Lookout Mountain

William Frederick Cody, known the world over as Buffalo Bill, was a Pony Express rider, army scout, and buffalo hunter who became one of the most famous entertainers on earth with his traveling Wild West show, a spectacle of riding, shooting, and staged frontier drama that toured America and Europe for decades. When he died in Denver in 1917, he was buried atop Lookout Mountain, a site he was said to have chosen for its sweeping view.

The grave, marked by a simple stone on the summit, remains a place of pilgrimage, and a museum beside it tells the story of Cody's life and the myth of the Wild West he helped create, along with genuine artifacts and a more complicated look at the history behind the legend. The location, high above the plains he once rode, gives the site a fitting grandeur, and the view alone is worth the trip.

The great draw of Lookout Mountain, apart from its history, is the panorama. From the summit and its overlooks, the whole Front Range unfolds, with Golden nestled in its valley on Clear Creek directly below, Denver and its skyline spread across the plains to the east, and the foothills rising in waves toward the snowcapped peaks of the Continental Divide to the west. On a clear evening the city lights spreading below are a favorite sight.

You can reach the top by car on the winding scenic road, part of the historic Lariat Loop, or earn the view on foot by hiking the Chimney Gulch trail up from Golden, a steep and popular climb favored by local hikers and trail runners. Either way, the summit rewards you with one of the most complete views of where the plains meet the mountains anywhere along the Front Range.

Lookout Mountain is more than a viewpoint and a grave. A nature center on the mountain interprets the ecology of the foothills, where the grassland of the plains gives way to the ponderosa pine forest of the mountains, a transition zone rich in plants and wildlife. Exhibits and short trails introduce the mule deer, birds, and other creatures that live in this meeting place of ecosystems.

Trails lace the mountain and the surrounding open space, from gentle nature loops to the demanding climb up from Golden, making it a favorite for hiking, trail running, and simply walking among the pines with the view at your feet. The mix of easy access and real foothills nature is part of what makes the mountain such a well-loved local escape.

At the foot of the mountain lies Golden, a historic town on Clear Creek that once served as the territorial capital of Colorado and retains a lively, walkable downtown with a famous arched welcome sign over its main street. It is home to the Colorado School of Mines and its excellent geology museum, and to a well-known brewery whose sprawling works sit along the creek.

Golden makes an ideal base for a visit to Lookout Mountain and the surrounding foothills, with tubing and trails along Clear Creek, easy access to the Lariat Loop scenic drive, and the nearby Dinosaur Ridge and Red Rocks just to the south. Between the town, the mountain, and the history on its summit, the area packs a lot into a small corner of the Front Range.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Lookout Mountain, above the town of Golden west of Denver, Colorado, is a scenic Front Range summit offering sweeping views over Golden, Denver, and the plains, along with several attractions. It is famous as the burial site of the legendary Western showman Buffalo Bill Cody, whose grave and an adjacent museum sit atop the mountain. The area also features a nature center, hiking trails, and the scenic Lariat Loop drive winding up the mountain. With its beautiful vistas, Western history, and outdoor recreation, Lookout Mountain is a popular and rewarding destination combining scenery, history, and nature just outside Denver.

You can take in panoramic views of Golden, Denver, and the plains, visit the grave and museum of Buffalo Bill Cody to learn about the famous Western showman, explore the Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve with its exhibits and trails, hike or bike the trails, drive the scenic and historic Lariat Loop winding up the mountain, and enjoy picnicking and photography. The mix of views, history, and nature suits many interests. With its stunning vistas, Buffalo Bill history, nature center, and scenic drive, Lookout Mountain offers a varied and enjoyable outing just west of Denver.

Buffalo Bill Cody was a famous nineteenth-century American frontiersman, bison hunter, and showman who created the wildly popular Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, which toured the world and shaped the romantic image of the American West. He requested to be buried atop Lookout Mountain for its sweeping views, and after his death in 1917, he was laid to rest there, where his grave and a museum dedicated to his life now draw visitors. The site preserves his legacy and offers insight into the history and myth of the Old West that he helped popularize around the world.

Spring through fall offers the most pleasant weather for enjoying the views, trails, and outdoor attractions, with clear days providing the best panoramas over Denver and the plains, while summer is popular and fall brings lovely color. Winter can bring snow and icy conditions on the winding mountain road, so caution is needed then. Mornings and clear days are ideal for the views. For the best combination of comfortable weather, clear vistas, and full access to the trails and attractions, aim for a clear day from spring through fall at Lookout Mountain.

Lookout Mountain rises above the town of Golden, home to history, a famous brewery, and the Colorado School of Mines, west of Denver, near Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Dinosaur Ridge, and the Front Range foothills, with downtown Denver a short drive east. That makes Lookout Mountain a scenic and historic stop to combine with Golden, Red Rocks, Dinosaur Ridge, and the many other attractions of the Denver area and Front Range on a visit to Colorado.