Glenwood Hot Springs is the world's largest outdoor mineral hot springs pool, stretching 405 feet in a spectacular canyon setting where the Colorado River meets Glenwood Canyon. Fed by the Yampah spring at a natural temperature of 124°F and cooled to a comfortable 90°F in the main pool, it's been drawing visitors since 1888.

The facility has been continuously operating for over 135 years and combines the historic grandeur of the original stone bathhouse with modern amenities including a therapy pool, water slides, and spa. The two-block-long main pool is a genuinely impressive sight, and the canyon walls rising on both sides create an unforgettable backdrop.

Glenwood Springs itself is a charming mountain town with excellent dining and a historic downtown worth exploring, and Glenwood Canyon's 12-mile bike path along the Colorado River is one of the most scenic paved trails in the state.

TIP: The springs are best experienced in cooler months (fall through spring) when the steam rising from the water creates an atmospheric, almost otherworldly scene.

TIP: Weekday mornings are significantly less crowded than weekends.

TIP: Book lodging at the Hotel Colorado or Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge for direct pool access.

Official website

Glenwood Hot Springs

Hanging Lake Trail is one of Colorado's most iconic hikes, leading 1.2 miles (and 1,000 feet of elevation gain) up a steep canyon to a jewel-like turquoise lake perched on a rocky shelf above Glenwood Canyon. The lake is fed by waterfalls cascading over moss-covered logs and travertine rock ledges, creating a scene so vivid and otherworldly that it was designated a National Natural Landmark.

The lake's distinctive color comes from the calcium carbonate deposits that cover the lake bottom and reflect the sky in extraordinary tones of aquamarine and emerald. Bridal Veil Falls at the back of the lake and Spouting Rock — where water erupts directly from the cliff face — add to the surreal character of the place.

The trail is steep and relentless but mercifully short, making it achievable for most people in good shape. The canyon below is itself stunning, cut by the Colorado River through 1,600-foot limestone walls.

TIP: Hanging Lake has a mandatory permit system from May through October — reserve at hanginglake.com weeks in advance, as it sells out fast.

TIP: Swimming and wading are strictly prohibited to protect the fragile travertine ecosystem.

TIP: Arrive at the shuttle bus lot (required for permit holders) at least 30 minutes before your departure time.

Hanging Lake Trail

Independence Ghost Town is a remarkably intact high-altitude ghost town at 10,900 feet on the eastern approach to Independence Pass, accessible as a short detour off CO-82. Founded in 1879 after a gold strike on Independence Day, the town once housed 1,500 people and featured 40 buildings, a school, hotel, and post office before collapsing when the mines played out.

Today about 20 original structures survive in varying states of preservation, their weathered wood bleached silver by decades of alpine sun and snow. A short self-guided walking trail leads through the site with interpretive signs describing the extraordinary hardship of life at nearly 11,000 feet in the 1880s.

The setting is genuinely evocative — the crumbling cabins sit in a wide mountain valley beneath rugged peaks, surrounded by the same meadows and spruce forests the miners once looked out on — and it's easy to imagine the isolation they experienced.

TIP: The site is managed by Aspen Historical Society, is free to visit, and the walking trail takes about 30 minutes.

TIP: Combine with a stop at the Independence Pass summit, just 3 miles west, for the full drive experience.

TIP: Watch for afternoon thunderstorms — the open valley offers little shelter.

Independence Ghost Town

Independence Pass is one of the highest paved mountain passes in the United States, cresting at 12,095 feet on the Continental Divide between Aspen and Twin Lakes. The drive over the pass on CO-82 is among the most beautiful road journeys in Colorado, passing through alpine tundra, wildflower meadows, and dramatic rocky landscapes with sweeping views in every direction.

At the summit, a short interpretive trail leads to a Continental Divide overlook with views of fourteeners in multiple directions. The pass also serves as a gateway to excellent hiking, including trails into the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness and a challenging route up to 13,000-foot ridgelines.

From the Twin Lakes side, the approach passes two stunning glacially-formed lakes beneath Colorado's second-highest peak, Mount Elbert (14,439 feet), creating one of the most photogenic mountain-and-lake pairings in the state.

TIP: The pass is seasonal (typically June through late October) and closed to vehicles over 35 feet — check CDOT for current status.

TIP: Late July through August is peak wildflower season — the tundra blooms with columbine, paintbrush, and alpine sunflowers.

TIP: Sunrise from the summit parking area is exceptional and the lot is empty at that hour.

Independence Pass

Maroon Bells is a pair of 14,000-foot peaks reflected in the still waters of Maroon Lake, widely considered the most photographed mountain scene in North America. Their deep burgundy hue, caused by iron-rich mudstone formed 300 million years ago, creates a color palette unlike anything else in the Rockies.

The area sits within the Elk Mountains outside Aspen and offers a range of trails from a flat lakeside loop to the demanding Four Pass Loop, a 26-mile circuit that crosses four alpine passes above 12,000 feet. Wildlife sightings of elk, marmots, and black bears are common.

The surrounding Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is one of Colorado's most beloved backcountry areas, with wildflower meadows in late summer — fields of blue columbine, yellow sunflowers, and purple asters blanketing the slopes beneath the peaks.

TIP: From late June through mid-October, private vehicles are prohibited before 5pm — take the mandatory RFTA shuttle from Aspen Highlands.

TIP: Arrive for the first bus to catch mirror-still reflections and golden morning light before afternoon crowds arrive.

Maroon Bells

St. Elmo Ghost Town is one of Colorado's best-preserved ghost towns, a former silver and gold mining boomtown from the 1880s that peaked with a population of 2,000 and faded when the railroad and mines closed in the 1920s. Unlike many ghost towns, St. Elmo retains numerous original wooden buildings — including a general store, hotel, and assay office — most in surprisingly solid condition.

Situated at 10,567 feet in a stunning alpine valley at the end of a paved road in Chaffee County, the site is accessible in summer by regular vehicles and is enormously popular with ATV riders who continue past the town onto the jeep trails above. The surrounding terrain includes the ruins of mine structures and tramways that hint at the industrial scale of the operation.

The town is home to a small but friendly community of ground squirrels — the famous "Annabelle" and her descendants — who have become local celebrities for their bold interactions with visitors.

TIP: The general store is open in summer and sells cold drinks and souvenirs — a genuine treat at 10,500 feet.

TIP: A standard car can reach St. Elmo on the paved road, but 4WD is needed to continue to Hancock Pass and the high-mountain routes beyond.

St. Elmo Ghost Town

Paint Mines Interpretive Park is a geological wonder in the plains east of Colorado Springs — an unexpected otherworldly landscape of colorful spires, hoodoos, and clay formations eroded by wind and water into a labyrinth of pale yellows, lavenders, pinks, and reds. Set within a prairie landscape with no dramatic mountain backdrop, the formations feel all the more surprising and alien.

The 4-mile trail system winds through the badlands, with the most dramatic formations concentrated in the southeast corner of the park. The colored clay layers represent different mineral deposits — iron oxides for the reds and oranges, manganese for the purples — laid down over millions of years and exposed by erosion.

The area was used for thousands of years by Plains tribes who mined the colored clays for pottery and pigments, and archaeological excavations have uncovered projectile points and other artifacts dating back nearly 9,000 years.

TIP: Visit in the hour before sunset when the slanting light intensifies the colors and creates dramatic shadows in the gullies.

TIP: The formations are fragile — stay on the trail and don't climb on the spires, which are easily damaged.

TIP: The park is free and rarely crowded; it's one of Colorado's most underrated natural sites.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Pike's Peak is one of Colorado's most iconic Fourteeners — at 14,115 feet, it towers above Colorado Springs and is visible for over 100 miles across the plains. What makes it unique is its accessibility: you can reach the summit by cog railway, paved toll road, or a 13-mile trail, making it one of the most visited mountain summits on Earth.

The summit views are staggering — on a clear day the plains of Kansas stretch to the horizon in one direction, and dozens of other 14,000-foot peaks line the horizon in the other. The completely rebuilt summit house, reopened in 2021, has a proper cafe and excellent exhibits on the peak's history and geology.

The mountain has inspired icons of American culture: Katherine Lee Bates wrote "America the Beautiful" after seeing the view from the summit in 1893, and the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been held on the slopes since 1916.

TIP: Book the Pikes Peak Cog Railway tickets in advance — they sell out weeks ahead in summer.

TIP: If driving the toll road, check weather and road conditions first; the summit can be 40°F colder than the base and afternoon thunderstorms are frequent.

TIP: The famous Pikes Peak donuts at the summit house are a tradition worth indulging.

Pike's Peak

Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the world's highest cog railway, climbing from Manitou Springs at 6,571 feet to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak via a 9-mile rack-and-pinion track through some of the most dramatic alpine terrain in Colorado. First built in 1891, the railway was completely rebuilt and reopened in 2021 with new Swiss-engineered trains that offer panoramic windows and a smooth, whisper-quiet ride.

The journey takes about 80 minutes each way and passes through alpine meadows, forests, granite boulders, and barren tundra before arriving at the modern summit house with its cafe and views stretching hundreds of miles across the plains and mountains. It's a remarkably relaxed way to access a genuine 14,000-foot summit.

The cog railway is particularly special for those who want the summit experience without the physical demands of hiking or driving anxiety on the steep toll road.

TIP: Reserve tickets well in advance, especially for summer weekends — the railway books out days ahead.

TIP: Take a morning departure for the clearest views; the summit is frequently socked in by early afternoon thunderstorms in summer.

TIP: Dress warmly — summit temperatures average 34°F even in July, regardless of conditions below.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

One of the most dramatic spans in the world, the Royal Gorge Bridge hangs 956 feet above the Arkansas River — the highest suspension bridge in the United States for most of the 20th century. The gorge itself was carved over millions of years into sheer granite walls, and the views from the bridge deck or the rim trail are genuinely vertiginous. Beyond the bridge, the park includes a via ferrata route, a gondola across the gorge, zip lines, and a narrow-gauge scenic railway that runs along the river below.

It sits just outside Cañon City, about 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs on US-50 — a natural stop when driving between the Springs and the San Luis Valley.

TIP: The via ferrata is one of the most accessible in Colorado — no prior climbing experience needed, and the exposure over the gorge is unforgettable.

TIP: The Royal Gorge Route Railroad departs from Cañon City and runs through the bottom of the gorge — a completely different perspective and one of the most scenic train rides in the state.

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Skyline Drive is a short but spectacular 3-mile paved road perched on a narrow sandstone hogback ridge above Cañon City, with sheer drop-offs on both sides and sweeping views of the Arkansas River valley and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It's one of the most dramatic ridge drives in Colorado and requires no hiking or special vehicle — just a willingness to drive along a ledge barely wider than your car.

Built by convict labor from the Fremont County Correctional Facility between 1905 and 1909, the road is one-way and features three "tunnels" — really carved notches through the ridge — and a series of pull-offs where you can step out and look straight down both sides of the ridge to the valley 800 feet below.

The views of the Royal Gorge bridge and the surrounding canyon country are exceptional, and the geological formation itself — a vertical hogback of Dakota sandstone tilted 90 degrees from its original horizontal position — is a vivid illustration of the tectonic forces that built Colorado.

TIP: The road is one-way (northbound, entering from US-50 at Cañon City) and closes in ice or snow.

TIP: Pair it with a visit to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, just 10 minutes west — together they make for one of the best half-days in this part of Colorado.

Skyline Drive

The Garden of the Gods is a stunning public park in Colorado Springs where enormous red sandstone formations rise from a flat plain with Pikes Peak as a dramatic backdrop. Designated a National Natural Landmark, the 300-million-year-old rock fins and spires create a landscape so otherworldly that early explorers debated whether to name it a garden fit for the gods — and the name stuck.

The park offers 21 miles of hiking and biking trails at multiple difficulty levels, and the main paved road loops through the most dramatic formations, making it accessible by car as well. Rock climbing is permitted on designated walls, and technical climbers come from across the world to scale routes on Gateway Rocks and Cathedral Spires.

Sunrise and sunset light the formations in vivid shades of crimson and gold, and the juxtaposition of the red rocks against a snow-capped Pikes Peak — most visible from November through April — is one of the most photographed scenes in Colorado.

TIP: The park is free to enter and open year-round — the Visitor & Nature Center has excellent geology exhibits and is a good first stop.

TIP: For the best photos, shoot from the central garden area in the early morning with Pikes Peak directly behind the formations.

Jeep Tours

Park Map

The Garden of the Gods

Call to Arms Brewing Co. is a neighborhood craft brewery in north Denver's Berkeley neighborhood, celebrated for its approachable, well-balanced beers and warm, welcoming taproom atmosphere. The brewery leans toward classic styles done exceptionally well — crisp lagers, balanced IPAs, rich stouts — with a commitment to quality over hype.

The taproom itself is comfortable and unpretentious, with a large patio that draws families and dog-owners, and the Berkeley neighborhood surrounding it offers excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and independent retail within easy walking distance.

Denver's northwest neighborhoods have emerged as some of the city's most livable and interesting, and Call to Arms anchors the drinking side of that scene in Berkeley.

TIP: Call to Arms is particularly well-regarded for its lagers — order one if it's on tap.

TIP: The patio is busy on summer evenings; arrive before 5pm on Fridays to get a spot.

TIP: Pair the brewery with dinner at one of the excellent independent restaurants on Tennyson Street, just two blocks away.

Website

Call to Arms Brewing Co.

Cerebral Brewing is a highly regarded craft brewery in Denver's Cole neighborhood, known for producing some of the most technically accomplished and creative beers in Colorado — particularly its hazy IPAs, mixed-fermentation sours, and barrel-aged stouts, which regularly appear on national best-of lists. The name reflects the brewery's analytical, ingredient-obsessed approach to brewing.

The taproom is comfortable and design-forward without being cold, with a focus on the beer over spectacle. The rotating tap list is extensive, and the staff are genuinely knowledgeable about the brewing process — making it a good destination for serious beer enthusiasts as well as casual visitors.

Cerebral sits in a walkable stretch of Cole near other well-regarded food and drink spots, making it a natural anchor for a broader neighborhood afternoon.

TIP: Cerebral regularly releases limited small-batch beers (especially sours and barrel-aged stouts) that sell quickly — follow their social media for release announcements.

TIP: The taproom fills up on weekend afternoons; arrive before 3pm or after 7pm for a more relaxed experience.

TIP: Crowler fills are a great way to take exceptional beer home.

Cerebral Brewing

Just 45 minutes from downtown Denver, Boulder's Chautauqua Park is the Front Range at its most iconic. Five massive sandstone slabs — the Flatirons — jut out of the hillside at improbable angles, and a network of trails ranging from easy meadow walks to technical scrambles fans out from the historic 1898 dining hall at the park entrance. Even a short hike here puts you eye-level with formations that define Colorado's identity.

The town of Boulder below is worth an hour of its own — Pearl Street Mall is one of the best pedestrian streets in the country, with independent bookshops, street performers, and some of Colorado's best restaurants.

TIP: The First Flatiron Trail gains elevation quickly but rewards with a ledge view of the entire Denver metro stretching east to the plains — best in morning light.

TIP: Parking fills by 9am on weekends. The JUMP shuttle from downtown Boulder runs directly to the trailhead and saves the headache.

Chautauqua Park & The Flatirons

City Park is Denver's grandest urban park — 330 acres of lawns, lakes, mature trees, and public facilities in the heart of the city, anchored by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the Denver Zoo. It's modeled loosely on New York's Central Park and offers an equally impressive combination of natural space and cultural institutions.

The park features two lakes (Ferrill Lake and Smith Lake), formal rose gardens, fountains, a bandshell, and broad promenades with views of the Rocky Mountain front range that are exceptional on clear days. In summer, free Jazz in the Park concerts draw thousands of Denverites for Sunday evening performances on the lawn.

The Museum of Nature & Science perched on the park's eastern edge is one of the finest natural history museums in the region, with excellent dinosaur exhibits, a planetarium, and an IMAX theater.

TIP: The view from the east steps of the Museum of Nature & Science looking west across the park toward downtown and the mountains is one of the best urban panoramas in Denver. Sunday morning is magical here — families, joggers, dog walkers, and brunch-goers create a lively scene before the crowds arrive.

City Park

Denver Art Museum is one of the premier art museums in the American West, home to a collection of over 70,000 works with particular strengths in American Indian art (one of the largest collections in the world), Western American art, and pre-Columbian art from the Americas. Its two striking buildings — the original Gio Ponti-designed North Building and Daniel Libeskind's titanium-clad Frederic C. Hamilton Building — are themselves architectural statements worth seeing.

The museum has undergone a major expansion and reimagining in recent years, reopening in 2021 with dramatically improved galleries and new ways of presenting its extraordinary holdings. The ground floor is free to enter and connects to the adjacent Civic Center Park.

DAM sits at the center of Denver's thriving Golden Triangle Creative District, surrounded by galleries, design studios, and creative businesses in a walkable neighborhood.

TIP: The first Saturday of each month offers free admission for Colorado residents.

TIP: Don't skip the Ponti building's American Indian and Indigenous art collection in favor of the newer building — it's one of the most important and thoughtfully presented in the country.

TIP: The museum cafe has surprisingly good food and great city views.

Denver Art Museum

Denver Botanic Gardens is a 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of Denver's Cheesman Park neighborhood, home to over 40,000 plants from around the world including one of the best cactus and succulent collections in North America. It's a year-round destination with seasonal highlights from spring tulip displays to summer rose gardens to the dazzling winter lights show.

The gardens feature distinct themed areas including a Japanese garden, a healing garden, a cloud forest conservatory, and a spectacular rock alpine garden that recreates the ecosystems of Colorado's high country with rare alpine wildflowers and cushion plants. The 3,000-plant xeric section is particularly extraordinary — a showcase of drought-adapted plants from arid regions worldwide.

The venue also hosts an outstanding summer concert series that draws world-class acts to perform in the unique outdoor amphitheatre setting.

TIP: The Wednesday evening concerts in summer (Botanic Gardens on the Bricks) book up weeks in advance — check the calendar and buy tickets early.

TIP: Visit in late May for the peak rose bloom, or in September for spectacular fall color in the native plant section.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver Graffiti Tour is a guided street art tour through the RiNo (River North) Arts District, Denver's most vibrant creative neighborhood, home to hundreds of large-scale murals, graffiti works, and public art installations that have transformed former industrial warehouses into an open-air gallery. The neighborhood has one of the highest concentrations of street art in the United States.

The tour covers works by both local Denver artists and internationally recognized muralists who have painted here, explaining the context, techniques, and stories behind specific pieces. The art ranges from photorealistic portraiture to abstract expressionism to social commentary to playful illustration — there's extraordinary variety within a walkable area.

RiNo is also home to numerous craft breweries, coffee roasters, and restaurants, making it a full afternoon or evening neighborhood destination beyond the art.

TIP: Even without a guided tour, a self-guided walk along Brighton Boulevard and Larimer Street reveals dozens of large-scale works.

TIP: The art changes constantly as walls are repainted — what you see today may be gone in six months.

TIP: Guided tours run most weekends; book at denvergraffititour.com.

Guided Tour

Must-see murals

Denver Graffiti Tour

Larimer Square is Denver's oldest and most historically significant block — the preserved heart of the city's original commercial district, dating to the 1870s, now home to some of Denver's best restaurants, cocktail bars, and boutiques. Its red-brick Victorian buildings and gas-lit streetscape give it a warmth and character rare in American cities of Denver's size.

The block is a genuine entertainment destination year-round, with outdoor dining on the cobblestoned street in summer, string lights, and a parade of some of the city's most celebrated chefs who have chosen this block for their flagship restaurants. The mix of historic architecture and creative energy makes it feel both rooted and alive.

Larimer Square also anchors Denver's broader LoDo (Lower Downtown) neighborhood, which includes Coors Field, Union Station, and the vibrant River North (RiNo) arts district nearby.

TIP: Make a dinner reservation at least a week ahead at any of the top restaurants here in summer — they fill up fast.

TIP: For a less crowded experience, visit on a weekday evening — the atmosphere is great but waits are manageable.

Larimer Square

Mount Evans is home to the highest paved road in North America, the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, which climbs to 14,130 feet near the summit of a fourteener accessible entirely by car. The 28-mile road from Idaho Springs winds through forests, past glacial lakes, and onto bare alpine tundra before ending at a parking area just 150 feet below the summit, offering extraordinary high-altitude views without any serious hiking.

At the top, the views stretch across Denver, the Front Range, and dozens of 14,000-foot peaks. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep are commonly seen near the summit parking area, making for remarkable wildlife encounters. Summit Lake Park, at mile 20, features a glacially-formed cirque lake at 12,830 feet that is one of the highest lakes in North America accessible by road.

The road is typically open late May through early November, and the route is one of the most popular day trips from Denver.

TIP: Drive up early — afternoon thunderstorms are extremely common above treeline and can be dangerous.

TIP: The summit parking area fills by 10am on weekends in summer — the earlier you arrive, the better.

TIP: The Echo Lake Lodge at the bottom of the byway is a good spot for coffee before the ascent and lunch on the way back.

Mount Evans

Mount Goliath is a Colorado State Natural Area on the slopes of Mount Evans Road at 11,500–12,000 feet, home to one of the most remarkable old-growth bristlecone pine forests accessible to the public. These ancient, wind-sculpted trees — some over 1,500 years old — have been twisted into dramatic forms by centuries of harsh alpine conditions.

The 1-mile Dos Chappell Nature Trail loops through the bristlecone forest and alpine meadows, with interpretive signs explaining the ecology and geology of this fragile tundra environment. The area is managed by Denver Botanic Gardens, and the on-site Alfred M. Bailey Plant Environmental Center serves as an education hub.

The setting at the edge of the tree line offers sweeping views of the Front Range below and the barren rocky summit of Mount Evans above, making it one of the most contemplative and unusual natural experiences along the Mount Evans corridor.

TIP: The trailhead has limited parking — arrive before 9am on weekends or you may not find a spot.

TIP: The trees look most dramatic in late afternoon light when their orange bark glows against the darkening sky.

TIP: Bring a windproof layer; even calm days can be blustery at this elevation.

NPS status page

Mount Goliath

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a naturally formed outdoor concert venue built into a geological wonder — two 300-foot red sandstone monoliths, Ship Rock and Creation Rock, frame the stage and provide perfect natural acoustics. Located 15 miles west of Denver in the foothills, it's consistently ranked among the greatest concert venues on the planet.

The amphitheatre seats 9,525 people and has hosted everyone from the Beatles to U2 to Radiohead to countless jazz and classical acts. Even outside of concert season, the park is open daily for hiking and the stunning red rock scenery draws thousands of visitors for sunrise yoga sessions, morning hikes, and the popular Trading Post Trail.

The geological setting is ancient — these formations are 300 million years old — and the 6,450-foot elevation means cooler temperatures and dramatically clear skies.

TIP: Morning hikes before 9am are magical, especially on weekdays — the steps of the amphitheatre make a challenging workout locals call the "Red Rocks workout."

TIP: If attending a concert, bring layers — temperatures drop sharply after sunset even in summer — and arrive at least 45 minutes early as parking lots fill quickly.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Station 26 Brewing Co. is one of Denver's most beloved neighborhood breweries, a relaxed taproom in the Park Hill neighborhood known for its approachable, well-crafted beers and genuinely community-focused atmosphere. Named after the nearby fire station, it occupies a converted warehouse with a large patio, dogs welcome, and a rotating cast of food trucks.

The brewery excels at session-able, food-friendly beers — their hazy IPAs, pilsners, and wheat beers are consistently excellent — without the pretension sometimes found in Denver's more trophy-focused brewing scene. It's a neighborhood hangout that happens to make very good beer.

Denver's craft beer scene is one of the best in the country, and Station 26 represents the neighborhood-taproom side of it rather than the large-scale destination brewery, which makes for a more relaxed and authentic experience.

TIP: Check the Station 26 website or Instagram for the current food truck schedule before visiting — the food pairing significantly elevates the experience.

TIP: Weekend afternoons are lively; weekday evenings are quieter and better for tasting flights.

Station 26 Brewing Co.

Summit Lake Park is a Denver Mountain Parks property at 12,830 feet on the slopes of Mount Evans, centered on a glacially-carved lake that sits in a dramatic rocky cirque. It's one of the highest and most accessible alpine lake settings in the United States — reachable by the Mount Evans Scenic Byway with a short walk to the water's edge.

The tundra surrounding the lake is carpeted in tiny alpine wildflowers in summer, and the rocky fellfields are home to pikas, marmots, and mountain goats that frequently wander close to visitors. The Chicago Lakes basin visible below is one of Colorado's most stunning glacial landscapes.

The park has a rustic log shelter that has stood since the 1930s and a small restroom facility, but otherwise remains beautifully undeveloped — a rare spot where you can sit at the edge of a high alpine lake with virtually no infrastructure in sight.

TIP: The wind at Summit Lake can be fierce even on warm days — always bring a windproof jacket.

TIP: Mountain goats are almost always present and sometimes walk right through the parking area — look along the rocky slopes above the lake.

TIP: Combine with a hike to the Mount Evans summit from the upper parking area for a full alpine day.

Summit Lake Park

Mesa Verde National Park is the only US National Park dedicated primarily to preserving the works of people, protecting over 5,000 archaeological sites including 600 cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo people between 600 and 1300 CE. The cliff palaces tucked into sandstone alcoves are among the most remarkable architectural achievements of pre-Columbian North America.

Cliff Palace — the largest cliff dwelling in North America with 150 rooms and 23 kivas — is awe-inspiring. Nearby Balcony House features a 32-foot ladder climb and a tunnel crawl for a genuinely adventurous ranger-led tour. Beyond the cliff dwellings, the park's mesa top is dotted with pit houses, pueblos, and farm terraces that tell the full story of a civilization spanning 700 years.

The landscape itself is striking: a flat-topped mesa dissected by deep canyons, covered in piñon-juniper forest at 7,000–8,500 feet elevation, with long views across the Four Corners region.

TIP: Ranger-led tours of Cliff Palace and Balcony House require tickets — book on recreation.gov well in advance, ideally 14+ days ahead in peak season (June–August).

TIP: The less-visited Wetherill Mesa side of the park has shorter lines and just-as-impressive Step House — well worth the extra 12-mile drive.

Mesa Verde NP

Bear Lake Trail is a gentle, paved 0.8-mile loop around one of the most scenic lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, making it one of the few truly accessible alpine experiences in Colorado. At 9,475 feet, the lake is ringed by spruce and fir trees with stunning views of Hallett Peak and Longs Peak.

Despite its small size, Bear Lake is genuinely beautiful — its shoreline is rocky and wild, and it serves as the gateway to half a dozen excellent hikes deeper into the Glacier Gorge and Tundra area. It's a great orientation point for first-time RMNP visitors or families with young children.

TIP: Bear Lake is extremely popular — the parking lot fills by 7am in summer. Use the free park shuttle from Estes Park or the Bear Lake Road Corridor shuttle instead. It runs frequently and the ride itself offers good views.

AllTrails

Get Permit

Bear Lake Trail

Emerald Lake Trail is one of the most rewarding hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, packing three alpine lakes — Nymph, Dream, and Emerald — into a single 3.6-mile out-and-back trail. The emerald-green final lake sits in a dramatic cirque beneath Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, with views that feel like a classic alpine painting.

The trail gains 605 feet, making it manageable for most hikers, yet the scenery rivals far more strenuous routes. Nymph Lake is covered in yellow pond lilies in summer; Dream Lake's calm surface offers some of the best reflection shots in the park; and Emerald Lake often holds snow on its banks well into July.

The trailhead begins at Bear Lake, one of the park's most iconic destinations, and the path is well-maintained with good signage throughout.

TIP: Bear Lake trailhead is one of the most crowded in the park — arrive before 8am or take the free RMNP shuttle from the Park & Ride to avoid parking gridlock.

TIP: The trail can be icy in early season (May–June) and requires microspikes, which are often rentable in Estes Park.

Emerald Lake Trail

The charming gateway town to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park sits at 7,500 feet with the Big Thompson River running through its center. The main strip is lined with fudge shops, galleries, breweries, and outfitters — but the real draw is the backdrop: the Mummy Range to the north and Longs Peak to the south frame every view. It's the perfect place to fuel up, pick up a trail map, and ease into the mountains before heading into RMNP proper.

TIP: Stop at Notchtop Bakery for breakfast before hitting Trail Ridge Road — arrive early as they sell out of pastries by mid-morning.

TIP: The Estes Park Brewery sits right on the river and is one of Colorado's oldest craft breweries — worth a quick stop on the way back down.

Estes Park

Lake Haiyaha Trail is a moderately challenging 4.2-mile out-and-back hike in Rocky Mountain National Park that leads to a spectacular boulder-strewn alpine lake nestled beneath Hallett Peak. The lake's name comes from a Cheyenne word meaning "big rock," and the shoreline is famously chaotic — massive boulders and bedrock slabs tumble into the clear, cold water from every direction.

The route begins at Bear Lake and passes Dream Lake before branching up a rocky, forested canyon to the lake at 10,220 feet. The final approach involves some light scrambling over talus, which adds a sense of adventure and keeps larger crowds at bay.

The lake itself is wilder and more rugged-feeling than the better-known Emerald Lake, with fewer people and a more remote atmosphere despite its relatively short distance from the trailhead.

TIP: Start from the Glacier Gorge trailhead rather than Bear Lake to get a longer, more varied approach and avoid the parking crunch.

TIP: The trail can be wet and icy in early season — trekking poles are helpful on the talus sections.

TIP: Visit on a weekday for near-solitude; on summer weekends this trail sees significant use.

Lake Haiyaha Trail

Lone Eagle Peak and Crater Lake is one of Colorado's most celebrated backcountry destinations, set deep in the Indian Peaks Wilderness at the base of a 12,000-foot granite spire that rises dramatically above a pristine alpine lake. The 8-mile round-trip hike passes through forests and meadows before the valley opens up to reveal one of the most dramatic alpine amphitheaters in the state.

Lone Eagle Peak itself is a technical climb requiring ropes and experience, but the trail to Crater Lake is accessible to fit hikers and offers close-up views of the peak's sheer granite face. Mirror Lake, passed en route, is a bonus gem with glassy reflections on calm mornings.

The Indian Peaks Wilderness is one of the most visited wilderness areas in the country, sitting just an hour from Boulder and Denver, yet the scenery competes with anything in Rocky Mountain National Park.

TIP: A wilderness permit is required from late June through mid-September and must be reserved in advance at recreation.gov — it fills up weeks ahead.

TIP: Start early and plan for 5–7 hours; the trail gains about 1,600 feet.

TIP: The final mile to Crater Lake is rocky and unmarked in spots — follow cairns and don't rely on a clear path.

Lone Eagle Peak & Crater Lake

The Stanley Hotel is a grand colonial revival hotel perched above Estes Park at 7,522 feet, built in 1909 by F.O. Stanley (co-inventor of the Stanley Steamer automobile) and eternally famous as the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining. With its gleaming white facade, wraparound porches, and commanding views of the Rocky Mountains, it remains one of the most visually striking historic hotels in the American West.

King stayed here in 1974 and was so unsettled by the hotel's atmosphere — its empty off-season corridors, its sense of grandeur slightly gone wrong — that he wrote The Shining the following year. The hotel leans enthusiastically into its haunted reputation with ghost tours, a horror film festival, and an escape room in the tunnels.

Beyond the spooky angle, The Stanley is genuinely beautiful: the lobby and music room retain their original Edwardian elegance, and the concerts and events held in the ballroom make it a living cultural landmark.

TIP: Ghost tours run nightly and book up quickly — reserve online in advance.

TIP: Even if you're not staying the night, the Sunday champagne brunch in the main dining room is excellent and gives you full access to the hotel.

TIP: Room 217 (King's original room) is the most requested and must be booked months ahead.

The Stanley Hotel

Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved highway in the United States, climbing to 12,183 feet as it traverses Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park to Grand Lake. Stretching 48 miles through open tundra above tree line, it offers a rare opportunity to experience true alpine wilderness from the seat of a car.

Along the route, the landscape shifts dramatically — from lodgepole pine forests to subalpine meadows to a vast expanse of treeless tundra where the ground is carpeted in tiny arctic plants that take decades to grow. Elk, bighorn sheep, and marmots are frequently spotted roadside.

Several pull-offs invite short walks onto the tundra, and the Alpine Visitor Center at 11,796 feet is one of the highest visitor centers in the National Park system, with exhibits on tundra ecology and a remarkable deck overlooking the Never Summer Mountains.

TIP: The road is typically open late May through mid-October, but weather can close it any time of year — check road status at nps.gov/romo before you go.

TIP: The Rock Cut parking area at mile 10 is the best spot for a short tundra walk and almost guaranteed bighorn sheep sightings.

Trail Ridge Road

Great Sand Dunes National Park protects the tallest sand dunes in North America — rising up to 750 feet — set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in southern Colorado. The landscape is surreal: a massive sea of sand that seems to belong on a different planet, framed by snowcapped 13,000-foot peaks and surrounded by the flat expanse of the San Luis Valley.

The dunes were formed over hundreds of thousands of years as winds deposited sand carried from ancient lakes and streams. Medano Creek flows along the dune base in spring and early summer, creating a natural wave action on a shallow sandy beach — one of the strangest and most delightful phenomena in the park.

Beyond the dunes, the park includes alpine lakes, old-growth forests, and tundra at higher elevations in the adjacent Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.

TIP: Dune sand can reach 150°F on summer afternoons — go early morning or late afternoon and wear sandals or socks to protect your feet.

TIP: Medano Creek typically flows May through mid-July; check the park website for flow predictions before visiting.

TIP: Sand sleds and boards can be rented just outside the park entrance at Kristi Mountain Sports.

Great Sand Dunes NP

The High Dune Loop is the primary hiking trail into the heart of Great Sand Dunes National Park, a strenuous 2.6-mile round trip that climbs nearly 700 feet of loose sand to the crest of the tallest dunes in North America at 699 feet. The effort is demanding — each step sinks into deep sand — but the summit views are extraordinary: a sea of rippled dunes spreading in every direction, the flat San Luis Valley beyond, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a jagged backdrop.

The route is unmarked — you simply head toward the highest point you can see, crossing between dunes and ridges as you ascend. The descent is fast and can involve exhilarating sand-running or sledding. Timing the visit around sunrise or sunset rewards you with dramatic shadows in the dune ripples.

The dunes are a dynamic, ever-shifting system — the highest point changes over months and years as wind redistributes the sand, making each visit slightly different.

TIP: Sand surface temperatures can exceed 150°F in midsummer afternoons — start hiking before 9am or after 4pm to protect your feet.

TIP: Bring at least 2 liters of water per person — the dry air and elevation accelerate dehydration rapidly.

TIP: Sandboards and sleds can be rented at Kristi Mountain Sports just outside the park if you want to turn the descent into something memorable.

High Dune Loop

Medano Pass Primitive Road is a 21.5-mile high-clearance 4WD route that crosses the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at 10,037 feet, connecting Great Sand Dunes National Park to the Wet Mountain Valley and offering one of the most rugged and adventurous backcountry drives in Colorado. The route requires negotiating Medano Creek — which must be forded multiple times — adding a thrilling dimension to the journey.

The road climbs through dense cottonwood groves and aspens along Medano Creek before entering a pine forest and crossing the pass into a remote valley far from any town. Wildlife is abundant: black bears, elk, mule deer, and pronghorn are commonly seen, and the pass itself offers striking views of the Wet Mountains and Huerfano Valley.

The route is only passable in summer and fall, and conditions vary dramatically — creek levels, road washouts, and rockfalls can change week to week.

TIP: Medano Creek crossings can be axle-deep or deeper in May and June snowmelt — check creek conditions with the park before attempting.

TIP: A high-clearance 4WD vehicle with all-terrain tires is essential; this is not suitable for standard rental SUVs without skid plates.

Medano Pass

Sledding down the dunes is one of the most exhilarating outdoor activities in Colorado — riding a sandboard or sand sled down the steep faces of the Great Sand Dunes from heights of up to 699 feet, on slopes that can approach 28 degrees. Unlike snow sledding, sand provides a slower but longer ride, and the dunes offer a variety of faces and angles to choose from.

The activity requires no experience and attracts everyone from families with young children to adrenaline-seeking adults. Boards and sleds must be rented outside the park (they're not sold inside), and waxing the board improves speed significantly. The climb up the dune with board in hand is genuinely strenuous — consider it half the workout.

The experience is also oddly peaceful: the dune crests are quiet, the views are sweeping, and the soft sand makes for a forgiving landing.

TIP: Sandboards and sleds can be rented at Kristi Mountain Sports on CO-150 near the park entrance — call ahead to reserve on busy weekends.

TIP: Apply wax generously at the rental shop for maximum speed; without it the board barely moves.

TIP: Start with a smaller dune to practice before committing to the steepest faces, which require a hard climb to reach.

Local rental

Sled Down the Dunes

Walk the Dunes is the open, unstructured activity of setting out across the Great Sand Dunes — simply walking into the dune field without a summit goal, exploring the ridge crests, dune valleys, and wide flat interdune areas at your own pace. It's one of the most meditative and surreal outdoor experiences in Colorado, where the scale of the dunes and their complete absence of trails creates a sense of genuine exploration.

At the edge of the dune field, Medano Creek flows seasonally in spring and early summer, creating a natural beach scene where shallow, warm water flows over ribbed sand in pulsing waves driven by seiche action — a phenomenon unique to this park. Families with young children often spend hours at the creek without going further into the dunes.

The dune surface constantly shifts in texture and color depending on light conditions — the early morning and late afternoon light creates extraordinary photography opportunities as shadows fill the ripples and crests.

TIP: The dune field opens one hour before sunrise — watching the sun rise over the Sangre de Cristos and slowly illuminate the dunes from a high crest is one of the most memorable experiences in the park.

TIP: Bring a tarp to sit on in the dune valleys, which are sheltered from wind and perfect for a picnic.

Walk The Dunes

Zapata Falls is a short but spectacularly rewarding hike near Mosca, Colorado — a 0.4-mile walk that leads to a hidden waterfall tucked inside a narrow slot canyon in the Sangre de Cristo foothills above the San Luis Valley. The final approach requires wading through a shallow stream in the canyon — typically knee-deep or less — adding an adventurous element to what would otherwise be a trivial walk.

The falls themselves are dramatic: a 25-foot torrent of water exploding through a crack in the granite and plunging into a pool inside the cave-like slot, backlit by the entrance opening. The contrast between the harsh, sun-bleached landscape outside and the cool, mossy, roaring interior is extraordinary.

Zapata Falls sits at 9,000 feet in the Rio Grande National Forest with sweeping views over the San Luis Valley from the trail, and the Great Sand Dunes are clearly visible to the south.

TIP: Bring water shoes or old sneakers for the stream crossing — flip-flops are dangerous on the slippery rocks and bare feet get cold fast.

TIP: Visit early morning to get the best light penetrating into the slot canyon.

TIP: The dirt road to the trailhead is passable by standard car in dry conditions but can be muddy and slippery after rain.

Zapata Falls

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park contains one of the most dramatic and vertiginous landscapes in North America — a canyon up to 2,722 feet deep with walls so narrow and sheer that the Gunnison River below receives only 33 minutes of direct sunlight on the shortest day of the year. What sets it apart from other canyons is not its size but its intensity: the dark, ancient Precambrian schist and gneiss walls (1.7 billion years old, among the oldest exposed rock in the US) create an almost menacing beauty.

The South Rim Drive offers 12 overlooks in 7 miles, each framing the void differently. The Painted Wall — Colorado's tallest cliff face at 2,250 feet — is laced with light-colored pegmatite intrusions that look like brushstrokes, making it one of the most extraordinary geological sights in the country.

For the adventurous, inner canyon routes descend via loose gullies (no maintained trails) to the river below — an experience of raw, remote wilderness just steps from the rim road.

TIP: The North Rim is far less visited and worth the extra drive — it has a small campground and gives a completely different perspective of the canyon.

TIP: Visit at dusk when the shadows deepen and the walls turn from gray to inky black; it's eerie and unforgettable.

TIP: Carry layers — the rim sits at 8,000 feet and afternoon thunderstorms arrive fast with little warning.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP

Million Dollar Highway is a spectacular 25-mile stretch of US-550 between Ouray and Silverton through the heart of the San Juan Mountains, widely considered one of the most dramatic mountain drives in the United States. The road clings to cliff faces, passes through multiple mountain passes, skirts sheer drop-offs (often with no guardrail), and winds through old mining country with ghost towns and abandoned mills at every turn.

The name's origin is debated — some say it refers to the ore-rich tailings used in its original construction, others that a disgruntled traveler once exclaimed they wouldn't drive it again for a million dollars. Either way, the highway passes through some of the most rugged and beautiful terrain in Colorado, including Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 feet, where the iron-stained slopes glow rusty orange.

The towns of Ouray and Silverton bookending the drive are both worth extended stops — Ouray for its hot springs and ice climbing, Silverton for its Victorian-era mining heritage.

TIP: Drive northbound (Silverton to Ouray) to have the mountain side on your right and avoid looking straight down the cliff drops.

TIP: The highway can be treacherous in winter and requires snow tires or chains — check CDOT road conditions before going.

TIP: Allow at least 90 minutes for the drive with stops — the pull-offs at Red Mountain Pass are not to be rushed.

Million Dollar Highway

Ouray, known as the Switzerland of America, is a tiny Victorian mining town of 1,000 people set at 7,800 feet in a box canyon so dramatically framed by 14,000-foot peaks that it looks almost like a stage set. It's one of Colorado's most photogenic small towns and a year-round destination — famous for its hot springs, world-class ice climbing, and access to the stunning Uncompahgre Gorge and jeep roads of the San Juan Mountains.

The Ouray Hot Springs Pool sits at the north end of Main Street and offers soaking in natural geothermal waters with jaw-dropping views of the surrounding cliffs. The Box Canyon Falls — a waterfall thundering through a narrow slot canyon just five minutes from downtown — is one of the most impressive short walks in Colorado.

In winter, Ouray Ice Park transforms the canyon walls into a massive artificial ice climbing venue, drawing climbers from around the world to what is widely considered the finest ice climbing venue in North America.

TIP: The Ouray Hot Springs Pool is free and open year-round — it's most magical in winter when steam rises against snow-covered canyon walls.

TIP: Rent a Jeep for half a day to access the Alpine Loop, a stunning high-clearance route connecting Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City via 13,000-foot passes.

Ouray (🇨🇭 of America)

Telluride is a former silver mining camp turned world-class ski resort and festival town, set in a box canyon at 8,750 feet with a backdrop of 14,000-foot peaks and waterfalls cascading down the surrounding cliffs. It's Colorado's most visually spectacular mountain town — a walkable Victorian main street lined with colorful historic buildings, surrounded by wilderness on three sides.

Beyond skiing, Telluride hosts a remarkable calendar of festivals that transform the town each summer: Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Jazz Celebration, and the Mountain Film Festival draw huge crowds and give the town a cultural life unusual for its remote size.

A free gondola connects downtown Telluride to the Mountain Village, a purpose-built ski resort community at 9,540 feet — it's one of the only free public gondola systems in the world and offers ski access as well as stunning summit views year-round.

TIP: Festival weekends (especially Bluegrass in June) require booking accommodation 6–12 months in advance — the town sells out completely.

TIP: The free gondola to Mountain Village is underused in summer; ride it up and hike the Jud Wiebe or Sneffels Highline trails for extraordinary views of the box canyon.

Telluride

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From unique urban sights to enormous canyons and sand dunes with snowy peaks as their backdrop – Colorado is here to impress. And if you time your trip for the fall foliage like we did, it will blow your minds too!

Retro Inn at Mesa Verde is a cheerfully renovated mid-century motel in Cortez, Colorado, about 10 miles from the Mesa Verde National Park entrance. It leans into its 1960s heritage with colorful exteriors, vintage signage, and retro-styled rooms that have been upgraded with modern comfort while keeping the playful character intact.

Rooms are compact and clean with quality bedding and updated bathrooms. There's a small heated outdoor pool and fire pits in the courtyard — a social gathering spot in the evenings. No restaurant on-site, but Cortez has decent dining options nearby.

The Retro Inn represents a growing category of thoughtfully revived roadside motels that offer genuine personality at a reasonable price — a refreshing option in a region otherwise dominated by chains.

It's ideal for budget-conscious travelers visiting Mesa Verde who want more character than a Hampton or Holiday Inn. Particularly well-suited to road-trippers moving through the Four Corners region and travelers who appreciate the motel-revival aesthetic.

Retro Inn at Mesa Verde

Drive all around Colorado and experience everything it has to offer.

Colorado Adventure

Explore Denver, Colorado Springs, Rockies, Aspen, and Grand Sand Dunes.

Colorado Highlights

Explore Denver and blow your mind with the majesty of the Rockies.

Denver & Rockies Escape

This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here for centuries. Exploring the cliff dwellings and panoramic mesa tops is an unforgettable experience.

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Retro Inn at Mesa Verde

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Retro Inn at Mesa Verde

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Colorado itineraries with this stay

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