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Rambling in Chautauqua Park

© Virginia O'Connor

Introduction

This park is well-traveled in all seasons. In the spring, the Bluebonnet Trail is heavily populated as people enjoy the wild bluebonnets that arrive in late spring and last into the early summer months. Chautauqua park itself is a popular place for flying kites, frisbee games, and lolling in the summer months. It has an excellent playground for small people. There is also a real Park Ranger station.

Trail Rating

• Boots: Two boots.
• Kids: Absolutely! This hike can be handled by most children and it is a great way for your kids to meet a park ranger.
• Dogs: Definitely! On a leash. Make sure that you don't meet the park rangers if your dog is off its leash. You will get a ticket.
• Facilities: Yes. The facilities are open even in the winter.

What to Bring

Your dog, the leash, your kids, the kites, and your sunglasses. If it is a warm day, bring a blanket and a picnic lunch. After you gaze at the flatirons and hike the Bluebonnet loop, you can spread out and enjoy the view as you munch.

How to Get There

From Colorado Springs, drive north on I-25 through Denver. Take Highway 36 to Boulder. When you arrive in Boulder, turn left off 36 on Baseline. Take Baseline out toward the Flatirons and Chautauqua Park. See the picture for a look at the trail head.

Trail Specifics

Chautauqua Park is difficult to spell but easy to get used to. Boulder residents are very fond of this park. These Flatirons are a central focus of Boulder culture, and you will find them mentioned in the newspapers and included in the titles of companies. Chautauqua Park borders the Flatirons and from the park, you have a clear view of the Flatirons, which are actually huge plates of sheer rock that reportedly were pushed up as the Rocky Mountains were formed. You will probably see many rock climbers scaling the sheer faces.

In the spring, the park area is circled with tulips, daffodils, jonquils and hyacinths. The Bluebonnet Trail climbs over the wide plain towards the Flatirons, then circles through the trees, passes a picnic ground, and then returns through the trees and downhill toward the park. The Bluebonnet trail is so named because of the wild bluebonnets that bloom in increasing profusion each year.

Be sure to keep your dog on a leash. This is a well-populated park and trail. Kids, adults, and other dogs are everywhere. Even if your dog is friendly, you are likely to meet numerous other dogs, so keep your dog on a leash and avoid a ticket from the Park Rangers who tour the park regularly. See the picture below for a view of a dog/stroller pileup we ran into.

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