Colorado is known for its stunning natural beauty and offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Here’s a list of popular outdoor activities you can enjoy in Colorado:

Hiking:

  • Rocky Mountain National Park: Explore over 350 miles of trails ranging from easy walks around lakes to challenging mountain ascents, offering breathtaking views of alpine landscapes and abundant wildlife.
  • Maroon Bells: Known for its iconic twin peaks, this area offers picturesque hiking trails that showcase some of Colorado’s most stunning scenery, particularly in the fall when the aspens turn golden.
  • Garden of the Gods: A registered National Natural Landmark, this park features dramatic sandstone rock formations, diverse wildlife, and numerous trails suitable for all hiking levels.
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park: Home to the tallest dunes in North America, this park offers unique hiking opportunities across vast sand dunes, alpine forests, and grasslands.

For the list of hiking essentials head to HikinginBigSur.com

Mountain Biking:

  • Fruita: Renowned for its world-class trails, Fruita offers varied terrain from smooth singletracks to technical challenges, attracting mountain biking enthusiasts from around the globe.
  • Crested Butte: Known as the birthplace of mountain biking, Crested Butte boasts an extensive network of trails through wildflower meadows and rugged mountains.
  • Boulder: With a variety of trails ranging from easy to advanced, Boulder provides mountain bikers with stunning scenery and well-maintained paths.
  • Durango: Featuring trails that wind through the San Juan Mountains, Durango offers diverse riding experiences from alpine singletracks to desert landscapes.

Skiing and Snowboarding:

  • Aspen: A premier ski destination, Aspen offers four distinct ski areas with terrain for all skill levels, along with a vibrant après-ski scene and luxury accommodations.
  • Vail: Known for its expansive back bowls and well-groomed slopes, Vail provides an exceptional skiing experience with abundant snowfall and upscale amenities.
  • Breckenridge: This historic mining town turned ski resort offers a wide range of runs, a charming downtown, and a lively atmosphere perfect for winter sports enthusiasts.
  • Telluride: Surrounded by towering peaks, Telluride combines challenging ski terrain with stunning scenery and a charming, secluded town vibe.
  • Steamboat Springs: Famous for its “Champagne powder” snow, Steamboat Springs offers excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities along with a welcoming, laid-back community.

Camping:

  • San Juan National Forest: Spanning over 1.8 million acres, this forest offers diverse camping experiences from developed campgrounds to remote backcountry sites, amidst stunning mountain scenery.
  • White River National Forest: As the most visited national forest in the United States, it offers numerous camping options, including sites near popular destinations like Maroon Bells and Vail.
  • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: Camp near the rim of this dramatic canyon and enjoy breathtaking views, starry nights, and a sense of solitude in a unique geological setting.

Rock Climbing:

  • Eldorado Canyon State Park: Known for its world-class climbing routes, Eldorado Canyon features towering sandstone cliffs and challenging climbs suitable for all skill levels.
  • Shelf Road: Located near Canon City, Shelf Road offers limestone climbing with a variety of routes, making it a popular destination for climbers seeking diverse challenges.
  • Rifle Mountain Park: This climbing mecca features steep limestone walls and over 400 routes, attracting climbers from around the world for its technical challenges and scenic beauty.

Fishing:

  • Blue River: Flowing through Summit County, the Blue River offers excellent fly fishing opportunities for trout, with stunning mountain scenery as a backdrop.
  • Gunnison River: Known for its Gold Medal waters, the Gunnison River provides exceptional fishing for large trout and a tranquil setting in the Gunnison Gorge.
  • Arkansas River: Flowing through central Colorado, the Arkansas River is renowned for its trout fishing, with numerous access points and beautiful canyon scenery.

Whitewater Rafting:

  • Arkansas River (Browns Canyon): This section of the Arkansas River offers thrilling rapids and stunning canyon scenery, making it a popular destination for both beginners and experienced rafters.
  • Colorado River: Experience exciting rapids and scenic beauty while rafting through sections like Gore Canyon and the more relaxed Upper Colorado for family-friendly adventures.
  • Clear Creek: Located near Denver, Clear Creek offers challenging rapids and a convenient location for a quick and exhilarating rafting trip.

Horseback Riding:

  • Estes Park: Ride through the scenic landscapes of Rocky Mountain National Park, where trails offer breathtaking views of mountains, meadows, and wildlife.
  • Colorado Springs: Explore the scenic trails of the Pike National Forest and Garden of the Gods on horseback, with guided tours available for riders of all levels.
  • Fort Collins: Enjoy horseback riding through the scenic foothills and open spaces surrounding Fort Collins, with numerous trails offering varied riding experiences.

Wildlife Viewing:

  • Rocky Mountain National Park: Home to elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and more, this park offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing amidst stunning mountain scenery.
  • San Luis Valley: A diverse ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife, including sandhill cranes during their seasonal migrations, making it a prime spot for birdwatching and wildlife observation.
  • Pawnee National Grassland: This expansive grassland is a haven for birdwatchers, offering sightings of hawks, eagles, and a variety of prairie species in their natural habitat.

Hot Air Balloon Rides:

  • Boulder: Soar above the scenic landscapes of Boulder, enjoying panoramic views of the Rockies and the Front Range from a unique perspective.
  • Colorado Springs: Experience breathtaking views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding area from the basket of a hot air balloon, offering a peaceful and memorable adventure.
  • Steamboat Springs: Float above the Yampa Valley and enjoy stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys, with sunrise flights offering particularly spectacular views.

ATV and Off-Roading:

  • Ouray: Known as the “Jeep Capital of the World,” Ouray offers challenging off-roading trails with stunning mountain views and historic mining sites.
  • Silverton: Explore rugged terrain and high mountain passes on ATV and off-road vehicles, with trails offering breathtaking scenery and access to remote areas.
  • Taylor Park: Located near Crested Butte, Taylor Park offers a network of trails suitable for ATVs and off-road vehicles, with diverse terrain and scenic beauty.

Zip-lining:

  • Canon City (Royal Gorge): Experience the thrill of zip-lining over the Royal Gorge, with breathtaking views of the Arkansas River and the gorge’s towering cliffs.
  • Durango: Enjoy a variety of zip-line courses through the scenic landscapes surrounding Durango, offering both excitement and stunning views.
  • Vail: Zip-line through the beautiful forests and valleys of Vail, with courses that provide exhilarating rides and spectacular mountain scenery.

Golfing:

  • Castle Pines: This renowned golf course offers challenging play and stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, with a beautiful and well-maintained setting.
  • Aspen Glen Club: Located in Carbondale, this private club features a Jack Nicklaus-designed course set against the backdrop of Mount Sopris, offering a scenic and challenging golf experience.
  • Red Sky Golf Club: Featuring two championship courses designed by Tom Fazio and Greg Norman, Red Sky Golf Club offers exceptional golfing with breathtaking mountain views.

Paragliding and Hang Gliding:

  • Golden: The cliffs and ridges around Golden provide ideal conditions for paragliding and hang gliding, offering stunning views of the Front Range and the plains below.
  • Telluride: Soar above the majestic San Juan Mountains, enjoying unparalleled views and the thrill of flight in one of Colorado’s most scenic locations.
  • Boulder: Paraglide or hang glide from the hills around Boulder, taking in expansive views of the city, the plains, and the towering Rockies.

Caving:

  • Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park: Explore the fascinating underground formations of Glenwood Caverns, with guided tours showcasing stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and other geological wonders.
  • Cave of the Winds Mountain Park: Located near Colorado Springs, this park offers guided cave tours that explore intricate passageways and impressive formations, along with thrilling above-ground activities.

Bird Watching:

  • Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge: Known for its seasonal migrations of sandhill cranes, this refuge offers excellent bird watching opportunities in a beautiful wetland setting.
  • Barr Lake State Park: Home to a diverse range of bird species, Barr Lake State Park offers excellent birding with viewing platforms and easy-access trails.
  • Chatfield State Park: This park features diverse habitats that attract a wide variety of bird species, making it a popular destination for bird watchers year-round.

Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing:

  • Breckenridge: Enjoy groomed trails and scenic backcountry routes for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
  • Eldora Mountain Resort: This resort offers dedicated trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, providing a peaceful alternative to downhill skiing.
  • Devil’s Thumb Ranch: Located near Winter Park, this ranch offers extensive trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, along with luxurious accommodations and amenities.

Kayaking and Canoeing:

  • Lake Dillon: Paddle on the calm waters of Lake Dillon, surrounded by mountain peaks and offering a serene setting for kayaking and canoeing.
  • Boulder Reservoir: This popular spot near Boulder provides easy access for kayaking and canoeing, with beautiful views and ample space for paddling.
  • Chatfield Reservoir: Located near Denver, Chatfield Reservoir offers a large body of water for kayaking and canoeing, with scenic surroundings and recreational facilities.

Hot Springs:

  • Glenwood Hot Springs: Relax in the world’s largest hot springs pool, with healing mineral waters and stunning mountain views, along with a spa and resort amenities.
  • Pagosa Springs: Enjoy a variety of hot springs options, from river-side soaking pools to luxurious resorts, all set in the scenic town of Pagosa Springs.
  • Strawberry Park Hot Springs: Located near Steamboat Springs, these natural hot springs offer a rustic and serene soaking experience amidst beautiful forested surroundings.

Scenic Drives:

  • Trail Ridge Road: Drive through Rocky Mountain National Park on the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., offering breathtaking views and numerous pull-offs for scenic vistas.
  • San Juan Skyway: This 236-mile loop through the San Juan Mountains features dramatic scenery, historic towns, and the famous Million Dollar Highway section.
  • Million Dollar Highway: Part of the San Juan Skyway, this stretch between Ouray and Silverton offers jaw-dropping mountain views and thrilling driving along its steep and winding route.
By: Conley SarahPosted on