Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The northwest part of the state has abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Visit Rocky Mountain National Park, Lake Estes and Boulder for canoeing, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, horseback riding and mountaineering. Rocky Mountain National Park (nps.gov/romo) is located in Estes Park and spans 400 square miles. The park is a preserve of forests, tundra, Opaline ponds, grassy valleys and meadows. Bring your hiking boots and explore hiking trails that range from flat terrain to steep mountain climbs. The park has elevations ranging from 7,500 to more than 12,000 feet. Rent a boat at the Boulder Reservoir Marina to navigate the waters, or bring your fishing gear to catch species including walleye, bass and catfish.
Winter sports enthusiasts can visit Vail in northwest Colorado or Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Durango Mountain Resort in the southwest region. Crested Butte Mountain Resort (Skicb.com) has 121 trails of slopes ranging from beginner to expert level. The Grand Lodge Crested Butte Resort is pet-friendly and offers a full-time concierge, ski and snowboard rentals, ski valets and an indoor or outdoor pool and hot tub.
When visiting Durango, take in views of the snow-capped San Juan Mountains at Durango Mountain Resort (Durangomountainresort.com) during a one-stop winter destination for skiing, snowboarding, dining and shopping.
Explore the southwest region and sign up for whitewater rafting, zip lining or float fishing guided tours. Adventure Outfitters (Waorafting.com) is located in the Royal Gorge region and offers guided rafting trips along the Arkansas River. Trips range form half day to full day and include views of Bighorn Canyon, rafting on Class III rapids, riverside lunch at Parkdale Beach and paddling under the world's highest suspension bridge, at 1053 feet above the water. Sign up for a zip-line adventure with Soaring Tree Top Adventures (Soaringcolorado.com) in Durango. Tours include zip lining in the Durango Colorado Mountains high in the Ponderosa canopy. Choose from more than 24 zip lines that span the mountains and forests of the Animas River.
Visit Denver attractions such as the Wild Animal Sanctuary and Butterfly Pavilion. For visitors to the southeast region of the state, must-see attractions include Lathrop State Park and Pueblo Zoo in City Park. The Wild Animal Sanctuary (Wildanimalsanctuary.org) is home to more than 200 rescued animals, including lions, bears, tigers, leopards, wolves and cougars. View the animals as they roam 320 acres of open grassland.
Pitch a tent at Lathrop State Park (Parks.state.co.us), located in the foothills west of Walsenburg. Campers can enjoy swimming, hiking and fishing for species including northern pike, crappie, trout, walleye, bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass.