Top Things to do in Colorado
Top Hotels in Colorado
- 1. Best Western Plus Peak Vista Inn & Suites
- 2. Grand Hyatt Denver
- 3. Monarch Casino Resort Spa - Black Hawk
- 4. Le Meridien Denver Downtown
- 5. Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn
- 6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Trinidad
- 7. The Oxford Hotel
- 8. Origin Hotel Red Rocks
- 9. SCP Colorado Springs Hotel
- 10. Warwick Denver
10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Colorado That You Shouldn't Miss
Colorado is home to no less than twenty-six ski resorts such as those in Vail and Breckenridge; other winter activities include snowboarding, sledding, sleigh rides, snow hiking and snowmobiling. The state is blessed with national parks, grasslands and forests where in warmer weather you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking or rock climbing. Wildlife abounds, from bears to moose and raccoons to wolverines. More interested in local history? Head for either the Ute Indian Museum or the Koshare Indian Museum, and don't miss the forts such as Fort Garland and Bent's Old Fort. For a complete change, why not take a ride in a hot air balloon from South Park Valley or Boulder and admire Colorado's picturesque landscape from above?
Restaurants in Colorado
1. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 92 reviews
The 181,000 acres of Maroon Bells comprise Colorado's fourth-largest wilderness area and include more than 100 miles of trails and six peaks over 14,000 feet.
Reviewed By chakakhanchakakhan - Orange County, United States
Ok so coming during COVID midjuly last min. I found out that if you don't get a parking pass for your car, or a seat on the bus, you can have anyone drop you off at the entry. You pay $10 for the car to go in unless you have an annual pass. We took a taxi to drop us up top. You have to get through the gate before 8am. You can take the bus down for free without a ticket. There was HARDLY anyone there yet by 8am so we took a ton of pictures with no one else in our pics. It was amazing. MAROON BELLS IS BREATHTAKING. Plan to Just sit and stare at the beauty. We hiked CRATER LAKE. A Sign was posted saying a bear was spotted in this area the day before. SO UHHH Be AWARE. Be prepared for weather changes. It started to pour and hale at the lake. I'm glad I had umbrellas. There were grey clouds off in the distance but you couldn't have predicted hale and heavy rain for 15 min. BE PREPARED for ANYTHING up there with waterproof hiking shoes. It was a SUPER ROCKY hike almost all the way through after the first 20 min in. The hike took us a very long time. DRINK A TON OF WATER THE DAY BEFORE AND WHILE THERE because the altitude will get to you. Their Loop trail thats shorter was not a loop because a bridge has been "out" thats to be repaired in 2020. Its 2020...but.....hmmm No worries, bcz you just turn right back down the trail. It does lead to encountering more ppl so DO WEAR YOUR MASK if you hike in the MASK ERA> By the time we gawked at MB, took the "loop train" which is a "Lollipop trail " because a bridge it out, and finished Crated Lake an it was 3pm. Overall...my kids liked Crater Lake...for throwing rocks for 15 min. Take hiking sticks if you have them. My tween boys didn't think the difficulty of the hike was equivalent to the "pay off" of reaching the lake. I gather its probably because they just saw this amazing lake in front of Maroon Bells and its just a different beauty. WE liked to be out in nature but it was a challenge with the rocks and elevation and distance. They were pooped. We don't hike often and it was a long long distance for them. One son said he wouldn't do it even once. Myself and another son said it was great to do once, but not again. Take your lunch to the lake to make a great picnic lunch stop/break.
2. Chalk Cliff Fish Hatchery
3. Colorado National Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,724 reviews
This monument, 23,000 acres of canyons, plateaus and massive towers of naturally sculpted monoliths, includes Balance Rock, a 600-ton boulder perched on a rock pedestal. Two entrances are located outside the cities of Fruita and Grand Junction, Colorado.
Reviewed By NyonyaLady - Albuquerque, United States
My hubby grew up here and it is my third visit to the national monument. So when we were visiting our friend in Fruita, we thought it would be a great idea to take a leisure drive to enjoy the stunning views. We were glad that we did cos on this trip we had an incredible experience witnessing a herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, ewes and rams resting on a flat rock surface before the Independence Monument. It was just amazing! The historic and scenic Rim Rock Drive covers twenty-three unforgettable miles of the monument as you journey through a winding a twisting adventure of spectacular red rock canyons, sleek drop offs and colorful panoramic views of majestic landscapes and unrefined beauty. Massive and intimidating, yet striking and colorful formations of natural red rock seem to close in on you during many of the twists and turns along the way until suddenly it opens up to fascinating scenes that overlook the distant and wide-open plains of Colorado. The road itself can seem a bit intimidating, several narrow tunnels and sections like Dead Man's Curve certainly require your attention, and when the weather permits you'll find yourself sharing the limited space with daring cyclists who come here seeking the extremely difficult and tenacious climb. Numerous overlooks along the way offer areas to pull over and take in the magnificent views of some of the more well-known landmarks such as Balanced Rock, Monument Canyon, Grand View or even Coke Ovens Overlook and in the middle of all of this stands alone, Independence Monument. It's a flat top peak and if you look closely you might recognize it as the rock from the Chevy commercials. There's a visitors center closer to the western edge near Fruita and it offers restrooms along the way, but more importantly it provided us a deeper look into this truly incredible phenomenon and the fascinating evolution it has endured. So, if you're ever driving through this part of Colorado and you have some extra time, I highly recommend getting to know this powerful and great natural beauty of the Amercan West.
4. Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 82 reviews
Remote, scenic area near the northern Colorado border popular for fishing, hiking and whitewater rafting.
Reviewed By deltaone11 - Atlanta, United States
50 minute drive from Steamboat; park and hike to Lake Gilpen. Expect 5-6 hours round trip but well worth the experience! There are many other trails connected and nearby.
5. Blue Mesa Fishing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 123 reviews
Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's largest reservoir and home to the largest in Kokanee Salmon population in the Western US. Blue Mesa Reservoir is 330 feet at the deepest point and is made up of 3 basins, 4 boat launches, two marinas and over 100 miles of shoreline. It is truly a magnificent area nestled in the Rocky Mountains
Reviewed By otisc77
Fish this time of the year for the bigger one's! September though November. Allow more time to find them (fish), then stand back for the big ones on power bait green and yellow with sparkles!
6. Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By 852cgp - Aurora, United States
Was amazing getting to spend time with these wolves and wolf dog mixes. Volunteers are friendly and informative and hearing the stories behind each pup adds to the experience. Totally worth the drive.
7. North Clear Creek Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By Beckibecka - Aurora, United States
If you're driving through this area, you have to make this stop. It's a quick walk from the parking lot to the waterfall viewing area and this waterfall is impressive!
8. Fairy Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Seetheworldnow1 - Denver, United States
Kids will love this trail with all different types of fairy homes. The trail is short and a little steep for some but worth the walk
9. White River National Forest
10. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 340 reviews
Reviewed By Alonelybanana - Broomfield, United States
Last year, my family visited here for the first time. Last week, we decided to come back and it was even better than before. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge might look at times like it doesn't have life, but if you know where to go and look, you'll find it bursting with life. My family hiked Lake Mary and a little bit of Lake Ladora and the sights are always so pretty. They do a good job taking care of the paths, the lakes, and the wildlife. We saw three separate herds of bison and a lot of deer.
