What Is The Best Place To Vacation In Colorado
Summer is almost here and I find myself wondering what is the best place to vacation in Colorado. Confession: I don’t think I can handle another ski trip.
When it comes to the best place to vacation in Colorado, some people might say you don’t have to go very far at all. After all, Colorado is home to some of the most awe-inspiring scenery and otherworldly landscapes around. While we can certainly agree that Colorado is an incredible state, there are actually a few destinations within it that truly stand out.
One of the best places for vacation are the Colorado holiday resorts. Colorado is a very popular state for tourists and thousands of people travel to this place every year.
Colorado is a state that has embraced the word “adventure” and taken it to heart. Why not? This is the state in the US with the most peaks higher than 14,000 feet and home to the highest mountains in this hemisphere. Why wouldn’t someone want to vacation here? Sure, you’ve seen pictures of skiers speed down gentle slopes or picturesque falls looming over autumnal scenes of golden leaves changing colors on aspens beside a crystal blue lake. But there are other places beyond those that you should consider for your next vacation.
When you visit Colorado, you might feel like you are at a five-star resort without any of the stuffiness. Colorado is the rare mountain destination where you can escape from the crowds and feel like you have entered a secret hideaway. From golfing to fly fishing to hiking, there is something for everyone in Colorado.
There is always something to do in Colorado. The mountains, the lakes, the sun, the hiking…there is just so much to do. But when we say “Colorado”, the first thing that comes to mind is usually about ski resorts. It’s a given for us Coloradans. We are a skiing culture. If you’ve had trouble deciding which of Colorado’s many ski destinations was best for you and your party, maybe I can help a little bit.
Colorado is a year-round destination that piques the imagination and inspires the soul with its dramatic landscape and natural beauty. The state is nothing less than stunning, with a diversity that ranges from the majestic Rocky Mountains to the rolling hills, beautiful alpine lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and the high desert of the Colorado Plateau.
What Is The Best Place To Vacation In Colorado
Mountain towns beckon skiers, hikers, climbers, mountain bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all types, but are also great places to soak up some tranquility and enjoy the mountain vibe.
Sightseers will find the scenic drives through parks and along state highways are some of the best ways to see the amazing sites that the state has to offer.
Remnants of the cultures that inhabited the area and the dinosaurs that once roamed the land can be seen and better understood by visiting some of the national parks and monuments.
Colorado is an unbeatable destination that will make you rethink your future travel plans. Get a start on your itinerary with our list of the best places to visit in Colorado.
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
Just a few miles from the mountain town of Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States.
The soaring mountain peaks, alpine lakes and meadows, forests, and abundant wildlife showcase nature at its best. The park has more than 100 peaks over 10,000 feet, including Longs Peak, the highest in the park, at 14,259 feet.
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.
Summer is the busy season in Rocky Mountain National Park, with the most popular activities being hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, fishing, horseback riding, climbing, and bouldering.
Winter in the park holds its own unique beauty and attractions. Many of the roads are open year-round, although closures may occur due to weather conditions. People often come here at this time of year to snowshoe or cross-country ski, and ranger-led tours are offered in both of these sports.
If you plan on visiting in the summer, between late May and early October, you will need to obtain a timed entry pass. Passes for specific days are available on the National Parks website the 1st of the prior month (i.e. June 1st for the month of July). If you have a camping or other activity reservation, an entry pass is not required. Timed entry passes are free, except for the nominal reservation fee.
Official site: www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park
2. Vail and Nearby Mountain Towns
The ski resort town of Vail is one of the best places to visit in Colorado in winter but it’s also a pleasant place to enjoy at any time of year. When it comes to skiing, this is one of the top ski resorts in Colorado, with seemingly endless runs for all levels of skiers.
The town at the base of the ski hill is postcard cute, with chalet-style restaurants, shops, and hotels that make you feel like you are in the heart of the Alps. This is a high-end resort with luxury hotels, fine dining, and designer stores.
Vail doesn’t always fit with everyone’s budget, particularly if you want to spend a night during the high season. In the vicinity are a number of small towns and villages that are less well known but more affordable and also worth a visit.
Although not a ski resort, Frisco is a charming mountain town and one of the best places to visit in the area. This is a nice base if you are exploring the I-70 Corridor around Vail and Beaver Creek. The town has all kinds of quirky cafés, shops, and restaurants, and a true mountain vibe.
Just up the way from here is the town of Breckenridge at an altitude of 9,600 feet. This town has a very casual and fun downtown and is perfect if you plan on skiing at Breckenridge Ski Resort or looking for a little nightlife.
West of Vail are the towns of Avon and, a little beyond Avon, Beaver Creek. Avon can be a good place to find accommodation, particularly if you are looking for more affordable options than those at the base of the ski hills. Beaver Creek is a ski resort with another adorable village at the base. It has a full range of restaurants, from casual to fine dining, a skating rink in the main square in winter, and hotels.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Vail
Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Vail, CO
3. Denver
One of America’s most popular and fastest growing cities, Denver has it going on. One of the country’s great outdoor cities, Denver enjoys an incredible 300-plus days of sunshine a year and a reasonable climate.
This allows the young and active inhabitants to enjoy the giant playground right at the door to the city: the incredible Rocky Mountains. Favorite pastimes here are to hit the ski slopes in the winter, or lace up the hiking boots in the spring, or get out on a mountain bikes in the summer.
When they aren’t getting busy outdoors, Denverites are enjoying a lively arts and cultural scene at the Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater, or enjoying some creative cuisine at one of the city’s most happening restaurants in the Latimer Square area. The city is also full of great parks and the interesting downtown area is well worth exploring.
Accommodation: Best Resorts in Denver
Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Denver, CO
4. Mesa Verde National Park
Regardless of whether or not you have seen cliff dwellings before, you will be blown away by Mesa Verde and the amount of access to the actual ruins that the park allows visitors.
The park’s centerpiece, Cliff Palace is one of the most impressive dwellings in the entire Southwest, with a dramatic setting and incredibly preserved ruins. Ranger-led tours, which run regularly during the summer high season, allow you to climb ladders right up into the heart of the dwelling. It is highly recommended that you pre-book your Cliff Palace visitor tickets in advance of your visit. Spaces are limited and demand is high, especially in the summer. Tickets can be booked 14 days in advance of your planned arrival date.
If you aren’t up for that level of activity, you can get a full view of the site from a nearby overlook.
Mesa Verde was home to the Ancestral Pueblo who inhabited the dwellings from approximately 600 AD to 1300 AD. Thousands of archeological sites lie within the park, although the cliff dwellings are the most spectacular. A road allows access to numerous sites, many of which are on top of the mesa. A number of hiking trails, which do not require a ranger tour, lead to lookouts and interesting sites, including petroglyphs.
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.
