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
-
Castle Pines, Colorado
Explore Daniel's Park
Daniel's Park is a small park in Douglas County that offers unparalleled views of the front range. There is a small walking trail that follows the road if you choose to go on foot, or you can stay in the car and drive the length of Daniel's Park Road. There is a bison herd that calls Daniels Park...Read more -
Ouray, Colorado
Drive Engineer Pass
5.0This pass is closed December through May but when opened, does not fall short of views. I drove it on opening weekend and the snow was piled high all around (pictured above) but the views were just as amazing as driving it in late summer. Starting in Silverton, drive east on Colorado 2 through t...Read more -
Mancos, Colorado
Camp at Morefield Campground
Morefield Campground is located 4 miles inside of Mesa Verde National Park. There are 267 sites in the campground, and it has tent-only loops. There are also 15 full-hookup RV sites, with many more able to fit RVs. Reservations are recommended, but are not required; the full-hookup sites are the ...Read more -
Laporte, Colorado
Hike the 3 Bar and Oh Tee Loops at Eagle's Nest Open Space
5 mi / 150 ft gainTo get to Eagle's Nest Open Space drive on Highway 287 between Laramie, Wyo. and Fort Collins, Colo. As you continue down 287, look for the Forks restaurant and rest stop in Livermore, Colo. Turn here onto Red Feather Lakes Road. After a few hundred feet on Red Feather Lakes Road, look for the E...Read more -
Grand Lake, Colorado
Snowshoe to Rowley Homestead at Snow Mountain Ranch
3.03 mi / 100 ft gainAt Snow Mountain Ranch, you can strap on the snowshoes and heading to an old homestead on the ranch. It is about 3 mile round trip adventure.You snowshoe through the woods and by some of the cabins at Camp Chief Ouray. On the trail, check out the aspen trees. You can see the markings where the e...Read more -
New Castle, Colorado
Mt. Colorow Overlook
2.68 mi / 794 ft gainAlthough this hike could be done in a loop, it is also doable in the out-and-back format. I would recommend the out-and-back during winter months when the more eastern loop (beginning around Mustang Dr) is vulnerable to small avalanches. If you want to do this hike in the winter, head on Alder A...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Lake Gulch & Inner Canyon Loop Trail
4.01.85 mi / 203 ft gainThis loop is a combination of two different trails - the Lake Gulch Trail (L) and the Inner Canyon Trail (K). Both of these trails leave from the Canyon Point Parking Lot, inside the east entrance to the park. I personally like the Inner Canyon Trail a lot more, so I like to start off from the ...Read more -
Bellvue, Colorado
Snowshoe Sawmill Creek Trail
7 mi / 1660 ft gainTo reach the Sawmill Creek Trailhead you have to park at the Blue Lake Trailhead parking lot located across from Long Draw Road (Rd 156) Turn-off. Once you park here you'll see a big sign for the Blue Lake Trail but you'll have to continue following the road up (Southwest) for about 100 yards unt...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Siamese Twins Loop
4.00.55 mi / 105 ft gainSiamese twins is about a half mile hike with little elevation gain that is a quick hike while driving the park. The hardest thing about this is getting a parking spot to tell you the truth. On a weekend or pretty much any summer day the five or so spots available at the trailhead are constantly...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Snowshoe Long Lake
8 mi / 200 ft gainA long but extremely scenic hike tucked in Colorado's Indian Peaks wilderness. The entire Long Lake trail says 2.3 mile but due to winter conditions and snow pack you can really only make it the east edge of the lake. Exit Long lake loop back on to Brainard Lake Road (currently under construction...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Summit Mount Huron
6 mi / 3500 ft gainThere are some dispersed campsites along side the 4x4 road that leads to the trailhead. Ideally you can sleep here to get an early start to your hike in the morning, to avoid the afternoon storms that frequent the mountains. The 4x4 is rough in spots, though my Subaru Outback did make the trek un...Read more -
Ridgway, Colorado
Explore Corckscrew Gulch
Corkscrew Gulch is named for the narrow and winding switchbacks that "corkscrewes" up Red Mountain Two. It is hard to miss this area of the San Juan Mountains, because the deep reds, oranges, and yellows blanket all three of the named "Red Mountains". The red color in the mountains is caused by o...Read more -
Loveland, Colorado
Hike the Powerline Trail in the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
3.8 mi / 1100 ft gainPowerline Trail is a 1.9 mile spur off the Valley Loop Trail in the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area that climbs 1,100 feet from the valley floor to Mahoney Park.To get to the start of the trail, take the Valley Loop Trail .9 miles in the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area from the main entrance of the Natural A...Read more -
Montrose, Colorado
Drive the Scenic loop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park
4.5The Black Canyon of Gunnison is know for 2000 foot cliffs and a beautiful raging river below. The south side of the canyon is the most popular and the easiest to get to. The visitor center is also on the south side making it convenient for information and getting souvenirs. The scenic drive also ...Read more -
Leadville, Colorado
Backcountry Ski at Fremont Pass
Starting at 11,319 feet of elevation, you can choose which direction to head into the backcountry. Park at the pull-off area at the bend in the road. From here, you can head into the woods to the right (there are usually tracks from other skiers to follow) or follow Trail Rd. to reach some peaks ...Read more -
Gypsum, Colorado
Camp at Dotsero Crater
COLORADO'S YOUNGEST VOLCANO The Dotsero crater is Colorado's youngest volcano, erupting a mere 4,200 years ago. While the crater may not be as dramatic as Mt. St Helens, Mt. Baker, or other volcanos in the U.S., it's quite an unusual terrain feature to come across in Colorado, and offers some gre...Read more
