Colorado
It's hard to beat what the Rockies have to offer. A plethora of world-class skiing in the winter, and all the hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, and rafting you could hope for in the summer. Looking for a challenge?Maybe try your hand at one of Colorado's 14,000 ft peaks (there's somewhere between 53 and 58, depending who you ask).
Top Spots in and near Colorado
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Moffat County, Colorado
Whitewater Raft the Gates of Lodore in Dinosaur National Monument
46 miStarting from the Lodore Ranger Station in Colorado the trip begins as a mild float before the Green River abruptly cuts through the Uinta Mountains in an area named The Gates of Lodore. From there the gradient of the river increases as the imposing vermillion canyon walls covered with lush gree...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Photograph Cottonwood Lake, CO
0.1 mi / 1 ft gainWherever you are in Colorado, turn your route towards Buena Vista in South West Colorado - you will not be disappointed. To start, Buena Vista is a really cool town with great places to eat and visit. So make sure you check out the city before heading up Cottonwood Pass. When you are ready to hea...Read more -
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Mesa Top Loop
4.5The 6-mile Mesa Top Loop Road, open 8 am to sunset, stops at 12 sites including surface ruins and cliff dwelling overlooks. The most famous feature of the park, Cliff Palace, is visible from the Sun Point and Sun Temple overlooks. Sunrise photography isn't possible on the loop due to operating ho...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Watch the Sunrise at Guanella Pass
5.01 mi / 100 ft gainFrom Denver, take i70 to Georgetown and simply follow the signs through town to the top. This pass can also be accessed from the south via US Highway 285 at the town of Grant. Guanella Pass is closed in the winter, typically from about the last week in November through the last week of May. Watch...Read more -
Walden, Colorado
Dancing Moose Yurt [Closed]
NOTE: This property is currently closed as NeverSummer, the yurt operator, is no longer in business. The yurt is located near the small town of Walden, CO (coordinates: 40 33'57.43"N , 105 59'16.93"W) about two hours west of Fort Collins. In the winter, there are many backcountry ski runs, cros...Read more -
Durango, Colorado
Columbine Pass via Purgatory Flats
5.034.52 mi / 6932 ft gainThis hike begins at the Purgatory Flats Trailhead across from the Purgatory resort. The register is about a hundred yards from the Trailhead and is located next to a trail map. From here you will begin your descent down into the flats, which is roughly a 600-700 foot descent over the course of ju...Read more -
Kremmling, Colorado
Camp at Wolford Mountain Reservoir
If a nice relaxing adventure is what you seek, this is the place for you. There aren't a lot of super scenic, adrenaline pumping hikes at this campground, but there are well established campsites with beautiful sunrise and sunset views. If you're a photographer, the midnight sky on a moonless nig...Read more -
Gunnison, Colorado
Hike the Dillon Pinnacles Trail
4 mi / 300 ft gainThe Dillon Pinnacles are a geologic phenomenon of southern Colorado. Volcanic eruptions formed the breccia rock into towering spires above the Sapinero Basin of Blue Mesa Reservoir. This packed dirt trail starts at about 7500 feet and climbs to a max elevation of 7800 feet. The four mile out-and-...Read more -
Walden, Colorado
Cross-Country Ski to American Lakes
4.012 mi / 800 ft gainWARNING! AVALANCHE DANGER!Make sure you have avalanche safety knowledge and equipment. This route enters avalanche terrain.If you are looking for one of the ultimate cross-country ski treks along the northern Front Range, look no further. This trip takes you to the American Lakes at the base of t...Read more -
Walden, Colorado
Lower Montgomery Pass Yurt
6.78 mi / 801 ft gainThe Lower Montgomery Pass Yurt is a part of the Yonder Yurts yurt system and can be reserved through their website here. In the summer it can be accessed via a 4WD road but in the winter the road closes and you can either ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile the 3.4 miles to the yurt. The trek begins a...Read more -
Carbondale, Colorado
Camp at Prince Creek
3.0From Colorado State Highway 82, turn south onto Highway 133 (toward Carbondale). Continue south past the Carbondale Main Street roundabout. After two miles, turn East onto Prince Creek Road. Follow this four miles to where the pavement ends. After passing through a cattle gate, BLM land lines the...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Upper Loop Trail
3.70.34 mi / 108 ft gainThis short spur trail is right off Perkins Central Garden Trail. Most people walk by it because the walkway changes from paved to dirt, but it is definitely a must-see if you're exploring the park. It climbs just a short amount before reaching the rocks you can climb on. Make sure you take a mom...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hike to Blodgett Peak
3.04.5 mi / 2325 ft gainGetting There Google Maps + "Blodgett Peak Open Space"= Easy Peasy. The parking lot only accommodates 11 cars with a one of those reserved for handicap. A port-a-potty is the only facility available at the trail head, so plan accordingly. The Hike Starting out at about 7,000 feet the first mile ...Read more -
Carbondale, Colorado
Geneva Lake
5.03.75 mi / 1302 ft gainThis is an intermediate hike with scenic views, even before reaching the lake and waterfall. Note that access to the trailhead does require 4WD, as the final section of road is difficult and steep in sections.Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Sawmill Trail to Fairy Forest
3.01.58 mi / 184 ft gainThe Sawmill Trail to Fairy Forest is a loop hike near Breckenridge. Fairy Forest is CLOSED as of 2020 while work is done on the 4 0'Clock trail (source). This short shaded hike is perfect for families with children looking to experience nature without having to venture too far out of Breckenridg...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Idaho Springs Reservoir via Echo Lake
4.03.64 mi / 826.12 ft gainThis is a great hiking area an hour outside of Denver, Colorado. It's still easily accessible in the winter and most of the time it can be hiked without snowshoes. Starting at the Echo Lake parking lot, hike around the right side of the lake until you reach a fork in the trail. Follow the path o...Read more
