Aimee Heckel - Colorado Day Trips by Theme

Safety Note Colorado is home to a variety of potentially dangerous animals, including venomous snakes, scorpions, as well as natural hazards, such as temperature extremes, sudden flash floods, and cliffs and dropoffs. Always heed posted safety warnings, take common-sense safety precautions, and remain aware of your surroundings. Youre responsible for your own safety.

Cover and book design by Jonathan Norberg

Front cover photo: Maroon Creek Valley and

Back cover photo: Cliff Palace ar Mesa Verde photo by MarclSchauer/shutterstock.com

All photos by Aimee Heckel, except

These Flickr images are licensed under the Attribution-NoDervis 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0) license, which is available here: : World Poker Tour

These Flickr images are licensed under the Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) license, which is available here: : Mark Mauno

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Colorado Day Trips by Theme

Copyright 2020 by Aimee Heckel

Published by Adventure Publications

An imprint of AdventureKEEN

330 Garfield Street South

Cambridge, Minnesota 55008

(800) 678-7006

www.adventurepublications.net

All rights reserved

Printed in China

ISBN 978-1-59193-891-0; ISBN 978-1-59193-892-7 (ebook)

Disclaimer Please note that travel information changes under the impact of many factors that influence the travel industry. We therefore suggest that you call ahead for confirmation when making your travel plans. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information throughout this book, and the contents of this publication are believed to be correct at the time of printing. Nevertheless, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions, for changes in details given in this guide, or for the consequences of any reliance on the information provided by the same. Assessments of attractions and so forth are based upon the authors own experiences; therefore, descriptions given in this guide necessarily contain an element of subjective opinion, which may not reflect the publishers opinion or dictate a readers own experience on another occasion.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Betty Anne.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to my daughter, Betty Anne, and my husband, JD, for always being up for an adventure. Theres no team Id rather explore the world with.

Table of Contents

Great Sand Dunes National Park

COLORADO HAS MORE NATIONAL PARKS than almost any other state. Rocky Mountain in the north is home to 124 named peaks; Great Sand Dunes in the south boasts the countrys tallest dune; Mesa Verde in the southwest is a step back in time; and the western Black Canyon of the Gunnison is famous for its steep gorge.

NATIONAL PARKS

Peer into the planets interior and see the unusual black mountain walls lining a narrow gorge.

Explore surreal sand dunes with a mountain backdrop, including the tallest dune in the nation.

Walk through ancient history at these Native American cliff dwellings.

Visit northern Colorados most iconic destination, one of the highest-altitude national parks and home to 124 named mountain peaks.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

South Rim Visitor Center: 9800 CO 347, Montrose; 970-641-2337, ext. 205 nps.gov/blca

Peek into the soul of the planet, as you peer into this dramatic, steep gorge, named for its unique black rocks. The Black Canyon presents some of the countrys steepest cliffs and and some very old rocks, with some dating back 500 million years. Below, the Gunnison River promises outdoor adventure galore. Look for the famous Painted Wall, as well as wildlife, including deer, elk, and eagles. Gunnison is a bit farther of a trek from Denver and the bustling cities, so it tends to be one of the lesser-visited national parks. If you crave to be surrounded by nature with fewer crowds, Black Canyon of the Gunnison is well worth the drive.

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Visitor Center: 11999 CO 150, Mosca; 719-378-6395 nps.gov/grsa

The highlight here is the tallest sand dunes in North America, which might come as a shock in a state not known for desert conditions. Coast down these dunes on special sand-boards and cool off in Medano Creek, which snakes through the preserve. Or just hike the dunes for a unique experience and excellent views. (Just make sure you pack plenty of water, because it can get toasty in summer, and theres not much shade.) Its a bucket-list item to conquer the tallest sand pile at 750 feet high, set to the backdrop of mountain peaks. Bonus: The sand dunes are open year-round, day and night, so you can go camping or even midnight hiking here.

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center: 35853 Road H.5, Mancos; 970-529-4465 nps.gov/meve

Five thousand archaeological sites, including Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings, are preserved in this national park where ancient history comes to life. Mesa Verde boasts some of the best-preserved and most notable cliff dwellings in the country. Climb inside kivas, through tunnels, and up tall ladders, and experience what life might have felt like for Colorados first residents. Mesa Verde is great for families; its an educational vacation that is simultaneously active (prepare for lots of walking), scenic, and adventurous. Theres a hotel and campground in the park, but if those are booked, youll find cute cabins in the nearby mountains and hotels in the towns of Mancos and Durango.

Rocky Mountain National Park

1000 US 36, Estes Park; 970-586-1206 nps.gov/romo

Stand on top of it all in this national park, which boasts the highest continuous paved road in the country (Trail Ridge Road) and multiple peaks taller than 13,000 feet. A lifetime goal for many outdoor lovers, climbers, and fitness extremists (its not an easy challenge) is to conquer Longs Peak. Rocky Mountain National Park is family-friendly and has offerings for all levels of ability. It is packed with outdoor adventure, including more than 350 miles of hiking trails, great wildlife-watching (such as bighorn sheep, elk, and eagles), plenty of fishing, and views that go on forever. Summer can get busy, so consider visiting in the fall, when the changing aspen leaves paint the forest a surreal gold. In winter, enjoy the park via sledding, showshoeing, or cross-country skiing. There arent any ski resorts in the park.

Whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River

IF YOURE LOOKING for a heart-racing adventure out in nature, Colorado knows how to get that adrenaline surging. Find your fun up high on zip lines or low on a white-water raft in the base of a canyon. Test your strength on a steep trail, your courage on a high suspension bridge, your climbing skills on a frozen waterfall, and your mental limits in small, dark caves beneath the earth. These are just a few of the types of outdoor adventure you can fit into an action-packed Colorado vacation.