Colorado

If you're looking to backpack outside of the highly publicized areas of Colorado (aka the Rockies), head out to Western CO for some amazing experiences. Located 4 hours west of Denver along I-70 is the McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA). Overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM...

If you're not already camping there, park at Oh Be Joyful Campground, about 5 miles up County Road 734 from downtown Crested Butte. There's parking on either side of the river crossing, but you're going to have to get your feet wet anyway, so might as well park in the first parking lot and walk a...

If you're looking to take your first backpacking adventure, but want something that is manageable yet thrilling, this is what you're looking for. Located along the Gunnison River in Western Colorado, the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation area is easy to access yet full of adventure and be...

My husband and I heard about this hike while we were at a marriage retreat in nearby Dillon. This is the perfect casual day hike for a couple, small groups, or families with children. While we were there in May, just before the aspens were fully leafed out, it was easy to see that this location w...

If you are looking to get away from the crowds then this is the site for you. Located in the Routt National Forest, this spot offers everything from a seasonal lake (I went out of season) to free range sheep.Because of all the aspen trees, this place will be glowing with color in the fall. You wi...

The Coyote Ridge Natural Area is one of several Larimer County "gateway" preserves and Open Lands that lead into the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, connecting the shrublands of the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountain themselves through a network of trails, parks, and preserves. The Coyote Rid...

The 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...

A great place to watch the sunrise in Boulder is at NCAR, the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Park in the parking lot at the top of the hill, and if you're feeling up to it, you can walk south for about 10 minutes to an adjacent hill with beautiful views. Either way, you will want to ge...

Hope Pass is accessed from the Willis Gulch trailhead about 25 miles outside of Leadville, Colorado. To get to the trail head, follow Highway 24 East for about 16 miles until you arrive at the junction for Highway 82. Turn right and follow Highway 82 for about 8.3 miles. You will see a sign on th...

Put simply, Rattlesnake Arches is home to some of the most beautiful views you'll ever experience in the United States. This portion of the Rattlesnake Arches Trail follows along the upper rim of the canyon and allows you to experience 9 total arches within about 2 miles of hiking. The hike along...

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of Colorado's four national parks. Though not as well known as Rocky Mountain or Mesa Verde, Black Canyon has no lack of views, hiking opportunities, and other must-experience natural features. The Canyon's expanse is far too large to explore in a day, but the...

If you are looking for great reflections, color and mountain peaks for your photos, this lake is a great place to start. The Brainard Lake Recreational Area has so much to do, but this is a stop not to miss.It seems that everyone drives on by this little gem to get to Brainard Lake and the hiking...

This winter adventure begins at the popular Glacier Gorge Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. Make sure you arrive early as the parking lot fills up quickly! We started the hike with our microspikes on and carried our snowshoes. The park ranger informed us snowshoes may be necessary in som...

Wherever 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...

A popular wildflower hike in summer, Herman Gulch is arguably even prettier covered in snow. The north-south trail offers views of the impressive Mount Sniktau to the south and Pettingell Peak to the north--with much to see along the way. Officially, the trail weaves in and out of the forest and ...

Starting at the often-busy Wild Basin TH, the trail passes through dense forests as it follows the North Fork of the Saint Vrain River through the southernmost section of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail passes alongside the small Copeland Falls before continuing west towards Calypso Casca...