All this and more just moments from your dream mountain town home. Or, venture further into Rocky Mountain National Park and nearby high mountain ranges to find scenic drives and trailheads — with wild flower fields, lush basins and snowcapped massifs, world famous hiking, backpacking and mountaineering, pristine trails up bubbling brooks and cascading waterfalls, through chaos canyons to stair-stepping alpine lakes, frozen tarns, imposing glaciers, tantalizing 13’ners and 14,000′ sawtooth ridges — an adventure-filled vacation you’ll always remember.
Nicknamed the “Mile High City,” Denver is a haven for outdoor-lovers year-round, making it one of the best weekend getaways in Colorado for any type of travelers. Bring your camera along to capture views of urban and natural scenery alike—Larimer Square and the 16th Street Mall are two essential sightseeing destinations for first-timers, and Mount Elbert is always looming large in the background. The real Denver attraction, though, is the culture, which you can discover on a walk through the city’s distinct neighborhoods, on a Denver sightseeing tour, or a bike and brewery tour (it doesn’t get more Denver than that).
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.
Gem Lake is high among the rounded granite domes of Lumpy Ridge. Untouched by glaciation, this outcrop of 1.8 billion-year-old granite has been sculpted by wind and chemical erosion into a backbone-like ridge. Pillars, potholes, and balanced rocks are found around the midpoint of the trail, along with views of the Estes Valley and Continental Divide.[42] Potts Puddle trail is accessible from the Black Canyon trail.[42]
Just a 5-minute stroll from downtown Estes Park, Fall River Village offers 66 luxury accommodations, including 60 two bedroom and two bathroom condos, a honeymoon suite, four three bedroom and four bathroom townhomes and a four bedroom townhome with panoramic views of the Continental Divide. Property amenities include a heated, outdoor pool, year-round, outdoor hot tubs, a community room, fire pit and grill areas as well as an outdoor recreation area with yard games and a hammock.
Nestling in the heart of a former volcanic caldera in the San Juan Mountains, the little Colorado town of Creede will blow you away with its amazing natural splendor and small-town atmosphere. You can learn about Creede’s mining history at the Creede Historical Museum and the Underground Mining Museum and enjoy the annual summer Creede Repertory Festival.
The Trail Ridge Road, which itself reaches an altitude of more than 12,000 feet, is the main driving route through the park and offers easy access to this incredible terrain. You can sightsee from the comfort of your car or stop off along the way for a hike or easy walk. The park has an extensive system of hiking trails that range from paths of less than a half-mile to full-day and multi-day hikes. If you're lucky, you may see elk, bighorn sheep, deer, and other critters.
With two bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen (complete with a coffee bean grinder, toaster, and crockpot) and one and a half updated bathrooms, the remote cabin provide luxury accommodations within walking distance of three picturesque mountain lakes. Guests enjoy a range of activities, including hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding, fly fishing, or exploring the Alta Lakes Ghost Town, or sledding, tubing, ice skating, and more in the winter months.
If your family loves to hike, Beaver Creek is the place for you. Whether you’re interested in exploring on your own, taking a leisurely lift-served stroll across the mountain, or you prefer a rigorous climb up one of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, the Beaver Creek Hiking Center has a knowledgeable staff of well- trained guides. Beaver Creek Stables offer one- and two-hour horseback rides as well as three-hour picnic rides. Horseback rides are available for riders ages 7 and older and younger buckaroos may enjoy complimentary tame pony rides in the stable arena. If movies under the stars sounds like fun, bring the whole family out for a great selection of family movies at the base of Beaver Creek on the Back Lawn. New this year: Wednesday Night Music Experience concerts will feature various artists throughout July and August from 6-7 p.m. and are free and fun for the whole family.
After facing near extinction last century, the bighorn sheep population is currently thriving: there are roughly 300–400 of these striking animals in the park. Look for them at the aptly named Sheep Lakes from May through mid-August, when the bighorns descend to eat soil and obtain minerals not found in their high mountain habitat. Their visits generally occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
For mountain bikers, Colorado is a haven, with great trails all over the state. Unfortunately, the mountain climate limits the season in many areas. But the town of Fruita, near Grand Junction, has the climate to enable you to stretch out your mountain biking season through the shoulder seasons and into the winter months. It's also a quirky little town with enough character to make you want to stay a while and return.
Endless mountain landscapes and sunny weather, Colorado is the perfect place to pack your backs and escape to for a few days. With an abundance of natural splendor, Colorado boasts a myriad of cities worthy of exploring. From luxury ski resorts to charming small towns and the world-famous Rocky Mountains, travelers are spoiled for choice with outdoor adventures. Get off the grid and soak in the crisp mountain air, where depending on the season, nature enthusiasts can hike through beautiful trails, go swimming in natural hot springs or hit the slopes. Cities filled with diverse wildlife and natural wonders, here are ten of the best weekend getaways in Colorado.
A gorgeous mountain town that is not as well-known as its counterparts, Salida offers a variety of historic attractions to fill up a weekend itinerary. Take the Monarch Scenic Tram to soak in stunning Rocky Mountain views, go for a dip in the Salida Hot Springs or explore the area’s local history and culture at the nearby Salida Museum. When the weather warms up, grab a kayak or tube and head to the Arkansas River, and active travelers can utilize one of the many scenic mountain bike trails to explore the region further. A certified Colorado Creative District, visitors can also browse the area’s abundance of impressive art studios and galleries.
The park may be accessed through Estes Park or via the western entrance at Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road, also known as U.S. Route 34, connects the eastern and western sides of the park.[91] The park has a total of five visitor centers. The Alpine Visitor Center is located in the tundra environment along Trail Ridge Road, while Beaver Meadows and Fall River are both near Estes Park, with Kawuneeche in the Grand Lake area, and the Moraine Park Discovery Center near the Beaver Meadows entrance and visitor center.[9]
You’ll feel really spoiled (especially in Vail!) with complimentary WiFi, complimentary underground valet parking, free breakfast buffet included a surprisingly hefty selection of pastries, breads, fruits, meats, cheeses, cold cereals, and eggs, as well as juice, tea, and coffee. And the outdoor heated swimming pool is worth taking the plunge just for the view.
These tented cabins near Colorado Springs are truly one-of-a-kind. They come with private bathrooms, a full kitchen, as well as a full decorated patio, and Wi-Fi. These rentals are booked on the daily, so couples will want to book their unique honeymoon quick so they can experience the wonders of nature and marriage from the comfort of a one-of-a-kind glamping site.
Brian and I descended back to ~7,000 feet for dinner in a small-town Indian restaurant in Nederland, Colorado, west of Boulder. By then, both our heads ached like a bad hangover, and my lungs literally burned when I tried to inhale anything but shallow breaths. Add generalized joint pain, and I had a full-blown case of altitude sickness. Given that I am a noted hypochondriac, I expected the worst.
Lulu City, Dutchtown, and Gaskill in the Never Summer Mountains were established in the 1870s when prospectors came in search of gold and silver.[19] The boom ended by 1883 with miners deserting their claims.[20] The railroad reached Lyons, Colorado in 1881 and the Big Thompson Canyon Road—a section of U.S. Route 34 from Loveland to Estes Park—was completed in 1904.[21] The 1920s saw a boom in building lodges and roads in the park, culminating with the construction of Trail Ridge Road to Fall River Pass between 1929 and 1932, then to Grand Lake by 1938.[22]
There is also plenty for you to explore in the surrounding areas. If you head south, you’ll reach Red Rocks Park, which is known for its red rock formations. Head east, and you’ll find yourself in Denver, where you can experience a taste of the city, complete with shopping and dining options. Head west, and you’ll be in the Rocky Mountains, with options to ski.
Colorado is the perfect destination for an extra-special weekend getaway, especially since it’s home to numerous exciting cities and nature spots. Admire panoramic views of the sweeping, majestic Rocky Mountains, and plan an afternoon hike and picnic. Book a stay at a gorgeous Colorado vacation rental near a historic national park to conveniently enjoy the great outdoors. Here are eight of the most romantic weekend getaway locations in Colorado.
Hot Tubs, Woodstoves, Secluded, Outdoor Fireplace for campfire, WiFi. Charming, pet friendly, private vacation cabins off Hwy 7 in Allenspark and Raymond, conveniently located between Lyons and Estes Park. Choose directly on the Middle St Vrain River OR on spacious, wooded acreage bordered by the famous crystal clear Willow Creek. Year round-Great Value! Hideout Cabins Details
If it’s true that the couple that cooks together stays together, then Uncorked in Centennial is saving relationships by the class-full. Couples can cozy up in the kitchen while professional chefs work with them individually to prepare a pre-fixe, themed menu. Classes include Bourbon & Beef and Cooking with Chocolate, and come with a well-earned bottle of wine per couple.
Known for its prominence in the movie ‘The Shining,’ the historic Stanley Hotel is the centerpiece of Estes Park. But for a more secluded, romantic stay, choose an intimate place like the Dunraven Inn, where a friendly and casual ambiance puts a soul at rest. If you’re looking for a place in the woods with fabulous mountain views and a warmly bubbling jetted tub that’s just a short walk to town, choose a Prospect cabin. Just outside the door of your vacation rental and along the scenic drives, you’ll catch wildlife frolicking in the fresh air.
The sun made us lazy, and after following Brian as he made his way upstream I found a wider expanse of sand and gravel, promptly plopping down on a pair of flip flops I had brought in my backpack as a make-shift seat. After identifying the northern harrier hawk over my head, and the savannas sparrows and red-winged blackbirds perched precariously on reeds across the water, I took out my knitting project. I didn’t have to worry about losing Brian; in the valley I could see for miles in both directions.
