COME TO LIFE Ghost Towns For an eerie alternative to a museum exhibit, peer into a Wild West ghost town. Teller City , near Walden, is a solid place to start. Step back in time 150 years when this silver-mining town was home to more than 1,500 people, 27 saloons and a hotel. Now, you can hike in to spot remaining cabin structures and imagine the lives of those who called it home. Hear the wind whistle through Animas Forks near Silverton as you walk down the abandoned main street, stepping into cabins, a remaining mill and the old jail. Or steer your bike to Saint Elmo near Buena Vista to see the town’s 43 remaining buildings, including an abandoned courthouse and a general store that still operates seasonally. Saint Elmo near Buena Vista Hiking While thousands of gorgeous hikes can be found in Colorado’s foothills and high peaks, these options really sing when the leaves change around mid-September. Golden Gate Canyon State Park’s Raccoon Trail , near Rollinsville, opens to panoramic summit views topped with plenty of chromatic trees. Along the wheelchair-accessible Perkins Central Garden Trail in Garden of the Gods, you’ll spot stone formations like Kissing Camels and White Rock. And leashed pups are welcome on the Jud Wiebe Memorial Trail near Telluride, where you can see yellow leaves light up the San Juan Mountains. Fall’s cooler temperatures also mean desert areas are more welcoming: Rattlesnake Arches near Grand Junction has more than 35 natural rock arches. The hike to see them can be strenuous, but the gravity-defying red-rock wonders make it worth the effort. TODD POWELL; EFRAIN PADRO What to Pack You might notice that we love our activewear. And there’s a reason for that — weather conditions can change quickly, and we like to be prepared for whatever nature throws our way — like an afternoon thunderstorm that rolls in on a sunny day. From packing layers and comfy shoes to homegrown styles, check Colorado.com/ WhatToWear for packing tips. Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs 46 1-800-COLORADO
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2025: Page 46
