspiration and adventures. We’re older but even stronger!
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