Colorado Destinations

Unique Colorado Destination

Colorado’s cities and towns are as diverse and beautiful as its landscape.

The culturally rich city of Denver and the quiet mountain escape of Aspen are all attractive Colorado destinations. Colorado has a vacation destination for everyone. Are the high mountain peaks calling your name? Get to know Colorado and plan your trip to check off everything on your bucket list. Rafting, skiing, hiking, art shows, concerts, mountain biking, cycling, dining, fishing, mountain retreats, exploring nature, and much more. Coloradoinfo.com has divided Colorado into 3 regions. Each of these regions represents unique characteristics and proximity.

View our interactive regional map of Colorado to take a closer look and find the locations you want to visit.
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The Central Mountains

The heart of the Rocky Mountains spans the state north to south, and is home to the highest elevated cities and towns in the country, which feature over two dozen ski resorts. This region is Colorado’s gem for world-famous ski areas, mountain lifestyle, and activities.

The Rockies Playground, recently named by the Colorado Tourism Office, is the most central region of the Rocky Mountains and includes some of Colorado’s most famous resort towns. Due to their close proximity and popularity as ski resorts, the name was chosen to appeal to potential tourists. This region’s towns include Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Winter Park, Glenwood Springs, Dillon and Leadville. However, significant resort towns lie north and south of the playground region, including Steamboat Springs in north-central Colorado. Resort towns in south-central Colorado include: Crested Butte, Monarch, Del Norte, Powderhorn and Wolf Creek. The Central Mountains region captures almost all of the mountain towns north to south, aside from Telluride and Durango.

The Central Mountains region includes several spectacular national forests.

All of which include amazing mountain scenery, wildlife, trail systems, nearby camping and towns. From north to south:

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Steamboat Springs is a ski town. A large area with a variety of mountain attractions.
White River National Forest
The Rockies Playground, many ski resort towns. Engulfed in mountain recreation.
Pike and San Isabel National Forest
The Royal Gorge attraction. This area is rich with wilderness, fourteeners, Backpacking, Camping…More on recreation.
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest
Crested Butte ski resort and nearby Gunnison. A variety of summer & winter recreation.
Rio Grande National Forest
Wolf Creek ski resort, nearby towns Pagosa Springs and Alamosa, lie within the Mystic San Luis Valley. A huge wilderness area including Great Sand Dunes National Park and Alamosa National Refuge. This area is considered Colorado’s undiscovered jewel. Discover solitude and self-reliance.

The Front Range & Plains

A way of referring to how the plains of Colorado meet the eastern slope of the continental divide.

If you want to watch a Broadway show or enjoy a museum exhibit, you will have the most options in the Front Range. The urban cities of Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs are well known for their performing arts, museums, and cultural festivals.

Don’t Miss Front Range Colorado Destination

The Front Range region includes notable attractions such as Estes Park, the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Pikes Peak, a whole family mountain attraction, lies just west of Colorado Springs. Featuring a scenic train, rafting, horseback riding and much more.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an amazing music venue in the foothills west of Denver.

Colorado’s Western Slope

A general way of referring to Northwest and Southwest Colorado.

The Western Slope is a much more remote experience. Grand Junction is the largest city in the area and is often referred to as a city with a small-town feel. This high plains region is rich in agriculture, canyonlands, and warmer weather. Offering up a distinctively unique variety of Colorado destinations.

Northwest Colorado, or The Great West

Features of this area are the national parks such as Dinosaur National Park, the remote Brown’s Park, and the wild horses of the Sand Wash Basin. This area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts offering a variety of camping, RV parks, off-road vehicles, horseback riding, rafting, cycling and exploring in general. While the mountains are melting down, northwest Colorado is in full bloom.

Southwest Colorado, or The Mountain Mesas

Another very diverse region of Colorado with a mix of Colorado destinations and ski resort towns such as Telluride, and Durango. Complemented by Montrose, a very agricultural community but also rich with adventure. In the very southwest corner of Colorado is Cortez. Surrounded by big attractions such as Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley . Cortez is also the gateway to the Four Corners and the Canyonlands of Utah

Activities & Attractions

Fun Activities in Colorado

Colorado is a favorite place because of its various fun activities. The list is long and includes suitable things to do for groups, and individuals, high-action fun, relaxing, or mentally stimulating activities. Here are some favorites for you to consider:

Fun Group Activities

Off-Road Tours – amazing scenic 4×4 guided tours, or bring your own.
Scenic Train Rides – view the mountains from a historical narrow gauge scenic train.
Golf – Colorado has many, many golf courses, private and public.
Snowmobile Tours – an amazing way for the group to get close to winter wonderland.
Horseback Trail Rides – ride the trails with the group via horseback.
Helicopter Tours – a bird’s eye view of the Rocky Mountains.
Snow Cat Skiing & Tours – gets you into winter country not usually traveled.
Adventure Parks & Ziplining – thrill-seeking experiences integrated into the mountainscapes.
Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing – a heart-pumping activity in the canopy of alpine trees and stunning scenery.
Sledding & Tubing – big fun, especially for the kids. Dedicated parks like no other.
Ice Skating – indoor and outdoor rinks found in resort towns and beyond.

Request FREE Visitor Guides or receive email about your favorite activities.

Relaxing Activities

Health & Wellness Spas – some of the best spas with a complete selection of services are easily found in resort towns.
Natural Hot Springs – are found throughout the state. Some are complete with spa services, lodging, and more. Others are more out of the way and completely natural.
Swimming Pools – found throughout Colorado.
Marijuana Dispensaries – really take the edge off and enjoy your vacation time.
Nature Walks, Sightseeing, Wildflowers – enjoy a stroll through the many public parks, gardens, and neighborhood paths.

Interactive Fun Activities

Shopping – small town shops, farmers markets, and modern shopping/activity centers.
Music & Concerts – various venues exist, such as outdoor concerts, local pubs, and concert halls.
Arcades – mostly found on the Front Range.
Events – holiday events or events for almost any reason imaginable. Resort towns go all out, as do many of the bigger metropolitan areas.
Museum Tours – plenty of museums in Colorado to explore and learn about Western heritage.

Sporting Fun Activities

Skiing & Snowboarding – experience Colorado’s world-class resorts.
Hut-to-Hut Skiing or Hiking – try the 10th Mountain Division for a backcountry adventure.
Whitewater Rafting – Colorado has the best rivers and guided rafting tour companies.
Colorado Lakes – more than 4,000 lakes are waiting for you to enjoy via boat, SUP, canoes, and more.
Fishing – fly fishing in Gold Medal River waters or line fish at a nearby lake.
Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Road Cycling – some of the best trails and terrain for the cyclist is in Colorado.
Hiking & Backpacking – Colorado is famous for its trails. 5,266 mapped trails are available for day hiking or multi-day trips.

Choose Your Colorado Fun Activities

Whether you’re looking for a physically challenging activity like skiing, hiking, or whitewater rafting or a more laid-back activity like soaking in hot springs, riding a historic railroad, or visiting a Colorado museum, Colorado will not disappoint. These are just some suggestions; Colorado has even more fun activities, seek, and you shall find.

St. Elmo

20 miles southwest of Buena Vista in the heart of the Sawatch Range lies St. Elmo, one of Colorado’s best preserved ghost towns. St. Elmo, (originally Forest City), was first settled in 1878 and then made into an official town in 1880 when the draw of gold and silver brought miners to the area. The town reached it’s peak in 1881 after the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad connected St. Elmo to Pitkin, Colorado through the Alpine Tunnel. There were 150 patented mine claims within the area, a telegraph office, general store, town hall, 5 hotels, saloons, dancing halls, a newspaper office and a school house. Eventually the mines started shutting down, and most of St. Elmo’s residents left on the last train out of town before the railroad was abandoned in 1922.

Besides the multitude of beautifully preserved buildings, St. Elmo attracts may toursits every year to the area with it’s old mining roads that are now used as Jeep and ATV trails and great fishing in Chalk Creek.

Royal Gorge Region

Welcome to the Royal Gorge Region

The Royal Gorge Region, is a great vacation choice among many beautiful and fun Colorado destinations. Base your adventure in Cañon City, the “Climate Capital of Colorado”! Where it is warmer, dryer and sunnier than Colorado Springs and Denver. Close and convenient, but without the crowds and traffic that can overwhelm other popular destinations.

Request a FREE visitors guide or email about the Royal Gorge Region.

Attractions

Families and visitors of all ages will find there are loads of options to enjoy the area’s amazing scenery or participate in some real Colorado fun,

Experience the Royal Gorge via the Royal Gorge Route scenic train.
Take a guided jeep tour.
Check out the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. Take in the sweeping mountain vistas from America’s highest suspension bridge, or sign up for some of the other Park’s adventure experiences.
Sit back and enjoy a glass of wine from the local, award-winning winery.
Explore the unique geography while hiking or mountain biking.

Many visitors consider the Royal Gorge and the Arkansas River the finest natural assets. America’s top destination for whitewater rafting and anglers relish the fact that it is the country’s longest stretch of Gold Medal Trout water. The trail networks offer something for every ability level, whether on foot or a bicycle. Up for a challenge? Check out mountain bike trails or world-class rock climbing. Try the exhilarating experience of ziplining across the gorge, plus classic and extreme courses above treetops and canyons.

Downtown Cañon City

Don’t forget to visit the region’s museums, history and heritage sites. Downtown Cañon City and Florence are both hidden gems offering quaint, locally-owned shops, farmer’s markets, restaurants, breweries, and annual festivals. Learn about dinosaurs that roamed this land 150 million years ago through outstanding indoor and outdoor exhibits and interpretive trails. Check out the Royal Gorge Dinosaur experience just north of Canon City. They have all kinds of fun for the kids including interactive exhibits.

Plan more than a day to experience all the Royal Gorge Region has to offer. The recommendation is to spend at least a night, or more. Options include hotels, motels, cabins, B&B’s, full-service and forest campgrounds, or even glamping! Enjoy your visit! Cañon City looks forward to welcoming you to the attractions and activities that await in the Royal Gorge Region. Safe travels.

Fremont County Tourism Council

Vallecito

Enjoy Vallecito, Colorado

Sheltered in a secluded mountain valley 8,000 feet above sea level, Vallecito Lake is one of the largest and most beautiful bodies of water in Colorado. Vallecito, Spanish for “Little Valley”, and ancestral home to many of Colorado’s Ute Indians, became the name of the sparkling waters of the lake it surrounded. Located in the Southwestern part of the state just 18 miles from Durango, Vallecito provides a perfect base for enjoying the Four Corners area and its many wonders.

What’s Happening Larimer County

Larimer County

In Estes Park, the calming effect of nature embraces you, and there’s always a new adventure waiting to be discovered. This beautiful mountain town, surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, is your gateway to the number one tourist destination in Colorado – Rocky Mountain National Park.

Nestled in the high mountain valley at just above 7,500 feet in elevation, Estes Park is one of Colorado’s year-round natural splendors. This delightful mountain village welcomes visitors of all ages and activity levels with various festivals, cultural experiences, playgrounds, river walks, hiking and biking trails, and much more.

Downtown’s pedestrian-friendly streets invite you to stroll, window shop, or relax along the riverwalk with some homemade ice cream. Grassy parks, Victorian lights, and sidewalk benches add an old-fashioned feel to the array of charming shops and restaurants. More than 300 unique shops and galleries offer a selection of handcrafted art pieces, unique giftware and fine apparel.

There are restaurants galore with everything from fast food to trendy cuisine, casual and fine dining. Take in the relaxed, comfortable atmosphere and you’ll quickly see why Estes is known as a top family destination.

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or love to shop and dine, you’ll find more than enough to keep you entertained. While here, we invite you to try fly fishing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, river rafting and the thrill of viewing mountain wildlife. Enjoy some of our rich historical tours, terrific golf courses, intriguing museum exhibitions, and many local art galleries. You may not be able to do it all in one trip. But, like most visitors to Estes, you’ll likely be back for more!

The Estes Park area offers organized events and a variety of activities to choose from throughout the year. Such offerings include the Estes Park Music Festival, Jazz Fest and Art Walk, Rocky Mountain Brew Fest, Rooftop Rodeo, Heritage Days, the world-famous Scottish Highlands Festival, and so much more.

Estes Park’s beautiful dry climate attracts thousands of visitors each summer. This dry climate makes hot summer days (the average high in July is 85°F) seem cool to those from other areas of the country. And our brisk evenings (which can dip below 50°F at night) are extremely comfortable. Summertime afternoon showers usually dissipate in time for the nightly display of stars. Winters are surprisingly mild, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. Colorado’s 300 days of annual sunshine also softens the winter months.

Allenspark

Visit Allenspark, Colorado

A scenic drive along Hwy 7 allows visitors from all over the world to marvel at Allenspark’s breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountain National Park, Longs Peak, (one of the state’s majestic fourteeners), Roosevelt National Forest and Mount Meeker.

Allenspark rests on the southeast edge of Rocky Mountain National Park at 8,500 feet. This charming town welcomes visitors to enjoy the area’s several attractions, rich history and outdoor activities.

Local restaurants and bed & breakfasts offer intimate settings for memorable meals and overnight stays. Sip on delicious coffee, take a cooking class, sample award-winning cuisine and take in a stunning Colorado sunset from a private hot tub.

Head outdoors and enjoy blue ribbon fishing in the Saint Vrain River, cross-country ski or hike on one of the area trails, or simply marvel at the breathtaking views at the historic St. Malo Chapel. One thing is for certain; Allenspark will never disapoint!

Red Feather Lakes

Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Tucked into the mountains north and west of Fort Collins is charming and rustic Red Feather Lakes. This year-round getaway offers a bounty of activities for families, couples, and individuals.

About Red Feather Lakes

There are 12 named lakes in the area: Parvin Lake, Dowdy Lake, West Lake, Snake Lake, Letitia Lake, Red Feather Lake, Lake Ramona, Apache Lake, Shagwa Lake, Hiawatha Lake, Lake Nokomis, and Lake Erie. All the lakes drain into Lone Pine Creek.

Part of this village’s appeal is its remoteness – it is surrounded by Roosevelt National Forest, which provides a majestic buffer between visitors and the hustle and bustle of the world outside.

Activities for All Types

There is something to do outside every season, from hiking, rafting in Poudre Canyon, kayaking, fishing the lakes or in the Poudre River, biking, horseback riding, golfing or wildlife watching. In the winter, the landscape changes dramatically, and activities take a decidedly more snow-related turn – cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, sleigh rides, and ice skating are a few popular pastimes.

Many visit the Shambhala Mountain Center, a Buddhist retreat, where meditation sessions and other events are hosted. The center is open to visitors of all religions.

Red Feather Lakes History

Soaking up some Colorado mountain history is another way to spend time at Red Feather Lakes. It’s easy to imagine the early 1900’s lifestyles of the area’s first loggers and ranchers just by visiting historic homesteads still standing in the region, albeit not entirely upright.

Resort Lodging and Amenities

Although life for those folks was not always easy, guests at any of Red Feather Lakes’ lodging facilities will find themselves taking it easy. A guest ranch provides creature comforts for two-legged guests, and a B&B for both people and their horses is another option.

Other lodging options include cozy and casual settings such as cabins, camping facilities, and RV parks.

A comfortable B&B stay provides home cooking for dining, and cabins are also equipped for cooking. Mementos are at the trading post, antique store, and gallery.

Morrison

Tour Morrison, Colorado

Probably best known as home to the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison is a quaint little town with a decidedly rowdy side.

Sitting at the base of Bear Creek Canyon, Morrison has a sweet and touristy Main Street, with a great selection of places to eat and a nice selection of souvenir shops and antique stores.

Of particular note just outside Morrison is The Fort, a highly praised and restaurant that specializes in wild game. Built as a replica of Bent’s Old Fort, which is in the southeastern part of the state, The Fort draws heavily on Western décor and Southwestern cuisine. There are dessert choices aplenty, and the wine list is extensive.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find a good bike path along Bear Creek that links with a bigger system and reservoir. There’s also Dinosaur Ridge for glimpses of a prehistoric kind – exposed footprints in the sandstone thrill everyone, and a good prelude to the self-guided tour is at the Natural History Museum in town. There are more exhibits at the Morrison Heritage Museum.

Morrison is really just minutes from Denver and close to other Front Range towns and cities, making it a great launch pad for virtually every activity or diversion along the I-25 corridor or in the mountains along I-70 or U.S. 285.

Lyons

Discover Lyons, Colorado

In the shadows of Longs Peak lies the town of Lyons. Due to its location at the intersection of State Highway 7 and U.S. Highway 36 which lead to Rocky Mountain National Park, it is referred to as The Double Gateway to the Rockies. Home to approximately 2,000 people, Lyons sits an elevation of 5,374 feet and is surrounded by large red sandstone mountains.

Active on historic preservation, Lyons has a designated Historic District with fifteen sandstone structures which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. These were all constructed of native stone between the early 1870s and 1917.

Noted for it’s art galleries and antique shops, Lyons attracts art enthusiasts and antique collectors form near and far. Music lovers are also drawn to Lyons for the annual Rockygrass Bluegrass festival and Folks Festival. With nationally-known lineups and a breathtaking setting, these festivals gather people from all over the nation. The festival grounds are located at the base of a red sandstone mountain and the St. Vrain River, offering a relaxed and beautiful natural setting. General seating is spread out throughout the open grassy and treed grounds. In addition to these two well-known festival, community concerts and dances continue throughout the year, including weekly summer concerts in Sandstone Park.

If you’re looking for more adventure, check out some of the nearby rivers and trails. Mountain biking, hiking, camping, fly fishing, climbing and excellent class II-V whitewater kayaking are just a few of the popular activities that take place in Lyons.

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