Vibrant cities, diverse wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and endless opportunities for outdoor activities. Colorado is a beautiful state to visit with lots of places to explore.
Whether you want to visit during the mild sunny summers, the rich gold and orange season of the fall, or experience the snow-covered winter wonderland, this state is a great travel destination all year round. If you’re planning a trip here, check out this list of our favorite things to do in Colorado.
Hike In Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain Park is a stunning destination for hiking enthusiasts. Bear Lake is a popular starting point for many hiking trails. The trails are relatively easy and ideal for beginners.
All the hikes in the park are scenic, but some of the more challenging hikes offer the most rewarding views.
Sky Pond trail, for example, will take you to one of the most beautiful spots in the park. The hike is challenging, but the views of the waterfalls and mountain peaks are breathtaking.
You can access the park year-round. Summertime is ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, and climbing. Winter offers snowshoe or cross-country skiing with ranger-led tours of both sports.
Garden of The Gods
The Garden of The Gods is a public park in Colorado Springs. The garden is best known for its spectacular red rock formations and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is free to visit and open year-round.
If you are visiting Colorado Springs, we recommend you put Garden of The Gods on your itinerary. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, such as horseback riding, rock climbing, and mountain biking.
Sleep Under The Stars
For a truly magical experience, sleep under the stars in the wilderness. Several parks in Colorado make ideal stargazing locations.
One of our favorites is the North Rim of Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park. Aptly named Dark Sky Park, the canyon is 2700 feet deep in places. The sheer walls and narrowness create dramatic and inspiring views.
If you want an off-the-beaten-track adventure, this is one to try. There are no lodgings in Black Canyon - just a campground - but the extraordinary views of the Milky Way are well worth roughing it for a night or two.
Tour A Colorado Brewery
Colorado has over 400 breweries and produces some of the best beers in the world. Many excellent tours are available, but we recommend the Brews and Views tour if you are in Denver. Book ahead because the tour takes a maximum of 14 adults per group.
The four-hour tour starts at Union Station and includes a scenic drive through the Rocky Mountains. You’ll stop at three breweries to sample beer and learn more about the craft.
Breckenridge Winter Sport
Breckenridge Ski Resort is in Summit County and features over 2,900 acres of skiable terrain. The resort's high elevation allows for a more extended ski season and better snow conditions.
The resort also offers cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and dog sledding. You'll find loads of shops, restaurants, and bars in town to enjoy after a day on the slopes.
Strawberry Parks Hot Springs
Strawberry Parks Hot Springs is a great place to relax and unwind, surrounded by the beauty of the Colorado Wilderness.
You will find the hot springs in Steamboat Springs along the banks of Hot Springs Creek, surrounded by beautiful forested mountains. There are several pools of varying sizes and water temperatures are nice and warm to help you relax.
The springs are open year-round. Benches and change rooms are on-site, but the facilities are rustic and basic. Still, it’s a great place to kick back and reboot.
Explore The Ghost Towns
Colorado is home to numerous ghost towns that were once thriving mining communities. The towns, abandoned when the mining industry declined, are now popular tourist destinations.
Saint Elmo is one of the most accessible and best-preserved ghost towns. Located in Chaffee County, the town was founded in 1880 during the Colorado Silver Boom. By 1958, the town was completely deserted.
Many of the buildings in Saint Elmo, including a hotel, telegraph office, and saloons, have been restored to their original condition.
Explore Colorful Colorado
Colorado is renowned for its spectacular and colorful landscapes. But the state also has a rich heritage, a diverse population, a thriving arts and culture scene, and endless outdoor recreation opportunities.
All these factors contribute to Colorado's colorful reputation making it a unique and special place to visit.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
