Mini Guide To Colorado

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Over the last almost two years, I’ve made four (or five?) trips to or through Colorado, accumulating all kinds of pictures that I wanted to share altogether.  This will also be a mini guide for where I’ve been, but stay tuned for a series of more thorough guides in the future.  Most of my time was in the Denver area, Great Sand Dunes probably being the farthest away.  So far I’ve really enjoyed it all and hope to see a lot more of it next summer.  You can find a more in-depth Colorado travel guide here.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

• Mosca, Colorado – Alamosa is the closest city or large town.
• You can climb the dunes, hike in the mountains, or go sand boarding.
• Park entrance is $15 per vehicle (I would recommend the America the Beautiful pass if you’ll be going to multiple parks.)
• Bring water, sunglasses, tennis shoes (in the summer), and a backpack to carry everything.
• Bring food if you plan on staying the whole day, there isn’t a whole lot in the area, and in the winter most isn’t open.

Rocky Mountain National Park

• Estes Park, Colorado
• You can hike in the mountains, hang out by the lakes, and search for wildlife.
• Park entrance is $20 (one day) or $30 (seven day)
• Bring water, good hiking shoes, snacks, bear spray*, and snacks.

Somewhere along a highway

• I think the lake two down is Allen Park, but I’m not sure.  If you do, let me know and I’ll update this.
• Don’t be afraid to stop at random places along the road.  I saw tons of awesome views between Gunnison and Montrose I wish I stopped for.

Estes Park

• Estes Park, Colorado – Near the Denver area
• No entrance fee
• Wander around the shops, take the aerial tramway, walk around the lake, visit breweries, and tour the Stanley Hotel.
• Make this a day trip from Denver or spend the night and take time to explore Rocky Mountain National Park, too.

Garden of the Gods

• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• No entrance fee
• Hike the trails or go rock climbing
• Bring lots of water, wear good walking shoes*, watch the weather. (I think I was just there on a rainy day, but I love the pictures because of it.)
• A full day trip from Denver or an afternoon from Colorado Springs.

Devils Backbone

• Loveland, Colorado
• No entrance fee
• This is easy to see in a couple hours.  Wander around downtown Loveland before or after.
• Wear good walking shoes and keep and eye out for rattlesnakes.
• A good day trip from Denver or any of the surrounding towns.  It’s on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Horsetooth Reservoir

• Fort Collins, Colorado*
• No entrance fee
• This is a cool place to drive along.  There is hiking available.
• I would recommend this if you’re in Fort Collins, but I wouldn’t make a trip here from Denver just for this, though.

For more on restaurants and the cities around Denver, stay tuned.  I promise I’m working on more in depth guides for all kinds of awesome places.  For now, I hope this helps.  If you have anything to add to any of these places (what to do or see, anything like that) comment and let me know and I’ll update it.

Have you been to any of these places?  Which ones?  What did you think of it?  Do you want to go?