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.
The Alps Boulder Canyon Inn is an award-winning boutique bed and breakfast in the heart of scenic Boulder Canyon. Offering an unforgettable Boulder experience, the Inn features luxurious accommodations, excellent cuisine, and outstanding service. Surrounding by Boulder's magnificent mountain parks and just a short stroll from downtown Boulder and all its attractions, the Inn is an ideal place for both business and leisure travelers to take advantage of everything the town has to offer.
A romantic weekend at the Castle Marne Bed and Breakfast on Capitol Hill in Denver will transport you to more elegant and romantic times with its nine magnificent rooms accented by antique Victorian furniture, fine décor, canopy beds, and fluttering curtains. Of course, they all have modern bathrooms with whirlpool or claw foot bathtubs and other contemporary amenities you simply cannot do without. 
Zach Zehr, an avid backcountry adventurer, spends a lot of time in Rocky Mountain National Park, which is open but operating with a limited staff since Dec. 22, 2018, due to the federal government shutdown. Because of the shutdown, the roads aren’t being plowed so much of the park is not open to vehicle traffic. Fat bikes, however, work just fine. Zehr, who is also the manager at the Estes Park Mountain Shop, and some friends rode their fat bikes to the Bear Lake Trailhead and did a backcountry ski trip in the park on Jan. 6, 2019. (Provided by Zach Zehr)
The St. Regis Resort offers castle-like grandeur and a staff that will treat you like royalty. It also has a menu of romantic vacation packages that are perfect for honeymooners, and all can be customized just for you and your new spouse. You can choose things like in-room dining, spa gift certificates for its decadent Remede Spa, as well as having flowers, chocolate-covered strawberries and sparkling wine delivered and waiting in your room upon your arrival. The property sits at the base of Aspen Mountain, just steps away to many of Aspen’s top restaurants and shops. The resort has its own eatery onsite too, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as hosting live music at night.
A spectacular scenic drive stretches from the old mining town of Silverton, to the town of Ouray, along what is called the Million Dollar Highway. This is a 46-kilometer two-lane highway that hugs the mountainside in places and looks out over jaw-dropping cliffs and across valleys to inspiring mountain peaks. It is one of the most spectacular mountain drives in Colorado. If you have time, you can extend this into a longer route and drive the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. The Skyway is a full-day trip that you will want to do in good weather, but can be done in winter or summer.
While kids of all ages are welcome at this Ouray resort, you’ll will find multiple kid-free corners available around the clock. The adults-only indoor sanctuary is open 24 hours and filled with spa-like stonework, including a spring-fed tub built from river rocks. Outside, a 102-degree soaking tub implements adult time from 10pm to 8am, enough to make any couple starry-eyed under the night sky.
What makes a stay in an Estes Park cabin such an unforgettable experience is the stunning landscape in which the cabins are built. Not only do you have amazing views, but the cabins are incorporated in such a way that you can experience the nature right outside your front door. Estes Park offers all kinds of outdoor activities, from geocaching to rock climbing and whitewater rafting.
Home to the Steamboat ski resort, Steamboat Springs is a city in Colorado’s Yampa Valley. One of the main attractions here are the geothermal hot springs, which people come to experience for its healing properties. The Old Town Hot Springs also has water slides and swimming pools, while the ski resort has six peaks including Mount Werner for the serious snowboarding and skiing enthusiast.
Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa - Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort is really a special place for active couples. There's 3 types of accommodation (Bunkhouse, Lodge and Cabin), and outside an opportunity to experience some very romantic adventures like wagon & sleigh rides, zip-lining, horseback riding and evening campfires. As well, there's two restaurants, a wine cellar and a coffee shop. Oh, a word about their pool: it's heated geothermally, and since you actually enter it indoors and swim to the outdoor part, it's great on colder days and evenings. 2017 ERV Rating* for Couples - Romantic Colorado Ranch Resorts: 88% - Very Good. (3530 Country Rd 83, Tabernash, CO 970-726-5632)
Located in southwestern Colorado, close to the Four Corners Monument where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet, Durango is perfectly positioned for sightseeing and year-round outdoor activities. The town also has a vibrant art scene and you can spend many happy hours visiting a fascinating array of art galleries and live theater attractions.
The Rockies are unbelievable. We explored the Niwot Ridge tundra plateau, speckled with wildflowers of every shape and color, looked down on the layered blue mountain ranges below, while snow-tipped peaks gazed at us from still-greater heights. I felt the elevation only in the difficulty breathing I experienced when walking from Point A to Point B - but we walked for more than three miles. Otherwise, it was the height itself that pulsed through my veins, truly on top of the world.
Leave the fast lane, cross our covered bridge to simple serenity in a cozy cottage, suite or vacation home in towering pines along Fall River. Bask in hot tub bubbles. Warm to the scent and sizzle of a wood-burning fireplace. Fall asleep to the river's lullaby. Roam 30 acres adjoining RMNP. Enjoy the serendipity of wandering wildlife and friendly gatherings in our library. Castle Mountain Lodge on Fall River Details
Straddling the Continental Divide, the Rocky Mountain National Park covers some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. There are 77 mountains in the park with elevations that range from 7,500 to over 12,000 feet (2,200 to 3,600 meters). Most of the more than 3 million people who visit the park each year spend at least one night in one of the park’s many drive-in campgrounds. More than 350 miles of hiking trails offer visitors the chance to view the park’s wildlife, which includes hundreds of elk, bighorn sheep and deer. There is also the specially built scenic Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in any of the National Park in the United States.
Would you like to stay in a historic red barn, a former milk room, or an original historic log cabin and get an idea of how the original Colorado settlers lived? Converted to the luxury Four Mile Creek Bed and Breakfast, this former 1885 homestead is a quaint reminder of the area’s adventurous past. With its main lodge building, old converted barn, and two log cabins, the Bed and Breakfast today offers rustic luxury and unparalleled comfort. The rooms are furnished with antique pieces and fireplaces, with luxurious bathrooms featuring claw foot tubs, conveying a sense of times gone by while providing entirely modern comfort and amenities.
The land that now houses the cozy Rustic River Cabins was originally declared a homestead of 160 acres in the Big Thompson Canyon in 1903. Through a series of owners, name changes and new buildings, it became Rustic River Cabins in 2003 and now has seven all-season, pet-friendly cabins which sleep between two and eight guests and feature a fireplace, a full kitchen and private hot tubs in five. They were originally built in the mid-1940s and offer a cozy charm that’s perfectly suited for a mountain getaway.
Breckenridge is one of the top names in Colorado getaways, but you have to see the quaint downtown surrounded by towering peaks to truly understand what makes this destination so great. Known for its premiere skiing and beautiful hiking—picture rocky trails and alpine lakes—it’s a Colorado weekend getaway that makes you want to get outside and explore. For those who are interested in cozying up while on vacation, a spa package or winery visit could do the trick.
Cow Creek Trail follows Cow Creek, with its many beaver ponds, extending past the Bridal Falls turnoff as the Dark Mountain trail, then joining the Black Canyon trail to intersect the Lawn Lake trail shortly below the lake.[42] North Boundary Trail connects to the Lost Lake trail system. North Fork Trail begins outside of the park in the Comanche Peak Wilderness before reaching the park boundary and ending at Lost Lake. Stormy Peaks Trail connects Colorado State University's Pingree Park campus in the Comanche Peak Wilderness and the North Fork Trail inside the park.[42]
Easily accessible from Estes Park is Rocky Mountain National Park, which boasts over 100 mountain peaks that tower over 11,000 feet above the ground. In this gorgeous park, you will find over 300 hiking trails as well as paths to traverse by car or on horseback. Exploring the park will also bring you into close contact with a variety of wildlife, from striped chipmunks to large elk.
The Experience: If Aspen isn't quite your mountain town scene, head to Vail instead. It's equally as idyllic (it was modeled after European mountain resorts), pedestrian-friendly, and lovely, but the town itself is more of a square in a village with a small collection of boutiques and restaurants for visitors. Ride up and down the gondolas for mountain views in every direction and ski the unique back bowls. It's also closer to Denver, making it easier to get to and, therefore, a little more crowded during peak seasons.
Another one of the state’s most popular skiing and snowboarding destinations, Steamboat Springs may be a winter wonderland during the chillier months of the year, but the summer brings an endless landscape of green dotted with brilliant wildflowers. This is when this Wild West town really comes alive, with visitors enjoying fly fishing, inner tube rides and rafting trips on the Yampa River, endless scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, and natural hot springs that are ideal for soothing sore muscles afterward. If you can be here around late June/early July, you can attend the legendary annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park festival which boasts an extensive display of colorful hot air balloons along with some 50 artist vendors, live entertainment, food and drink vendors, and an interactive children’s art area.
Located at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs has multiple attractions, ranging from museums and parks to trains and a zoo. It is within close proximity to Pikes Peak, a landmark in the Pike National Forest. The Garden of the Gods park is also located in Colorado Springs and features red sandstone formations and stunning mountain views.
Crested Butte - this relaxing destination in Northern CO remains one of the state's premier outdoor playgrounds. It's fun to explore, and if you've never tried hanging whitewater rafting, this is a great spot to start. For activities a little easier on the blood pressure, try one of the many local area hikes, or a romantic evening with dinner at Le Bosquet or Timberline.
The park's climate is also affected by the Continental Divide, which runs northwest to southeast through the center of the park atop the high peaks. The Continental Divide creates two distinct climate patterns - one typical of the east side near Estes Park and the other associated with the Grand Lake area on the park's west side.[49] The west side of the park experiences more snow, less wind, and clear cold days during the winter months.[49]
The park was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations in 1976 to protect its natural resources.[67][68] The park's biodiversity includes afforestation and reforestation, ecology, inland bodies of water, and mammals, while its ecosystems are managed for nature conservation, environmental education and public recreation purposes.[67] The areas of research and monitoring include ungulate ecology and management, high-altitude revegetation, global change, acid precipitation effects, and aquatic ecology and management.[67]
The history of Rocky Mountain National Park began when Paleo-Indians traveled along what is now Trail Ridge Road to hunt and forage for food.[11][12] Ute and Arapaho people subsequently hunted and camped in the area.[13][14] In 1820, the Long Expedition, led by Stephen H. Long for whom Longs Peak was named, approached the Rockies via the Platte River.[15][16] Settlers began arriving in the mid-1800s,[17] displacing the Native Americans who mostly left the area voluntarily by 1860,[18] while others were removed to reservations by 1878.[14]
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].
Bedrooms enjoy air-conditioning and central heating, mini refrigerators, and free Wi-Fi while private bathrooms have rain showers and Jacuzzi whirlpools. A delicious full English breakfast is served each morning in the inn’s elegant dining room, and lunch and dinner can be taken at the inn on request. The inn is within walking distance of several excellent restaurants in Colorado Springs as well as other entertainment.
Nature lovers can go hiking, white water rafting, horseback riding or climbing in one of the surrounding national parks, or you could choose to explore historic archaeological sites such as Hovenweep, Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a highlight of any visit and you can combine various adventure sports packages with your scenic train ride. Keep reading for more Colorado points of interest. Things to Do in Durango
• Drive from Denver to Estes Park into Rocky Mountain National Park. • On the drive to the park you will pass historic towns and beautiful landscapes from Denver through Boulder, with the option to stop in Lyons for coffee etc. • The hike has beautiful scenery, alpine lakes and diverse trails. The trail is framed with pine and aspen trees, with views of snow capped mountain ranges all around. • Immerse yourself in the mountains away from it all. • Have a tasty picnic lunch surrounded by serene nature. • See Colorado’s famous continental divide – rivers and streams west of the divide flow to the Pacific Ocean and east of the divide to the Gulf of Mexico. • This is a approx 4 mile trail (round trip) with about 800 feet in elevation gain.
Daily bus service into Rocky Mountain National Park is available weekends beginning in Memorial Weekend and then daily from June 27, 2016 to September 7, 2016 and weekends until the end of September, 2016. There are two more routes to help you once you are in the Park for Moraine Park and Glacier Basin (Bear Lake). Sorry, there are no bus routes for Trail Ridge Road or Horseshoe Park.
Lawn Lake Trail climbs to Lawn Lake and Crystal Lake, one of the parks deepest lakes, in the alpine ecosystem and along the course of the Roaring River. The river shows the massive damage caused by a dam failure in 1982 that claimed the lives of three campers. The trail is a strenuous snowshoe hike in the winter.[42] Ypsilon Lake Trail leads to its namesake as well as Chipmunk Lake, with views of Longs Peak, while traversing pine forests with grouseberry and bearberry bushes. The trail also offers views of the canyon gouged out by rampaging water that broke loose from Lawn Lake Dam in 1982. Visible is the south face of Ypsilon Mountain, with its Y shaped gash rising sharply from the shoreline.[42]
In Estes Park, nearly half of the accommodations are house rentals, which represent 43.29% of its available accommodations. Additionally, house rentals in Estes Park have an average cost of $453 per night as well as an average size of 2,030 ft². Moreover, these rentals are optimal if you're going in a group of 8, as that is the average number of vacationers house rentals can host in Estes Park. If you would like to rent something else, you can search many other offers, such as apartment rentals, which are another typical type of property in Estes Park. The average size of apartment rentals in Estes Park is 1,310 ft², and the average price is $331 per night.
Located in the valley of the Yampa River, Steamboat Springs is world-famous for its fantastic skiing and healing hot springs. With 165 main trails spread across 2,965 acres on the Mount Werner Park Range, Steamboat Ski Resort is one of the largest in the country. Another great winter fun is dog sledding with Grizzle-T Dog Sledding and their Alaskan Huskies.
Among the agencies left unfunded by the budget impasse between Congress and President Donald Trump is the Interior Department, which includes the National Park Service. The partial shutdown started Dec. 22 when Congress rejected Trump’s demand that $5.7 billion for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border be included in a bill funding nine departments and several agencies. Hundreds of thousands of workers have been furloughed or are working with no pay because they’re considered essential.
Putting my Rocky Mountain inspired rectangles away until February, I eventually knitted up the remaining pieces and ironed the whole thing out before I framed the simple square and placed it on my beige wall. Perhaps I needed the chill of winter to remind me of the brisk breeze of that famous mountain range, maybe I briefly tired of sweater and cardigan projects, captivated instead by the simplicity of knit-purl in straight lines.
For the ultimate mountain getaway, stay in one of our updated vintage 1, 2, or 3 bedroom cabins! Just 1 mile from the entrance to RMNP on the quiet side of town. Walk to a Park trailhead, fish for stocked trout in front of your cabin, soak in the hot tub, relax around the campfire. Experience the Estes of yesteryear! Idlewilde by the River Details
Alta Lakes is a pristine and secluded wilderness setting situated 30 minutes outside the charming mountain town of Telluride, Colorado. The Observatory is nestled underneath the 13,000-foot peaks of the San Juan Mountains – it is one of only a few homes in the United States at 11,000+ feet! The backcountry cabin with charming rugged details serves as the perfect romantic mountain getaway for couples.
Located just a few miles to the northwest of Denver, Boulder is a college town nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Boulder’s inhabitants are best known for their healthy lifestyles, and outdoor activities are plentiful in and around the city. Boulder Creek cuts straight through the town and is lined with walking and biking trails. The four-block pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street Mall features outdoor performers in all but the most inclement weather. A drive up Baseline Road on Flagstaff Mountains rewards visitors with spectacular views, and there are picnic areas and hiking trails to enjoy at the summit as well.
Chapin Pass trail traverses a dense forest to beautiful views of the Chapin Creek valley, proceeding onward above timberline to the western flank of Mount Chapin. Tundra Communities Trail, accessible from Trail Ridge Road, is a hike offering tundra views and alpine wildflowers. Other trails are Tombstone Ridge and Ute Trail, which starts at the tundra and is mostly downhill from Ute Crossing to Upper Beaver Meadows, with one backcountry camping site. Cache La Poudre River trail begins north of Poudre Lake on the west side of the valley near Milner Pass and heads downward toward the Mummy Pass trail junction. Lake Irene is a recreation and picnic area.[40]
Located near the towns of Cortez and Mancos, Mesa Verde is reached by a long road that leads high up above the surrounding landscape. The drive from the highway up to the site takes about 45 minutes. Near the highway is one of the visitor centers, where you can get information on the park and road conditions before driving up. You can book a ranger-led tour of Cliff Palace when you arrive so you know what time to show up for the one-hour tour.
Greeley is conveniently located just 50 miles from Denver in one of the top agricultural areas of America, which is great news for foodies. You can visit various breweries, buy farm-fresh produce at the farmers’ market and dine farm-to-fork style at many restaurants in the bustling Greeley Creative District, which includes several historic buildings that now house galleries, museums and entertainment venues.
The Olives Aspen restaurant, run by Chef Todd English, serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a local flare. The Lobby Lounge features beautiful views, and offers a light menu with cocktails, aperitifs, wines, and beers. Doubles from $725 per night. The hotel is located 10 minutes from the Airport. You can contact the hotel to arrange transportation. Doubles from $725 per night. The hotel is located 10 minutes from the Airport.
The weather in RMNP is extreme—and unpredictable. Ranging from snowstorms in the winter to hot, clear days in the summer, Rocky Mountain’s got it all. Summer is quick—just July and August—but beautiful, as temperature ranges from 40s at night and up to the 80s during the day. The rest of the year, expect snow at most elevations, and definitely up on Trail Ridge Road.
The rooms here are Euro-sexy, with dark, thick, exposed beams and spacious, mirror-lined bathrooms. The spa is one of the best in Vail Valley, with a beautiful indoor-outdoor pool, fresh spa water and tea easily accessible and multiple hot tubs, both inside and out. Sit in the bubbling, warm water with a cup of tea while snowflakes drift around you.
The Leland House and Rochester Hotel are family-owned historic hotels with an authentic Western theme. The 14 rooms at the Rochester Hotel are themed after Westerns that were filmed in the Durango area. Each of the 12 accommodations in the Leland House is named after a historic Durangoan and is decorated with that person’s memorabilia, biographies and photos. All rooms have Wi-Fi, cable, Aveda products, complimentary gourmet breakfast and free Cruiser bike rentals. Grab a drink at the Rochester Bar which serves the hotel’s signature Rochester wine.
Manor Vail Lodge - ideal for both winter and summer romantic getaways in Vail. The spacious condo-style studio & 1 bedroom suites are roomy (700+ sq ft) and have private balconies with creek or Mountain views, cozy fireplace, full kitchens and Queen or King beds. Outside are 2 pools, hot tubs, fitness and spa facilities, local free shuttle (short walk) and Golden Peak Chair 6 & Gondola 1 (5 minute walk away). 2017 ERV Rating* for Couples - Romantic Lodging in Vail, CO: 91% - Excellent. (595 E. Vail Valley Dr, Vail, CO 800-950-8245)
Take the world’s largest outdoor mineral hot springs pool (Glenwood Hot Springs), add an adventure park built on top of a mountain (Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park), sprinkle in the Roaring Fork Valley’s crimson rocks and emerald forests and you have a memorable family vacation just a few hours from Denver. The new Historic Fairy Caves Tour at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has sections never opened to the public before, takes 50 minutes and has only 12 stairs (perfect for families with small children than the tour of King’s Row, which has 127 steps each way). Also, don’t miss the adventure park’s thrill rides including the Cliff Hanger Roller Coaster, bungee jumping station, zipling, giant canyon swing, alpine coaster, laser tag and much more. Glenwood Hot Springs is celebrating its 125th birthday this year, so guests get in free on their birthdays. Glenwood Canyon Resort has white water rafting on the Colorado River and for an extra thrill, soar on the zipline across the river or test your mettle on a ropes course. Grab your bikes and take the paved Rio Grande Trail, which winds along the Roaring Fork River from Glenwood to Aspen. If you visit mid-week, pack a picnic and enjoy free concerts at Two Rivers Park on Wednesday. For a night out on the town, your family will love the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue dinner variety show.
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.
It’s always “do not disturb” mode at this quaint adults-only hideaway in Crested Butte that’s strictly 16-plus. Just a few blocks from historic Elk Avenue, Purple Mountain Bed & Breakfast has six plush rooms, an onsite day spa and an outdoor hot tub. In the winter, a free shuttle whisks you to Mt. Crested Butte for some of Colorado’s best skiing; when you’re ready for après, retire back to the house for complimentary craft beer on tap and a Ghirardelli hot chocolate bar you won’t have to share with the kids. Happy hour, indeed. Find more B&Bs in Colorado >>
In winter you can try cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails and after an energetic day out there is nothing better than a soak in one of the natural thermal springs. You can visit the Buena Vista Heritage Museum or go on a Ghost Town adventure, visit several working art studios and galleries, or quench your thirst at a local brewery. Things to Do in Buena Vista
The perfect blend of a picturesque main street with 2,358 acres of incredible skiing opportunities, Breckenridge is the oldest and largest town in Colorado’s famous Summit County. Take a tour of the 12-block downtown area and window shop through its quaint Main Street shops before strapping up your boots and heading to the famous Breckenridge Ski Resort. In the summer, take the ski ride lift up to find an array of hiking trails, while biking and golf are also popular activities. Host to numerous arts events throughout the year, this Certified Colorado Creative District has exciting public art spaces throughout the area in addition to a National Repertory Orchestra and Backstage Theatre.
Though the Airbnb cabin can accommodate up to 6 people, you can rent it just for the two of you. This vacation rental is located within walking distance to the historic town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. Surrounded by pine and aspen trees, this cabin makes a perfect option for couples who want a romantic getaway. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, allowing you to spend quality time together. There is a quite large kitchen for you and partner to prepare romantic dinners. At night, look up to the sky to see the beautiful starry night while holding each other’s hands!
While sightseeing in Denver, be sure to note your elevation: One of the steps in front of the Colorado State Capitol building is marked with a plaque signifying that it is exactly 5,280 feet, or one mile, above sea level. A perfect opportunity to snag a memorable smooch in the Mile High City — “mile-high club” jokes totally optional. More things to do in Denver >>
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.
Explore the nearby great outdoors at the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space or get your adrenaline pumping by rafting on Cache La Poudre River with the Mountain Whitewater Descents Company. Visit Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures to learn about folk art from all over the world. Take the kids to the Farm at Lee Martinez Park to learn about the farm life and play with baby farm animals.
