COME TO LIFE Find Your Site Know the weekend you want to camp, but aren’t sure where to go? Use the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website or app, type in the dates you want to stay, and it will tell you where space is available across the state. Dallas Divide near Ridgway Tips for Adventuring Across Colorado While Cameron is a backpacker at heart — she prefers to spend at least one night outdoors — she does occasionally go for day hikes. Looking for something easier? She likes the trails at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison or Palmer Park in Colorado Springs, an expansive high-desert landscape easily accessed via the city’s public transportation. Thinking about challenging yourself? Cameron suggests backpacking a multiday segment of the Colorado Trail. Hiking through these peaceful, rugged pathways is a great chance to relax, reflect and take in the beauty of your surroundings. You can start your trek from destinations like Denver, Breckenridge and Durango, which lead you through wildflower-filled alpine meadows and tree-lined forests to soaring peak views. “The Colorado Trail changed my life, and I am absolutely in love with it,” Cameron said. New to overnights outside? Cameron is an avid supporter of car camping because you can bring more gear, like a cookstove. She recommends booking Colorado State Park campsites, which are on a reservation system and often offer basic amenities like vaulted toilets, showers and picnic tables. A particularly stunning, Cameron-approved camping spot is Cottonwood Lake Campground near Buena Vista. Choose between dispersed sites for more privacy or the established campground for its amenities. When you’re not cooking up a gourmet camp dinner, you can dip a fishing line in the reflective lake or trek through national forestland. Whether you’re a beginner to exploring panoramic peaks and meandering trails or a seasoned pro, there’s an adventure for everyone in Colorado. You can always plan a long hike or thrill-filled camping trip, but sometimes an easy walk in a Colorado State Park is a solid way to spend a day. Time in nature doesn’t have to be physically challenging or intimidating; it’s just outside your door, after all. Want to Get Involved? Check Blackpackers.org for upcoming events, plus educational and volunteer opportunities for your vacation dates. Find Blackpackers on Facebook and Instagram @COBlackpackers. 94 1-800-COLORADO NOAH WETZEL
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