Wonderland Lake

The basics

Visit Wonderland Lake Park for a quiet, easy-to-access green space in the heart of Boulder. Hiking trails, paved running paths, and fishing areas offer views of the rolling foothills beneath the Rocky Mountains, as well as local wildlife like mule deer and waterfowl. Bring your bike or come with your dog for a few hours of fun on the trails, and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in front of the serene lake.

Things to know before you go

• Wonderland Lake Trailhead is the starting point for an easy, 1.1-mile (1.8-kilometer) loop circling the lake, as well as other trails in the area.

• This family-friendly park has a playground, fishing spots, and other activities for kids.

• The park is mobility-friendly.

• While fishing in Wonderland Lake is permitted according to state regulations, visitors cannot use boats or wade into the water.

• Bikes are allowed on all trails marked with a bicycle symbol, including the loop trail.

• Dogs are allowed in the park as long as they are on a leash.

• There are no restrooms in the park, so plan accordingly.

How to get there

Wonderland Lake Park is a 3-mile drive north of downtown Boulder, and you’ll find parking in the lot at 4201 Broadway. It’s also easy to reach with the SKIP bus service, which runs from CU Boulder to Lee Hill Drive and stops by the main trailhead on Broadway.

When to get there

The lake freezes over in the winter, so visit the park in the warmer months for the best fishing and hiking experience. The trails are especially appealing from May to September, in the spring and summer sun.

More hiking near Wonderland Lake

Wonderland Lake Park has access to a number of short trails besides the main loop, including the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) hike up to Wonderland Hill, a paragliding launch point with panoramas over Boulder. You’ll find fossils and a 200-year-old limestone kiln on Old Kiln Trail, while Foothills South is a flat path surrounded by waving grasses, with Green Mountain and Bear Peak in the distance.