Ten Unforgettable Experiences to Discover in Colorado

Relax in Colorado's Natural Hot Springs

Ease into naturally heated mineral water, surrounded by snow-covered mountains or woodland, as the cool mountain air rises around you. Colorado is home to more than 20 hot spring destinations, offering a wonderful way to slow down and relax between days spent exploring the Rocky Mountains. From large mineral pools to secluded outdoor springs, many are set in beautiful mountain locations where the scenery is just as memorable as the experience itself.

In Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has been welcoming visitors since 1888 and is home to one of the world's largest mineral pools. Its naturally heated waters provide the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring the surrounding mountains, while its location makes it a convenient stop when travelling between Denver and western Colorado. For a more rustic experience, head towards Steamboat Springs and Strawberry Park Hot Springs, where natural stone pools are tucked amongst woodland. Visit in winter to enjoy the contrast of warm water and fresh mountain snow. Further south, Orvis Hot Springs near Ridgway offers outdoor pools with views towards the San Juan Mountains, providing a quieter setting in which to relax and take in the scenery.

If you want to experience more than one hot spring during your trip, follow the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop. This scenic driving route connects destinations including Glenwood Springs, Ouray and Pagosa Springs, allowing you to discover different pools and mountain communities along the way. Rather than rushing between locations, allow time to enjoy each stop properly. After all, part of the appeal is simply sitting back in the warm mineral water, surrounded by Colorado's spectacular mountain scenery.

Experience Life on a Traditional Dude Ranch

Imagine horse riding through open mountain landscapes, breathing in the fresh alpine air, before returning to the ranch as the sun sets. As evening falls, gather around a crackling campfire, enjoy good food and share stories beneath a sky filled with stars. A stay at a traditional Colorado dude ranch offers the chance to experience the American West at its most authentic, swapping busy resorts and sightseeing for days spent outdoors and a taste of ranch life.

Whether staying at Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch in Parshall or Rainbow Trout Ranch near Antonito, you'll find plenty of opportunities to embrace the Western lifestyle. Bar Lazy J has welcomed guests since 1912, offering traditional ranch accommodation in the beautiful Colorado River Valley, with stays typically arranged over six nights between May and October. Spend your days riding and hiking through the surrounding countryside. At Rainbow Trout Ranch, enjoy guided horse riding, traditional Western entertainment and time together in the spectacular mountain scenery of southern Colorado.

Life on a Colorado dude ranch is as much about the moments in between activities as the adventures themselves. Mornings might begin with breakfast before heading out on horseback, with afternoons spent exploring trails or simply enjoying the mountain views. As the day draws to a close, return to the ranch for a hearty meal before gathering around the campfire. With the mountains as your backdrop and the stars overhead, it is an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with nature and experience a different side of Colorado.

Explore Colorado's Spectacular Scenic Routes

Wind your way through towering mountain passes, passing abandoned mining towns and stopping to take in views across the Rocky Mountains. Driving is one of the best ways to experience Colorado's dramatic landscapes, giving you the freedom to explore remote mountain communities, discover historic settlements and take the road less travelled. From challenging off-road adventures to scenic paved highways, the state's mountain routes offer some unforgettable journeys.

For an adventure through Colorado's mining history, take on the 63-mile Alpine Loop in the San Juan Mountains, connecting Silverton, Ouray and Lake City. Crossing Cinnamon and Engineer Passes at elevations of approximately 12,800 feet, the route takes you through rugged mountain scenery, past abandoned mining settlements and historic buildings. 

For a more leisurely journey, follow the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway between Georgetown and Grant. This paved mountain road winds through pine forests and open alpine meadows, with spectacular views of Colorado's high peaks. Visit in autumn to see the aspen trees transform the mountainsides with shades of golden yellow, making it a particularly beautiful time to drive. With designated stopping points along the way, you can pause to take photographs, enjoy the fresh mountain air and admire the scenery without needing to venture far from your car.

Whether you're tackling the rugged Alpine Loop or taking a relaxed drive over Guanella Pass, these routes offer two very different ways to discover Colorado beyond its main towns and resorts.

Discover Colorado's Famous Mountain Peaks

Stand above the clouds, surrounded by endless mountain peaks, with sweeping views stretching across the Rocky Mountains. Colorado is home to 58 mountains rising above 14,000 feet, known as 'fourteeners', offering some of the most rewarding hiking and climbing experiences in the American West. Whether you're an experienced mountaineer looking to conquer a summit or prefer to take in the scenery at a gentler pace, these towering peaks provide an unforgettable way to experience Colorado's great outdoors.

For hikers, Mount Elbert is a particularly impressive challenge. At 14,440 feet, it is Colorado's highest peak, attracting adventurers keen to reach the state's highest summit. Mount Bierstadt is another popular choice, with spectacular views across the surrounding mountain ranges, while Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park offers a much tougher adventure, with exposed sections and demanding terrain that require experience and careful preparation.

If you would rather enjoy the mountain scenery without tackling a challenging hike, take a ride on the historic Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway from Manitou Springs. Climbing through forests and changing alpine landscapes to more than 14,000 feet, the journey offers incredible views as you approach the summit of Pikes Peak. Alternatively, follow the Pikes Peak Highway by car, stopping along the way to photograph the scenery before reaching the summit visitor centre. Look out across the vast landscape that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write 'America the Beautiful'.

Whichever way you choose to explore, Colorado's fourteeners offer the chance to experience the Rocky Mountains from a completely different perspective. 

Visit the Iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Watch your favourite band perform as the sun sets behind towering red sandstone formations, with music echoing across the surrounding mountains. Around 15 miles west of Denver, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is one of America's most distinctive outdoor music venues. Built into a natural setting between enormous sandstone rocks, its remarkable acoustics and dramatic surroundings have attracted some of the world's best-known performers including the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead, as well as performances by the Colorado Symphony.

Even without a concert ticket, exploring the 868-acre park is well worth the trip. Follow the 1.4-mile Trading Post Trail, winding between towering rock formations and offering opportunities to get close to the sandstone and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Afterwards, stop by the visitor centre to discover the venue's musical history, learn about its geology and explore exhibitions celebrating the artists who have performed on its stage. If your visit coincides with a concert, experiencing live music beneath the stars makes the occasion even more memorable. 

Discover Colorado's Craft Brewery Scene

For a taste of Colorado's local culture, spend an afternoon exploring its craft brewery scene. With more than 400 breweries across the state, beer has become an important part of the local food and drink culture, with independent producers offering everything from traditional ales to experimental brews. Brewery visits provide an opportunity to meet the people behind the industry, discover how different beers are made and sample some of the state's best-known creations.

Fort Collins is a particularly good place to start, home to New Belgium Brewing and Odell Brewing. Take a brewery tour, learn about the brewing process and enjoy a tasting before exploring the city's historic centre, where independent restaurants, shops and bars provide plenty of places to spend the evening. In Denver, visit Wynkoop Brewing, one of the city's pioneering craft breweries, or Great Divide Brewing, known for its varied range of beers. Further north, Avery Brewing in Boulder offers another opportunity to discover Colorado's brewing heritage. You can also head to Golden, home to the famous Coors brewery, where tours provide an insight into its history and production methods.

For an even bigger celebration, time your visit around one of Colorado's beer festivals. Events such as Collaboration Fest in April, the Colorado Brewers Rendezvous in July and the Great American Beer Festival in October bring together breweries from across Colorado and beyond, offering the opportunity to sample new flavours and meet the people behind the state's craft beer scene.

Venture Off Road on a Guided Jeep Tour

Climb aboard a four-wheel-drive Jeep and leave the paved roads behind as you venture into Colorado's rugged San Juan Mountains. Winding mountain tracks, dramatic passes and abandoned mining settlements make this one of the most exciting ways to explore the state's historic backcountry, particularly in areas that are difficult to reach by ordinary car.

Ouray is an ideal starting point for an off-road adventure. Known as the 'Switzerland of America', this mountain town sits in a steep-sided valley surrounded by waterfalls, towering peaks and historic mining routes. Join a guided excursion with Switzerland of America Jeeps, which has been operating in the area since 1962. Depending on your chosen route, you could travel across Ophir Pass, explore sections of the Alpine Loop or visit Animas Forks, a former mining settlement where abandoned buildings offer a glimpse into life during Colorado's silver-mining boom.

Animas Forks is particularly fascinating, with its historic buildings standing against a backdrop of spectacular mountain scenery. For a more challenging adventure, Black Bear Pass is one of Colorado's most famous off-road routes, known for its steep gradients, narrow tracks and dramatic drop-offs. Its demanding terrain means it is best left to experienced drivers, making a guided excursion a great way to discover the surrounding mountains without having to tackle the route yourself.

Take to the Water on a White-Water Rafting Adventure

Feel the rush of mountain-fed rapids as you paddle through Colorado's spectacular river canyons on a white-water rafting adventure. With towering rock formations, forested hillsides and fast-flowing water, rafting offers a completely different perspective of the state's landscapes. The season generally runs from spring until early autumn, with snowmelt influencing water levels and the difficulty of individual routes.

The Arkansas River is one of Colorado's most popular rafting destinations. Around Browns Canyon National Monument, you can navigate exciting rapids through a landscape of granite formations and wooded hillsides. There are different sections and levels of difficulty, making it a good option for both first-time rafters and those looking for a more adventurous day on the water.

For a bigger challenge, head towards the Royal Gorge, where the Arkansas River cuts through a dramatic canyon beneath the famous Royal Gorge Bridge. Towering canyon walls rise above the water as you navigate more demanding rapids, creating an unforgettable setting for an adrenaline-filled excursion. If you're staying closer to Denver, Clear Creek offers another option, with its convenient location making it popular for half-day rafting trips.

Operators offer excursions along sections of the Arkansas River, including Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the Royal Gorge. Bighorn Sheep Canyon is generally a more accessible choice for families and beginners, while the Royal Gorge offers a tougher experience for those seeking bigger rapids. Whichever section you choose, prepare to get wet and enjoy Colorado from a completely different angle.

Experience Colorado's Incredible Dark Skies

As daylight fades over Colorado's mountains and open landscapes, look upwards to discover a night sky filled with stars. Away from the bright lights of larger cities, the state offers some wonderful opportunities for stargazing, with remote national parks and small mountain communities providing spectacular settings for an evening outdoors.

At Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the enormous canyon walls create a dramatic silhouette against the night sky. With limited artificial lighting, the park is an excellent place to admire the stars and experience the landscape after dark. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve offers an equally memorable setting, where the enormous dunes take on a different appearance beneath the stars. During the day, explore the sandy landscape on foot before returning after sunset to enjoy the night sky.

For a more dedicated astronomy experience, visit Westcliffe and Silver Cliff in the Wet Mountain Valley. These communities are recognised for their efforts to protect their dark skies, with attractions including Smokey Jack Observatory and the Planet Walk. Spend time learning about the night sky at the observatory or follow the Planet Walk to discover more about the scale of our solar system.

For the best viewing conditions, plan your visit around a new moon, when the darker skies make it easier to see distant stars. Clear weather is essential, and temperatures can drop quickly after sunset, so bring warm clothing and allow yourself time to enjoy the experience.

Get Closer to Colorado's Wildlife

Spotting wildlife in its natural habitat is one of the most rewarding ways to explore Colorado's great outdoors. From elk roaming through mountain valleys to bald eagles soaring above lakes and thousands of sandhill cranes gathering across wetlands, the state's varied landscapes support an impressive range of wildlife. The experience changes throughout the year, making the season and location important when planning your visit.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best places to start. Visit in September and October during the annual elk rut, when male elk compete for females and their distinctive bugling calls echo across the valleys. It is a particularly memorable time to see these impressive animals in their natural surroundings. Sheep Lakes is another popular wildlife viewing area, where visitors may spot bighorn sheep.

For a chance to see moose, head towards North Park near Walden, particularly around the Illinois River area, where wetlands and waterways provide suitable habitats. You may also spot beavers and otters, while nearby Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge offers opportunities to observe birds and other wildlife across its grasslands and wetlands. Closer to Denver, Barr Lake State Park is well known for bald eagle sightings, particularly during the winter months.

One of Colorado's most impressive wildlife spectacles takes place in the San Luis Valley between February and April, when thousands of sandhill cranes gather during their annual migration. Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a particularly good place to watch them, with peak numbers usually arriving in early March. Seeing large flocks gathering across the wetlands, accompanied by their distinctive calls, is an experience well worth planning a trip around.