A perfect destination for travelers who crave nature, Colorado Springs appeals to visitors who are also looking for cultural attractions to fill their itinerary. Surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Colorado Rockies, Colorado Spring’s beautiful scenery is only highlighting by the city’s quirky art galleries in Manitou Springs, airplanes at the Air Force Academy, world-class Olympic Training Center and the rugged Old West feeling found in Old Colorado City. There are plenty of outdoor activities for visitors indulge in, of course, including nearby Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Canyon.
Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark comprised of 1,300 acres of magnificent views and stunning red sandstone formations. TripAdvisor® users voted Garden of the Gods the #1 park in the U.S. and #2 park in the world. Make sure to snap some selfies of you and your partner smooching under Kissing Camels and holding up Balanced Rock.
Depending on when you choose to stay in an Estes Park vacation rental, you may be able to catch family-friendly events like the annual Teddy Bear Picnic or Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival. If you aren't able to make it to those events, don't worry: you can always pick up some local history at the Lula W. Dorsey Museum or Stanley Steam Car Museum. Visit the local shops and galleries like the Wild Spirits Gallery or Alpenglow Images & Accents to see some local photography, woodworking, jewelry, and other crafts or pick up a souvenir or two for friends and family back home.
Keystone is the ultimate year-round outdoor playground. Families will discover a wealth of things to do to keep the kids, and themselves happy, with everything from a Kidtopia Play Park, Keystone Science School Day Camps and the summer snow tubing hill to stand up paddle boarding and boating on the lake, miniature golf, GPS Geo-Cache Adventures and dinner wagon rides. Then there are the festivals, like the Model Boat Regata, the Snake River Festival, and Cirque D’Wheels. If you stay at Keystone Resort, the Kidtopia Children’s Theatre hosted in the Quaking Aspen Amphitheatre is free every Friday.
That was not my intention. We planned a trip from Florida to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for one of my freelance writing projects, and originally scheduled a day in Denver (at 5,280 feet in elevation) to acclimate. Frontier Airlines had a different idea. I heard alternatively that our plane had a mechanical issue, that weather in the Midwest grounded the flight, and that the crew went on strike. Regardless, the airline cancelled our original flight.
Above tree line, at approximately 11,000 ft (3,400 m), trees disappear and the vast alpine tundra takes over.[69] Over one third of the park resides above the tree line, an area which limits plant growth due to the cold climate and strong winds. The few plants that can survive under such extreme conditions are mostly perennials. Many alpine plants are dwarfed at high elevations, though their occasional blossoms may be full-sized.[73]
Be the first to stay in one our NEW Estes Park cottage cabins! This Estes park cabin rental is a one bedroom cabin with a queen bed in the bedroom and loft with one queen and two twin mattresses. Don’t worry about the linens, we’ve got that covered at our lovely new Estes park cabin. There is a bathroom with toilet and shower. Satellite TV/DVD player. Full kitchen with oven, fridge, microwave, coffee pot ,along with dishes, pots and pans. Also enjoy a pic a nic table, fire pit and grill just outside your front door.
Loveland Ski Area is near to the hearts and homes of generations of Colorado skiers and riders. Just 53 miles from Denver, Loveland offers uncrowded slopes, remarkable terrain, free close-in parking and a season that lasts from October through May. Loveland also averages 400″ of snow each season – more than any Front Range or Summit County resort. Loveland is a perfect place for those that simply want to ski and ride. This is Colorado. Welcome home.
Buena Vista is an historic mining and railroad town that resoundingly lives up to its Spanish name meaning “good views” – you are surrounded by towering mountain peaks that provide a wonderful year-round playground for adventure seekers. The area boasts some of the best river rafting adventures in the country and you can also go hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and zip-lining.
Located around 65 miles (105 km) west of Denver, Breckenridge is a historic mining town with a small population that increases tenfold during skiing season. There are more than 2,300 skiable acres on the four mountain peaks that make up Breckenridge’s southwestern border. A newly opened gondola in the north side of town takes skiers up to the summit of the nearly 13,000-foot (4,000 meter) high Peak 8, Breckenridge’s original ski mountain. With more than 250 buildings listed on the National Historic Register, cultural attractions in gold-rush town are worth exploring as well.
The weather in RMNP is highly variable. To avoid being caught off-guard, pay attention to the weather report (especially afternoon thunderstorms in the summer or heavy snow during the winter). The NPS also warns that wintertime visitors planning on cross-country skiing should be aware of the risks of avalanches, and should consider completing an avalanche training from places like the Colorado Avalanche Information Center before hitting the trails. For more safety tips, consult the NPS website .
Loveland continued its expansions during the 1990’s. In 1990, Yan was contracted to install Loveland’s first fixed-grip quad. The lift serves intermediate and expert bowl terrain to the right of Chair 4. Due to increased skier numbers, in 1995, Loveland decided to enlarge the Basin lodge to its current size. This drastically increased the number of people the building could accommodate. The following year, chair 3 was replaced by a Poma quad chair, doubling the lift capacity at the Valley.
Apart from elk, many other ungulates reside in the park, including bighorn sheep, moose, and mule deer. Bison were eliminated from the park in the 1800s, as were pronghorn and moose, the latter of which was restored to the area in 1978. Moose are now frequently seen in the park, especially on the park's west side.[77] The park's bighorn sheep population has recovered and is estimated at 350 animals.[78]
The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is from June to September when the snow is (mostly) melted and the hiking trails and attractions are accessible. Still, these four months are also the most popular times to visit, so if you'd rather experience RMNP in relative isolation and while wearing snowshoes or cross-country skis, visit between the months of October and May. Whether snow or sunshine, the park is open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, though some parts may be inaccessible.
Wildflower-lovers are never disappointed in June and July when the meadows and hillsides are splashed with botanical color. Autumn visitors can relax among the golden aspens or enjoy the rowdier antics of the elk rut during mating season. And those brave enough to venture into the cold during the winter are treated to snowscapes unlike any other, as the park is open year-round.
This three-story, immaculately furnished lodge can sleep up to 30 people and is located mere minutes from the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. It can be divided into two different suites for smaller groups. Overlooking the tranquil Trout Pond, the lodge has everything you need for a perfect family reunion, wedding, retreat or any large gathering.
Enjoy LUXURY mountain cabins at our resort with outstanding VALUE. "A Home Away from Home Getaway." 1, 2, and 3-bdrm condos available with fully applianced kitchens, living room fireplaces & private decks overlooking Fall River. Private hot tubs & spa suites are also available. Located only 1 mi. to RMNP, 3 mi. to Downtown. FREE: Stocked river fishing, Wi-Fi, local calls, movies, games, indoor & outdoor activities. Estes Park Condos Details
^ This article incorporates public domain material from the Library of Congress document: "Majestic view from the old, one-way, dirt Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park in the Front Range of the spectacular and high Rockies in north-central Colorado". Library of Congress - Prints & Photographs Online Catalog. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
During the winter most of Trail Ridge Road is closed due to heavy snow, limiting motorized access to the edges of the park.[68] Winter activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing which are possible from either the Estes Park or Grand Lake entrances. On the east side near Estes Park, skiing and snowshoeing trails are available off Bear Lake Road, such as the Bear Lake, Bierstadt Lake, and Sprague Lake trails and at Hidden Valley. Slopes for sledding are also available at Hidden Valley. The west side of the park near Grand Lake also has viable snowshoeing trails.[68][88] Backcountry skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed after climbing up one of the higher slopes, especially late in the snow season after avalanche danger has subsided[89], and technical climbing remains also a possibility, although typically differing in style from the summer months[90].
^ This article incorporates public domain material from the Library of Congress document: "Majestic view from the old, one-way, dirt Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park in the Front Range of the spectacular and high Rockies in north-central Colorado". Library of Congress - Prints & Photographs Online Catalog. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
True love deserves nothing but the best. Have a romantic getaway at the Broadmoor, where you will experience world-class service and be pampered like royalty! Located not far from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the hotel provides only the best for its guests. To start the day, you can have a swim in one of its three swimming pools. Then, have breakfast in one of the 18 dining sites in the hotel. There are plenty of activities for you to spend the rest of the day, such as golfing, getting a spa treatment, and playing tennis.
The 179 guest rooms are furnished in a relaxed Rocky Mountain style, featuring overstuffed leather chairs, suede pillows, wool throws, and leather tabletops. For guests who require additional space, the hotel offers two Presidential suites and 11 One-bedroom suites. The Club Floor, accessible by key-activated elevator, provides guests with additional privacy, complimentary food and beverage presentations, and personal concierge service.
Loveland Ski Area is near to the hearts and homes of generations of Colorado skiers and riders. Just 53 miles from Denver, Loveland offers uncrowded slopes, remarkable terrain, free close-in parking and a season that lasts from October through May. Loveland also averages 400″ of snow each season – more than any Front Range or Summit County resort. Loveland is a perfect place for those that simply want to ski and ride. This is Colorado. Welcome home.
Considered the base camp for the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is less than a 2-hour drive from Denver. Located near the east entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a quiet area surrounded by protected land. Here you’ll find pristine wilderness with a myriad of both indoor and outdoor activities, from scenic hikes and bike trails to wine tasting and spa treatments. Take the Estes Park Aerial Tramway to the top of a small peak and soak in breathtaking panoramic views of the valley and downtown area, take a walk along the Riverwalk in Downtown Estes Park or take the kids to the Estes Park Ride-A-Kart & Cascade Creek Mini-Golf.
