In Salida, Colo., Captain Zipline Tours lets visitors soar high above the Rocky Mountain canyons and get a bird's-eye view of the rugged landscape below. While dangling from a wire up to 100 feet in the air and zooming down a zipline up to 700 feet long, visitors on this eco-tour are able to get a new perspective of the nearby 14,000-foot peaks, the rolling river below and an abundance of wildlife. Guests see bald eagles, bears, bighorn sheep and lots more as this easy, yet adrenaline-filled trip through the air lets them view all that Colorado's high desert has to offer while leaving little or no footprint on the earth below.
In Aspen, those looking for eco-friendly tourism activities need to look no further than the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies located in Aspen, Castle Creek Valley and Basalt. During the summer months, visitors can take part in walking tours guided by naturalists who expose guests to the local terrain while they learn about the natural wonders around them. These naturalists also stage demonstrations about eagles, owls and hawks. Children's programs include campground activities and sunset walks where kids can watch beavers work in their natural habitat. When winter arrives, there is usually plenty of snow. Snowshoe tours on Aspen Mountain and ski tours guided by the center's naturalists are other eco-friendly options. Admission to all center locations is free.
The Zapata Ranch in Mosca, Colo. is a real cattle and bison ranch as well as a nature conservancy preserve. Visitors here can camp out on overnight cattle drives, working the bison during the day and then settling into camp under the stars. In the camp, dinner is cooked and visitors can spend the remainder of the evening sitting around a campfire and swapping tales of their day's adventures. Breakfast is served the next morning in camp in preparation for completing the previous day's work. Guests will get a real example of what working the range is all about while enjoying peaceful moments surrounded by the Colorado mountains.
From mid-spring until early fall, a visit to Mesa Verde National Park can include a tour to one of the finest examples of archeological preservation in America. The 700 Years Tour is a park ranger-led tour designed to walk visitors through the history of the Pueblo people in the region. The rangers are historical experts on the culture, architecture and lifestyle of this ancient people. Along the way, guests will see a variety of Pueblo sites dating back to 600 B.C. The highlight of this tour is the Cliff Palace, the largest remaining cliff dwelling in the area and a place considered to be one of the top places to visit in a lifetime, according to the Mesa Verde, Colo. website.
