The first part of this article listed the national parks and monuments in Colorado; there is a lot more to see in Colorado.
Whitewater rafting and kayaking
Whitewater rafting and kayaking is popular down many of the rivers including the Colorado, Gunnison, Clear Creek, South Platte and Arkansas rivers. There are outfitters for planned kayaking and rafting trips.
Fishing and fly-fishing
There is hardly a place you can’t fish in Colorado and some of the best fly-fishing in the country. You can fish by yourself or use one of Colorado’s fly-fishing guides. A quick list of some of the best fly-fishing rivers are; The Frying Pan near Basalt, The Roaring Fork, The Arkansas after Buena Vista, South Platte River below Spinney Reservoir, Yampa River in Steamboat Springs. For lakes there is Spinney Reservoir, Taylor Reservoir and Antero Reservoir.
Resorts, gambling and dude ranches
All of the ski resorts turn into summer resorts with golfing, hiking, horseback riding, hot-air balloon rides, sail boating and music festivals. Gambling resorts in the historic mining towns of Central City, Blackhawk and Cripple Creek. And there are 30 dude ranches in Colorado where you can live and work for fun. You can see a list at coloradoranch.com
Ghost towns
Ghost towns are fascinating because of their history. Colorado has well over a hundred ghost towns. An interesting ghost town is Marble, where the marble to build the Lincoln Memorial came from. A word of warning when visiting ghost towns in the mountain areas, be careful where you step since there can still be old mine shafts.
Panning for gold
You can pan for gold in many places including the Country Boy Mine in Breckenridge and the Phoenix Gold Mine in Idaho Springs.
Train rides
Cumbres and Toltec railroad was built in 1880 and has changed little since then, is located near Alamosa with daily trips between Antonio, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. Take a train ride just like they did in the 1880s. Ride the Durango & Silverton narrow gauge steam train through the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Colorado. Close to Denver is the Georgetown Historic Loop train.
The Great Plains
The high plains of Colorado have their own spectacular areas with native grasses and wildlife. To preserve these fragile grasslands after the devastation of the 1930s dustbowl, the US government bought the land and turned them into National Grasslands.
The Pawnee National Grasslands in north central Colorado east of Greeley is a protected area of natural grassland. You can still see the wagon wheel tracks of the early settlers of the 1800s as they crossed the Overland Trail. There is plenty of bird watching, hiking, horseback riding, camping and off road driving are all allowed.
The Comanche National Grasslands in southeastern Colorado near La Junta is another protected grasslands area, which is a surprisingly beautiful contrast between prairie lands and steep canyons. You can see ruts in the ground left by wagon wheels on the old Santa Fe Trail and buildings that were built in 1875. Look at the ground closely and you can see dinosaur tracks.
Other Colorado attractions:
Cave of the winds near Colorado Springs offers spelunking and cave tours and a great place to start learning about the hobby of exploring caves.
Colorado Ski Museum and Hall of Fame in Vail represents the 130-year history of skiing in Colorado with 1,500 photographs and exhibits including the 10th Mountain Division that trained in Colorado during World War II.
Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is a registered National Natural Landmark with beautiful 300-foot sandstone formations just down the road from Pikes Peak.
Hot Springs Lodge and Pool in Glenwood Springs is the world’s largest hot springs pool.
Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa is one of the oldest natural hot water springs resort, the Ute Indians used these springs to heal mind and body
Maroon Bells at Maroon Lake about 14 miles southwest of Aspen is said to be the most scenic and photographed area in Colorado.
National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum in Leadville covers every aspect of mining and the history of mining.
Pikes Peak at an elevation of 14,100 feet (4,300 meters) near Colorado Springs is the second most visited mountain in the world. You can hike up on Barr Trail or drive to the summit or take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. You can also take the train up and hike down.
Red Rocks Amphitheater just west of Denver is known for its outdoor concerts due to the acoustics that the naturally formed giant sandstone monoliths create. It is also a geological wonder to view with some of the sandstone formations rising 300 feet above the stage. Concerts are planned throughout the summer along with other events. Red Rocks was once named one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Santa’s Workshop in Manitou Springs is a great place to take the kids.
Seven Falls near Colorado Springs is the only Colorado waterfall listed in the National Geographic list of international waterfalls. The water cascades down 181 feet in seven distinct steps down narrow cliff walls.
The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs is a beautiful Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort.
The Four Corners located in southwestern Colorado is the only place in the United States where you can be in four different states at the same time. With hands and feet, you can be in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah at the same time.
The Royal Gorge Bridge near Cañon City is the world’s highest suspension bridge hanging 1,053 feet (321 meters) over the Arkansas River where you can walk or drive across the length of 1,260 feet (384 meters).
US Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs has tours and hiking of this beautiful Academy and the grounds.
Yampah Spa Vapor Caves in Glenwood Springs are natural underground hot mineral water steam baths.
Festivals and events
There are too many festivals and events to list all of them; here is a list of some major events. Dates are for 2009.
Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur south of Denver every weekend between June 13 and August 2.
Cheyenne Frontier Days is the largest outdoor rodeo in the world, 100 miles north of Denver in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It also includes concerts, carnivals, cook offs and air shows by the Wyoming National Guard and the USAF Thunderbirds. July 14, 2009 through July 26, 2009.
The Telluride Jazz Celebration is one of the nations best jazz festivals June 5 – 7.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival June 18 – 27.
Aspen Bluegrass Sundays, free Sunday concerts June - August on top of Aspen Mountain. You need to buy a gondola ticket to get to the top.
Vail Valley Music Festival July 1 – August 4 features different symphonies and orchestras including the New York Philharmonic at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater.
Every town has some type of festival during the summer. There is something for everyone in Colorado during the summer.
© 2009 Sam Montana
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