Colorado is the ultimate paradise for those who love the great outdoors. With rushing rivers, barren desert landscapes, snowcapped mountains, and impressive canyons to explore, the Centennial state is arguably one of the most beautiful states in the country and truly knows how to fill the adventurer’s cup. While there are exciting activities to partake in throughout every season, summer is a great time to take advantage of the warm weather, frolic in sprawling fields of wildflowers, and cool down in refreshing rivers and lakes. It may be hard to choose where to start so here are some of our favorite activities to try in Colorado this summer.
Hike one of the State’s Many Summits
From mountains and canyons to forests and deserts, the state of Colorado boasts some of the country’s most dynamic landscapes, making it a great place to explore on foot. While there are countless parks and trails to see throughout the state, a great place to start is Rocky Mountain National Park. With five glaciers, over 150 alpine lakes, glorious mountains, unique wildlife, and over 110 trails full of natural wonders, this legendary park has so much to be discovered.
Camp Under the Stars
If you want to explore the wild wilderness of Colorado at your leisure and unplug from the real world, camping is a great opportunity to do that. Spend your days discovering new landscapes and your nights around a campfire under the stars. From simple backcountry campsites to developed campgrounds offering luxe amenities in a wide array of landscapes throughout the state, the camping options are abundant.
Go Mountain Biking
From sprawling deserts to fields of wildflowers, Colorado boasts some of the most stunning vistas to explore all by bike. Whether you’re an experienced biker or a newbie in the game, with endless miles of trails in all kinds of terrain and inclines, there’s likely a trail that’s just your speed. Some of the favorites are The Colorado Trail, Buffalo Creek, Doctor Park, and Monarch Crest to name a few.
Take a Boat Ride
For a state that’s completely landlocked, boating may not be the first activity that comes to mind while in Colorado. However, the Centennial state has numerous lakes giving you a perfect opportunity to cool off on a hot summer day while taking in the stunning scenery. Some of the best in the state include Horsetooth Reservoir, Blue Mesa Reservoir, Turquoise Lake, and Eleven Mile Reservoir.
Catch a Thrill White Water Rafting
Those looking for an adrenaline boost can try whitewater rafting on Colorado rivers while gliding past snowcapped mountains or floating through towering canyons. When booking a whitewater rafting adventure make sure to choose a state-certified company that has the training and experience to ensure a safe trip down the river. It may also be beneficial to take into account that the season affects the rapids. In the spring, melting snow from the mountains begins to make the river run a bit faster making for a more exhilarating ride. However, by the end of summer, the rapids mellow out.
Forage for Your Food
A lesser-known activity to enjoy while being immersed in the beautiful scenery of Colorado is foraging. Foraging consists of identifying edible plants and botanicals in the wild and harvesting them for food or medicinal purposes. A sought-after experience for any foodie, foraging is a slow-paced activity you can do with the whole family while also getting in some exercise in nature. With so many vast landscapes throughout the state of Colorado, there are numerous edible plants and botanicals you can forage all summer long. You can also take our Wilderness Herbal Medicine course to learn the ins and outs of herbal medicine making, how to properly identify medicinal plants, and how to treat common ailments with them.
