Rocky Mountain National Park
Situated in northern Colorado, the Rocky Mountain National Park spans the Continental Divide and encompasses a number of protected mountains, forests and alpine tundra.
This majestic park features numerous scenic drives and hiking trails including the Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the US; Old Fall River Road, surrounded by beautiful aspen trees and rivers; and the Keyhole Route, which crosses vertical rock faces and leads to the park’s tallest mountain: Longs Peak.
The park contains beautiful flora and fauna and presents visitors with opportunities to experience a range of outdoor activities such as fishing, river rafting, horse riding, swimming in hot springs, and exploring over 560 kilometres of hiking trails - from flat easy hikes around a mountain lake to challenging multi-day trips.
Vail
In the White River National Forest, at the base of the Vail Mountain in Colorado, lies the small town of Vail.
This popular mountain resort destination offers activities for all seasons. Winter sees many winter sports enthusiasts skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing on the slopes of the mountain or ice-skating on the outdoor rinks.
In spring, visitors can see the blooming wildflowers from a hot-air balloon and enjoy the many festivals featuring music and film. Hiking with llamas, ziplining, rock-climbing, golf, fly fishing and summer concerts are some of the activities available during the warmer months.
Autumn is the perfect season to mountain bike or to photograph the spectacular auburn leaves from the Eagle Bahn Gondola cable cars that provide transport up the mountain.
Durango
Set near the New Mexico border in southwestern Colorado, the small city of Durango features a variety of outdoor and cultural attractions.
From Old West experiences to ancient ruins, and arts and culture to adventure sports, Durango has something to offer all travellers.
On the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, visitors can travel a winding route through breathtaking canyons aboard a steam train that has been in operation since 1882.
The history of the area’s native Puebloan people is preserved at Mesa Verde National Park, where visitors can learn all about this fascinating Native American heritage.
Not-to-be-missed is the Durango Arts Centre and the Diamond Belle Saloon in downtown Durango, revered as one of the most famous original ragtime piano bars in the Wild West.
Visitors can also enjoy a range of outdoor activities including mountain biking, hiking, white-water rafting, kayaking, skiing and snowboarding.
Gunnison Valley
Located along the Gunnison River in central Colorado, the scenic Gunnison Valley is known for its ranches and its strikingly beautiful natural landscapes.
The valley features a number of charming little towns including the town of Gunnison, an historic cattle and mining town, which is home to the oldest rodeo in the state.
Other towns in the area include Almont, offering excellent white river rafting, kayaking, and rock climbing; Crested Butte and Mount Crested Butte, known for mountain sports such as skiing and mountain biking; and Gothic, which is home to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory - the oldest continuously running high-altitude laboratory in the world.
Visitors can also look forward to visiting the nearby Black Canyon and Gunnison National Park, both of which are easily accessed from Gunnison Valley.
Mesa Verde National Park
Located in Montezuma County, Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is the largest archeological preserve in the US, as well as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Mesa Verde, named after the lush plateaus in the area (the words literally mean ‘green table’), was home to the ancestral Puebloans who lived here from 600 to 1300AD, building their homes within cliff crevices.
There are more than 600 of these cliff dwellings, as well as 4000 archeological sites.
Don’t miss out on a tour of Balcony House and Spruce Tree House and, if time allows, pop in at the Visitor and Research Centre and Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.
Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is located in the Pike National Forest in Colorado. The peak stands 14,115 feet high, making it the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.
The peak features pink granite that is due to the high amount of potassium feldspar, as well as several visitor centres.
Pikes Peak is accessible via car, hiking, biking, and by guided tours and is a very popular attraction in Colorado.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Located in Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve offers visitors a lovely recreational experience.
The dunes are known as the tallest in North America and it’s the centrepiece in a diverse landscape of wetlands, grasslands, aspen forests, alpine lakes, conifer and tundra.
Things to do include hiking, backpacking, sandboarding, splashing in Medano Creek, horseback riding, fishing and biking. Lodging, camping and dining options are available within the park.
Colorado National Monument
Situated between Fruita and Grand Junction, the Colorado National Monument towers over the American West.
Striking red rock, sheer canyon walls, and gravity-defying boulders create an unforgettable panorama, with the desert landscape below.
The area is home to eagles, bighorn sheep, and collared lizards, making it a haven for wildlife and birds alike.
Year round there are a variety of activities that attract thousands of visitors per year, from scenic drives and picnics, to rock climbing and hiking.
Aspen
Aspen is the United States’ premier winter-sports wonderland destination, with countless luxury boutique shops, high-end restaurants and trendy bars to match its legendary ski slopes.
Once the wintry snows of the Rocky Mountains melt away, hiking, downhill biking, rock climbing, white-water rafting and paragliding are pursuits of choice, while those who prefer to gear down a notch can take a day out experiencing jeep tours, horseback riding, fishing, mountain yoga or a world-class golf course.
During the summer months, festivals and live shows light up the resort town’s social calendar, adding to its famous allure.
