It’s *officially* summer! Time to slather on the sunscreen, bust out the bug spray, and start exploring all the outdoor adventures our great state has to offer 🥾🌲
🦬 Nature In the City
Home to hundreds of species of animals, including bison, bald eagles, and the endangered black footed ferret, this 16,000-acre urban oasis is only an 11-mile jaunt from downtown. It’s approachable for all ages and abilities, close enough to ride your bike to, and free to enjoy!
Just north of downtown proper, the Cherry Creek and the South Platte River merge into one rushing body of water at Confluence Park. The waves are prime for tubing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, not to mention the surrounding lawns, trees, and hiking/biking trails — how’s that for stretching your legs over lunch?
🦌 Day-Trip Adventures
This 193,000-acre plot of land just north of Greeley is home to the flora and fauna of the plains — from burrowing owls to white-tailed deer — and offers a glimpse of the state as early Coloradans once saw it.
- Pro-tip: Time your trip to witness a glorious prairie sunrise or sunset.
The sun sets over Pawnee National Grassland. (marekuliasz / Getty Images)
Just a 2-hour drive from Denver, Leadville is often championed for its rich mining history, its claim of “highest incorporated city in the nation,” and a longstanding rumor that it was almost crowned capital of Colorado. All that is reason enough to plan a visit — its proximity to popular 14ers, the tree-lined Turquoise Lake, and a scenic drive along Independence Pass are just cherries on top.
🎣 For the Weekend Warriors
When you explore nature from horseback, you get the chance to appreciate your surroundings in a more ~peaceful~ manner — that is, focusing on the scenery instead of an aching cramp in your side. Find yourself a horseback riding operation to guide you through the rugged, isolated wilderness of the Flat Tops.
The deep, steep-walled canyons of Gunnison National Park offer heart-stopping views of the gorge and pristine fishing conditions (when water levels allow) and plunge visitors into nature so remote it’s otherworldly.
- Pro-tip: Break up the 5-hour drive from Denver with stops in the charming mountain towns of Paonia and Montrose.
