Flagstaff Mountain

Close to chataqua park and easy rewarding trails for the foothill wanderer.
.out.

Beautiful breathtaking views.

No better place to get some fresh air

This is a review of Sunrise Amphitheater, near the top of Flagstaff Mountain. I’ve played 2 weddings at this location, and it is a great, not-​too-​expensive option for a wedding day. I’ve been here on fall mornings, and that’s a great time and time of year. It’s warm, sunny, and has an incredible view of the front range area. If you’re lucky you can see some leaves turning.
Parking is in one word– confusing. When you first pull in you think you have to park– you don’t! Keep going up the mountain. See the big parking lot? You don’t need to park there either– keep driving and you’ll see yet more parking, even closer to Sunrise. All the signs will say you have to pay. Actually that’s only for out-​of-​state residents, but I’ve never seen a ranger checking cars and payment. If you do have to pay it’s $ 5 at most.
The amphitheater itself is very rustic, with gravel on all surfaces, and natural riser seating. This is not a glamorous setting by any means. It smells like the mountains, and you’re gonna get rocks in your shoes. There’s no staff of any kind, so come prepared. There is an altar, and I’ve seen some couples bring in runners, altar pieces, etc. and others keep it natural. It works in both situations. There are paths for the bride and bridal party to enter.
One issue with this venue is if you want to keep an element of surprise, I’ve never seen it done here. Both weddings have had both couples just sort of standing around, while all of their guests try to sit in the shade and it feels a bit like an informal gathering, not a wedding. This is a little strange if you’re trying to have a «real» feeling wedding. The last thing to consider is, yes, it seems inexpensive on paper. However, this is just a ceremony venue, and charges range from $ 50-​$ 400 (average charge between $ 200 – 300.) Add onto that a several-​hundred-​dollar officient charge, rental of an aisle runner, altar pieces, a limo to get you up the mountain, and of course flowers, etc. that will not be reused at your reception, and you’re looking in the thousands of dollars. It seems frugal and rustic, but it could quickly be dusty and expensive. If it fits your vision though, go for it, you won’t likely be disappointed.

Nowhere better to watch today’s storm aftermath.

Sunrise Amphitheater is located 15 minutes west from Boulder along the beautiful Flagstaff Mountain Road. Couples looking for a casual mountain setting as the spot for their ceremony will appreciate the unique stone bench seating and sprawling views of Boulder below.
The Amphitheater’s location makes for a great compliment to reception sites down in Boulder. The St. Julien Hotel, Flagstaff House, Hotel Boulderado and Rembrandt Yard Gallery are just a few of the popular venues in Boulder for a wedding reception.
Parking for the amphitheater can be limiting so carpooling of hiring a shuttle for guests is recommended. Also, parking passes are required for the area so most couples buy passes in advance and have them handed out to guests as they arrive.
Lighting at the amphitheater is best in the afternoon. Since it faces east, afternoon sunlight is at the guests back while lighting the couple as the stand on the altar.
There are great opportunities for wedding party portraits around the amphitheater. The trail just below the ceremony site offers great views. We highly recommend taking the time to drive with the wedding party five minutes further up Flagstaff Road to a lookout point with unmatched views of the front range.

Awesome park because of the greenery and the views. I was out at the park and will go back for a leisurely stroll. Bring the kids and the dog and have a picnic. Not sure if they do Movies in the summer here but they should. Very Romantic under the moonlight im guessing.

I take visitors to the first lookout on the right at night for a beautiful view of the city light! It’s a quick way to get your guests in the mountains when time is limited. It also demonstrates how close we live to the start of the Rocky Mountains!
It’s also common for couples at night.

It’s a good hike. Watch the road. Sometimes the drivers don’t understand there are people just a few feet away. The view of Boulder is great on the east. The view of the Rockies on the west is breath-​taking.

Fun place for bouldering.
Seems like the weather is always amazing here. A good variety of bouldering problems, even for a scrub like me. Can get a little crowded in spots, but that’s helpful if you need beta– which fellow climbers are always ready to dish out.

«Oh, you’re new in town? When did you get here? Just a few weeks ago?»
«Oh, that’s cool… so wanna go out Friday night? Yeah, night, after the sun sets.»
«Yeah, so I was thinking since you’re new we should go up Flagstaff, so you can see the Xmas star and views of Boulder. Don’t worry, I’m not an ax murderer, ha ha.»
«Yeah, these roads are windy and steep. No, you should probably put away that fifth of Jack Daniels. Yeah, it’s really dark. So check out the city lights. You can see the suburbs of Denver from here. Wow, look at the stars.»
«Hm, it must be about 7 degrees. For sure, it gets really cold in Colorado. Oh, you left your jacket in the car? Come over here…»
Watch out for mountain lions.

This place made me fall in love with Boulder, CO. So when i do move here, I know this will be a place where I’d escape to.
Though it’s mountains and greens, it’ll do.
Growing up surrounded by the ocean is a little hard to let go, but a change is also good too. Lvoe the out doors and the beauty of the mountains.
Great Picture Spots!

Flagstaff mountain is a great outdoor area for several reasons:
1: It is easily accessible. All you have to do to get up to the top of this mountain is take Baseline west, and then deal with the hairpin turns.
2: It has a lot of nice little areas and nooks to go to that isn’t too far from parking, which means that even though this place is fairly popular, you still can get some privacy.
3: You get amazing views all the way up
4: You get to watch hardcore mountain and road bikers struggle their way up to the top. Impressive it is, and shows you just how out of shape you are. For shame!
5: Trails trails and more trails.
6: Tons of great grilling areas, perfect for that summer picnic.
One word of caution: don’t go hiking up here alone at night. Mountain lions have been spotted, and have even attacked the occasional backpacker, so be careful out there!

Flagstaff is kind of the tourist mountain in Boulder in that it’s the most accessible. It’s the only one on which you can drive to the summit. But despite being a tourist trap, it’s a great mountain.
Some of the city’s finest hikes intersect with Flagstaff, from Gregory Canyon and Saddle Rock to Green Mountain. Of course, the way the trails intersect you can incorporate Flagstaff with a day’s worth of great backpacking in a create-​your-​own-​hike fashion.
It’s also a very social mountain. I’ve had romantic encounters up here, watched numerous sunsets from Artist’s Point, watched more than a few sunrises from Panorama Point, and attended a wedding ceremony at the amphitheater. Great times. Great place.
Also, it’s got a cool history. It was very nearly the home for an amusement park at one point in time.

Flagstaff Mountain is the perfect place to crash your car or trip acid. For the former, the switchbacks are just right. (1^st gear style – ooh watch out for deeeeer)! And the later? oh, the dear will only enhance. They will only enhance… and you will be glad they are there, unlike the former.
So…check out Flagstaff Mountain. Please don’t wreck your car.

Head west on Baseline and you’ll soon be going up the hairpin turns of Flagstaff Mountain. (Make sure any flatlanders you take with you aren’t prone to car sickness or wetting their pants.) Amazing panoramic views of Boulder greet you at every turn and watching the moon rise from the top of Flagstaff is simply amazing. From the top, you can also take a short hike back to artist’s point to view the continental divide.
This is a favorite place to go for a hike or a summer evening cook-​out. The park has permanent grills and picnic tables, you just provide the coals, food and libations. (I don’t think you can bring glass though, and there is a ranger station nearby so better behave.) For larger events you can rent a picnic shelter.
There’s also an outdoor amphitheatre where you can get hitched or come to a morning worship service over the summer.