Arkansas River (Buena Vista, Salida)
Most-rafted river in America. Browns Canyon and the Numbers are classics.
Things to do
Colorado Outdoor Adventures
Hiking, skiing, rafting, mountain biking, fishing, hot springs, and the national parks that define Colorado.
If you want to do something outside, Colorado has it — 58 fourteeners, four national parks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, gold-medal trout streams, mountain bike singletrack in Crested Butte, and hot springs in nearly every region. Build your trip around the experiences that matter most.
Hiking & 14ers
Colorado has 58 peaks over 14,000 ft. Mount Bierstadt, Quandary, and Grays/Torreys are popular beginner 14ers. Always start before dawn — afternoon lightning is a real hazard above tree line.
Skiing & snowboarding
30+ ski areas. Vail, Breck, Aspen, Steamboat, Telluride, Winter Park, Copper, and Keystone anchor the Epic Pass / Ikon Pass map. Ski season runs late November through April (later at A-Basin and Breckenridge).
Rafting
Colorado River (Glenwood Springs)
Family-friendly Class II-III through Glenwood Canyon.
Animas River (Durango)
Big-water Class III-IV runs in the San Juans.
Mountain biking
Crested Butte, Salida, Fruita, and Durango anchor Colorado's mountain bike scene. Lift-served downhill at Keystone and Trestle Bike Park (Winter Park).
Fishing
Gold Medal trout waters include the South Platte, Frying Pan, Roaring Fork, Blue, and Gunnison Rivers. Colorado fishing licenses are required (one-day, five-day, or annual).
Hot springs
Glenwood Hot Springs
World's largest mineral hot springs pool.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs
Riverside pools beneath 14ers near Buena Vista.
Strawberry Park (Steamboat)
Rustic mountain pools — clothing-optional after dark.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
16 thermal pools in Glenwood with river views.
National parks & monuments
- Rocky Mountain National Park — timed-entry permits required in summer.
- Mesa Verde National Park — ancient cliff dwellings in southwest Colorado.
- Great Sand Dunes National Park — dark skies, sandboarding, and Medano Creek.
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park — sheer 2,000-ft canyon walls.
- Colorado National Monument — sandstone canyons near Grand Junction.
- Dinosaur National Monument — fossils and remote river country in northwest Colorado.
Interactive map
Colorado's biggest outdoor adventure destinations
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to hike a 14er?
Most 14ers are free, but Mount Evans requires a vehicle reservation and Maroon Bells requires a shuttle reservation. Check 14ers.com for current access rules.
When is the best time for whitewater rafting?
Late May through July, during peak snowmelt. The Arkansas River around Buena Vista is the most popular.
Can I bring cannabis on a guided rafting trip?
Most outfitters are on federal land permits and prohibit cannabis. Consume after returning to private property.
