“Colorful Colorado” certainly has a basis behind it, and there are plenty of places to experience outdoor summer wonder in the state. photo by Mattie Brightwell
As the summer quickly approaches, you may find yourself searching for places to go and things to do, and luckily, Colorado offers plenty of cheap, fun options!
Picture this: school’s out, the sun is shining, and you’re at home scrolling through your phone. That sense of excitement that one gets at the end of the academic year is gone now, and you’re left in total boredom. Trips to the beach are expensive between flights and hotels, and there’s not a lot to do besides work and sleep the summer away. You could go swimming at the local pool with your friends again. Maybe play some video games. Read a book or two. You wish you could get out and go do something exciting out of the day to day routine.
Imagine this: the stars above you are so tightly packed together that you can barely see the sky. Think of tall, beautiful trees surrounding an alpine lake, and the sun setting over a valley that seems to stretch on for miles. Imagine looking down a steep canyon and seeing the birds maneuver through the rocks. Picture sand beneath your feet as you look out at the mountain range in front of you. Life is good and the world is extraordinary.
All that seems pretty neat, and you may be thinking about how amazing that would be if you could find the time and the money to go to all the places that would let you see that. Luckily, everything that you just read about is right here in Colorado. The San Luis Valley, for example, offers an incredible view of the starry night sky, perfect for looking at constellations. Twin Lakes, just south of Leadville, has beautiful bodies of water that make for incredible viewing. Plenty of hikes up in Evergreen are great for day trips and for watching the sun set. There are even places to look out over natural wonders like the Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park. Even the Great Sand Dunes National Park, which offers a glimpse into Colorado’s own little desert, is amazing if you’re looking for a place out of the ordinary to visit.
Many take the places that they can find in their own state for granted, but Colorado is one of the most incredible states for outdoor wonders, and there’s plenty to do that fits into specific parameters like cost and time. So search no more, because the perfect summer list of things to do lies right here, and all of it is right in your very own state!
If you’re looking for an idle place to camp and relax up in the mountains, Steamboat Springs and Lake is a great option. It’s around three to four hours northwest of Denver and the drive takes you on a scenic route over Rabbit Ears pass and down through the valleys. The town of Steamboat itself is a quaint space with lots of local businesses down the mainstreet to explore, and about an hour to the north lays Steamboat Lake, which is surrounded by spots to camp and plenty of hiking trails. The lake, while cooler than your average swimming pool, does offer a swim beach right next to the marina. It’s a great place to kayak or fish as well for those that are interested in such activities. If you choose to camp, you get the pleasure of kicking back in front of the campfire and watching the sky turn pink as the sun sets over the lake. It’s a cheap, great option for a weekend getaway!
Next up is Trail Ridge Road, which is spectacular for a scenic drive or even a nice long hike, if you’re up for a challenge. You can start out the day by heading up to Estes Park and exploring the town up there until around noon or so. There’s even a spot called the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, where you can ride a gondola to the top of the mountain and feed the chipmunks that live there. After that, you move on up to the Rocky Mountain National Park and take the scenic drive home, looping up onto the tops of the mountain and all the way down through Winter Park. The loop itself takes about two or so hours, and is like a miniature road trip that’s great for filling up the day. If you go up at the right time, you’re likely to see plenty of wildlife, including marmots, elk, and several species of bird. This is not to mention the views, which are breathtaking at sunset.
If you’d prefer to sink your feet into the sand, you could consider heading Southwest down to Colorado’s very own little desert, the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Saddled in between Alamosa and Fort Garland, the Sand Dunes are a relatively lengthy drive from Denver, but are absolutely incredible to see in person and certainly worth the drive. In the early summer, the creek by the dunes will flood and fill with shallow water to splash around in. It’s a great way to beat the heat and simulate that beach feel in our landlocked state. There are plenty of places to camp there as well if you’d like to spend a while down at the Dunes. On top of that, the hikes, while moderately difficult for those who wish to climb to the very top, are worth the view of the San Luis Valley that lies below it. When the sun begins to set, it will cast the beautiful shadows of the dunes across the mountains and make the whole sky glow all shades of orange, which is an image that you will never forget. After that, you can stargaze in the valley below, which is something that simply cannot be captured with photography compared to how the night sky will look in person.
Looking for something a little more alpine? Twin Lakes, right outside of Leadville, is perfect if you want to kick back and disappear into what feels like your own, quiet little corner of the mountains. With places to fish, relax by the lakeside, or even paddleboard and kayak, Twin Lakes sits right beneath Mount Elbert and will let you sink back into peaceful solitude for as long as you please to stay up there. Including that, there are places to camp or even stay in cabins at the lake and there’s plenty of beautiful, easy hiking trails that surround the area. Plus, due to Leadville’s elevation, Twin Lakes is great if you’re looking to escape the Denver heat! While it’s not cold, it’s certainly cooler than the 90-100 degree days.
Last up on the list is Black Canyon, which resides in Gunnison National Park. The canyon is an extraordinary sight for anyone who wants to hike for the views they’ll see. The canyon also offers some of the oldest rock in North America. The cliffside is steep and narrow, and the river that runs through the canyon has white water rapids that create the echoing sound of water that can be heard from the very top. The best part of the canyon is definitely the unique places to watch wildlife from up above, as there’s plenty to see.
These spots definitely aren’t all there is to see in Colorado, and it’s suggested that one does their own research before the summer begins. This summer is a great time to get out and explore all our state has to offer. It may be even better than a beach trip.
