COLORADO Be Careful With Fire Build the perfect Colorado campfire (and avoid sparking a wildfire) by first making sure they are allowed in the area. Then, keep them small, manageable and attended. When it’s time to extinguish, make sure the embers are cold to the touch to avoid reigniting a flame. And remember to buy or gather firewood locally; it’ll save you space in your car, plus it prevents the introduction of any invasive species like the destructive pine beetle. Twin Peaks Campground near Twin Lakes Rustic Campground Sleep beneath star-filled skies and reconnect with nature at Twin Peaks Campground outside Twin Lakes. Open May through September, this rustic spot sits above the rushing whitewater of Lake Creek, with humbling views of the towering Sawatch mountain range. Sites are first-come, first-served and open to tent camping and camper-trailer use. Here, you’ll find amenities like picnic tables and vaulted toilets, along with oodles of space and tranquility. Watch sly foxes and dappled fawns scamper between trees — always from a safe distance — read a book, meditate in a shady stand of aspens or learn a new card game — rummy, anyone? Once you’re rested, hike the nearby Continental Divide and Mount Elbert trails, or swim and boat on alpine lakes. Historical Hotel Get off the beaten path with a stay at the Black Monarch Hotel in the Gold Rush town of Victor. Originally built in 1899 after a fire razed the town to the ground, the Black Monarch embodies Victor’s well-preserved history and Victorian-era roots. Once a brothel and gaming hall, the hotel now welcomes guests with a Western-gothic charm, complete with mounted antlers, faux-fur blankets and pillows and lavish, dark-hued fabrics. The rooms, which are believed to be haunted, are named and themed after famous murderers like Lizzie Borden and Jack the Ripper — except for the Nikola Tesla Room. According to local lore, the famous inventor wired the town — including the Black Monarch — after the fire. Experience cool hikes and historical fun around Victor, or come for an annual festival like the Victor Pack Burro Race. COLORADO . COM EVAN BROGAN 97
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2025: Page 97
