If you want to hike without crowds this is a great option. Pueblo Mountain Park is in the San Isabel National Forest near Beulah and about 25 minutes from Pueblo. It has a cool history tidbit too. In 1919 it America’s first recreational planning/development in a national forest. There are over eight miles of trails in the park open to foot and horse traffic only. Moutain bikes are permitted on Carhart Trail only. You can easily access National Forest trails from the park to add more mileage. This is a great park to connect multiple trails to hike a loop. It’s excellent for a quick hike, solo hiker, and families. There are several picnic areas so take lunch or snacks for some post hiking relaxing in the shade.

Getting There

It’s off of Highway 78 near Beulah, Colorado. There’s excellent signage to follow from Beulah. It’s about 2.5 hours from Denver and 25 minutes from Pueblo. There’s ample parking. There are overnight accommodations at Horseshoe Lodge and Retreat Center as part of the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center Mountain Campus. The lodge was originally built in the 1930s. It has 11 individual rooms and barrack-style dormitory sleeping for larger groups.

Trail Stats:

I connected Tower Trail (1.08 miles one way), Lookout Point Trail (0.1 miles one way), Mace Trail (1.27 miles one way), and approximately 2 miles on Scenic Highway (dirt road) in the park for about a 3.5-mile loop. Here’s where you can find a digital trail map.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8YuJpMw/

I did this hike on a hot day. It was already 81° at 8:25a.m. when I started hiking in the trees on Tower Trail. About four minutes into the hike and in less than a quarter of a mile, you get views as you hike out of the trees. About 0.4 of a mile it gets rockier as you hike zigzag up the trail on a series of gentle switchbacks. The trees at about the half mile mark are a welcome sight on a hot and sunny day. When you get to the trail junction at close to three-quarters of a mile, go to the left if you want to go to the Fire Tower. This part of the trail is shaded.

I got to the Fire Tower in under 30 minutes, even stopping to take pictures and videos. The ladders are a bit sketchy, but you can climb up in the Fire Tower to enjoy a 360° view.

I was back to the trail junction by 9:30a.m. and started down Mace Trail. In less than ten minutes there’s on another trail junction where you can turn onto Devil’s Canyon Trail, which actually looks like a really cool trail. Right after that there’s a Y in the trail. I went left to go to Lookout Point. It’s only 0.1 miles each way but it is narrow and steep rocky trail. You’ll have to scramble a little on the rocks to get out to Lookout Point.

I hiked back to the trail junction and continued on Mace Trail. After being in full sun, I was happy to get back in the shade at about my 2.5-mile mark. I continued to the trailhead for Mace Trail and took a right on Scenic Highway. It’s a scenic dirt road. There’s not a lot of traffic on it since it is in Pueblo Mountain Park. I did see a couple of deer along the road. This is prime bear and mountain lion territory so keep an eye out while hiking.

Author Jennifer Broome has hiked extensively in Colorado. For another lesser known gem that is family friendly check out post on Paradise Cove. For breakfast or lunch in Beulah, check out post on Cute and Quirky Coffee Shop in Beulah.