People from Colorado often joke that it has become the place both Californians and Texans go in their search for wild, untamed wilderness. And there’s a germ of truth there because Colorado is covered in protected wilderness areas along with world-class cities. Here are five awesome things to do on your next trip to Colorado.
Pikes Peak
A great thing to do on your next trip to Colorado is to go up to the top of Pikes Peak. It is the highest peak in the continental United States. This mountain is home to the longest cog railway in the world. You can ride up to the top and then enjoy the rest stop complete with a gift shop on the top. Or take the railway up halfway and hike down the mountain on one of its various trails. If that railroad is too steep for you, visit the coal-fired steam engine that runs between Durango and Silverton instead.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings/Mesa Verde
If you’ve heard about the Anasazi that lived in cliff dwellings in the American Southwest, you’ve probably seen pictures of the Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Mesa Verde. You can ride the tour buses past a number of cliff dwellings in Manitou Springs and the big ones in Mesa Verde National Park. And you can join tours to see the kivas and ruins up close. Don’t forget to visit the museums nearby to learn about this history of the tribe.
Hunting
Colorado is a hunter’s paradise. You can hunt bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goats in the high country. Turkey and waterfowl hunting is possible if you’re there during the right season. You may even get a permit to hunt bears and mountain lions. You’ll want to take a high-quality scope like those found at ar15scopecenter.com no matter what animal you want to hunt.
Horseback Riding
Whether you want to go riding at a ranch on the Front Range or mountain trails deep in the Rockies, horseback riding is a popular activity across Colorado. Horseback riding is allowed on many but not all of the 23 million square miles of national parks and reserves across the state. Or you can go horseback riding along one of the many horseback riding trails and admire the spectacular scenery from a unique vantage point.
Fishing
Colorado has a wealth of fishing opportunities. There are both warm and cold-water fish found here. You can go fishing in state reservoirs; there are more than 1300 reservoirs and lakes that are stocked. Fishing for fish like rainbow trout is possible in many of the mountain streams. There are more than six thousand miles of streams in Colorado. Note that you need a fishing license that’s good for the entire year, though children under 16 fish for free.
Conclusion
All these areas have something special to offer, so next time you come to Colorado, make sure that you expand your horizon and see everything the state has to offer.