You might easily spend a lifetime just exploring the Centennial State's picturesque mountain country, which hosts a plethora of spectacular vistas populated with wildlife, world class hunting and fishing, and historic mining towns with old-world Victorian inns or bed and breakfasts. Long term cabin rentals are ideal bases of operation for your family's Colorado escape. The Rockies present sights for everyone, from outdoors fanatics to history buffs.
Start your tour of America's Alps in the town of Durango, nestled in Colorado's southwestern corner. In the winter, the visitor has their choice of five different ski resorts within an hour's drive. In the summer, there is an almost inexhaustible number of activities in and around the community, including hiking, backpacking and mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and golf. Rail fans will enjoy riding the Durango & Silverton Railway, one of the last two remaining lines of the old Denver & Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad. Powered by steam locomotives and featuring both open cars and antique rail coaches from a century ago, this is an actual operating railroad that during the winter is the only way to get in and out of Silverton to the north.
Traveling over the San Juan mountains, on the "Million Dollar Highway", along the Rio de las Animas Perdidas, literally meaning "River of Lost Souls", you will run into most historic mining towns that contain Silverton, Telluride, Ouray and Ridgway. At Montrose, you will want to cut over to the east on U.S. 50, skirting the southern edge of Gunnison National Forest in order to go to Gunnison and Salida, which is home to one of the oldest whitewater kayaking events in the country, the FIBArk Race, which is the "weekend that Salida comes out to play," held in June during the spring runoff.
It is challenging to select one place in Colorado's mountain country that stands over the rest but the Rocky Mountain National Park and nearby Estes Park in the north central part of the state are definitely front runners. Take advantage of local cabin rentals, or stay at the historic Stanley Hotel, where author Steven King found the inspiration for The Shining. Founded by a settler from Missouri in 1859, Estes park is situated next to the Big Thompson River, and is the gateway to the national park located just a few miles west.
You can ride along U.S. 34, the Trail Ridge Road, which has the distinction of being the highest continuous highway in the country. This vivid drive will lead you to an altitude of over 12,000 feet above sea level and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in North America, if not the world.
Of course, Colorado is the West, and that means cattle drives and horses. Well, the great cattle drives are long over and were primarily in the flat eastern part of the state, but you and your family can re-live some of it at one of the area's many "dude ranches". Despite the abundance of highways and jeep trails, there's no better way to see this part of Colorado than from horseback.
Start your tour of America's Alps in the town of Durango, nestled in Colorado's southwestern corner. In the winter, the visitor has their choice of five different ski resorts within an hour's drive. In the summer, there is an almost inexhaustible number of activities in and around the community, including hiking, backpacking and mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and golf. Rail fans will enjoy riding the Durango & Silverton Railway, one of the last two remaining lines of the old Denver & Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad. Powered by steam locomotives and featuring both open cars and antique rail coaches from a century ago, this is an actual operating railroad that during the winter is the only way to get in and out of Silverton to the north.
Traveling over the San Juan mountains, on the "Million Dollar Highway", along the Rio de las Animas Perdidas, literally meaning "River of Lost Souls", you will run into most historic mining towns that contain Silverton, Telluride, Ouray and Ridgway. At Montrose, you will want to cut over to the east on U.S. 50, skirting the southern edge of Gunnison National Forest in order to go to Gunnison and Salida, which is home to one of the oldest whitewater kayaking events in the country, the FIBArk Race, which is the "weekend that Salida comes out to play," held in June during the spring runoff.
It is challenging to select one place in Colorado's mountain country that stands over the rest but the Rocky Mountain National Park and nearby Estes Park in the north central part of the state are definitely front runners. Take advantage of local cabin rentals, or stay at the historic Stanley Hotel, where author Steven King found the inspiration for The Shining. Founded by a settler from Missouri in 1859, Estes park is situated next to the Big Thompson River, and is the gateway to the national park located just a few miles west.
You can ride along U.S. 34, the Trail Ridge Road, which has the distinction of being the highest continuous highway in the country. This vivid drive will lead you to an altitude of over 12,000 feet above sea level and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in North America, if not the world.
Of course, Colorado is the West, and that means cattle drives and horses. Well, the great cattle drives are long over and were primarily in the flat eastern part of the state, but you and your family can re-live some of it at one of the area's many "dude ranches". Despite the abundance of highways and jeep trails, there's no better way to see this part of Colorado than from horseback.
About the Author:
James Harden is part of the travel team at FindVacationRentals.com and FindBedandBreakfast.com. These directories provide detailed information on Colorado vacation rental deals and things to do.
