7 of the Best Hike-and-Spa Experiences for Colorado Moms

It’s a Colorado bluebird day when I first step inside the Lupine Spa, a luxurious hideaway tucked inside the Viewline Resort at Snowmass. After romping through a meadow filled with the day spa’s namesake blue and purple wildflowers, I trade in my boots and backpack for a plush robe and cozy up inside the relaxation room while the tinkling music tunes my mental load. As a full-time working mom who doesn’t often get time like this to unwind, I cherish the next 15 minutes of alone time almost as much as the massage that follows.

Because here’s the thing: The memes about Colorado mamas are mostly true. We tend to like Subarus, athleisure, and practical footwear. We sling hydration and lip balm to our kids on an hourly basis, and we count days outside as the barometer of family health. We love hard and play hard—but we still need a little R&R to recover from our best adventures. Instead of gifting flowers or handmade coupon books for Mother’s Day this year, may we suggest a day of Colorado mom fun for the leading lady in your life?

We’ve scoured the state and paired some of our most beautiful Rocky Mountain hikes with indulgent spa treatments, so you can help your favorite mom spend the morning marveling at mountains majesty with her kiddos and the afternoon blissfully zoned-out beneath the experienced hands of a masseuse. After all, she already has enough Chacos.

Denver

Hike First: Bear Creek to Panorama Point
Spa Later: Woodhouse Spa

Beat the heat (and the crowds) by starting early at this Front Range favorite in Idledale. Instead of beginning at the wildly popular Lair o’ the Bear Park, head to the quieter Corwina Park trailhead. From there, it’s a decent 1.5 miles of gentle climbing until you arrive at Panorama Point where you’ll be rewarded with commanding views down the canyon and across the evergreen-shrouded peaks to 14,265-foot Mt. Evans. Continue along the trail to turn the route into a loop that gradually descends back to the trailhead where you’ve got a 30-minute commute to shed your hiking shoes before arriving at Woodhouse Spa.

Woodhouse has six locations scattered around the metro area, from Littleton to Denver to Castle Pines. The Denver locale is a beautiful converted historic home that practically oozes charm from every nook and cranny. Pro tip: Athletic mamas with dry skin should try the Black Sand Rejuvenation Treatment that uses black sand and a pumice stone for a full-body exfoliation.

Aurora

Hike First: Jewell Wetlands Loop
Spa Later: Simply Amazing Spa

For the birding mom, you’ll do no better than the loop that meanders through 50-acre Jewell Wetlands on the corner of Potomac and Jewell Avenue. It’s a flat, mile-long loop (concrete, gravel, and boardwalk surfaces) with incredible access to marshlands. Ornithologists will delight in the variety of feathered friends you can spot along the way including sora birds, Virginia rails, and maybe an American bittern if you’re lucky.

Once she’s had her fill of marsh wrens, ditch the binoculars and head to Simply Amazing Spa for a Coffee and Brown Sugar Wrap (which is a treatment, not a tasty treat). Not only do the coffee and sugar crystals exfoliate your skin to leave you glowy and energized, but the spa wraps the layers in heated thermal blankets. It’s a java jolt in every sense.

Boulder

Hike First: Bear Peak
Spa Later: St. Julien Hotel & Spa

Bear Peak is a rite of passage that every Denverite should do at least once. Launching from the South Mesa trailhead near Eldorado Springs, this 7.4-mile round-trip hike ascends a whopping 2,800 feet on the approach as it climbs through the verdant Shadow Canyon before dumping you onto the saddle between Bear and South Boulder Peaks—two of the high points on the Boulder horizon. From there, scramble to the 8,459-foot summit where you’re rewarded with full-send views of the Front Range.

With quads sore from the big morning, dip into the parking garage just east of the St Julien, the only AAA Four Diamond lodging in Boulder, in downtown to catch your appointment at the spa. Spoiled mamas will love the Timeless Trio, a three-hour package that includes a full-body massage, a facial, and a pedi. Wrap up your reset with the latest issue of 5280 and an herbal tea in the spa lobby where a chaise lounger is calling your name.

Fort Collins

Hike First: Horsetooth Falls
Spa Later: Living Arts Wellness

Begin with the short-yet-classic hike to Horsetooth Falls, a popular 2.5-mile jaunt that is great for families or mamas who want scenic views without having to go full-send. Park at the trailhead, which got a facelift and an additional vault toilet in December, then meander through meadows dotting the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space before dropping into a canyon where you’ll find the plunging cascade. If you time it right, the grassy meadows may be starting to pop with colorful wildflowers, so bring your camera—and pack a lunch. Enjoying a sammie while you wade into the water pooling beneath the falls may be the highlight of your day.

Until you get to Living Arts Wellness, of course. This holistic health spa specializes in personalized massage therapy, so their expert masseuses can tackle your mom’s particular aches and pains. If she spends a lot of time on her feet (what mom doesn’t?), consider booking the spa’s unique Ionic Foot Bath for her. She’ll dip her feet in a tub of warm water while positive and negative ions draw out toxins.

Snowmass

Hike First: Rim Trail South
Spa Later: Lupine Spa

Beat the crowds with a dawn patrol trek on the Rim Trail South, a popular path just minutes from Snowmass Village. Begin climbing almost immediately, covering 600 vertical feet in just over a mile as you dodge leftover patches of snow (in May, definitely pack traction devices). From there, it’s smooth sailing as the trail levels out along the edge of the northern valley wall where gorgeous views into the Elk Range abound. The Rim Trail South hooks up with the Rim Trail North to create a 7.6-miler, but you can turn around and head back to the car whenever you want—because you won’t want to miss your appointment at Lupine Spa.

Once you’re done soaking in the views, head over to the Snowmass Upper Village to visit the recently renovated Viewline Resort. As part of the $40 million upgrade, the beautiful new property boasts the lavish Lupine Spa. There, we recommend soaking in the heat from a 50-minute Himalayan Salt Stone massage that will turn your tired muscles to mush before you’ve even dozed off. Or, if you’re feeling really achy, consider a CBD massage to give your body and brain a reboot.

Steamboat Springs

Hike First: Hot Springs Trail
Spa Later: Strawberry Park Hot Springs

Snowshoeing and hot springs? Yes, please. Most Coloradans have heard of Strawberry Park Hot Springs, the gorgeous natural bubbler north of town, but did you know you can hike there? Begin the day at the Mad Creek trailhead, which usually dries out by summer. (This year, plan on snowshoeing.) Head back the way you came about a quarter-mile along the road. There, you’ll see a sign for the Hot Springs Trail, a three-mile path that winds through tall grasses and shady woods before terminating at Strawberry Park.

Once you’ve arrived at the hot springs, we recommend a Watsu massage, a type of hydrotherapy that takes place in water. At Strawberry Park, the therapists use one of the private pools to stretch and massage you into glorious oblivion surrounded by the sumptuous warm waters. Note: Don’t forget to book your hot springs reservations in advance, even if you opt against the massage.

Leadville

Hike First: Mt. Massive via Fish Hatchery
Spa Later: Nourish Day Spa

For the mama who wants to go big and tackle a fourteener on her day, consider the winter route up 14,429-foot Mt. Massive. On skis or snowshoes, start early at the Fish Hatchery trailhead because you’ve got a big day ahead: 13 miles round-trip with close to 5,000 feet of elevation gain. While your quads will burn as you ascend the Highline Trail through conifer woods, your lungs may feel worse as you break through the treeline and tackle the east ridge to the summit (always check conditions before heading out, and pack avy gear for this one). The bird’s-eye view over the Centennial State is grand even from the ridge, so turn around and retrace your steps if anything looks spicy.

Safely scamper back to your car and head into town for your appointment at Nourish Day Spa in the historic Tabor Grand building. Since you’ll be coming off your alpine high, consider the Alpine Glow Spa Treatment: 90 blissful minutes that include an herbal foot soak for your swollen tootsies, a 60-minute massage, and a Gua Sha facial massage to work away the day’s effort.