Vallecito

Enjoy Vallecito Colorado

Sheltered in a secluded mountain valley 8,000 feet above sea level, Vallecito Lake is one of the largest and most beautiful bodies of water in Colorado. Vallecito—Spanish for “Little Valley”—is the ancestral home of the Ute Indians and serves as a sparkling centerpiece for the surrounding San Juan National Forest.

Located just 18 miles from Durango, this is a premier destination for those seeking high-alpine tranquility without the crowds, making it a perfect addition to your ultimate Colorado summer vacation guide.

Standout Things to Do at Vallecito Lake

Whether the water is liquid blue in July or a frozen mirror in January, Vallecito offers year-round adventure:

Boating & Water Sports: The Marina & Yacht Club is the hub for summer fun. You can rent everything from pontoon boats for family picnics to kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards for exploring quiet coves.

The “Tour of Carvings”: A must-see cultural landmark, this tour consists of 14 intricate wood sculptures scattered around the lake. Carved by artist Chad Haspels from the remains of trees scorched in the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire, these works—including the moving Alan Wyatt Memorial—honor the firefighters and the community’s resilience.

The Tour of Carvings: A Self-Guided Map

These 14 sculptures are scattered primarily along the northern and western shores of the lake.

The Starting Point: Begin at Junction West Vallecito Resort, where you’ll find Carving #1: Fireman with Shovel, which honors the local fire departments from the Four Corners area.

Key Stops: * Carving #5: The Alan Wyatt Memorial.

Carving #7: The “Rebirth of Vallecito” (located at the Rocky Mountain Store), symbolizing the return of life to the forest.

Carving #11: The Doe and Fawn, depicting a real-life rescue of a fawn found under a log during the fire.

How to Find Them: While you can spot many from the main road, some are tucked away near local businesses. You can access a live digital map at CarvingsAtVallecito.org or pick up a physical brochure at the Durango Area Tourism Office.

World-Class Fishing: Anglers flock here for a chance to land massive Northern Pike, Walleye, and Kokanee Salmon. The lake is also stocked with Brown, Rainbow, and Cutbow trout, offering excellent shore and boat fishing opportunities.

Weminuche Wilderness Access: For hikers and backpackers, the Vallecito Creek Trail provides a stunning gateway into the Weminuche Wilderness—the largest wilderness area in Colorado. The trail follows the rushing creek through dramatic granite canyons and lush meadows.

Winter Sports: When the lake freezes, it transforms into a hub for ice fishing, while the Vallecito Nordic Club maintains miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the eastern shore.

Surrounding Attractions

This area serves as a quiet “base camp” with easy access to the wonders of the Four Corners region:

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Just a 30-minute drive away, you can board this historic steam train for a journey through the breathtaking Animas River Canyon.

Mesa Verde National Park: Located about an hour west, this UNESCO World Heritage site protects the incredible cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people.

Purgatory Resort: For those visiting in winter or seeking summer mountain biking, this major resort is less than an hour away and offers activities for all ages.

Lemon Reservoir: A smaller, even more secluded neighbor to this area, and perfect for a quiet afternoon of fly-fishing or a scenic picnic away from the main lake.

Enjoy our guide to Colorado’s many lakes for more opportunities to get out on the water.

What’s Happening Larimer County

Larimer County

In Estes Park, the calming effect of nature embraces you, and there’s always a new adventure waiting to be discovered. This beautiful mountain town, surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, is your gateway to the number one tourist destination in Colorado – Rocky Mountain National Park.

Nestled in the high mountain valley at just above 7,500 feet in elevation, Estes Park is one of Colorado’s year-round natural splendors. This delightful mountain village welcomes visitors of all ages and activity levels with various festivals, cultural experiences, playgrounds, river walks, hiking and biking trails, and much more.

Downtown’s pedestrian-friendly streets invite you to stroll, window shop, or relax along the riverwalk with some homemade ice cream. Grassy parks, Victorian lights, and sidewalk benches add an old-fashioned feel to the array of charming shops and restaurants. More than 300 unique shops and galleries offer a selection of handcrafted art pieces, unique giftware and fine apparel.

There are restaurants galore with everything from fast food to trendy cuisine, casual and fine dining. Take in the relaxed, comfortable atmosphere and you’ll quickly see why Estes is known as a top family destination.

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or love to shop and dine, you’ll find more than enough to keep you entertained. While here, we invite you to try fly fishing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, river rafting and the thrill of viewing mountain wildlife. Enjoy some of our rich historical tours, terrific golf courses, intriguing museum exhibitions, and many local art galleries. You may not be able to do it all in one trip. But, like most visitors to Estes, you’ll likely be back for more!

The Estes Park area offers organized events and a variety of activities to choose from throughout the year. Such offerings include the Estes Park Music Festival, Jazz Fest and Art Walk, Rocky Mountain Brew Fest, Rooftop Rodeo, Heritage Days, the world-famous Scottish Highlands Festival, and so much more.

Estes Park’s beautiful dry climate attracts thousands of visitors each summer. This dry climate makes hot summer days (the average high in July is 85°F) seem cool to those from other areas of the country. And our brisk evenings (which can dip below 50°F at night) are extremely comfortable. Summertime afternoon showers usually dissipate in time for the nightly display of stars. Winters are surprisingly mild, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. Colorado’s 300 days of annual sunshine also softens the winter months.

Colorado Zoos

While in our fair state, consider visiting one of our terrific Colorado zoos. Lions, tigers, and bears—oh my! Many zoos are on your way to where you’re going and close to other attractions. Explore Colorado Zoos and add a stop or a few stops to your trip plans.

Denver Zoos (Map)

An 80-acre zoological garden in City Park of Denver houses over 3,000 animal species that serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts worldwide. The garden offers education for all ages.

Nearby: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is on the same site. The zoological garden is less than 4 miles from downtown Denver, the Downtown Aquarium, and Union Station. The Denver Botanical Gardens is short 8 minutes, 2 miles south of the zoo. Elitch Gardens (amusement and water park), Coors Field, and many more Denver attractions are nearby.

Downtown Aquarium (Denver)

The Downtown Aquarium is a public aquarium and restaurant in Denver. Considered an Ocean Journey Aquarium with over 500 species of animals.

Nearby: The Downtown Aquarium is in downtown Denver and across the river from Elitch Gardens (amusement park). Combine a visit to the aquarium with a visit to the nearby Denver Zoo and Denver Botanical Gardens.

Butterfly Pavilion (Westminster)

The Butterfly Pavilion is one of Colorado zoos that focuses on insects. That features insect exhibits, events, education, research, and more.

Nearby: The Pavilion is 15 miles south of Boulder and next to Westminster City Park. Standley Lake and open space are just 4 miles from the pavilion.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary (Keensburg, Colorado)

The WAS is a 1,214-acre animal sanctuary 30 miles northeast of Denver. It specializes in rescuing and caring for large predators that are being ill-treated or whose owners can no longer care for them.

Nearby: Horse Creek Reservoir, a popular water-skiing lake with public access.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado Springs, CO)

The CMZ is the highest zoo in the country, located at 6,714’ above sea level, and spans 140 acres. Hand feed and interact with some of the animals.

Nearby: The CMZ is less than 3 miles south of the 4-star Broadmoor Hotel. Spectacular national forests surround the western side of this entire area. Visit the scenic Broadmoor Seven Falls and hike the Seven Bridges Trail. Travel north to Manitou Springs and visit the Garden of the Gods.

Pueblo Colorado Zoos (Map)

The Pueblo Zoo is a 25-acre zoo located in Pueblo. It is home to 420 animals of more than 140 species. The zoo hosts educational programs, events, and even birthday parties. It even has a mini train and carousel, perfect for the kids.

Nearby: These Colorado zoos are between the Elm Golf Course immediately to the south and the City Park to the north. You can walk 2.3 miles from the zoo to the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center along the Arkansas River. Consider camping at Lake Pueblo State Park, just 4+ miles to the west. There’s plenty to do at the lake.

Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center – River Campus (Pueblo)

The NWDC is a free public multi-campus discovery preserve and educational center. They aim to promote environmental stewardship and community health through nature education, wildlife rehabilitation, and outdoor recreation.

Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center (Divide, CO)

CWWC actively participates in the species survival program by providing a home for Mexican Grey Wolves and Swift Foxes. The center is located on a 35+acre facility.

Nearby: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is 5+ miles west, and Mueller State Park is a roundabout 7+ miles east.

Colorado Gators and Reptile Park (Mosca, CO)

At the Gators & Reptile Center, you can view hundreds of rescued reptiles, including alligators, crocodiles, caimans, tortoises, and turtles. Hands-on experiences are available.

Nearby: Just around the corner from the Gators and Reptile Park is the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which has several popular attractions: Medano Creek, sand sledding, and camping.

Worship

Worship in Colorado

When one spends time in Colorado, worship can be as intimate as taking a breath and letting it go in the great outdoors or as communal as singing with the congregation in a megachurch. It can be any denomination or faith – worship centers representing every belief are welcome in this state.

Woodland Park west of Colorado Springs is home to the Evangelical Christian Andrew Wommack Ministries; Boulder’s One Blessing Community moves from site to site; the Jewish community is strong and has multiple centers throughout Colorado. The state is also home to Islamic centers, Buddhist temples and other worldview centers.

Vehicle Rentals

Vehicle Rentals Available in Colorado

Rental cars, vans, trucks and limousines are all available in Colorado. Airport rentals are plentiful, as are off-airport outlets. You can rent by the day or long-term, and you can arrange for unlimited miles, one-way drop, car seats, luggage racks, ski racks – virtually every convenience your own car has is available in a rental.

Groups can rent vans; limo service gives you the luxury treatment.

Colorado Transportation

That old saying “you can’t get there from here” doesn’t apply in Colorado because, thanks to Colorado transportation systems, you can get anywhere you want.

Colorado Airports

Colorado transportation includes our international hub airport in the middle of the state, Denver International Airport (DIA). Not only does this airport act as a hub for the United States, and provides international air access. It is a hub for all of Colorado’s small mountain community airports. Most likely, if you are flying into one of Colorado’s smaller towns, you will actually land in Denver and switch to one of the several commenter flights that access these communities. Additionally, many shuttle companies have multi-day shuttle services between DIA and mountain communities.

Denver International lists 23 airlines that service 64.5 million passengers a year.
Aspen
Colorado Springs
Montrose
Eagle-Vail
Hayden-Steamboat Springs,
Grand Junction, Durango
Gunnison

Plus, regional, reliever and general aviation airports are across the state.

Train and light Rain Transportation in Colorado

Light rail serves Denver and Golden. This mass transit provides alternative Colorado transportation for commuters along the Front Range and some mountain communities. Amtrak’s California Zephyr makes daily runs from San Francisco to Chicago and stops in Denver for passengers. The Winter Park Ski Train runs between Denver and Winter Park in the winter.

Major Highway Transportation that Crosses Colorado

Colorado was once difficult to travel through, with few to no highways. Today there are the following major highways that make traveling across or through Colorado much easier. Do keep in mind that many internal highways include high mountain passes. Many of which will challenge your driving skills in the best weather. Be prepared with a well-equipped vehicle and carry safety equipment just in case.

Interstate 70 crosses Colorado from east to west.
Interstate 25 crosses north to south.
U.S. 50 runs through from east to west along the state’s southern portion.

Check Colorado CDOT Mountain Pass Conditions via these webcams

Spa Services

Resort Spa Services – Experts

Colorado’s resort spa services are health and wellness centers accustomed to providing exceptional services to enhance recovery, relaxation, and attention to cosmetics. Complement your outdoor activity with a spa visit and maximize your vacation. Colorado exemplifies healthy lifestyles, which makes this state so special. The enthusiasm to stay fit, feel great, and make the most out of every day is the Colorado way.

Colorado’s Resort spas will enhance your vacation experience and give you a lift in your well-being that you can take home. Resort spas continue evolving spa services, health and wellness classes, and personal attention to help you feel your best.

Wherever You Decide to Stay

Whatever Colorado resort community you decide to vacation in, there will be World-class spa services not far away. Often, these services are offered at hotels, lodging complexes, and even bed and breakfast Inns.

Spa Services Health and Wellness

Including visits to the spa (health and wellness center) as part of your vacation is an overall enhancement on many levels. You might even return to Colorado for the spa experience first, with skiing or your favorite outdoor experience as a secondary attraction.

The Old Standard Resort Spas

Colorado’s most renowned resorts are leaders in health, wellness, and spa services. Some of the best providers are found in:

Aspen / Snowmass
Vail / Beaver Creek
Breckenridge / Frisco / Dillon
Steamboat Springs
Telluride

Spa Services Throughout Colorado

Of course, you will find spas throughout Colorado, such as the many natural hot spring resorts. Colorado’s natural hot springs are not slope-side and are usually located at more out-of-the-way places but offer relaxation and spa services as a main focus. Resorts such as Glenwood Springs Resort, aka Spa of the Rockies, a natural hot spring resort, spa, and Inn, all in one. Although this resort is on the way to Aspen, its appeal is the hot springs and spa services. Look through our hot springs guide to find similar resorts to meet your needs.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing in Colorado

Get eye-to-eye with nature this winter in Colorado, try snowshoeing! They access any place with ample snow that has trails, or make your own trail. Walk (or run for a full-body cardio workout) through quiet forests and experience the solitude of this solo or group activity. Guided snowshoe tours are available at many resorts. Half-day and full-day trips are offered, and snowshoe rentals often come with poles and trail maps. Some resorts offer full-moon or starlight snowshoe tours throughout the season. View more tips in our Snowshoeing in Colorado guide.

Get ready to Snowshoe

If you are new to snow, snowshoeing is one of the easiest ways to acquaint yourself with snow. It is a very natural parallel body movement, just like walking. However, don’t be fooled. Snowshoeing is physically demanding and requires proper gear for your planned outing. Getting the right gear will make your excursion fun.

Along with selecting the snowshoes that will work best for you, using poles is popular as they will help with balance. Dress for the occasion as well. Snowshoeing is an aerobic sport, so dress in layers and consider bringing a backpack to stash extra clothes once you heat up. Bringing water and snacks is a good idea too.

Small Snowshoes

Snowshoes that have a small surface area are the easiest to get used to. They are lightweight and don’t extend that far in front of or behind your boot. This smaller diameter enables a more natural stride, whereas a larger snowshoe requires a more animated stride. You have to learn to pick up your feet to allow the snowshoe to clear the snow, so you don’t trip or catch the snowshoe. These small surface area snowshoes are best used on packed trails. As they will sink in deep snow, they will prove to be useless. They are popular when used for snowshoe running. However, snowshoe running is best on packed trails.

Larger Snowshoes

Snowshoeing can go wherever there is snow; no trail is needed, however, if you’re heading out into deep, untracked snow. Untracked means no person has previously stomped in a trail. Then, it would be best if you were prepared with snowshoes with a larger surface area. The larger the snowshoe, the more they will “float” or stay on top of the snow. However, staying on top of the snow sounds like a wonderful idea. Snowshoeing through deep powder without a trail beaten in requires a great deal of effort and coordination. Trudging through fresh snow offers a lot of resistance, plus you have to be good at placing your snowshoe and balancing on it with each step. If you plan on going a distance, it’s best to have at least one or two people along so you can take turns breaking the new trail. That being said, it sounds like a lot of work, which it is. Breaking in your own trail offers a very pristine experience, not commonly found.

Old Snowshoes

Perhaps you want to try out snowshoeing, and a friend offers you a pair of old rawhide snowshoes with leather buckle straps. Honestly, these old snowshoes are best used as wall hangers. Renting snowshoes is really inexpensive. Don’t waste your time trying to make old snowshoes work. It’s best just to go rent the most modern snowshoes you can find.

Looking for another way to hit the trails this winter and get your heart pumping? Nordic or cross-country skiing is also another popular winter alternative to alpine skiing.

by Kathleen Fitzsimmons – Blogger and SEO writer for ColoradoInfo.com. Kathleen is a passionate Colorado resident who enjoys the many aspects the Centennial State has to offer, from the outdoor extremes to the eclectic people who make up the Colorado communities.

Snow Cat Ski Tours

Colorado Snow Cat Ski Tours

Six ski resorts currently offer guided and unguided snowcat ski tours, transporting intermediate and expert riders in a closed-cabin vehicle to mountain areas with healthy stashes of untracked snow. Are you seeking steep and deep high-adrenaline terrain but not looking to hike? Snowcat ski touring might be right for you.

Resorts with Snow Cat Ski Tours

Learn more about the resorts that provide snow-cat skiing. Each area is described in detail so you will know what to expect and determine which area is most suited for your skill level.

Snow Cat Skiing Means Being Prepared

Before you sign up or jump on a snowcat, make sure you understand the potential dangers ahead. Most likely you will need to have some avalanche awareness, and even training might be required. Plus, avalanche safety gear is a standard requirement. Figure out if your skis or snowboard are up to the task. You might need to rent or buy something more suitable. These are just ideas you must consider if snowcat skiing is on your bucket list. Check in with the snowcat company or who is in charge of this service and get specific details about skill level, required gear, and more before heading out.

Sledding and Tubing

The Ultimate Guide to Colorado Sledding and Tubing

Winter fun in Colorado is defined by those iconic family-fun outings for Colorado sledding and tubing. There is a unique thrill in reaching the top of a snow-dusted ridge and catching your breath before racing down a groomed lane. One of the best parts of this activity is the simplicity: there’s generally no big advance prep involved. Just dress in layers, bring your sunscreen and water, and get ready to have a great time!

Perhaps you’ve noticed we have no shortage of mountains and hills, which means we have hundreds—if not thousands—of places to tube and sled. While locals often have their favorite "secret" neighborhood hills, Colorado’s world-class resorts and adventure parks have elevated the experience with multi-lane tubing hills, magic carpet lifts, and even nighttime "cosmic" tubing. Find more family fun winter activities to explore and a full list of Winter Activities to keep you occupied through the winter months

Resort-Style Tubing vs. Traditional Sledding

When planning your outing, it is helpful to distinguish between "tubing parks" and "sledding hills."

Tubing Parks: These are typically found at ski resorts or adventure centers. They feature groomed lanes, heavy-duty tubes provided on-site, and—most importantly—tow lifts or magic carpets that whisk you back to the top.
Sledding Hills: These are often public parks or open spaces. You bring your own plastic sled or saucer, and the "lift" is your own two feet. These offer a more "old-fashioned" and often free experience.

Top Destinations for Sledding & Tubing in Colorado

To help you find the best thrill for your skill level, we’ve organized the top spots across the state:

The Summit County Hub (Near Frisco & Breckenridge)

Frisco Tubing Hill (Frisco Adventure Park): A premier destination with 1,200-foot lanes. Its central location puts you in close proximity to Copper Mountain, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Breckenridge ski areas.
- 2026 Bookings: Reservations are required and open 45 days in advance.
Adventure Point at Keystone: High-altitude tubing at 11,640 feet with a convenient lift and steep, fast lanes.
- 2026 Bookings: Managed through Epic Pass/Vail Resorts.
Copper Mountain Tubing: Features banked curves that add a "bobsled" feel to your descent.

The Steamboat & NW Region

Yee-Haw Hill at Saddleback Ranch: A classic Colorado ranch experience with a massive tubing hill and a warming hut for cocoa.
Howelsen Hill (Steamboat Springs): A historic landmark offering affordable, family-friendly sledding right in the heart of town.

The Aspen & Central Rockies

The Meadows at Elk Camp (Snowmass): Offers multiple lanes of lift-served tubing with stunning views of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
Snow Mountain Ranch (Winter Park): One of the most popular family spots in the state, offering traditional sledding in a scenic YMCA setting.
Firecracker Tubing Hill (Telluride): A high-energy spot located right at the base of the mountain for easy access.

Southern Colorado & The Front Range

High Country Tubing Park (Pagosa Springs): Known for its "big air" and long runs in the San Juan Mountains.
Crested Butte Nordic Center: Offers a more relaxed, community-focused sledding hill perfect for younger children.
Front Range Classics: For those staying near the cities, head to Scott Carpenter Park or Tantra Lake in Boulder, Kroh Park in Loveland, or Cottonwood Creek Recreation Center in Colorado Springs for beloved local sledding.

Pro-Tips for the Best Experience Sledding and Tubing

Book Ahead: For popular spots like Frisco or Keystone, tubing slots often sell out days in advance.
Check the Snow: Some hills require a minimum base of 12 inches to open safely; always check local conditions before driving.
Safety First: Helmets aren't usually required for tubing, but they are a great idea for kids on traditional sledding hills where trees or rocks might be present.

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