How to Get from Denver to Waterton Canyon in Under $30 and 4 Hours

On July 7, my dad and I left Cleveland, heading to Denver with the goal of starting the Colorado Trail that same day. Our flight landed in Denver around 1:00 pm We each carried a cheap drawstring bag that we could throw away, along with a checked suitcase that we also planned to throw away after reorganizing our gear. Most of our backpacking gear was packed in the checked suitcase, while heavier items, like electronics, were carried in our drawstring bags. After arriving in Denver, we picked up our checked luggage, repacked everything into our backpacks, and left the airport.

Taking public transportation to Littleton

The Denver airport is connected to the city’s public transportation system, the RTD, which can take you to locations throughout the Denver area, including Littleton. A day pass is only $10. From the airport, take the A line to Union Station in downtown Denver. Before continuing on the trail, we made a quick stop at REI, about a 15-minute walk from Union Station, to purchase butane fuel and a lighter, since neither can be carried in checked luggage. After returning to Union Station, we took the C line to Littleton, which takes you about five miles from the Waterton Canyon Trailhead.

The final stretch to the trailhead

From the Littleton station, we ordered an Uber to the Waterton Canyon Trailhead, which was about $20. When we arrived, it was around 5:00 pm, meaning the entire trip from landing at the airport to getting to the trailhead took about four hours. For about $30 per person (including the RTD pass and splitting the Uber), it’s a cheap and easy way to get from Denver International Airport to the start of the Colorado Trail.

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