Plan your r e m m u b cket list s From the Colorado Tourism Office
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ummer is for road tripping, and what better place to turn up the tunes, take in the unparalleled views and explore than right here in Colorado? From active adventure-themed road trips to trips that immerse travelers in history, wine and roadside attractions, Colorado has a trip itinerary for every traveler’s taste. Below is a sampling of unique itineraries that will take travelers to various regions of the state to immerse in the culture of the communities.
ITINERARY #1 SPLASH THROUGH NORTHERN COLORADO In Steamboat Springs, fly fish, tube or paddle the Yampa River, the most free-flowing river in the entire Colorado River system. Visit Fish Creek Falls and explore seven natural mineral springs on a self-guided walking tour. After these adventures, travel southeast on Highway 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass and head toward Walden. Stop at State Forest State Park for camping and fishing in the park’s alpine lakes and rivers. Watch for the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, a managed waterfowl nesting area and lush wetlands complete with meandering streams, just outside of Walden. Continue into Poudre Canyon, a Colorado Scenic Byway, and stop and see the 100-year-old Mishawaka, a bucket-list music venue offering “classic eats and river beats.” Head to Fort Collins and cool off at the Poudre River Whitewater Park located in the up-and-coming River District neighborhood or Horsetooth Reservoir for boating fun.
ITINERARY #2 NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE A road trip around southwest Colorado leads travelers through the history of the ancestral Puebloan, Ute and Navajo people. Start at the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, where tribal members interpret pictographs, surface ruins and artifacts. From there, head to the Cortez area and visit the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum, an archaeological museum and headquarters for the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, containing the highest known archaeological site density in the U.S. Attend free dances and cultural programs at the Cortez Cultural Center in the evening. Overnight at the Canyons of the Ancients Guest Ranch and enjoy a traditional Navajo dinner. Just east of Cortez, visit the spectacular cliff dwellings and mesa-top villages in Mesa Verde National Park. The park protects the rich cultural heritage of 26 tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past. From there, drive east to the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum in Ignacio and learn about the origin, culture, language and history of the Ute people. End the trip by visiting Chimney Rock National Monument, once
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home to the ancestors of the modern Pueblo people, and travel on to Pagosa Springs to soak in the hot mineral springs.
ITINERARY #3 EXPERIENCE SUMMER IN SKI RESORTS Summit and Eagle Counties are home to some of the best-known ski areas in the world which transform into summer playgrounds Start at Arapahoe Basin to experience the highest via ferrata climbing route in North America. Head to Keystone’s bike park with progression-focused terrain for riders of all abilities or hit the greens and enjoy a round of golf at one of Keystone’s two 18-hole golf courses. Drive over Swan Mountain to the historic mining town of Breckenridge that offers endless hiking and mountain biking adventures set against the backdrop of the ski area's five massive peaks. From Breckenridge, head to Copper Mountain and experience Woodward Copper’s on-snow, skiing and riding summer camps. Keep heading west on I-70 to Vail Mountain, where you can take a gondola ride with gorgeous mountain views. Then hit up Epic Discovery featuring the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, tubing hill, climbing wall, zip lining and more. Just 10 miles down the road, Beaver Creek sits above the town of Avon. Hike, bike, horseback ride or 4x4 to Beano’s Cabin high up on the slopes of Beaver Creek Mountain to devour delectable cuisine.
ITINERARY #4 WINES OF WESTERN COLORADO Western Colorado boasts two federally designated American Viticultural Areas along the Colorado River between Palisade and Grand Junction, and along the North Fork of the Gunnison River between Paonia and Hotchkiss. Together, these regions produce 90 percent of the wine grapes grown in Colorado. Start a wine-inspired road trip in Paonia, stopping in Azura Cellars & Gallery and Alfred Eames Cellars. Head to Hotchkiss to taste wines at The Storm Cellar and Mesa Winds Farm and Winery and indulge in their farm-to-table small plates. Stopover at Big B’s Delicious Orchards for farm-fresh produce, live music, hard cider and camping in their orchard. Colorado's Grand Valley is home to 30 wineries and vineyards that serve up some of Colorado’s best wines. In Palisade, enjoy a selection of curated Colorado wine at the Colorado Vintner's Collective, taste the flavors of the area alongside Colorado wine at Peche and overnight at the Wine Country Inn. Head to Grand Junction and experience Carlson Vineyards' tasting room downtown. End the wine tour at Two Rivers Winery and Chateau, located on your way to the Colorado National Monument.
