11 Things to Do at Chautauqua Park & Iconic Flatirons in Boulder

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In this guide, we are sharing our personal hiking review of Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado.

When we lived in Boulder we would often visit Chautauqua Park and the Flatirons to go on hikes and meet up with friends.

chautauqua park

But that’s not all you can do at Colorado Chautauqua. You can also enjoy entertainment, dining, and special events at their event center.

If you are looking for a fun destination for both hiking and history, Chautauqua Park makes a great day trip!

What is the history of Chautauqua Park?

In the late 1890s, the Texas Board of Regents was looking for a cooler climate where they could establish a summer school for teachers.

They set their sights on Colorado and began searching for a location.

Boulder city leaders offered land, facilities, and public utilities in an effort to entice the Texans to build there.

(Have you ever wondered why so many Texans live in or visit Colorado, this is a contributing factor!)

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The Texans were quite taken with the beautiful mountain setting beside the Flatirons (we can relate to that feeling!).

Even back then, Boulder had a reputation for being a healthy city.

The summer school was built as a partnership between the Texas Board of Regents, a railroad company, and the city of Boulder — all on the back of the Chautauqua Movement.

What’s the “Chautauqua Movement”?

In the late 1800s, a Methodist minister named John Heyl Vincent formed an organization along the banks of Chautauqua Lake called the Chautauqua Institution.

Vincent recognized that many working-class and rural Americans lacked access to formal education, leaving many adults largely ignorant later in life.

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He created the Chautauqua Institution, which grew to include a correspondence course, the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle.

This program allowed working- and middle-class Americans to learn about a variety of subjects.

The success of the Chautauqua Institution sparked a movement that spread across the country.

Some Chautauquas were part of a traveling circuit Chautauqua, while others were permanent fixtures in their communities, like the one the Texans built in Boulder.

As education became more widely available to Americans after the turn of the century, Chautauquas became less popular, and the Movement ultimately died out during the Great Depression.

Some permanent Chautauqua buildings remain to this day, including the Colorado Chautauqua.

Exploring the Colorado Chautauqua today

Chautauqua Park is a 26-acre area owned by the City of Boulder and leased to the Colorado Chautauqua Association.

It includes the park and many trailheads up the Flatirons, as well as the buildings that made up the Chautauqua.

As Chautauquas lost popularity in the middle of the century, Colorado Chautauqua struggled to maintain revenue.

Then, the Colorado Chautauqua Auditorium was designated a National Historic Place in 1974. This led to the restoration of the grounds and buildings making up the Chautauqua.

chautauqua park boulder

Today, Chautauqua Park is one of only 25 National Historic Landmarks in the state of Colorado.

It is also the only continuously operating Chautauqua west of the Mississippi that still uses all the original structures for their original purposes.

The Colorado Chautauqua continues in the spirit of the Movement. It focuses on serving the community with outstanding cultural and educational programs.

The Colorado Chautauqua attracts more than a million visitors each year.

What are the Flatirons in Boulder?

The Flatirons are a large set of five rock formations that jut out of the land in Boulder, Colorado creating flat-sided mountains.

They resemble the underside of an old-fashioned clothes iron, therefore getting the name “Flatirons”.

flatirons boulder

When you see a photo of Boulder, Colorado you are most likely seeing a picture of the Flatirons, due to being so iconic.

These five main flatirons stretch from north to south along the eastern slope of Green Mountain, and are sometimes called “Chautauqua Slabs”.

Chautauqua Park refers to the valley around and below the Flatirons and allows for lots of rock climbing, hiking and biking to be done in the area.

How do you get to Chautauqua and the Flatirons?

Chautauqua Park is located in southwest Boulder, about 1 mile southwest of the University of Colorado Boulder.

The main entrance is off Baseline Road, via Kinnikinnick Road (on the west side of the park). You can also access the trailheads and the park from the east on 12th St.

Chautauqua Park is about a 30- to 45-minute drive from Denver depending on traffic and time of day.

If you are coming from Colorado Springs, Chautauqua Park is a one-and-a-half to two-hour-long drive, making it an ideal day trip destination.

Parking is limited

One of the main reasons it’s recommended to take a shuttle or bus to Chautauqua is that there is very limited parking on-site.

Cars were definitely not a concern when the Chautauqua was first built in 1898.

If you choose to drive, your best bet for nearby parking will be first-come, first-served street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Ride the bus for free

You can take a direct bus from Denver to Boulder for free! The bus departs from Union Station Gate B17 in Denver and stops at Broadway & Regent Dr. Services in Boulder.

This is just several blocks from Chautauqua Park and the Flatirons.

chautauqua park colorado

Take the free Park to Park Shuttle

If you’re spending the day in Boulder, leave your car behind and take the Park to Park Shuttle to visit Chautauqua Park!

Whether you’re visiting the University of Colorado Boulder or shopping on Pearl Street, this free shuttle eases parking congestion near the Chautauqua on summer weekends and holidays.

The Park to Park Shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 8 am to 8 pm on weekends, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Catch a discounted Lyft ride

You can also get special discounts when riding with Lyft to get to and from Chautauqua Park, to avoid paying for parking.

Use code: PARK2PARK

Take a free Lyft ride between 6am-8am and 8pm-11pm on weekends.

You can get picked up and dropped off between New Vista/CU Regent lots and Chautauqua from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Use code: RIDE2HIKE

Receive $2.50 off a one-way trip from Anywhere to Chautauqua ($5 round trip) on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Chautauqua Park & Flatirons map and trails

When arriving at Chautauqua Park you will see a large open space bordered by the Flatiron mountainside.

There are multiple trails that wind in and around the open space and the surrounding wooded areas.

chautauqua park trail map flatirons boulder

There are also steeper hikes and trails the closer you get the Flatirons. Check out this map of the Chautauqua Park area, the main entrance, and popular hiking trails.

You can choose to hike any of the dozens of trails in the area, from the Chautauqua Park Trail to the Flatirons Loop.

Things to do at Chautauqua Park

Chautauqua Park has so many things to see and do, and plenty of opportunities to learn and grow as well.

1. Explore lots of hiking trails

There are 10 trailheads accessible from the Chautauqua Park, with views of the Flatirons, ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous.

Not all trails permit dogs, and the trails that do allow dogs require that they be leashed.

Check the trail instructions before you go to confirm the level of difficulty. Some trails are mixed-use, so be aware that you may share the trail with everything from dogs and horses to bicycles!

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2. Visit the Ranger Cottage

If you are not sure which trail to take, or want to grab a map, stop by the Ranger Cottage and get a recommendation!

You can also get information about the animals in the area that you might see while on your hike.

The Ranger Cottage is right off the main parking lot. This makes it an easy spot to meet up with friends or plan out your hiking adventure.

Heads up: This is a great time to stop and go to the bathroom, or grab a drink of water from the fountain, before starting your hike!

3. Playground and picnic area

Chautauqua Park and the Flatirons is an ideal outdoor getaway for families with kids.

Between the playground, the picnic and hiking areas, as well as the ample open space, there are lots of ways for families to connect and kids to interact with nature.

4. Enjoy views of the Flatirons

The Park is situated right at the base of the Flatiron mountains, which makes for a gorgeous backdrop. This is a wonderful destination for some up close and personal mountain views in Boulder.

Be sure to bring a camera to capture the beautiful views as well as any wildlife you may see in the area.

On one of our hikes up the Flatirons, we saw a mother black bear and her two cubs. The wildlife here are very wild to use safety precautions when on the trails.

5. Go on a self-guided history tour

Pull out your mobile phone for an audio history tour around the historic landmark! Just dial 303-952-1600 and enter the number at each stop to start listening.

Then, search for a free map online to find the 9 stops and 4 interpretive panels.

6. Shop the General Store

During summer months, stop into the General Store for a cup of coffee or tea, baked goods, or for a scoop of homemade ice cream.

You can also find those last-minute essentials like bug spray, sunscreen, and other trail snacks before you take off for your hike.

You can spend a full day (or more!) visiting Chautauqua Park and exploring the Flatirons. There are lots of things to do in the area and on the grounds.

Here are our best tips for what to do after your hike!

chautauqua park trail

7. Have dinner at the Dining Hall

The Dining Hall at Chautauqua has been a fixture since 1898. This beautiful building serves brunch starting at 9 am, as well as afternoon service and dinner starting at 5 pm daily all year round.

Enjoy fresh and delicious Colorado bistro food on the wraparound porch while you feast your eyes on the mountain views.

8. Sip on an afternoon tea

Make your reservation for afternoon tea on Saturdays and Sundays in the summer!

Call to reserve your table for a proper tea. Tea service includes a tiered tower of savory and sweet tea snacks and a pot of premium tea provided by Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse.

Tea service is available from 2-4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer months.

Have your credit card handy when you call to reserve your table.

9. Listen to a concert

Chautauqua Park hosts many regular concerts in the Auditorium. Over the years, this wooden auditorium has been the stage for many talks, lectures, and concerts.

Now, you can stay for a concert by local and well-known artists. Check out the lineup and purchase tickets online.

10. Attend an educational talk

As an institution originally founded for adult education, the Chautauqua community continues that tradition by offering a variety of talks throughout the year.

Topics range from current events and social issues to the arts and sciences. Learn more about the talks coming up and buy tickets online.

11. Stay the night in a cottage or lodge

Chautauqua Park is a great destination for an overnight stay in Boulder.

Stay in one of two lodges or one of 58 cottages available for groups of all sizes. Built as an oasis for education and rejuvenation, you’ll find nothing but restful nights and gorgeous mountain mornings here!

All rooms are smoke-free and some are pet-friendly. Click here to make your reservation. If you are a health care provider or active or retired military, discounts are available for your stay.

Exploring Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado

That wraps up our complete guide to exploring Chautauqua Park and the Flatirons in Boulder, Colorado.

Boulder’s Chautauqua Park is loaded with things to do for families and kids of all ages.

It’s also an iconic place for hiking in Colorado that offers gorgeous views of the cities out east, as well as the city of Boulder below.

If you have a chance to visit and hike Chautauqua Park, we highly recommend it.

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