Climbing★ 5.0
Alderfer/Three Sisters Park
Jeffco Open Space park with granite bouldering areas (The Eggs, Tortuga, Shoulder Boulders, Land of Slabs, Brothers' Lookout 2nd Tier) and forest trails. Pads recommended; fixed protection is not permitted.
Destinations
CO, US
ALDERFER/THREE SISTERS PARK
Evergreen foothills base: granite boulders, lake skating and paddling, Jeffco open space and the road to Mount Blue Sky
6
Sports
7,162 ft
Elevation
9,307
Population
Evergreen is a Front Range foothills town about 19 miles west of Denver, set around Evergreen Lake. Jefferson County Open Space (Jeffco) parks ring it: Alderfer/Three Sisters (rounded granite boulders such as The Eggs, Tortuga and the Land of Slabs, plus ponderosa forest trails with the most trail per acre of any foothills park, per the Colorado Mountain Club), Elk Meadow (trails climbing to the 9,708 ft summit of Bergen Peak), Mount Falcon (multi-use trails and castle ruins) and Lair o' the Bear (creekside picnic area and a bike-only flow trail). The lake is used for summer boating and paddling and for winter skating and pond hockey. Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway from Idaho Springs, and Clear Creek Canyon sport climbing near Golden, are day trips. It suits a bouldering and trails weekend, not a big-wall trip.
6 sports to explore
ADVENTURE SPORTS IN ALDERFER/THREE SISTERS PARK
ClimbingApr-NovBouldering at Alderfer/Three Sisters; best May-Jun and Sep-Oct.HikingMay-OctOpen-space trails year-round; Mount Blue Sky upper road generally late May to early autumn (2026: reopened Memorial Day weekend, upper gate closed for season by early October), weather permitting.Mountain BikingMay-OctMount Falcon, Elk Meadow and Lair o' the Bear (Rutabaga Ride, bike-only) trails; Rutabaga Ride has periodic maintenance closures.KayakingJun-SepEvergreen Lake summer boating; Clear Creek whitewater is snowmelt dependent (estimate).RunningApr-NovOpen-space trail running.SkiingDec-MarEvergreen is not a ski area; winter activity here is lake skating (about Christmas to late March). Resorts are in the I-70 corridor.
Leave no trace
TREAD LIGHTLY
- Stay on trails, pack out waste and pet waste, no campfires or camping in Jeffco parks, and respect posted closures (including golden eagle nesting closures in Clear Creek Canyon).
The hit list
TOP SPOTS
The places you can't miss in Alderfer/Three Sisters Park, best rated first.
Climbing★ 5.0
The Eggs
Rounded granite boulders in Alderfer/Three Sisters, an approachable bouldering circuit.
Climbing★ 5.0
Land of Slabs
Slab-focused bouldering area in the park that rewards balance and footwork.
Mountain Biking★ 5.0
Mount Falcon Park
Jeffco park near Morrison with the ruins of John Brisben Walker's castle and a climbable tower on Tower Trail; most trails are multi-use, Turkey Trot (1.7 mi) is hikers and equestrians only.
Climbing★ 5.0
Clear Creek Canyon (west of Golden)
Sport-climbing canyon on US-6 with 100+ crags and about 1,300 routes, mostly 5.9-5.12 gneiss and granite on Jeffco land; some areas close roughly Feb 1-Jul 31 for golden eagle nesting. Judgement: about 25 miles from Evergreen.
Hiking★ 4.6
Elk Meadow Park
Jeffco open space of meadows and rough natural-surface trails near Evergreen that climb to Bergen Peak at 9,708 ft; leashed dogs allowed.
Hiking★ 4.6
Bergen Peak
Summit hike above Evergreen reached from Elk Meadow Park, topping out at 9,708 ft; trail lengths vary widely by route.
Hiking★ 4.6
Lair o' the Bear Park
394-acre Jeffco park on Bear Creek with picnic tables, grills and fishing, 8.2 miles of trails and Rutabaga Ride, a 3.5-mile bike-only directional trail (opened 2023). Good for easy family outings.
Explore the area
AREAS WITHIN ALDERFER/THREE SISTERS PARK
1 distinct area, each with its own character, seasons and access. Numbers match the map.
1
Morrison/Evergreen/Littleton
parkClimbing
Corridor of open-space parks and canyon walls west of Denver, from bouldering circuits in the pines to roadside sport routes. Alderfer/Three Sisters, Matthews-Winters Park and Morrison Boulders each have distinct character.
Highlights
- Morrison Boulders
- Matthews-Winters Park
- Juniper Pass
- Morrison Routes
- Lover's Leap
Plan the trip
GETTING THERE
A car is essential: trailheads, open-space parks and the byway are reached by road with no meaningful local transit. Alderfer/Three Sisters has an East trailhead (30357 Buffalo Park Rd) and a West trailhead (5136 S Le Masters Rd); lots fill on weekends, so arrive early. The Mount Blue Sky upper road is seasonal and vehicles need a timed-entry reservation plus day-use fee via Recreation.gov (cyclists and pedestrians do not).
Airports
- DENDenver International Airportabout 50 mi (estimate) · about 1h 5m (estimate) drive
Major hub with nonstop service from most large US cities and many international gateways.
Drive from
| City | Distance | Drive to Alderfer/Three Sisters Park |
|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | about 30 mi (estimate) | about 40m (estimate) |
| Boulder, CO | about 40 mi (estimate) | about 1h (estimate) |
| Colorado Springs, CO | about 80 mi (estimate) | about 1h 30m (estimate) |
| Fort Collins, CO | about 85 mi (estimate) | about 1h 40m (estimate) |
| Grand Junction, CO | about 250 mi (estimate) | about 3h 45m (estimate) |
Field notes
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
What a trip to Alderfer/Three Sisters Park costs, what to sort out ahead of time, and how to stay safe.
What it costs per day
Daily Costs
—
Estimate (judgement call, not sourced): budget $60-100/day (camping nearby or motel, self-catering), mid $150-250, luxury $300+. Known fees: Evergreen Lake private-boat day pass $10 weekday / $15 weekend (per a visitor guide); Jeffco parks list no entry fee.
Permits & reservations
Permits & passes
Jeffco Open Space parks list no entry fee (verify on jeffco.us). Fixed protection is not permitted at Alderfer/Three Sisters; dogs on a 10 ft or shorter leash; no camping or campfires; parks open one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Guided groups need a Jeffco permit (CMC trips carry a CMC-Jeffco permit; CMC groups max 14). Mount Blue Sky upper road: timed-entry reservation and day-use fee via Recreation.gov for vehicles.
Entry, health & culture
- Entry & visas
Standard US entry rules; ESTA for Visa Waiver Program countries.
- Health
Elevation 7,100-8,500 ft in town and parks; hydrate and allow time to acclimatize. Mount Blue Sky reaches 14,266 ft.
- Local culture
Small foothills commuter and resort town with a strong open-space culture.
Stay safe
Flash floods
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer; get off peaks and exposed rock early.
Bring crash pads and spotters…
Bring crash pads and spotters for bouldering.
Dogs must be on a leash of 10…
Dogs must be on a leash of 10 ft or less on Jeffco land.
Cold & snow
Winter lake ice thickness varies; follow the posted ice status.
Honest take
THE GOOD & THE REAL
Why Alderfer/Three Sisters Park
5- Free Jeffco open-space access to the bouldering and trails (no entry fee found; verify)
- About 19 miles from Denver
- Boulders, lake sports, hiking and riding within a few miles
- Mount Blue Sky and Clear Creek Canyon are day trips
- Local shop and AMGA-trained guides based in Evergreen
Know this
5- Weekend parking at Alderfer/Three Sisters fills by mid-morning
- Only one full gear shop in town; crash pads and shoes mean a trip to Denver or Boulder
- Snowy winters limit climbing from December to March
- Mount Blue Sky upper road is seasonal and needs a timed-entry reservation for vehicles
- Parts of Alderfer/Three Sisters have had forest-health closures; check Jeffco before going
For Families
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS
7/10
Good for families
Judgement call: easy trails, a lake, creekside picnic parks and low boulders make Evergreen family-friendly, with altitude, weather and 10-ft leash rule as cautions.
Family-friendliness is scored from real web evidence across multiple sources — trail difficulty, access, and how families describe each spot — not a single opinion.
Best bets with kids
Evergreen Lake
8/10medium confidence
Pedal boats and paddle boards in summer, public skating in winter, plus the Lake House.
Lair o' the Bear Park
8/10medium confidence
Jeffco page describes it as popular with families: many picnic tables and grills, Bear Creek fishing.
Alderfer/Three Sisters Park
7/10medium confidence
Leashed dogs allowed, low boulders and forest loops of 2-3 miles (e.g. Big Brother and Sister Loop, 3.1 mi, 358 ft gain).
By Sport
SEASON BY SPORT
| Sport | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climbing | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| Hiking | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — |
| Mountain Biking | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — |
| Kayaking | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — |
| Running | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| Skiing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ |
✓
Peak~
Shoulder—
OffPeak — Go now
Mild foothill temperatures for bouldering, hiking and riding; fall colour and drier trails. Climbing temperatures are a judgement call from the elevation.
Shoulder — Strategic
Summer is warm with afternoon thunderstorms, so go early; April and November are variable with snow patches.
Avoid — Skip it
Snowy and cold for climbing (Evergreen gets about 81 in of snow a year), though it is the season for lake skating and pond hockey.
Where to Stay
NEIGHBORHOODS
Downtown Evergreen / Evergreen Lake
$$-$$$Small mountain-town core by the lake with restaurants, shops and the Lake House.
Stay here if: You want to walk to food and the lake and be minutes from the open-space parks.
Bergen Park / I-70 corridor
$$Roadside services at the Evergreen Parkway junction with the Lariat Loop.
Stay here if: You want quick access to I-70, Idaho Springs and the Mount Blue Sky byway.
Idaho Springs
$$Historic mining town on Clear Creek, the gateway to the byway and Clear Creek Canyon.
Stay here if: You are focused on Clear Creek climbing or a Mount Blue Sky day.
On the Ground
LOCAL RESOURCES
storefrontGear Shops
- Boone Mountain Sportsski and outdoor shop
Family-run shop at 2962 Evergreen Pkwy, Evergreen, open since 1985 (as Paragon Sports); ski/snowboard gear, outdoor apparel, rentals and tuning; Evergreen Brewery upstairs. Verified on its own site; hours vary by listing, check before visiting.
- Neptune Mountaineeringclimbing shop
Boulder shop for crash pads and shoes, about 40 miles away (distance is an estimate; shop not re-verified this pass).
- Bentgate Mountaineering — 1313 Washington Ave, Golden (10 min from Morrison; locally owned climbing and mountaineering specialty shop since 1994)
- REI — Southwest Plaza, Littleton (20 min; full-service outdoor retailer with climbing hardware and shoe rental)
- Wilderness Exchange Unlimited — Denver (30 min; used and new gear, strong climbing section)
tourGuide Services
- Evergreen Wilderness Guidesclimbing
Courses in Golden, Evergreen and Pine; AMGA single-pitch-certified guides; lists bouldering at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park and Staunton State Park.
- Denver Mountain Guidingclimbing
AMGA-trained guides running private lessons and clinics across the Front Range.
- Evergreen Park & Recreation District (Buchanan Park Recreation Center)climbing
41-foot indoor climbing pinnacle for open climbing and classes; also runs Evergreen Lake.
- Colorado Climbing Company (coclimbing.com) — AMGA-certified guides offering instruction and custom trips across Front Range areas including the Morrison corridor
- Smile Mountain Guides (smilemountainguides.com) — Golden/Boulder-based service specializing in custom Front Range climbing instruction at areas like Eldorado Canyon and nearby crags
- Colorado Mountain School (coloradomountainschool.com) — Largest guide operation in the state; offers private guiding throughout the Front Range
restaurantFood & Drink
- Evergreen Lake Houselake house
Focal point of lake recreation; rents pedal boats and paddle boards in summer, skating in winter.
- Evergreen Brewery (inside Boone Mountain Sports)brewery
Beer upstairs from the shop.
- Revival Brewsbrewery / pub food
Named in Evergreen visitor guides; not verified against a primary source.
- Lariat Lodge Brewing Companybrewpub
Described as the town's first brew pub in visitor guides; not verified against a primary source.
- Blackbird Cafecafe
Brunch spot named in visitor guides; not verified against a primary source.
- Little Bear Saloonbar / live music
Live-music bar named in visitor guides; not verified against a primary source.
- The Fort — 19192 Hwy 8, Morrison; iconic adobe steakhouse (est. 1963) serving buffalo, elk and game; dinner only, reservations recommended
- The Cow / An Eatery — 316 Bear Creek Ave, Morrison; cafe-style breakfast and lunch with espresso and full bar, walk-up window in summer
- Morrison Inn — downtown Morrison; casual Mexican food and margaritas, a post-climb staple for local climbers
- Lariat Lodge Brewing Co — downtown Evergreen; brewpub with 12 house-brewed craft beers and scratch kitchen, great for Alderfer/Three Sisters days
- Beau Jo's Pizza — downtown Evergreen; Colorado-style mountain pie with patio overlooking Bear Creek
Plan it
GO TO ALDERFER/THREE SISTERS PARK.
You've got the field notes. Time to put it on the calendar.