Need some Colorado vacation ideas

[Roger]

I need some help with ideas for a vacation in Colorado. The family just decided we'd like to go to Colorado, but have no idea where or what to do yet. It's short notice as we'll go in June or July, so that might rule some things out, but I can always check on it anyway. It will be my wife, 14yo boy, and myself. Things that would be of interest are rafting, fishing (fly fishing and light tackle. We fish for rainbows several times a year here and have the right gear), scenery, light hiking, wildlife, horseback riding, mines, history/old west stuff. Not having been, I really have no idea what is available so I'm tapping the TBH knowledge to get some ideas to research. Yes, I have searched here and saved a few old threads also.) Pulling the camper is an option, although it might be more expensive than just staying somewhere. Of course a lot of things will be booked. Tent camping is out. Wife will not do that. Throw out your ideas of what you do or want to do in Colorado in June/July. I'll research from there. Not tied to any particular part of the state and might spend a few days then relocate, depending on what I can find to do. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Electrican]

We have been to and really like Lake City area. Very nice and you can do everything you listed. We take our RV and seem to save quite a bit of money that way. Also been to Bueno Vista (sp?) and liked it as well. Start calling soon for reservations as this late, it might be difficult to find something. Have fun!!

[Das71198]

Colorado Springs is nice - ride the cog train up to pikes peak, see the Garden of the Gods & Royal Gorge. The white water rafting near Canon city is also great.

http://www.cograilway.com

https://www.royalgorgeroute.com

[TxAg]

Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park and then hiking the trails is fun. You can whitewater raft from there (although, there are better spots) and spending time in the town of Estes Park is also pretty cool. On the ride out to the rafting we saw lots of guys pulled off the road fishing wherever they wanted....looked pretty fun.

[Das71198]

Estes Park is also great. I have played golf there & hiked in Rocky Mountain National Park.

http://estes-park.com

[TexasBear]

We usually go to the Rio Grande between Lake City and Creede. If you want to raft, June would probably be best. Lots of campgrounds along the river. Gold Medal waters for trout. Lots of roads up into the mountains with great views. It isn't always necessary to get a res way ahead of time. Last year we took our 9 year old grandson and went rafting, 4 wheeling, fishing, toured a silver mine, and rode horses.

[black42]

go to Ouray, and lounge in the hot springs, then take an all day jeep tour of the San Juans.

[talltexasshoote]

We go to buena vista every July. Lots of opportunities to do everything on our list. Chaffee county even has a bow range that is awesome. Zip lining the royal gorge is definitely a don't miss as well. We stay at rainbow lake cabins. They have a private lake full of fish. They are usually booked full of texans. Google them if interested. We book a year in dance, but you never know if hey will have cancellations. I have contacts for white water or scenic rafting as well. Pm me if interested. If you like fly fishing, breckenridge is 2 hours and the gold medal waters there are second to none.

[BTLowry]

RMNP is nice

I could spend every summer up there, my kids loved it

[scdavis50]

If you can make it to Colorado Springs, we really enjoyed the Air Force Academy. The chapel there is beautiful. Also, the Olympic training facility there is cool. Both were worth the drive from Denver. We went up to the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass - it was under MANY feet of snow in March, but supposed to be a bunch of great hiking trails up there for the summer.

We also got a tour of Mile High Stadium which was pretty cool too. I've mentioned it on a couple of other threads here, but we fished in Clear Creek with Tom Schneider of Sunrise Anglers and he was great.

[sportsman]

Need some Colorado vacation ideas

I'm no help on your trip, but we go every July/august whichever dates we can get a cabin. Usually from South Fork/creede/lake city, and going to Silverton this year to ride the trails on the ranger.

[docmay]

I love the south fork/creede/lake city areas. Beautiful country and lots to do. Fantastic fishing from big river down to creeks. Not sure how the fires last year have affected things. Got to see moose several times at deer lakes on the pass between creede and lake city. That was cool!

[twobanger]

Since I'd never been before, I picked one of the packages at Noahsark.com then we went to Estes Park.

[Slewfoot]

Don't miss Mesa Verde!! Also there is Royal Gorge, Cripple Creek (old mining town with tours in the Molly Kathleen mine), train ride from Durango to Silverton with great shopping at both locations. I think they still have jeep tours of the old gold mines around Salida and great fishing in the Gunnison area. A little research will keep you from being bored.

[Spooky]

We went to Almont last year which is just north of Gunnison lots of hiking trails we also went on the boat tour of the Black Canterbury and Gunnison has the best fireworks show on the 4th that we've ever saw. Send me a Pm and i'll tell you where we stayed and some of the good eating places and side trips that we did.