With so much to explore in our great state many people have put together their own Colorado Bucket List, so we wanted to share the local spots we think need to be explored. Here is our top 11. Let us know below whats on your list.
Maroon Bells
The Maroon Bells are one of the most iconic backdrops in the state and are credited as the most photographed mountains in North America. The Bells consist of two peaks, Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak, both 14ers. Explore the gorgeous Maroon Lake, the nearby campgrounds, and stunning hikes. Plan ahead as this popular Colorado activity requires Parking & Shuttle reservations May through October. For car access, there is a $10 access-and-entry fee.
Royal Gorge
For some easy thrills and breathtaking views, The Royal Gorge is a must for your Colorado Bucket List. Soaring 956 feet above the Arkansa River, this is America’s highest suspension bridge. You can simply enjoy these views by walking the 1257 wooden planks or turn it up a notch with the Royal Rush Skycoaster, a 100-foot tower that swings you up to 50 mph over the edge of the gorge. There is also a zipline if you’re building up the confidence for the skycoaster. General admission for adults is $25 and kids under 12 are $20.
Browns Canyon
Browns Canyon National Monument is 21,586 acres and is home to the most rafted section of a river in the United States. The Arkansas river cuts right through and offers endless options for rafting. Seriously, just driving between Buena Vista and Salida you can spot more than 20 options. This section of the River is great for all skill levels but can get a bit wild during high water flows. I would recommend joining a company trip with a guide but you will also see plenty of people with their own rafts. Browns Canyon is a class III and IV at higher flows.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Red Rocks is certainly on every musical artist’s bucket lists, as the most iconic band have played this geological phenomenon of a stage. Why is Red Rocks so highly regarded? It’s the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world. This outdoor venue sees all types of shows and events. You can find everything from Yoga on the Rocks , Jazz festivals, and EDM concerts at any given time.
At 738 total acres there is much more than concerts. Many people spend the morning exploring Red Rocks Tails that winds through the park. We even included this detour if your are going to Breckenridge for the first time. After your first concert, you can cross this off your Colorado bucket list, but you’ll be sure to want to come back.
Natural Hot Spring Pool
Soaking at Colorado’s hot springs is hard to pass up on. You can relax at mountain spas that fill their pools with this spring water or soak it in at those who have a river with hot spots. Soaking in one of these rivers is certainly a bucket list item. You can simply find a spot that works for you or even move some of the rocks around to collect or let out more hot water. For this, we would recommend Strawberry Park. If you are looking for a more wild experience check out the Radium Hot Springs. These primitive hot springs are on the banks of the Colorado River and can be visited by a short hike or even a raft trip.
Coors Tour
We have all seen the silver bullet Coors light cans or those stubby little Banquet beers that are surprisingly the same size. If you enjoy these brews or just want to see how beer gets made at scale, this is a great stop. Being in Golden is certainly a plus too. Once at the factory, you can take a short or long tour. Of course the long tour is how you get to see the beer being made, you also get some samples along the way. If you go the short tour route, you can just go right to the onsite bar and try 2 free beers.
Garden of the Gods
The Garden of the Gods Park is a National Natural Landmark and one of the most visually stunning parks in the country. As a result it should be included on everyone’s Colorado bucket list. The park is made up of rock formations that were formed from along a fault line millions of years ago. There are records of people visiting this landmark all the way back to 1330 BC. You can enjoy the park by car or stop at the many parking lots along the way. Popular spots for photos are the Balancing Rock, Steamboat Rock, and a formation known as the Three Graces. You can make this a quick trip or hike around on the marked trails.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Step into a new world and explore the tallest dunes in North America. Overall the dunes cover 30 square miles and the tallest is over 750 feet high. The dunes are the result of a lake that dried up leaving behind a “sand sheet”. Over hundreds of thousands of years this sand was blown towards the Sangre de Cristo Range causing a pocket of sand to form. Now you can explore the seemingly endless dunes that make you feel like you left the country. We recommend staying the night at one of the campsites around the park or some that are reservable right next to the dunes.
Great American Beer Festival
The Brewers Association’s annual beer festival held in Denver, CO. This epic beer event first came to our state in 1982 and has since become the largest event of it’s kind. By attending you’ll be able to explore over 2,300 breweries across all 50 States. If beer is your thing, be sure this is on your list.
Pikes Peak
The center piece for Colorado Springs. You can’t go anywhere in the city without seeing Pikes Peak tower over the rest of the range. It’s actually the highest peak on the front range. It was named after Zebulon Pike, a famous American Explorer who never managed to make it to the top.
Now you can drive right up and park your car. There is even a donut and fudge shop at the top. If driving to the top of a 14er isn’t your thing, you can take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway up and enjoy a relaxing train ride. Aside from the incredible views and experience, another reason it should make its way on your bucket list is that America the Beautiful, by Katharine Lee Bates, was written after summiting Pike Peak.
Have you been to the top? If so, why not check out the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb also known as The Race to the Clouds. This is an invitational automobile hill climb to the summit of Pikes Peak started in 1916 and has since blown up.
Manitou Springs Incline
The Incline is a popular hike for people who like to push themselves to the limit. It’s an old railway that is now used as a hiking trail. Overall it’s a mile straight up where you gain over 2,000 feet in elevation over 2,700 steps. It can take anywhere between 1-2 hours for most people. This is an extreme hike and we are not kidding. It has an average grade of 41% and can reach 68%. Reservations are recommended if you want decent parking at the Iron Springs Chateau lot. Plan on getting there early and bring some water. After you summit, you can enjoy a walk or jog down Barr trail and cross this beast of a hike off your Colorado bucket list.
