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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Turquoise Lake, Colorado
Escape to Turquoise Lake
5.0Turquoise Lake is an 'off the beaten path' gem only 3 hours from the Denver Metro Area. The area surrounding the lake is home to some spacious and tree-shaded campgrounds. If you plan ahead and book early, you'll have your pick of the best spots within close proximity to the lake. The campground ...Read more -
Meredith, Colorado
Hike to Chapman Lake
1.6 miFrom downtown Basalt, drive up the Fryingpan River Road 28 miles and turn right on CR #504, also known as Elliot Way, just before Norrie Colony. Drive across the river and up the switchbacks for approximately 3 miles. Take the left fork, continue 1 mile and take the right fork approximately 1/2 m...Read more -
Crested Butte, Colorado
Conundrum Hot Springs via Copper Creek
22.5 mi / 4000 ft gainPlease Note: Conundrum Springs camping requires an overnight permit. You must get a permit in order to camp at the springs. If you're looking for an incredibly challenging hike, Copper Creek to Triangle Pass to Conundrum Springs is the hike for you! When you plug in "Conundrum Springs" into you...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge Troll
5.00.2 mi / 26 ft gainIsak Heartstone, otherwise known as the Breckenridge troll, can be accessed from the Illinois Gulch Trailhead. This trailhead can be full for much of the day, so it is advisable to find parking in town and then take a bus, walk, or bike to the starting point of this short walk. Once at the trai...Read more -
Carbondale, Colorado
Hike to Frigid Air Pass
8.5 mi / 1400 ft gainAbout 15 miles away from the ski resort town of Crested Butte lies the West Maroon Pass trailhead. This trailhead sees thousands of visitors every year as they make their trek over West Maroon Pass down into Aspen. While West Maroon Pass is beautiful, the heavy summer traffic can detract from the...Read more -
12147 Pikes Peak Highway, Colorado
Pikes Peak via the Devils Playground Trail
3.05.31 mi / 1325 ft gainThis portion of a trek to the Pikes Peak begins about 13,000 feet. From the parking lot walk across the road back to the Northeast side and look for the hikers trail that begins by paralleling the road. By hiking this path you will have the time to enjoy the amazing views of the mountain range an...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Downhill Mountain Bike the Verde and Viking Trails at Aspen Snowmass
3.8 mi / 1900 ft gainThe Verde and Viking trails at Aspen Snowmass resort are long winding trails perfect for beginners and intermediates. The trails are a combination of open and forest-lined paths varying from 1 to 6 feet wide. They both do a nice job of combining large wide turns where you can keep your speed to e...Read more -
Wellington, Colorado
Hike the Bent Rock Trail at Red Mountain Open Space
2.6 mi / 200 ft gainTo get to Red Mountain Open Space from Fort Collins, take Highway 287 to Highway 1. Follow Highway 1 until you see County Road 15, get off there. This is where it gets confusing, so hang on. You will follow CR15 for a few miles until CR78, take a left onto CR78. Then take a right on CR17, then a ...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Hike the Rim Rock Trail
4.98 miThe West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking! Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...Read more -
Bellvue, Colorado
Photograph Poudre Falls
To get to Poudre Falls, simply drive up Poudre Canyon on Highway 14, just north-west of Fort Collins. The drive all of the way up to the falls is a little bit of a jaunt and will take about an hour or so. There are plenty of cool things to see on the way, so have the camera in the passenger seat...Read more -
Sedalia, Colorado
Backpack the Lost Creek Loop
33.5 mi / 6200 ft gainLost Creek Wilderness may be my favorite part of Colorado. It contains varied terrain and geography, and is less crowded than most places. This loop will take you through everything the wilderness area has to offer. You will get sweeping panoramas of mountain ranges to the south, as well has m...Read more -
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Hike to Long House and Step House at Mesa Verde National Park
5.03 mi / 130 ft gainThis is a great opportunity to see two historic cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park within a relatively short period of time. Schedule your day around getting tickets to Long House, then taking a bit of a side trek to the Step House when you have the time. The tour begins at the Weatherhi...Read more -
Wellington, Colorado
Climb Table Mountain in the Red Mountain Open Space
4.05 mi / 1200 ft gainTable Mountain sits smack dab in the middle of Red Mountain Open Space, an area known to geologists (and settlers) as "The Big Hole", a singular and unique landform that peaks into the "basement" rocks that underly northern Colorado and Southeastern Wyoming. Soapstone cliffs and bright red Dakota...Read more -
Bellvue, Colorado
Hike the Black Powder Trail
1.5 mi / 450 ft gainThe Gateway Natural Area, part of the City of Fort Collins public lands system, is a wonderful (and close to the city) place to begin exploring the many outdoor assets and activities found in the greater Fort Collins area. The Black Powder Trail is a relatively easy, well-marked 1.5 mile out and ...Read more -
Divide, Colorado
Hike to Brook Pond
4.04.74 miThis hike begins at the east side of the Visitor's Center parking lot. The Visitor's Center keeps a record of any recent wildlife sightings, so its a good idea to check in the building if your goal is to see some animals. Otherwise, head to the end of the parking lot and take trail #5 down the hi...Read more -
Cañon City, Colorado
Hike Temple Canyon
5.01 mi / 400 ft gainTake 1st Ave heading south out of Canon City and you'll come to Temple Canyon Road. You'll take 7 miles of dirt road to Temple Canyon Park. It is free to enter and there is a decent campground there where you can camp for free for up to 14 days. The trail begins at Temple Ridge Campground. The tr...Read more
