Thanks to a wide variety of things to do and places to see, Boulder is arguably one of the best weekend getaways in Colorado—if not the whole Western United States! This college town (home to University of Colorado Boulder) has it all: hike the Flatirons or Chautauqua Park in the morning, tour the Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory and Leanin’ Tree gallery in the afternoon, and then head to Pearl Street for shopping, drinking, and dining at night—and get around on the Boulder Creek Path in between. A Boulder bike tour helps you fit in even more sightseeing, perfect for a quick itinerary.
In the shadow of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, the quirky town of Hooper sits atop a natural artesian hot spring, with water flowing year-round into the family-friendly Sand Dunes Pool. On the same property, The Greenhouse is an all-indoor, all-adult oasis with three small soaking tubs and a 10-by-75-foot zero-entry pool. The Greenhouse also has a 10-person sauna, indoor gardens and an onsite bar to help you stay even toastier.
Nestled along the Fall River, Murphy’s River Lodge is located only two blocks from the historic downtown area of Estes Park. Completely remodeled lodgings include 13 rooms, rooms with private decks, a second property Murphy’s Resort and six fully-furnished vacation home rentals in Estes Park. These single family home rentals include access to River Lodge or Resort amenities including the pools and hot tubs!
“Everybody comes into our store looking for things to do, asking where do we go? We’ve had to be creative as a store because the last thing we want is to give people disappointing news,” Zehr said. The shop is offering more accessible options for backcountry skiing, like trails still in the park that can be reached from Colorado 7. But he said places that are typical destinations for his backcountry-ski renters, such as Hidden Valley, are “closed to 95 percent of the population because you have to be willing to hike out there.”
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At one time, Niwot was an important hunting and fishing area for American Indians. A railroad extension followed the arrival of Gold Rush miners, and many of the original buildings are part of Old Town in the National Historic District. Located 9 miles from Niwot, the Boulder Reservoir is a popular spot for swimming, boating, and fishing, and there are extensive trails to hike or bike throughout the area. Book your stay at the tranquil Niwot Inn and Spa, or choose a rural escape, like a fully restored 1890s farmhouse where a creekside bike path connects you to the cottonwood-shaded Pearl Street in Boulder. Enjoy a romantic evening at Colterra Food & Wine or the popular Sugarbeet in nearby Longmont.
Rising from 7,800 feet to 12,000 – even 14,000 feet in some places – RMNP is a high-elevation park and if you don't give yourself time to adjust to the thinner atmosphere and lower oxygen levels, you could run the risk of getting the headaches, nausea and disorientation characteristic of altitude sickness. Along with taking a day or so to acclimate to the high altitude, you should make sure to consume plenty of water and food to ward off symptoms.
Update on Jan. 14, 2019: A Rocky Mountain National Park spokesman said Monday the park began using recreation fees to temporarily pay about 10 percent of furloughed workers to clean up the park. They’ve been plowing roads, cleaning restrooms and collecting trash since Saturday. Other staff, such as law enforcement rangers, continue to work without pay during the shutdown. The park is expected to reopen to vehicle traffic on Tuesday, said Kyle Patterson, a Park spokesman who is on furlough.
