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.

Avon

Visit Avon, Colorado

The Town of Avon is more than a mountain town or a resort destination. It is a vibrant and diverse year-round, resort community defined by its spectacular surroundings and genuine local character. The small-town setting is inclusive and family-oriented, and also the gateway to world-renowned Beaver Creek Resort. It is a town that connects the shared values of both its residents and visitors, creating a one-of-a-kind place to visit, work, grow a business, raise a family, and play in a spectacular outdoor setting.

Avon’s Pavilion and Parks

Throughout the year, Avon offers events and festivals with an expansive mix of music and cultural events at the Harry A. Nottingham Pavilion and on the Main Street Mall. Nottingham Park and the spectacular Avon Pavilion are prominent gathering centers for both everyday enjoyment and major outdoor events. Avon’s uniquely wonderful lake and beach are consistent draws to the park, where SUP and peddle boat rentals are available daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lacrosse tournaments, Saturday yoga at the Pavilion, the open swim and Dunk-N-Dash series, plus Disc Dogs Competition and triathlon stagings, all bring vibrant participant and spectator occasions to the park.

Concerts and Music festivals

Free concerts, including pop-up performances by string quartets, Spanish guitars and a mixed trio, take place throughout the summer and on various evenings, featuring both classical and contemporary music compositions. The Avon Live! Concert series offers four exceptional evenings of free live music, conversation, food and beverages, in the park during July and August. For more information about Special Events, visit www.avon.org/events.

Avon’s Mountain Community

Fed by the adventure found on the slopes of its neighboring ski resorts, at the edges of its sparkling rivers, and in the boundless open spaces that surround the town, Avon’s residents boast a lifestyle that most only dream of. The Town’s vision is unifying–a focus on strengthening its businesses, retail and service offerings, but it’s also a focus on connecting its neighborhoods with nature–bringing them all together on pathways and in gathering spaces that invite both visitors and residents to celebrate their surroundings. Residents here grow roots that sprout families and mountain lifestyle community pride.

Boulder

Things to Do in Boulder, Colorado

If just one word were allowed to describe the Centennial State’s free-spiritedness, we’d choose “Boulder!” for any number of reasons.

University of Colorado Boulder

First, it’s home to the University of Colorado, where academics are lofty, football is passionate, and chillin’ is mandatory. The Hill and Pearl Street Mall are famed for their colorful shops, eateries, and galleries, and people-watching is unparalleled.

Boulder Culture

Culturally, this town is the motherlode. For museum lovers, the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) features contemporary fare, and the Leanin’ Tree Museum & Sculpture Garden of Western Art is a stroll through all things Western. More than just the past comes alive at the Boulder History Museum with exhibits that range from tofu to rock music, and CU itself houses the University of Colorado Heritage Center in its Old Main building. The college also is home to the University of Colorado Natural History Museum.

Nearby Denver has a selection of summer festivals to keep you entertained throughout the warmer months.

Shopping and Dining

If you’re a shopper, this is your place. Boutiques, designer names, thrift, and thrills await. And dining is, to say the very least, a culinary adventure. We’re hard-pressed to think of a cuisine not represented in our town, and you’ll even have the opportunity to visit the farm of origin for some of the freshest fare around.

And don’t forget the breweries both big and small, Boulder has had a hand in the craft beer movement since it’s beginning and hasn’t stopped brewing!

Mountain Recreation

Outdoor recreation is limitless. In addition to having Eldora Mountain Ski Resort nearby, America’s #1 Sports town also gives you the chance to experience, in no particular order, hot air ballooning, kayaking, rock climbing, tubing, fly fishing, bike riding, golfing, cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing. The beauty is you can do many of these things – yes, even skiing – all in the same day. That’s Boulder for you! Ahhhh!

Carbondale

Explore Carbondale, Colorado

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

Find Adventure in Basalt

Basalt is nestled in the heart of the Roaring Fork Valley, at the confluence of the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers. This charming town offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and relaxation. Learn more at the Basalt Chamber of Commerce.

Basalt is a friendly, small mountain town that boasts a diverse collection of neighborhoods, each with its unique personality and places to explore. There are two main areas of town – Historic Downtown and Willits.

Historic Downtown is an eclectic mix of shopping, restaurants, historical attractions, local businesses, and beautiful, colorful Victorian buildings that date back to the railroad era of the 1880s. The two main streets are Midland Avenue and Two Rivers Road. Both the Basalt/Old Snowmass and Emma Trail bike paths connect the two ends of downtown back to the Rio Grande Trail.

For a more modern vibe, consider Willits, which boasts a blend of residences, shops, and businesses. The main hub of activity is Willits Town Center — a mixed-use residential and commercial area featuring locally owned restaurants, a brewery, unique retailers, outdoor recreation stores, offices, a hotel, and a performing arts center.

Basalt is an Outdoor Paradise

Explore the White River National Forest

Hiking, camping, and biking are just a few of the outdoor activities available. Explore the White River National Forest and nearby Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area for breathtaking scenery. Basalt also serves as the gateway to Ruedi Reservoir, a summer destination for boating, fishing, and water sports. Basalt has year round adventure in all directions. Enjoy the local hiking trails or take on the local cycling and running challenge and work up an appetite.

Gold Medal Water

The Gold Medal waters of the Roaring Fork and Fryingpan Rivers are world-renowned for fly fishing, with the ability to wade or float down the river. Basalt has a special place in the heart of the Roaring Fork valley and the river makes the town a must visit place for anyone who loves the water.

Access to Aspen/Snowmass Resort

Experience the magic of winter with skiing and snowboarding at the four mountains of Aspen Snowmass, just a short drive or bus ride away. Not into going downhill? The area offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and – surprisingly – fly fishing, thanks to the constant flow of the Fryinpan River.

Two Wheels and GO!

Basalt and the surrounding area is unusual in that it has a wide variety of rides for road cyclists and mountain bikers alike, with rides intertwining between Downtown and Willits, from Basalt Mountain to Prince Creek, the Fryingpan to Ruedi Reservoir, and Missouri Heights. Ask any person sporting a bike rack in town and they will have their own go-to list of rides.

The Roaring Fork Valley holds the rare honor of being an International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Gold Level Ride Center, a designation recognizing the pinnacle of mountain biking communities – highlighting large-scale mountain bike trail systems and destinations that offer something for every rider.

Basalt is at the epicenter of the valley’s Ride Center, known for big challenging climbs and long rewarding descents. There are over 300 miles of high-quality singletrack to explore within the Ride Center boundary (defined by a 30-minute drive time radius), with an additional 100+ more miles of trails existing just beyond the official zone. The single-track trails are complemented by the hundreds of miles of high alpine double-track roads and paved paths on the valley floors.

Winter in Basalt

The winter months bring new opportunities for fun in the Roaring Fork valley. Winter in Basalt is an adventurous time with nearby ski areas as well as local cross country and backcountry skiing there’s plenty of ways to work up an appetite around Basalt and make the most of any winter vacation.

Basalt Arts, Culture, and Community

Immerse yourself in the local art scene with visits to galleries featuring Western, contemporary, and eclectic art. During summer months, enjoy free live concerts with the Wednesday night Basalt Summer Concert series in the Basalt River Park.
Discover unique boutiques and specialty shops offering everything from outdoor gear to handcrafted treasures and high-end clothing consignment.
Savor the flavors of Colorado with a diverse culinary scene. From casual cafes to fine dining restaurants, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine featuring fresh, local ingredients.

Lodging in Basalt

Choose from a variety of accommodations to suit any style and budget, including hotels, homey vacation rentals, and campgrounds.

Top Events in the Roaring Fork Area

Basalt Summer Concert Series: Enjoy free live music every Wednesday evening in the summer at the Basalt River Park.
Basalt Sunday Market: Browse local vendors offering fresh produce, handmade crafts, and delicious food in Historic Downtown on Sundays in the summer.
TACAW (The Arts Campus at Willits): This vibrant venue hosts a variety of art exhibitions, performances, and workshops throughout the year.

Parachute

Parachute, Colorado

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.

Things to Do in Parachute:

Fishing at Harvey Gap Reservoir and Rifle Gap Reservoir. These two reservoirs are year-round fishing waterways and produce some of Colorado’s largest bass, perch, crappie, catfish, rainbow trout, and northern pike.
Ice climbing at Rifle Mountain Park. This park features 80-foot canyon walls and is considered the best location in the country for limestone sport climbing.
Skiing and snowboarding at Powderhorn Resort.
Snowmobiling on the Grand Mesa, which has over 500 square miles of winter wonderland to explore.
Hunting and rafting are also popular in the Parachute area, and its proximity to Glenwood Springs and the famed hot springs is a draw. It’s also close to Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction.

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.

Montrose

Tour Montrose, Colorado

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.

Grand Junction

Visit Grand Junction, Colorado

Surrounded by some of the most fantastic – and fantastical – landscapes on the continent. The richly tinted desert landscape, the high mesas and the lush rivers combine to make the valley a magical place. You can ski in the morning on the Grand Mesa riding lifts at Powderhorn resort and ride mountain bikes in the afternoon at the Lunch Loops. The temperate climate also boasts abundant fruit tree orchards, vegetable farms and an increasingly fruitful wine industry.

Grand Junction was originally named after the Grand River which has since been re-named the Colorado River. The meeting of the Gunnison River with the Colorado gave the town it’s name while the valley is still called the Grand Valley. The rivers flow right through the middle of town providing a burst of nature and a scenic retreat from the bustling city that Grand Junction has become.

Things to do Places to See – Grand Junction

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 due to the layered sediments that make it look like a library shelf.

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. Just across the river from downtown is the area known as the Lunch Loops which provide a number of quick riding option as well as the much larger Edge loop which can challenge any rider. To the west of town is Fruita which has excellent riding at 18 Road up against the Bookcliffs and Ruby Canyon a little further west with great singletrack at both venues. The hiking around Grand Junction 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 nearby rock climbing, 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 and motorcross riding through the high desert terrain as well.

The surrounding area has multiple opportunities for adventure check out West Slope travel destinations for more of what to do around the Grand Valley and for more ideas of what to do around the state check out our Summer Vacation Planner to plan out your summer vacation.

Grand Junction Business District

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!

Grand Junction offers a little bit of something for everyone and with such a big wide open valley a little space for everyone too. Come for the mild climate and stay for the recreational opportunities and the convenience of a well appointed city. Grand Junction is easy to get around in and has a great variety of activities, a place where you can do a lot all in one day.

Gateway

Find Adventure in Gateway, Colorado

The breathtaking setting for unincorporated Gateway in far western Colorado is the rugged buttes and depths of John Brown and Unaweep canyons, and as its name implies, the town is a gateway from Colorado into bordering Utah.

Offering a great staging area for adventures in the La Sal Mountains and the Uncompahgre National Forest, Gateway gives access to spectacular rock formations and sweeping vistas, but the region is also replete with desert arroyos that can and do flood quickly during sudden rainstorms. Knowing the signs saves lives.

Water enthusiasts find thrills in whitewater rapids of class III and IV that sweep through the five-mile stretch of the Dolores River through Paradox Canyon, and for pure exploration exhilaration, the Unaweep/Taberguache Scenic and Historic Byway can’t be beat. The 133-mile byway takes you through the red sandstone formations of Unaweep, where prehistoric fossils are visible in the many layers of the Uncompahgre Plateau.

Gateway Canyons Resort, Discovery Channel founder John S. Hendricks, provides a wide array of outdoor activity with mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking and climbing, fishing and rafting, kayaking, off-road tours, air tours, several foot races, a large bike race and even an auto museum.

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