Best Outdoor Activities in Colorado

Visiting Colorado and want to make the most of your time in the Centennial State? Colorado is known for its breathtaking natural scenery and active, outdoorsy residents. Experience “Colorful Colorado” for yourself with these five adventurous outdoor activities.

Royal Gorge Rafting & Zip Line Tours

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Royal Gorge Rafting and Zip Line Tours offers everything you need for a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure in Colorado. They offer full- or half-day rafting tours through the Royal Gorge along the Arkansas River and under the world’s highest suspension bridge, as well as family-friendly rafting and kayaking. 

Get your blood pumping with their Classic and Extreme zip line tours. The Classic tour features over a mile of zip lining over 100 acres of incredible Colorado scenery along the Royal Gorge plateau. Feeling like a challenge? The Extreme tour reaches speeds of 60 mph on over two miles of zip cable, and ends with a partial free fall or slow descent to the ground below from seven stories up. 

In addition to these tours, Royal Gorge Rafting and Zip Line Tours offer vacation rentals for families in the form of luxury riverside yurts. These yurts are equipped with wood entry doors, sliding glass windows, a skylight, and an infrared heater to keep guests warm and cozy. These charming rentals, supplied by WeatherPort® Shelter Systems, complete the tranquil yet adventurous experience of your stay at Royal Gorge.

Lake City Ice Park

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Into ice climbing? Are you curious? The small, friendly town of Lake City manages a gorgeous ice park for visitors and locals to take advantage of during the winter months. Climbing is free (after you sign a waiver), and the park offers 10 to 15 routes of varied difficulties across hundreds of collective feet of high-quality farmed ice. 

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned ice climber, Lake City Ice Park has something to offer. On February 8, the town hosts its annual Lake City Ice Climbing Festival. Competitions in different categories, awesome prizes, delicious food, and the chance to meet others in the climbing community are just some of the perks Lake City offers during the festival.  

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

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Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre isn’t only an astounding venue to see some legendary musical acts, it’s also a jaw-dropping geological wonder. The park is located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, and is home to an incredible variety of plants, animals, and birds from the two regions. 

The amphitheater is one of the most acoustically perfect natural amphitheaters in the world, and has hosted everyone from The Beatles to U2. Other than mind-blowing concerts, the park offers guided tours, hiking, biking, and one-of-a-kind hotel and camping accommodations.

Glenwood Hot Springs

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Enjoying natural hot springs comes with several health benefits, such as stress relief, a boost in blood circulation, better sleep, less stress, and healthy skin. 

Colorado is home to one of the world’s largest hot spring pools, the historic Glenwood Hot Springs, and the resort is a one-stop destination for a relaxing, satisfying vacation. The soothing natural springs, located between Aspen and Vail, have been a destination for visitors from all over the country for over 130 years. 

Wildside 4X4 Tours at Rocky Mountain National Park

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If you’re looking for an adrenaline boost instead of a spa day, look no further than Wildside 4X4 Tours at the Rocky Mountain National Park. Wildside has been voted the No. 1 tour company in Estes Park and is open year-round. 

Their custom park tours range in levels from “mild to wild” and provide plenty of opportunities to photograph the unbelievable views of the Rockies, waterfalls, gorgeous sunsets, and surrounding wildlife. Wildside offers packages that include tours on authentic 19th-century wagon trails, hot dog roasts, catered BBQ feasts, campfires, and thrilling off-road adventures — so you’re bound to find something for the whole family to enjoy.

Featured image via Unsplash