Best Winter Hikes Near Meeker

Meeker is located in the heart of the White River National Forest, surrounded by over 350,000 acres of national forest land. This gives outdoor enthusiasts in the area access to an abundance of amazing hiking trails that can be enjoyed year round. If you’re not much of a skier but still want to enjoy the outdoors during the cold weather, there are many great winter hikes to explore.

For many of our out-of-town orthopedics patients, Meeker’s close proximity to amazing winter hiking and robust schedule of winter events are a significant draw. These activities allow your family to enjoy a fun weekend getaway while you undergo your orthopedics procedure.

If you’re interested in traveling to Colorado Advanced Orthopedics for surgery, winter can be a great time of year to experience our great town and the outdoor activities nearby. Below are some of the most popular winter hikes in the area.

Yurt at Ripple Creek

Ripple Creek Pass is a popular snowshoeing destination near Meeker. Enjoy an eight-mile hike into the heart of the Flat Tops Wilderness, where you can experience the solitude of a backcountry trip. You have your choice of overnight accommodations, including yurts and the Ripple Creek Lodge. Skiers can hike in with their skis to enjoy deep powder runs right by the lodge.

Koper’s Trail

This short 3.5-mile out and back trail is located in Rifle Falls State Park. The elevation gain is relatively moderate (550 feet), and this hike is certain to deliver. You’ll come across numerous ice caves along the path, providing one of the more unique and picturesque winter hiking experiences in the area. Keep in mind that a State Park pass is required to access the trail.

Babbish Gulch

Another easy winter hiking trail, Babbish Gulch is a 3-mile loop with roughly 550 feet of elevation gain. With a warming hut halfway along the trail, it’s a perfect option for a cold day.

Marvine Trail

The Marvine Trail is a 2.2-mile trip that follows along a creek and takes you by a wide meadow lined with aspen, spruce and fir trees. This is another great cold day hike, as it takes you to a quaint warming hut maintained by local residents.

Rabbit Ears Pass

If you don’t mind driving a little farther, Rabbit Ears Pass is a great winter hike. Just outside of Steamboat, this hike provides access to plenty of ungroomed terrain that is perfect for snowshoeing. This trail is ideal for hikers of all skill and fitness levels.

Pearl Lake State Park Yurts

Located in the town of Clark, just outside of Steamboat, Pearl Lake State Park has a series of yurts that are accessible by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The trail is roughly a half mile, making it a doable option for individuals of all fitness levels. The yurts sleep up to six people, so hike in with a group of friends or bring the family for a weekend getaway.

Colorado Advanced Orthopedics Can Help You Plan Your Medical Tourism Stay in Meeker

At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, we’re committed to doing everything we can to ensure you enjoy an amazing experience throughout your time with us. While this primarily consists of delivering exceptional quality orthopedic treatments at a state-of-the-art facility, we also work hard to help our out-of-town patients enjoy their time in Meeker.

Our team will help you and your family plan your stay in Meeker while you’re undergoing orthopedic surgery. We can help you identify the right hotels to address the needs of your family, and we’ll provide insider recommendations about the best restaurants and shops to visit. If your family enjoys snowshoeing, we can help you discover the best winter hikes to explore during your visit as well.

Since opening in 2020, we’ve seen medical tourism grow exponentially at Colorado Advanced Orthopedics. Approximately 60% of our orthopedic patients between July 1, 2020 and April 1, 2023 have come from out of town. These patients have chosen to travel to Meeker for orthopedic surgery to gain access to world-class surgeons who regularly achieve outcomes that exceed industry standards. As an added benefit, your family gets to enjoy a beautiful mountain vacation with an abundance of activities to explore all year long.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics serves patients in Meeker and throughout the White River Valley.