At Keystone, you’ll find everything that makes a perfect Colorado vacation all in one place. Whether you’re hungry for the adventure, or you just want to enjoy some R&R and soak in all the mountain scenery, or relax at the spa. Learn more about the Keystone Ski Resort.
Long considered the birthplace of the Rocky Mountain Gold Rush, Idaho Springs has attained considerable popularity has an outdoor enthusiasts’ mecca in its own right and a good lodging choice with easy access to six nearby ski resorts.
Its history is well preserved, with numerous restored 19th century mines providing tours and a Main Street that has retained much of its authentic Gold Rush architecture and charm.
In addition to treasures held dear by miners and settlers of a bygone era, Idaho Springs also continues to showcase a resource that brought the area’s early Native American inhabitants to the region: natural hot springs valued for their restorative powers, and Indian Hot Springs is a locals’ and visitors’ favorite.
Scenery is also a huge draw: The highest paved road on the continent goes south out of town and reaches the top of Mountain Evans, one of the state’s 53 Fourteeners – peaks that reach more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Nearby Golden Gate State Park provides views of the Continental Divide, and the drive to Central City and Black Hawk is also scenic.
For outdoor recreation, Idaho Springs provides either direct access or is a great staging area for biking, with the Oh My God Road to Central City challenging and exhilarating. There’s also fishing, golfing, hiking of course, horseback riding, ATVing, climbing and canyoneering, skiing and boarding, whitewater river rafting and ziplining. Woo hoo!
An easy 45-minute drive up Interstate 70 from Denver lands you smack dab in the middle of beautiful downtown Georgetown, one of Colorado’s definitive “small but mighty” attractions in the state’s many historic gold mining towns.
First established in 1859 during the Gold Rush, this mining town is tucked into a valley corridor some might call “breezy.” The elevation is 8,530 breathtaking feet above sea level.
As you stroll through Georgetown downtown’s National Historic Register District, you’ll be privy to several attractions, including the Hotel de Paris Museum, once a luxurious hotel, the restored Hamill House, an elegant reminder of Victorian times, the Firefighting Museum and the Energy Museum. Make sure to soak up some of this great history while you’re in town. Once the third-largest town in Colorado, Georgetown is now home to slightly more than 1,000 residents. Still, services are fantastic: outdoor activities include hiking, mountain biking, four-wheeling, fishing and horseback riding, and you can also tour the Lebanon Silver Mine.
Check out the Georgetown Loop Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad as well. The line connects Georgetown with nearby (and uphill) Silver Plume, gaining 640 feet in elevation during the two miles up. You’ll also cross four trestles as you travel through the steep-sided, narrow Clear Creek Canyon.
And while I-70 provides a quick route to Summit County and its four ski areas and an incredible array of outdoor activities and events. Guanella Pass (a seasonal road closes in late November, and opens on Memorial Day) is the perfect opportunity to put your car into “mosey” gear and do some serious sightseeing. You won’t regret a moment!
Is Carbondale a big little town or a little big town? We’re not sure, but one thing we do know is that it’s a beautiful setting for outdoor activities and a wonderful peek into the state’s rich history.
Sitting at the base of Mt. Sopris at the confluence of the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers, Carbondale is just 12 miles from Glenwood Springs and 30 miles from Aspen. The sun shines on average 295 days each year, and in addition to abundant vitamin D, this sweet little place also blesses its visitors with access to soothing geothermal pools at nearby Avalanche Ranch.
Fly fishing is a favorite pastime in the Roaring Fork Valley, and when you’re not wetting a line, you can venture off on a bike or hike along the Rio Grande Bike and multi-use trail.
Summertime is rodeo time in Carbondale, with rip-snortin’ thrills every Thursday night, and on the somewhat more refined side of activities, concerts and films are presented during June and July.
Golf? But of course! Scenic drives? Spectacular! Dining? Divine!
In short, historic big/little (or little/big) Carbondale is a not-to-be-missed gem.
Basalt is located in the middle of the Roaring Fork Valley, at the confluence of the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork Rivers. This jewel of a town offers an incredible array of outdoor activities for all seasons, plus a variety of local parks to keep kids of all ages engaged. Learn more about Basalt at the local Chamber of Commerce.
Nearby Ruedi Reservoir provides the perfect setting for summertime watersports and fishing, and the rivers’ Gold Medal waters are nirvana for anglers of all abilities.
Camping, hiking, hunting, rafting, golfing, four-wheeling, horseback riding – if it’s out of doors and fun, Basalt is where you’ll find it.
Visitors can also expect a healthy dose of culture, with numerous galleries showcasing Western, Southwestern, contemporary, and primitive art, photography, and artisan wares. Live theater and the town’s renowned summer concert series are also part of the scene.
Shopping options are plentiful, and there is no shortage of dining choices. And lodging is both affordable and plentiful.
Remember that you are within minutes of Aspen and Snowmass (drive times vary according to season, of course).
Located about halfway between Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction in western Colorado, the small town of Parachute and its sister community of unincorporated Battlement Mesa are at the confluence of the Colorado River and Parachute Creek.
Though the town is not a mecca of amenities, it does have an info center.
Around Parachute, the primary lifestyle is cattle ranching, and some of the working ranches have opened themselves to visitors who want an up-close glimpse Western lifestyle.
There are two lodging choices and two dining options in town.
With a history that encompasses not only bits of the Wild West but also inhabitants that pre-date settlers who came from the East, Montrose is an amazing blend of ancient, old and very, very new.
At the Ute Indian Museum just south of Montrose proper, visitors are given a unique glimpse into Native life in the 1700s and 1800s. The Museum is located on the original homestead site of revered Chief Ouray and his wife, Chipeta. Not only does the complex include a memorial park devoted to Chief Ouray, but it also is the burial place of Chipeta. It has been lovingly restored and maintained with native plants, picnic areas, teepees and walking paths – and there is a memorial to the Spanish Conquistadors who were in the region the year the United States gained its independence – 1776.
There are other museums as well, along with a vibrant shopping area and a number of fine eateries and lodging accommodations. Much of what you’ll find in the shops is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, and the art ranges from Western and Southwestern to edgy and playful.
In fact, there’s so much to do in Montrose that Outdoor Life magazine named it to its “Top 200 Towns for Outdoorsmen” in 2010.
During the warmer weather months from spring through fall, there are three challenging 18-hole golf courses to sample, and as your very good geographical luck would have it, Montrose is an excellent gateway to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, with a seemingly unending range of things to do and see.
Rock climbing is epic, and in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area you’ll find unparalleled rafting and unbeatable fishing in Gold Medal waters. What’s more, the San Juan Mountains are where your camping, hiking and biking memories are waiting to be made – with something great for all levels of outdoor abilities.
Got the need for off-road? Got your cure right here. BLM lands are perfect for badland enthusiasts, but you’ll find a full range of terrain, from forest trails to scree routes.
Make sure your camera batteries are full before you leave for one or all of the six designated scenic or historic byway excursions. You’ll hit elevations of 12,000 lofty feet above sea level as you cross mountain passes – with spectacular vistas all along the way.
Wintertime means more fun, with Telluride and Crested Butte ski areas within driving distance, and snowshoeing even closer in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Yep, there’s snowmobiling as well, along with Nordic and backcountry skiing. All year, all fun.
If you’re in Colorado – anywhere in Colorado – hiking awaits you right outside the door. Of course the Rocky Mountains present endless options, from lazy trails to bushwhacking climbs up a cliffside. BLM offices have maps for wilderness areas all around the state, and visitors’ centers can provide you with information on trail difficulty, time the hike might involve, what you should take with you (Water, sunscreen, bug repellent), what to watch for in the way of wildlife and weather, and how to dress. Consider downloading a hiking app; however, beware that cell service is limited at best in National Parks and Wilderness areas. Taking an appropriate map is always the no-fail fallback.
Perhaps you’re new to hiking or even if you have been a hiking enthusiast for years; it’s a good idea to brush up on trail etiquette. With more and more people out on the trails it’s especially important to be respectful of each other and of nature. Many ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ are common sense such as ‘don’t litter’ and ‘stay on the trail’. However, there are aspects that are not so obvious especially to the newcomer such as, ‘don’t pick the wildflowers’ and ‘dogs must be on a leash’. It’s a good idea to brush up on trail etiquette and know the local rules and regulations before heading out.
For those who want a hike to satisfy a curiosity such as a historical destination, something off the beaten path, a place that you can take a quick mountain swim or perhaps you’re looking for a suggestion for your next backpacking trip. We have some recommendations for this discerning group of outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking in Colorado during wildflower season is a true sensual experience. As you may know, spring in the mountains comes later than normal and works its way up in elevation as summer progresses. Typically, mountain wildflowers are at their peak during mid-June through July. Although the season does extend all the way through September in higher elevations. If experiencing wildflowers is your pursuit we have some ideas for you to consider.
Hiking is a really wonderful activity for the whole family. As an innate form of travel, hiking provides that quality-time needed to create memories and bond in the great outdoors. With so many hiking trails available in Colorado, finding those perfect family hikes can be a challenge. Check out our selection of family hikes. You might also try asking at a local sporting goods store, the local visitors’ center or the like.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a real Colorado gem for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers in particular. Visiting this area is a must do. Stay for a while and check off this list of RMNP favorite hikes. You will not be disappointed.
Denver, a major hub, draws all sorts of people from all around the world. For whatever reason you find yourself in Denver, consider yourself lucky, as the Colorado experience is right around the corner. Check out our recommendations, perfect for those with just a lunch hour of time or an afternoon. Perhaps you need to spin your wheels or get the dog out. Denver is just as amazing as the rest of Colorado, as it offers outdoor experiences to suit all types.
Although it’s impressive and popular to bag a Colorado 14er. The actual experience is losing quality due to the crowding on the trail these days. This is why we suggest turning your focus to those slightly less famed 13er peaks. Be ready for achieving solitude and wilderness glory that is becoming harder to find on the more popular treks.
The Royal Gorge region, a notable attraction in southeast Colorado, dishes out Colorado extremes for all types. If you’re in the Colorado Springs area, take some time to visit the Royal Gorge. The arid climate and extensive canyon-lands accommodates mountain bikers, hikers, and 4-wheel travel enthusiasts, year-round.
Ouray Colorado, with its dramatic mountain setting, has become a popular hiking destination. Enthusiastic locals in the area have created a trail group to help support trail etiquette and provide information about their wonderful trails. Learn more about hiking in Ouray Co.
Although hiking is most commonly thought of as a summer time activity. There are hikes that appeal to people in the off-season too. If you find yourself having a hard time hanging up the hiking shoes for the winter. Try these winter hiking trails.
Nestled in Southwest Colorado at the base of the Continental Divide, Pagosa Springs is one of the state’s undiscovered gems. Known for its three natural hot springs facilities, “Pagosah” is the Southwestern Ute word for “healing waters”. With 300+days of sunshine, ancient archaeological areas, and pristine forests, Pagosa Springs offers plenty of opportunities to soak up the scenery and enliven your spirit.
Surrounded by the largest contiguous wilderness area in the country, the Weminuche Wilderness, visitors to Pagosa Springs enjoy more than 3 million acres of National Forest to hike, bike, climb, drive, run, fish, raft, float, ride or explore our endless trails.
Pagosa Springs also offers visitors a rich geological and cultural history with Chimney Rock Archeological Site, the farthest “outlier” of Chaco Canyon, offering a fascinating historical look into the ancient culture of the Ancestral Puebloan Indians and the Fred Harman and Historical Museums both giving and intriguing insight at the rich past.
Surrounded by some of the most fantastic – and fantastical – landscapes on the continent, Grand Junction is a study in contrasts. Here in far western Colorado, the Colorado River meets up with the Gunnison and flows onto the Gulf of California. Even with the two rivers’ confluence, much of the area is desert-like. But it also boasts abundant fruit tree orchards, vegetable farms and an increasingly fruitful wine industry.
Off to the west of the city, where the desert gets serious, visitors encounter jutting spires, enormous domes and yawning, mysterious canyons of the awesome Colorado Monument, but just a short drive to the southeastern hem of the city is the much cooler, much higher pine and aspen forested wilderness of Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain in the world.
Oh, and to the north is a moonscape of weathered rock known as the Book Cliffs.
You’ll find much in the way of water sports – there’s plenty of fishing both on the Mesa and the Gunnison; the Colorado is great for guided white water raft trips that can be expanded to include kayaking.
Mountain biking is unparalleled no matter which direction you go; hiking is likewise an adventure waiting while you to lace your boots; horseback riding can take you through lush forests atop the Mesa or into a shadow-filled canyon. Climbing enthusiasts will enjoy mountain climbing, bouldering, canyoneering – the challenges change with the topography.
And don’t forget you can get off the beaten path and go four-wheeling as well.
Downtown is a charming mix of old and new, Western and college town. There are enough restaurants to give you ample choices in cuisine and appointment; shopping is just as adventurous as you might expect in a town that continues to spread its wings culturally. It’s eclectic but, at the same time, reassuringly peaceful – a mix of culture and outdoor activity flare.
Music at Colorado Mesa University is a series of more than three dozen concerts; the Math & Science Center features more than 150 interactive exhibits geared for kids; Western Colorado Center for the Arts features exhibits and educational programs; and you can cheer on the boys of summer at a Grand Junction Rockies Minor League baseball game!
If that’s not enough, go fly a kite – or, better yet, go for a helicopter tour and get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Grand Junction.
