Dinosaur, Maybell, Craig, Meeker, Rangely / COME TO LIFE 4 DAYS IN COLORADO’S GREAT NORTHWEST DAY 1 Spend your first day in Dinosaur National Monument . With its craggy hills and unparal-leled collection of prehistoric artifacts, it’s still an active research area where visitors can see thousands of fossil types. A scenic drive along Harpers Corner Road will show you changing ecosystems and striking viewpoints. Or visit the photogenic Gates of Lodore (1) , accessible by trail or raft, for its tranquility and sheer wow-factor. For more scenery, head east to Maybell , where canyon walls of varying colors surround the Yampa River at Cross Mountain Canyon , optimal for a day excursion or camping trip. Just west of Maybell, you’re treated to views of Bakers Peak and Mount Zirkel . The area has many picnic and camping sites as well as fishing holes and wildlife-spotting opportunities. Sand Wash Basin is home to one of the few re-maining herds of free-roaming wild mustangs in the United States. Don’t miss the hundreds of greys, sorrels and pintos running free as the sun sets. (Tours are available.) Or, head north of the monument to Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge . In this high-desert valley formed by the Green River, more than 300 native and migratory species coexist. Sagebrush creates a swishing symphony in your ears as you spot pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mule deer, black bears and moose. COLORADO THE GREAT WEST Literally millions of acres of untouched public lands and free-flowing rivers soothe travel-weary eyes. This off-the-beaten-path corner includes the towns of Dinosaur, Maybell, Craig, Meeker and Rangely — and endless routes leading to wild beauty. DAY 2 West of Maybell in Craig , find one of the nation’s best collections of cowboy and gunfighter memorabilia at the Museum of Northwest Colorado , as well as lots of places for good grub. Soaring 1,000 feet above the Yampa Valley, Cedar Mountain just north of Craig, consists of 880 acres of public lands complete with mountain biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. The horseshoe-shaped, juniper-rimmed mountain stands tall overhead the 3.5-mile Stearns Trail, for all hiking levels, on which you can see mule deer, marmot, foxes, coyotes and more. Wrestle with your dinner at Elkhead Reservoir State Park , where bass, crappie, pike and rainbow trout swim below the surface of the 900-acre lake. If fishing isn’t your thing, the res-ervoir is also a water-and jet-skiing paradise; and 11 miles of trails greet hikers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. 1 For fishers, the White River ’s crystal-clear waters offer opportunities for everyone — from experienced anglers to families. There are several public access points within a couple miles of town, plus 100 mountain lakes and ponds for shore fishing and canoeing. Or press east to complete this loop in Rangely , to see an automotive museum with rare cars and motorcycles from the early 1900s. The TANK Center for Sonic Arts , an acoustically perfect concert hall that lived its former life as a steel water tank; and more opportunities for wilderness exploration await. With 4,000 acre-feet of water for canoers, kay-akers, water skiers, fishers and floaters, Kenney Reservoir is a one-stop shop for water sports. Each spring the water is stocked with 5,000 rainbow trout that mingle (and are caught) with the crappie and catfish. Due to Rangely’s unique location, the swimming areas and docks are seldom crowded and make for the perfect afternoon on the water. Petroglyphs and pictographs decorate the sheer sandstone walls of the Canyon Pintado National Historic District 20 miles south of town. Prehistoric peoples began occupying the region as long as 11,000 years ago, and the canyon contains a massive concentration of Fremont archaeology sites. DAY 3 & 4 The enclaves of Meeker and Rangely are jumping-off points for exploring some of Colorado’s finest wilderness areas along the 250-mile Wagon Wheel off-highway-vehicle trail system, which was recently expanded. Plus, visitors can actually ride through OHV-friendly Meeker to peek into its many shops and restaurants. Meeker is also a hub for a drive along the Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway . Detour off the high-way to hike the Trappers Lake Loop Trail (2) , a 5.5-mile path to see the state’s second-largest natural lake. Horseback riding is one of the best ways to experience the majesty of this area, and Meeker has many outfitters and guides to choose from. Trails traverse landscapes with blooming wildflowers. FROM TOP: GATES OF LODORE IN DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT, JEFF DIENER; TRAPPERS LAKE LOOP TRAIL, ERIC WUNROW. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Craig (page 195), Dinosaur , Maybell , Meeker (page 202), Rangely (page 203) 2 QUICK TIP Dinosaur National Monument’s Yampa Bench road is an extraordinary experience with incredible canyon overlooks that meet or rival the experiences available at the Grand Canyon. This remote road (off Hwy. 40 and County Road 14) is not well known, but the views are world class. COLORADO.COM / 183
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2020: Page 183
