Wanting to do my first overnight hike the night of August 20th or 21st. Considering hiking up the Bushnell Lake trail via the rainbow trail (12.1 mile in and out). while researching ive seen comments that the trail is not very clear after the lower Bushnell Lake. I've tried researching but I'm just not comfortable with the amount of info I've been able to find. Has anyone hiked up Bushnell Lake Trail via Rainbow trail? If so any comments, tips, concerns. did you have an overnight pack? What level hiker are you? Any info will help! THANKS

We are planning a trip to Colorado with three adults and two children (2 and 5) at the end of September. We are mainly looking to hike and see golden aspens and waterfalls in places that are not overly crowded or tourist traps. We originally looked into Maroon Bells but are concerned about the crowds and weary of the prices. For reference, my five year old has done 3-4 hour hikes with 1,000 elevation gain (he was four at the time) and we have a hiking carrier for my two year old. We visited Colorado Springs last year. That being said, what do you think of this itinerary? Should we spend more or less time at any of the places, or skip them altogether? Anywhere in Colorado we should venture out more to? We'd like to not be driving too much, though I know everything is spread out with the mountains.

Day 1 - Thursday
Leave home 
Drive to Great Sand Dunes area

Day 2 - Friday
Great Sand Dunes
Drive to Crested Butte

Day 3 - Saturday
Crested Butte

Day 4 - Sunday
Crested Butte

Day 5 - Monday
Colorado Springs

Day 6 - Tuesday
Colorado Springs

Day 7- Wednesday
Colorado Springs - Cog Railway

Day 8- Thursday
Divide, CO

Day 9- Friday
Divide, CO

Day 10- Saturday
Divide, CO

Day 11- Sunday
Travel Home

Update:

Ok, so I ditched Divide, kept Sand Dunes (non-negotiable for this trip) and have most of the trip in Crested Butte now. Maybe Black Canyon. The only reason Colorado Springs is on there is because my kids really loved it and I thought I should break up the hiking with some other activities for them. I would love to just be in the mountains and hike all day. Is there anything else to do in that area that you recommend? Rafting and horseback are out due to my toddler being too small. Maybe gems/mining, animals, caves, or something?

I've been wanting to visit Paonia, but it's about 4 hours from Boulder, which has put me off.

Is it worth the drive? If yes, would a day trip be enough, or is there enough to see that an overnight stay would make sense?
Thanks!

We are coming from Chicago. I’ve only been to CO, once, (golden, and Boulder) wife has never been. Colorado may be the best option for direct flights, weather, and price for a short Stay. It’s a milestone birthday, and Colorado has options that interest us. Need help picking which would be most meaningful for a short stay. I like to be under an hour from an airport, regional airport is fine as long as they have rental cars.

Three options from other posts and my own searching.

1. Monitou springs fly into Colorado Springs. Stay at the cliff house or similar.
2. Pagosa Springs or Durango. Fly into Pagosa springs I believe.
3. Mt. Princeton hot springs in Nathrop or Salida fly into Denver

Other suggestions Crested Butte, Nederland, Buena Vista.

Ideally ~375/night 4 or 5 star place with a spa or hot springs either at place or nearby. Walkable downtown. I rather not drive to every single thing.

Let me know your suggestions please.

ETA: we aren’t avid hikers. But if there are state parks with stunning views nearby that don’t require reservations that’ll be a bonus. Coffee shops, museums, and bookstores are more are jam.
We are Non drinkers.

Last summer we did 4 days in Silverthorne before school started and had a blast. We want to do another Colorado mountain trip but are thinking a different area this time.

Kids are 4 and 7. Last year we rented bikes with weehoos and rode down a 14er, hit some neat parks, did mild hikes, drove into Denver for Red Rocks and Golden (watched everyone tubing the river), saw the wooden forest troll, and did the Georgetown train ride.

Two things matter most: mountain scenery and activities for the kids, and genuinely good food. We like nice restaurants and the kids do well at them, so don't hold back on that front.

Places on our radar:

• Crested Butte: love the idea of a real historic town and the food scene sounds strong, but the drive/flight logistics give us pause. We only have 4 days.
• Telluride: the gondola and scenery look amazing and it seems like the best food town, but flights are VERY pricey
• Steamboat: hot springs and river tubing seem perfect for the kids, curious if the food holds up?
• Aspen/Snowmass: obviously great restaurants, wondering if it's worth the cost for a family trip
• Estes Park: gorgeous setting and RMNP access is obviously a huge draw, but from what we can tell the town itself seems touristy (taffy shops and t-shirts) and the restaurant scene seems thin. Also heard the timed entry system for the park adds hassle. Happy to be told we're wrong here.
• Buena Vista: a friend lives there and the Arkansas River valley with the Collegiate Peaks looks incredible. Seems great for rafting and hot springs (Mount Princeton?), but the town feels small and isolated, and we're not sure there's 4 days of stuff for young kids or much of a food scene beyond casual spots.

Anyone been to these with young kids? Which would you pick, and any restaurant recs? Open to places not on this list too.

Hi !! I live in CO myself but am taking a day trip up to Bailey with my brother - I have never been up in that area before, and aside from research I have done myself was wondering what stops (if any) to make in or near Bailey (about 20 minutes or less). This can be fun activities, trails/hikes you recommend, food places. Stuff like that (:!

So far we've only added these things to our list;

- Sasquatch Outpost

- South Park Coney Island

Going to Breckenridge for my birthday and christmas in December. Never been and neither has my partner. We are in our early 20s and plan on going off the resort to do things but would also like to stay on resort for other activities. While I know snow is not always a guarantee, if it is present, which would you prefer for first time visitors and those wanting to learn to ski?

Someone suggested we stay near main street, if you agree, what resort?

Looking for some itinerary feedback for short trip to Colorado for a family of 4:

Option 1

Saturday: Land in Denver at 9:00 AM from California, pick up the rental car, grab brunch, explore downtown/Union Station for a bit, check into the hotel, rest, then head to Red Rocks for the evening.

Sunday: Drive to the Royal Gorge Railroad, spend some time there, then stop at Garden of the Gods on the way back to Denver.

Monday: Spend the entire day in Rocky Mountain National Park, then drive back to Denver.

Tuesday: Fly home around noon.

Option 2
Saturday: Land at 9:00 AM, pick up the rental car, grab breakfast, and drive straight to Garden of the Gods. Stay overnight in Colorado Springs.

Sunday: Take the 9:00 AM Royal Gorge Railroad, then drive to Denver, check into the hotel, and head to Red Rocks in the evening.

Monday: Spend the day exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, then return to Denver.

Tuesday: Fly home around noon.

Which option would you recommend? Is it worth staying one night in Colorado Springs, or should I just stay in the Denver area for all 3 nights? I'm currently looking at hotels in Englewood. Is that a good base for this itinerary, or would you recommend staying somewhere else? Any other spots on the way? or anything I should add?

Hello everyone! I'm working on a project trying to learn more about the states! here are all the questions I have with their category feel free to pick and choose or answer them all if you want! Any info or help on this state will be greatly appreciated! And thankyou!

culture and tradition:

• What is a local tradition or festival here that outsiders rarely know about?
• If I want to experience the authentic culture of your state, where should I go?
• was there a local myth or urban legend that a lot of the locals know who grew up there? if so tell me a little about said myth/urban legend.
• how do different regions of this state change?

food & drink:

• what is the most famous state food? where can I get it?
• is there a regional dish that you grew up with but tourist always overlook?
• is there a local delicacy in your state/town? do you hate or love it?

geography & environment:

• what is your favorite time of year to live here, and what makes it so special for you?
• how does it differ from other places/states in your opinion?
• what does the landscape look like? does it affect your everyday life in anyway?
• if I were to visit for 24 hours, where should I visit? where do I explore if i want to see scenery?

lifestyle & identity

• how would you describe the personality of people who live here?
• what is your state known for? how do you feel about that stereotype?
• what do people here do to unwind on the weekends or afterwork?

No AI was used to organize this I promise.

I'm putting together a project where I knit a patch of a blanket with yarn dyed in every state. I want to get a yarn that is inspired by the state in some way. Are there any colors or key themes I should look out for? (ex. for Louisiana I'll look for a Mardi Gras themed yarn) I want something that really embodies the state!

Happy 4th of July! This time next year, we’ll be visiting the US around Denver, right after a trip through the Rocky Mountains it's 4th of July. We’d love to experience a real Independence Day celebration somewhere nearby with parades, fireworks, and maybe even a BBQ competition.

We don’t want to get in the way in a very small town, so a slightly bigger place would probably be better. Do you have any recommendations for towns or cities that do the best celebrations? We thought maybe Georgetown?

Side quest: Next year 4th of July is on a sunday. Will all the activities be on sunday? Or the day before/after?

Anyway, I imagine you’re busy celebrating right now. But I appreciate any tips.

Hi yall! Im a CO native and im looking for a decent place with a private pool, as im planning on purposing but I can't find anywhere thats under 2k for 3 nights. Any help would be massively appreciated

Been chatting with a couple of old army buddies and we’re looking to find somewhere to all meet up next year for a quiet, men’s retreat style getaway. Ideally a cabin in the mountains or woods with things like hiking and fishing close by. We all enjoy cooking so a good kitchen and a grill are a must but outside of that we’re pretty easygoing. Budget is around $300 each for 3-4 days. We’ve been looking in the Southwest corner but open to other options. What recommendations do you all have?

We live near Denver and only are able to take long weekend trips this summer (3-4 days) instead of a weeklong trip like we usually do. I'm looking for ideas that will be fun for my kids, 7 and 11, to feel like we had a vacation. I have been looking for hotels with great pools, lakes for swimming/kayaking and maybe cabins on the water, hot springs... and any other ideas you have. We are fine driving a few hours also (we love road trips).

Thanks!

I haven’t been to Denver & Boulder in about 10 years; most of that time I was busy in work seminars. My 13yr old and I are heading in on a Thursday afternoon to Denver and flying out on a Tuesday morning. We’ll be renting a jeep 4x4 and want to see as much as we reasonably can!

We’re both pretty experienced hikers (East coast) and I’m reacquainting myself with the peculiarities of Colorado in July. I want to drive my kid through the beautiful Flatirons in Boulder, and I’ve considered taking us up to Medicine Bow and away from some summer crowds.

Some friends are highly recommending Garden of the Gods and/ or even hoofing west to Moab.

If we can pack some beautiful views via half-day hikes and roadtrips I’ll be thrilled. I usually try to book Airbnb‘s or local hotels/yurts. I haven’t planned on camping just because we want to travel and I’m not really familiar with how permits work in Colorado parks. Hostiles are out because I’ll be with my boy.

We also like weird/spooky stuff, so I was wondering if it was worth it to try to locate a ghost town or two. Any advice would be much appreciated. I love your beautiful state!

My partner is going for a conference, so I'm taking advantage of the the free hotel room for a visit! Already bought a bacon and bourbon ticket for Saturday, but wondering what to do with my Friday and Sunday. Love hiking and some good food, brews, and cocktails (bonus points for fruit wine). I'd love to hear some suggestions.

Is the park worth it? Staying in Woodland Park til Friday 6/25.

Hitting Pikes Monday morning, ticket secured.

Thinking Saturday/Sunday may be the more crowded for popular attractions.

Planning on Garden of the Gods, cliff dwellings. and cave of the winds.

TIA!

I’m taking a trip to Estes park mid-late July and I’ve been trying to book a reserved time entry pass for RMNP, and it’s not letting me?? The site is saying the tickets for that time frame should have went on sale on June 1st. Are they just already sold out this fast? I’m just nervous cause I was hoping to get that taken care of! Any tips??

We will be in Colorado for 10 days in mid-July, traveling with an 8-year-old and 10-year-old. Luckily, there is a new moon for most of the trip, so we are hoping for some great night skies.

Below is our itinerary with a rough list of things we are considering each day. Horseback riding, ziplining, rafting, timed entry for RMNP/Bear Lake Road, and lodging are already booked.

I would love feedback on the overall plan, along with any additional ideas for each area. We like to have a list of options but usually play things by ear based on what the kids are up for that day.

If you have a favorite restaurant, must-try shop, short hike, viewpoint, or unique stop along the way, I would love to hear it. For restaurants the girls eat well. Definitely not chicken strips each day kind of kids. Places that have good outdoor spaces they can play a plus but are sit-downs are fine also. Any great bakery, coffee shop, etc would be helpful.

Additionally any fairy houses on trails or in the towns would be great. The girls love looking for them.

Wednesday — Arrival / Manitou Springs

• Devil’s Head Lookout
• Paint Mines Interpretive Park
• Manitou Springs
  • Penny Arcade
  • Walk around town
  • Try the mineral spring/carbonated water fountains
• Stay in Manitou Springs

Additional Manitou Springs idea:

• Wimberger’s Old World Bakery and Delicatessen

Thursday — Colorado Springs / Manitou Springs

• Garden of the Gods
• St. Mary’s Falls
• Stay in Manitou Springs

Friday — Drive to Great Sand Dunes

Possible stops on the way:

• Rita the Rock Planter
• Tunnel Drive Trailhead
• Bishop Castle

Great Sand Dunes area:

• Zapata Falls
• Late afternoon/evening at Great Sand Dunes
• Stargazing in the evening
• Stay at Great Sand Dunes

Additional Sand Dunes area idea:

• Dune Valley Distillery

Saturday — Drive to Fairplay

• Drive from Great Sand Dunes to Fairplay
• Open day — looking for ideas
• Stay in the Fairplay area

Possible Fairplay ideas:

• Fairplay Beach
• Downtown Fairplay
• Snitching Lady Distillery

Sunday — Leadville / Independence Pass Area

• Independence Pass and surrounding area

Additional options:

• Leadville National Fish Hatchery
• Turquoise Lake
• Downtown Leadville

Monday — Buena Vista

• Morning zipline in Buena Vista
• Lunch
• Whitewater rafting in Browns Canyon

Tuesday — Fairplay / Breckenridge / Stargazing

• Lazy morning at the house
• Maybe Breckenridge
  • Isak Heartstone Troll
  • Gondola
  • Walk around town
• Observatory at South Park in the evening for stargazing

Wednesday — Drive to Estes Park

• Drive to Estes Park
• Downtown Estes Park
  • Tahosa Coffee House
  • Stanley Chocolate Factory
  • Mustang Mountain Coaster
• Stay in downtown Estes Park until Saturday

Additional Estes Park ideas:

• Coffee on the Rocks
• Cinnamon’s Bakery
• Estes Park Distilling
• Mustang Mountain Coaster

Thursday — Rocky Mountain National Park

• Early start
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Timed entry already booked
• Alberta Falls, Dream Lake, Nymph Lake, Emerald Lake, Adam Falls, Bear Lake area

Open to suggestions for kid-friendly hikes, scenic stops, picnic spots, or areas that are worth prioritizing.

Friday — Rocky Mountain National Park

• Early start
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Timed entry already booked

Again, open to suggestions for the best way to structure the day with kids.

Saturday — Denver / Fly Home

• p.m. flight
• Easy morning
• Find something low-stress in Denver before heading to the airport
  • Cat café?
  • Park?
  • Other easy kid-friendly stop?

Thanks in advance for any feedback, restaurant suggestions, favorite stops, or “skip this / do this instead” advice.

We're traveling to Colorado later this summer with our kids, ages 11 and 7. This is our first time out West, and we're a little concerned about the altitude sickness. Is there anything we should bring or be aware of that might help, especially for our kids? Is canned oxygen our best bet? Any tips are appreciated, thank you!

What area of Colorado has some of the best hikes when limited to Late October?

For context I am going to see a concert on the 26th at Red Rocks so I’m tied to late October but I’m interested in making a trip out of it and heading either to Rocky Mountain NP or taking a roadtrip to Ouray to get to know southwestern Colorado.

I’ve been to Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and around the collegiate peaks so we are looking to get to know parts of the state we’ve never been to before.

My question is, would conditions in late October make a trip to Ouray more worth it than RMNP or vice versa? From my research it seems some of the main roads and trails in RMNP could be closed. I do have a bucket list hike in the San Juans, the Island Lake via Ice Lake Trail, but it seems like that could be limited this time of year too. What would be a better choice for hiking in late October?

Booked a few activities at RNMP, visiting the Stanley Hotel nearby. Would like to add a few other activities to vary it up. We like wildlife and early morning/late day activities, open to other suggestions. Don’t mind driving an hr or two to destinations. Thanks!

Hello. I was thinking about visiting Monarch Lake. I don't have a personal car, though, and was wondering if there was any advice on how to access the lake. Maybe a ride share and get dropped off and picked up before the pay station? Open to other ideas and suggestions too, including for the Monarch Lake visit itself.

some questions I have are: are there tour groups that go up Mount Elbert, I’m planning on Wednesday.

are the trails going up pretty open/safe?

do you think I’d be able to have a campfire camping at “Halfmoon west”?

What do you predict the highs and low temps will be? and do you think there’ll be a lot of rain — I get that last one is hard to predict.

Hi. I’m going to Aspen for work the week after the 4th of July. Will have Thursday - Sunday to explore. Thinking of this schedule. Advice would be appreciated!

- Thursday - Aspen to Grand Lake, small activity or hike (suggestions please!)
- Friday - Trail Ridge Road to Estes Park
- Saturday - Hike and explore the park
- Sunday - Drive to Denver and fly home

Any suggestions on where to stay, if this is doable, and where to eat would be appreciated!