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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Littleton, Colorado
Walk the Willow Creek Loop
1.4 miRoxborough State Park is located on the outskirts of Littleton, Colorado. Boasting incredible red rock formations and abundant wildlife, it is the perfect place for a quick escape outside.The Willow Creek Loop connects to the two parking lots in the park, so it is impossible to miss. With only th...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 -
Walden, Colorado
View Fall Color on Cameron Pass
From the front range, drive west of Fort Collins, Colo. on Highway 14 towards Walden, Colo. When you enter Highway 14 from Fort Collins, look for Ted's Place. Ted's is a gas station and convenient store, stop here to hit the bathroom, fill up on gas, and grab some snacks. There will be very few f...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Ski or Snowboard the Burnt Mountain Glades of Snowmass
5.03.5 miThis is part of the Aspen Snowmass Ski area so you'll have to buy a ski pass to take the lift up, or if you're up for a bigger workout, put some skins on and trek up to the top of Elk Camp. The easiest way to get there is to take the Elk Camp gondola to the Elk Camp lift. Once at the top of the l...Read more -
Mack, Colorado
Mountain Bike in the Rabbit Valley Area
13 mi / 1200 ft gainThis area is one of my favorites. Rabbit Valley is a great place with all kinds of activities available. Mainly we mountain bike here, but we have hiked and explored the canyons as well. There are traces of Native Americans that lived in the area hundreds of years ago, even a small arch too.From ...Read more -
Wellington, Colorado
Hike the K-Lynn Cameron Trail in the Red Mountain Open Space
5.4 mi / 800 ft gainThe K-Lynn Trail is a 2.4 mile loop trail that goes west off of the Ruby Wash Trail on the western side of the Red Mountain Open Space. To get there, take the Bent Rock Trail from the Red Mountain Open Space parking lot where the Red Canyon / Antelope Valley road dead-ends.Once on the Bent Rock T...Read more -
Bellvue, Colorado
Poudre Canyon Run
5.026.2 mi / 1800 ft gainStretching 126 miles from its source in the Rocky Mountain National Park, the Cache La Poudre (pronounced: Poo-ter) river provides host to an entire treasure trove of outdoor recreational activities. From Fly Fishing and rafting to camping and photography. Carved away by thousands of years of flo...Read more -
Palmer Lake, Colorado
Palmer Lake Reservoir Trail
4.11 mi / 656 ft gainThis hike starts with a steep uphill, and if that doesn't take your breath away, the views of the lakes definitely will. After the uphill slog, you'll immediately reach the lower reservoir. On still mornings, it offers perfect reflections of its surroundings. The trail continues along its northe...Read more -
Mountain Village, Colorado
Mountain Bike Village Trail
Take the Gondola from either Telluride or Mountain Village and get off at mid station. Walk up the path, pass the entrance to the bike park, and continue up the gravel road until you come upon signs for the Village Trail. It will start on the maintenance road but will quickly become a narrow path...Read more -
Red Cliff, Colorado
Ski to Fowler-Hilliard Hut
6.5 mi / 2500 ft gainFowler-Hilliard hut sits at 11,500 ft on a forested ridge of Resolution Mountain, with easy access to intermediate and expert backcountry skiing right out the door. This newer hut was built in 2010 after the original hut burned down from a lightning strike. The hut comes stocked with padded mattr...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Hike the Mayfly Trail, Snowmass
0.25 miLocated in Snowmass Village CO, this trail is nestled between Brush Creek and Brush Creek Road.Drive your vehicle to Clark's Market (16 Kearns rd Aspen, CO) and park in the lot facing down valley looking towards Woodbridge Condominiums. Along the edge of Clark's parking lot there will be a dirt t...Read more -
Hesperus, Colorado
Summit Centennial Peak in the La Plata Mountains via Sharkstooth Trailhead
6 mi / 2162 ft gainFrom the western end of the town of Mancos, follow CR 42 north until it enters the national forest and becomes FR 561. Go right on FR 350 and keep right at any junctions (there are two of them) until you reach the signed Sharkstooth Trailhead about 19 miles from Mancos. Enjoy your drive through ...Read more -
El Paso County, Colorado
Summit Pikes Peak via the Devils Playground Trail
3.05.5 mi / 1348 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 a...Read more -
Walden, Colorado
Backcountry Ski or Snowboard at Cameron Pass
To get to Cameron Pass, drive west out of Fort Collins from Highway 287, to Highway 14, into Poudre Canyon. Take the drive all the way through Poudre Canyon, and soon you will climb out of the canyon and towards the continental divide at Cameron Pass. Once you see the sign at the top of the pass ...Read more -
1046 County Highway 115, Colorado
Winter Hike to Calypso Cascades
6.25 mi / 580 ft gainWhile most people go snowshoeing near the Bear Lake or Glacier Gorge area in RMNP, Wild Basin is a much less trafficked option. The entrance station isn't manned in the winter, so you'll get in for free, as well! You can put the Wild Basin Trailhead into your GPS, but you'll have to park at the w...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Hike the Rim Rock / Creek Bottom Trail Loop
5.04.54 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