Incredible 360 views where you can see Denver, Pikes Peak, many other 14ers. It is a unique view of Colorado from above since Devils Head is kind of isolated from other mountains. The trail I think is the perfect length, it does feel a little longer than 2.8 miles out and back. I'd say this is a moderate hike. You can bring dogs on this trail. I don't think it is super friendly for young children. I personally would get pretty exhausted if I had to backpack up my toddler. But for the older kids it would be a good one. Definitely add this one to your list! I think it is my favorite hike I have done so far on the front range! read more

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Plenty of parking space and an overflow lot. Trail is well maintained and it's a quick in and out hike. The views at the top are gorgeous. read more

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This hike was such a great experience. Parking can be a little tricky, so just pay attention to where you're going, and the roads leading in are dirt roads, so expect your car to get a bit dusty. The trail itself is beautiful and fairly busy, but not overcrowded. The views at the top are absolutely amazing and make the hike completely worth it. Standing at the fire tower and taking it all in felt peaceful and grounding, surrounded by nature. I went in the fall, and the scenery was incredible. Overall, it's a fun, easy hike near Denver and I highly recommend it. read more

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My honey was out of town and so I decided to take a hike she's done before but I never had taken: the Devil's Head Fire Tower down off the Rampart Range Rd between Denver and Colorado Springs. Great decision! Not too long. A beautiful drive to a place I've seen from I-25 hundreds of times but have never taken the time to do in decades of living on the Front Range. A great easy hike up a well-marked (and well used) trail that leads up to the fire lookout at the crest of one of the rocky outcroppings of the Rampart Range giving you a 360 degree vista of hundreds of square miles of that part of the country. The only really steep part of the walk is the final staircase(s) up the rocks to the lookout itself. Check out the pics (everyone takes he same ones:) and give yourself a treat by heading up there one day understanding that weekends won't be the best time to be alone). God, I love Colorado. We are soooo lucky to get to live here! Sign me,, David "Thankful" M read more

This was awesome!!!! Totally unexpected what your get after a long windy road to get here with some potholes. Also, never park where you're not supposed to, there were 20+ warning tickets my kids and I saw. The drive and hike r worth the view you get n the end. Plus u get other great views along the bike up. Honestly with all tree coverage the hike was not difficult with the elevation gain plus it got cooler the further you went up. Such a cool gem we found and enjoyed! I'll do it again eventually. read more

Almost 3 miles round trip. Gradual incline. Clearly marked trail. A few stars to go up to get to the fire tower. Then 360 amazing view of the mountains. I went at sunrise it was awesome. You take the dirt road Rampage till it literally ends in the trail parking lot. You will be on that dirt road for a while. This hike is worth the drive. read more

A great family friendly hike! According to the signs 20,000 people visit this trail every year. There are two parking lots, main and overflow so, there is plenty of parking and there are restrooms at the main lot. The hike was fairly easy. We had to stop a few times just to catch our breath since it is mostly up hill, with a few hundred feet of elevation gain. Be sure to stop along the way and climb up on a few of the boulders that provide great views. These occur before you get to the fire tower. There are a lot of steps to get up to the tower so, if you aren't comfortable with height, this is not for you. There are people going up and down on the same small set of metal steps. read more

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Apple Maps will take you the wrong way. When you enter the park there will be signs directing you to the trailhead, please follow those instead-do not waste your time with Apple Maps when you're inside the park. Also, the entire hike up to the lookout is an INCLINE. If you are not an avid hiker it will be hard for you. I struggled a lot and I saw a lot of people struggling going up and coming down. It is hard! It's worth it but it's hard. I listened to the other reviews saying it was "easy/moderate," totally misguiding. Bring a lot of water, snacks, and be prepared to take a lot of breaks. It's worth it but be prepared. read more

Beautiful views 100% worth the hike! There is a lot of elevation gain there, so even though it's not a long hike, it's not easy. Took multiple breaks for water and air. There are a lot of benches for breaks and lots of tree coverage. Once you reach the fire tower, you have to go up a few flights of stairs. I'm very scared of heights, so I was looking down and walking fast, but the stairs are very well built and sturdy. The views are vast and beautiful! This is a well maintained trail with lots of people. There are bathrooms at the parking lot, and the bathrooms at the top are closed. There are no trash cans, so pack it in and pack it out as the rules. There is no fee unless you are camping, and it's well posted for that. The roads are dirt, I'd recommend an all wheel or 4-wheel vehicle. Overall, this was an amazing hike and something I'd recommend to anyone! read more

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Third time to do this trail, first in the summer. A lot more people than previous times. It's a lot of elevation in a short span, so be sure you have water. If you're doing the 1.4 miles up to the ranger's base camp, don't hesitate to go up the flights of red stairs to get to the top of the fire tower. Great views at the top. The one downer were the thousands of swarming ladybugs at the top. Some at the base camp at the bottom of the stairs to the tower, but then get ready. They are literally everywhere. As a tip, make sure phones are put away before you start on the stairs. You may want both hands to hold on, especially as you get closer to the top and the winds pick up. Or on this day, one hand for the rail and the other to swat away the attacking ladybugs. We actually saw a woman climbing around under the stairs to retrieve her lost phone. read more

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How have I not heard of this hike sooner? If you like shorter hikes with 360° views, this is the hike for you. It's an absolute stunner and worth the 866 feet of elevation gain. Make sure the weather is perfect, as the stairs will be closed off due to wind and lightning in the area. As others have said, the 10-mile dirt road is a long drive, but it's not too rough and is super wide for cars to fit more than comfortably if passing. I wanted to experience the sunrise, so it was an early wake-up for me. It took me about 40 minutes at a nonstop pace to get to the top. It's not an easy task to hike this trail, but the views are worth it. I am afraid of heights and was able to get up to the fire tower. The key is to just keep climbing and don't look out or through the stairs. Fortunately, I had the tower all to myself and spent a good amount of time up there taking in the beauty. This may be one of my favorite hikes I've been on, especially being surrounded by trees the entire time. read more

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Reviewing the Devils Head Fire Tower isn't just the building since the building is minimal and you can't go it in, but the trail to go up there and the drive. There was 3 ways to drive up / down. It had recently rained hard. This cause giant and multicolor at the same section ~3 ft wide ruts The drive up hard several spots of the bottom of the car scratching either the dirt rock or big rocks in rock. Jarre Canyon to Rampart road was the best. rampart starts the dirt road and seemed to be the shortest distance on dirt road. Slightly south I believe the next option Jackson Creek road turned into dirt on Forest road 507. This was bad but not the worst. That was option was going south from devils head. It intersected Johnson Creek (the water) and was completely washed out. That added an hour going back up. The hike isn't easy especially with the altitude. The "only 3 miles" is misleading It's mostly uphill. There's several places to spot and see the view though. It took us 1.5 hours to go up and 0.5 hours to get down. We did stop several times. The tower is cool just because it's a tower on top of a mountain on top of an area that needs ~70 red steps to get to. The stairs are sturdy but not specifically wide enough for 2 people. The top had some rocks or a very thin path against a fence to get from the steps to the tower. If it rained that path will be a puddle. read more

Devils Head Fire Tower - Fire watch tower - Hiking Near Me - Sedalia, Colorado

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Absolutely amazing views along the way and especially from the lookout station! Great family hike; we've been doing it for over 20 years. Be careful on the dirt road to the parking lot. There are tons of motorcycles riding trails along the road, people camping, ATVs, etc. Worth the effort! read more

This hike was in my Spring "get the blood pumping" rotation years ago, but it had been almost a decade when we hit the trail yesterday. Closed for some time during the pandemic, this is back for an quick escape from the city. The wide, well-built trail climbs steeply, but not for long. The 1.4 mile route gains 845' and includes sporadic flat stretches, benches for resting, and overlooks that offer a good reason to catch your breath if need be. The trail ends in a pretty meadow that features the live-in caretaker cabin and the beginning of 143 red stairs leading to the lookout. Atop the stairs, it's time to drink in the expansive views, which were better than expected, given the Canadian fire smoke that's been choking the Front Range lately. Overall, this short hike offers a favorable effort to reward ratio, is easily accessible in a passenger car, and affords a chance to see one of the original four Front Range fire lookouts up close in person. Well worth a few hours, I'd say. read more

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I'd admit, I tried to get out of going on this hike the first time around. Luckily for me, my husband got super lost using his GPS the day I wormed out of going and decided to persuade me to go with him the next day. I caved, and I'm glad I did! Pro-Tip #1: Read up on this hike and how to get to the trailhead ahead of time since cellphone reception is spotty up in the mountains and your GPS *might* lead you astray. The drive to the trailhead is a well maintained dirt road, fun for testing out cars meant for off-roading. Upon arrival, there's an overflow parking lot, though we tried our luck with going to the primary parking lot and scored a spot. Restrooms are available at the trail head. What I loved about this hike: + There's over 900 ft of elevation gain over less than a mile and a half in the first half, so it's a slightly challenging hike. It feels like a good workout. For those times when I was catching my breath, I just announced that I wanted to stop and enjoy the view. (This was also true.) + You go up first, and then down and back out. The hardest part is done in the first half, and the second half is just a breeze. + The beautiful meadow at the base of the fire tower. I could have hung out there all day. + It was a mostly shaded hike, though I would definitely recommend sunscreen and a hat because the sun will get you even with brief exposure. Other Pro-tips: + Watch out for the gravelly path on the way down. It can be slippery. + Climbing up to the fire tower is not for those afraid of heights. It's a steep climb up, and it's just as steep going back down when you're looking down at the stairs. We'll be keeping this one in mind as one of our regular hikes since it's relatively short and easy to do with a toddler in tow. Plus, I still need to make it all the way up to the fire tower and experience that view! read more

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A favorite spring hike of ours... The trailhead is literally the end of the road and is supported by a newer outhouse and a parking lot that accommodates about 30 cars max with some creative parking arrangements. There are basic portalets at the top of the trail too. The trail is well maintained and gently switches you back and forth across the mountain bringing you to the top of the range. From here you can climb the highest rock to the fire tower ranger station where they feature a series of photos showcasing life in a forest fire watchtower. Our favorite perch is atop one of the rocky knolls just west of the fire tower. There is nothing better than stretching out like a lizard and soaking up some spring sunshine. Much like most easily accessible trails in Colorado, there are hoards of people. This hike attracts lots of families and pets and can be very fun but not a hike for those seeking peace and quiet. The ambient chatter is nonstop at the top and amongst those groups heading down-trail. Blue sky, chirping birds, amazing views and a constant breeze easily make this a worthwhile trip read more

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I was searching for an easier hike, close to Denver, and dog friendly. I also read someones review saying you're not a true native until you've hiked this trail, so there I was! It was a Wednesday when I hiked this trail so it wasn't too full in the parking lot by 9am. This is a very nice shaded hike ( my dog was grateful for that). We saw a few other dogs and their owners coming down, but didn't have too much traffic on the trail while heading up. It's a very nicely marked trail and good beginners trail for those that are just beginning on their hiking check list. The view from the top is absolutely stunning. We weren't able to run into the ranger up there, but maybe next time. I've herd they has great stories to tell. By the time we were heading back down, there was definitely a lot more people on the trail coming up. So, I would recommend getting to this trail head in the early mornings if you'd like a less crowded hike. They also have little benches and tables to eat lunch at. We did pack a picnic lunch and stopped just to enjoy all the Aspen and pine forest trees. We lost GPS signal for quite a ways, and actually ended up leaving from a different route. So, if you are trying to use the same way you came from, be careful of where you turn. Highly recommended hike and I will probably do it again when I need to get out of the city. read more

Devils Head Fire Tower - Hiking Near Me - Sedalia, Colorado

Eh - I mean while this hike had killer views, it wasn't what I expected! All the reviews online highlight that it's an easy upward hike to the top - considering it's only 2.7 miles round trip - but it is much harder than one would expect. TRAIL : gravel path, leading around the mountain with various stops along the way. There is signage to show halfway, lookout points and map directions. Trail is direct, lush and full of beautiful scenery. It is like STRAIGHT UP though and there were a lot of stairs as well, which I wasn't expecting. PRICE: free to park in the lot - which was full by the time we arrived. Slightly upward, it's only $5 to park and a short walk to the trailhead. VIEWS: killer - and worth it! The lookout is a bit small, but worth it for picture taking, or proposals - which we witnessed first hand! There is also a grassy area, before the lookout, which a lot of people picnicked at! In all reality, I'm not sure I'd do this hike again - as it was a bit more challenging than expected. However, I've heard the sunrise hike is awesome as well as seeing the fall foliage. read more

Such an amazing hike! Was super bummed when we got to the tower and it was closed that day. We climbed some rocks in front of the tower and it was an amazing site. read more

Devils Head Fire Tower - Hiking Near Me - Sedalia, Colorado

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This was such a great "close to home" hike! My hiking BFF and I were attempting to take in sunrise from the lookout, but we unfortunately missed it due to some bad directions. Still totally worth our sleep deprivation and getting there early! Here's the highlights: ++ Somewhat challenging (moderate difficulty is an accurate description) at 2.7 miles round trip and an elevation gain of approximately 948 feet, but worth the effort to take in those panoramic views! ++ I've said it once already, but it's worth saying again: AMAZING views from the fire lookout. ++ Lots of great resting points along the way with benches and additionally gorgeous views as well. ++ The trail is shaded for the most part and it appears to be well maintained (aside from the actual trailhead). ++ Great meadow area at the base of the stairs up to the lookout. Great place to take a long break (or bring a picnic) before heading back down the trail. +/- Rampart Range Road has some first come first serve camping along it that caters to OHV (most sites have easy access to all the trails), but the road through can be rough! +/- Parking at the trail head lot is free, but if the lot is full you can park a bit further down from the trailhead for a $5 day use fee. +/- The fire lookout has a 5 person limit. Kind of a bummer, but makes sense since it's still an active lookout! It's also chalk full of historical information about the lookout. -- When you Google directions to the trailhead Google tries to take you straight to the fire lookout! Use the directions on the USDA Forest Service's website. Super simple! Definitely going to be back to Devil's Head tocatch sunrise and some fall colors here too! **Pro Tip: Wear layers! The top is pretty chilly/windy. I also recommend getting there early in the summer to beat the heat! read more

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For being only 30 minutes outside Denver, this is a pretty good hike. Great scenery and a good place to take some pictures as well. The only downside to this hike is the amount of families. They often clutter the trail and make it hard to maneuver. However, for being such a popular hike, you really don't see that many families until you reach the top. Families also take a long time to go up too, as the elevation gain is 1,100 ft gain. It took my girlfriend and I with two dogs only 1 hour and 15 minute to hike to the top, go in the cabin, and hike back down. One family we passed was still in the same spot on our way down. Here are some tips: Tip 1: Go in the morning to get some good pictures. To this end, the afternoon can get a bit sketchy with weather, so plan accordingly. Once we were down, it was starting to rain. Tip 2: When driving down Rampart Range Road, keep on going. It takes 20 minutes once turning on the road to get to the parking lot. Tip 3: Once you get to the top, pack some lunch because the view is truly outstanding. Tip 4: There is another trial on the top that makes the total hike 3.75 miles round trip vs 3. This is a cool thing . Tip 5: Extremely dog friendly trail. Bring your furry friend! read more

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This hike has it all- a tiny bit of rigor, some beautiful shade, a summit and awesome historic fire tower and even its own resident fire watcher living in a cabin at the top! Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful meadow like atmosphere at the top! Great for kids due to the short distance and the novelty of the fire tower! What's not to like? Really bumpy long dirt road to get here and... way too crowded on weekends! Go super early if you want to enjoy this hike! read more

Devils Head Fire Tower - Fire tower - Hiking Near Me - Sedalia, Colorado

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This was a great 1/2 day hike. Moderate difficulty. Get there early to avoid the crowds and secure parking. Not much wildlife to see due to abundance of people. The views are worth the effort of the hike and the stairs at the end. I wouldn't recommend it for young children or people with health issues. The trail is very clean, restrooms at the parking area and at the top, bring your own TP!. No water at the top either, so bring water and snacks. The road in and out can be dusty and congested with RV's, so be patient. Again, being early birds helps. read more

This was such a great hike! After reading the other reviews we were really nervous about taking our four year old on on the trail. But he did awesome - with no complaints at all! It was a challenging hike up and we did take several breaks to get up the mountain, but we finished the round trip in under two hours (including stopping for picnic lunch at the top). There are restrooms that are clean at the top and you absolutely have to save energy to make it up the stairs to the lookout tower (highlight of the trip). Toughest part was the 10+ miles on dirt road to the trailhead. We got stuck behind a trailer that wanted to go 10 mph and it took forever! As long as you plan for that to potentially happen and just have major patience, the hike itself is a great family adventure. read more

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This was a great hike! I'll warn you that you feel like you are lost as you drive here- bumpy gravel roads with not a lot of signs but you are headed in the right direction. Parking can be a challenge on weekends. We followed a family to their car to get their spot. A decent amount of elevation gain on the hike but most people should be fine. Some great lookout points along the way. The staircase at the top would be scary for anyone with a fear of heights but it's doable. The guide at the top is super knowledgeable and friendly. You have a great 360 review from the top of all the surrounding peaks. read more

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This hike is a staple for people living in CO. The drive is the part that takes the longest because you are on a bumpy dirt road for up to 30 minutes and the hike itself is pretty awesome so nice you arrive. There are no awe inspiring scenes right off the bat but you nice you get half way you realize why you drove all this way. The lookout itself is pretty cool and we even took our 2 year old which we had in a ergo baby backpack and our 4 year old who climber the 144 steps himself. The only one that was really scared was my wife but that is "just how she was born", so she had told me . The hike back down takes about 40 minutes tops and is a very easy hike all in all. read more

Devils Head Fire Tower - Hiking Near Me - Sedalia, Colorado

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Very popular hike just outside of Sedalia, and 45 min SW of Denver. It isn't too long- 2.8 miles round trip but the ascent, 940' elevation does make it a little more challenging. Overall, is moderately challenging and takes about 90 min depending on your speed. We came here 9/26/15 to see Fall Aspens; there were a few but I think many were recently damaged by a summer tornado- the majority of trees were evergreen. Even in absence of dynamic fall foliage, this is a great family hike. There are spots along the way with benches to rest and smaller boulders for the kids to climb. At the top, there are steep but easy to navigate steps to the firetower. It is the oldest in Colorado and from the top, you can see a 360 view of the front range. It is beautiful. There are lots of dogs on the hike too so bring your pup! One tip, This is a popular hike so it is crowded- get there early to find a parking spot by the trailhead. If the lot is full, you can park in the neighboring campground for 6 dollar day-use fee. read more

Devils Head Fire Tower - View of Southern portion of Front Range from the top of the Firetower - Hiking Near Me - Sedalia, Colorado

LOVE this hike! I've done it three times now! Get there at the crack of dawn for good parking and to avoid the families with their hoards of children! The 140 steps at the end are fun albeit a little nerve wracking on the way back down! The ranger at the top is a true treat and he's been there doing that job for nearly forever! The views are fantastic and there is usually a nice breeze! As others have said the drive on the dirt road for forever is the worst part, but most any car can do it which is nice read more

The drive to this hike is a bit rough on the dirt roads, but it is well worth it. Plenty of spots along the hike to stop and take pictures, with the views at the top being the most breathtaking. It was a Monday at the end of September, so there were school children. Not too crowded otherwise. read more

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Absolutely beautiful place to hike. It's a fairly easy trail with gorgeous views on the way up and breath taking 360 degree view at the top. It's 2.7 miles with 143 stairs to the top. It's pet friendly and a fun day hike. Try going early and summit by sunrise for a stunning view of the sun coming up over the city and cotton candy looking clouds. read more

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Really cool trail. Hard to find; but worth it. Trail switchbacks up the mountain about 1200 feet. Views from the top are awesome- can see Pikes Peak mountain. read more

This is a must!!! Go see Ranger Ellis and let him completely wow you with his stories and amazing relics at the top. It's quite the climb, as seen in my photos, but the view is unreal. I left that day wanting to become a fire tower guard :) read more

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The hike, itself, is pretty challenging, but reasonable. Climbing up the trail required us to stop several times to catch our breath. But we made it! Three others and I made it up the fire watch, which highlights the journey. You can't miss this part. The views are spectacular. Well worth the challenge. Agree with other Yelpers regarding the long dirt road that gets you there. Hopefully they'll pave that at some point. read more

Devils Head Fire Tower - Made it to the top. What a challenge. - Hiking Near Me - Sedalia, Colorado

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30 minutes from Denver DTC...Went on a crisp Tuesday morning in October... plenty of parking in the main lot. Tree covered most of the way with well marked switchbacks. Gorgeous 3views all the way up to the Fire Tower. When you reach the Fire Tower the 360 views were AH MAZ ING. Could see the Front Range, Downtown Denver.. phenomenal. By far my favorite (moderate) hike in CO. Be sure to Add it to your list... Oh but don't drive your sports car to the trail.. the road is really rough leading to the trial head. read more

This was the most amazing hike! You will need water and snacks. And take a light jacket because it gets chilly at the top! This hike was breathtaking and it made me want to move to Colorado! read more

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I'm completely torn because this was probably the best hike I've ever had. It was a fair level of difficulty and the view could not be beat. If you are new to hiking, I highly recommend this trail! One point was taken away because unless you have 4 wheel drive, don't even think about coming here when there is snow on the ground. The ride to the trail is awful, bumpy, and downright scary. We almost slipped off the road in our Avalanche!! The main issue i have with this trail is the stench. Yes, this is a very dog friendly trail and there is going to be a lot of dogs. I love dogs and plan to bring a dog should I go next time. However that is no excuse for the amount of neglect I saw on this trail due to dog owners not taking proper care of their dog's poop. The smell was so bad that for many parts of the trail our noses and eyes were watering. There was poop EVERYWHERE. Some people just bagged the poop and left it there on the ground! That's not how this works people! Bring a zip block gallon bag or another contraption to collect your dog poop bags and then throw them away responsibility! read more

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Amazing views. Great place for taking kids and non-experienced hikers. Climbing steps to the top of the fire lookout is a bit nerve wracking, but very worth it. Close enough to Denver to make a day of it. read more

Easy enough hike. I don't have kids but there were plenty out here hiking and they seemed to do fine. Parking can be a little difficult but most good trails do. I would say it was moderately trafficked. Overall, I suggest this hike! read more

Devils Head Fire Tower - Hiking Near Me - Sedalia, Colorado

This is the best kept secret in Colorado! It is a very short hike, although it is relatively steep, the view along the way and at the very top is well worth it! I highly recommend the spot anybody that wants to go visit something new and incredible in Colorado! read more