Best Hikes near Denver - Saint Mary's Glacier Hike, Colorado

Saint Mary’s Glacier is an easy 2.4 mile round trip hike with about 1,030 ft of elevation gain. It’s in Idaho Springs and about 45 minutes from Downtown Denver. Saint Mary’s has a glacier that has snow year round. Sometimes people will be skiing in August like they were when I last visited! There is a $5 cash fee to park in the lot and the views are worth any payment. The colors from the wildflowers in the summer are so lush. The lake is cold, but good for cliff jumping and swimming. There is a stream of water from the snowmelt near the glacier with lots of nice places to sit and enjoy the views. I love coming to this place to hike in different seasons throughout the year. This is a great hike to take visitors from out of town for beautiful views in a short distance. The drive up to the parking lot is gorgeous too!