A Beginner's Guide to Exploring Colorado: Start Here!

Hi! I'm so glad you're here. I'm Kara and I've spent the last 10 years exploring every nook and cranny of Colorado. If you're thinking about planning a trip to this glorious state, there are a few things to think about first.

But don't worry, planning won't be stressful. I'm here to help!

The good news is...

Colorado is home to every type of adventure you could ever want!

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞:

𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞: Colorado has it all. It’s impossible to see the entire state in one visit. So hone in on the area you want to see most!

Is it the foothills where you can grab a craft beer at a local brewery then be hiking in the foothills in 10 min? Western Colorado where the San Juans will leave you breathless?

Maybe explore one of the highest alpine tundras in the world where you can visit rescued alligators? Perhaps the wide open desert of grand junction?

Or east to find dinosaur tracks? Maybe one of our 4 national parks?

𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫: This is debatable but my favorite times of year are late spring, late summer and early fall. Weather is perfect. Wildflowers are blooming in spring, and the aspen trees are starting to change in fall. Cool breeze in the morning with sunshine in the afternoon. Colorado has 4 definitive seasons. Which one do you want to experience??

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: Endless. What type of activities do you enjoy? If you prefer city life, look at Denver or Colorado Springs. If you want artsy and cultured, try Manitou Springs, Crested Butte or almost any mountain town. If you're visiting Colorado to hike, you can easily spend a week hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park or the San Juan Mountains. If you want a bit of everything, places like Boulder, Telluride, and Breckenridge offer both city and outdoorsy activities.

𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐬: To avoid crowds visit in winter or mud season (early spring). The more unpredictable the weather is, the less humans will be out. Or travel during weekdays.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬: Many areas in Colorado require reservations now because of increase in trail traffic. Rocky Mountain NP has a reservation system in place. Reserve your passes in advance.

𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐫: No gear? No problem. Most mountain towns have gear shops where you can rent everything you need.