16 Ways to Love Summer / COME TO LIFE eagle-eye award by spot-ting some of Colorado’s most majestic residents? A Few Favorite Sites: Moose in State Forest State Park near Walden Bighorn sheep in Bighorn Sheep Canyon and Browns Canyon near Buena Vista Everything from sandhill cranes to greater prairie chickens, snow geese, eagles, hawks, sage grouse, lark buntings and more on Colorado Birding Trails around the state Any National Wildlife Refuge (see page 42) Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park More: COLORADO.com/ WildlifeViewing OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: HIKING THE AMERICAN LAKES TRAIL NEAR WALDEN, KENNAN HARVEY; CAMPING NEAR CRESTED BUTTE, JASON J. HATFIELD; FLOATING THE HANGING FLUME OF THE DOLORES RIVER, KENNAN HARVEY. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: RECREATION VEHICLE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION; GOLFING AT BEAVER CREEK RESORT, VAIL RESORTS/JACK AFFLECK; ELDORADO CANYON STATE PARK, CELIN SERBO; FLY-FISHING ON THE ARKANSAS RIVER, JIM DAVID; HOT-AIR BALLOON, ISTOCKPHOTO. Colorado has plenty of outfitters who can hook you up with the appropriate gear and lead you to routes you’ll never forget. A Few Favorite Sites: Castle wood Canyon State Park east of Castle Rock Rifle Mountain Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park near Montrose Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs Ouray Ice Park (winter) North Table Mountain in Golden Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park X Rock in Durango Falls Gulch near Buena Vista Colorado National Monument near Fruita and Grand Junction Eldorado Canyon State Park near Boulder More: COLORADO. com/RockClimbing 7 BALLOONING Cool summer mornings in Colorado make the perfect atmosphere for hot-air balloons. Floating serenely along in a basket suspended from a beau-tiful balloon could be one of the most romantic flights you ever take. A Few Favorite Spots: Boulder Breckenridge Colorado Springs Ridgway/Ouray Longmont Steamboat Springs Pagosa Springs Fort Collins Winter Park/Fraser More: COLORADO.com/ ooning Ballooning 8 RV ROAD TRIPPING An RV trip through Colorado means inspiring views and unmatched experiences. Myriad roadways all le lead to adventure, but if you need a few ideas to get sta started, consider heading along one — or several — of Colorado’s 26 Scenic and Historic Byways. Often taking you alongside the state’s most scenic vistas tak an and to or near its 12 National Parks or Monuments, th byways are a tried-and-true family favorite. RV the parks along the way will offer as many or as few amenities as suit your travel style, so get behind the wheel and get moving! More: COLORADO.com/RVing 6 ROCK CLIMBING Reach the state’s most stunning pinnacles with your own two hands. For first-time rock climbers, 7 5 9 GOLF Golf flourishes in Colorado’s varied terrain, where each contour becomes an opportunity for inspiring course design. Traditional courses are plentiful, but tucked away in canyons and mountainsides lay true creative gems, where innovation melds with Colorado scenery to push golf’s imagination to its very boundar-ies — and its ball farther into the high altitudes. A Few Favorite Places: Ironbridge Golf Course in Glenwood Springs Keystone Resort Vail Golf Club Telluride Golf Club Red Sky Ranch in Edwards The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs Northeastern 18 in Sterling Highland Hills Golf Course in Greeley Redlands Mesa in Grand Junction Mt. Massive Golf Course in Leadville Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock Denver Country Club More: COLORADO.com/Golf 6 COLORADO.COM / 33
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 33
