Getting Oriented

One of the best places to take a first look at this beautiful town is from the scenic overlook on Davidson Mesa (pull out at the scenic overlook on westbound U.S. 36, at the crest of the hill about 8 miles outside of town). In the distance are the craggy (and often snowcapped) peaks in Roosevelt National Forest, Indian Peaks Wilderness, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Closer by, to the southwest, are Bear Peak and the Devil’s Thumb on its left slope, near the entrance to Eldorado Canyon. Just north of there are Green Mountain and the trademark red-sandstone Flatirons, which you can see from many vantage points in town. These massive rock upthrusts, named for their flat faces, are popular among rock climbers and hikers. To the east are flat plains, dotted with parks and reservoirs.

In town, the red-tile roofs of the University of Colorado dominate the landscape on University Hill ("the Hill"), just south of downtown. Boulder Creek courses along the south side of downtown, with a multiuse path alongside it. At the northeastern end of town is Boulder Reservoir, a 700-acre park used for swimming, rowing, kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, and waterskiing.