With millions of rugged acres, many people come to Colorado with adventure vacations and activities on their minds — and they do not leave disappointed. Warm weather finds folks hitting thousands of miles of Rocky Mountain trails for ATVing, four wheeling, mountain biking, backpacking and climbing Colorado’s 14ers (54 peaks rising more than 14,000 above sea level).
For unmatched views of those rugged acres, Colorado adventure visitors head straight up for paragliding, hang gliding, skydiving and ziplining. Dozens of Colorado adventure outfitters can help you get the gear and to the best places for heart-pumping activities with incredible mountain vistas.
Colorado’s lakes and rivers invite extreme water adventurers to try jet skiing, whitewater rafting, tubing, waterskiing and kayaking. The Colorado River, Arkansas River and Cache la Poudre lead through canyons, gorges and miles of whitewater rafting and kayaking thrills, while massive bodies of water like Grand Lake, Lake Dillon and Blue Mesa Reservoir, and several lakes in the Colorado State Parks system, cater to those wanting to pick up speed.
When the snow starts falling, Colorado adventure-sports and winter-vacation planning turns to skiing and snowboarding at the state’s 26 world-class ski resorts, snowmobiling on the same trails they hiked on last summer and trying their hand the increasingly popular ice climbing.
Colorado’s mild winter weather ensures that those looking for challenging road bike treks, four-wheeling trails, rock climbing hotspots and other extreme sports can find a sunny place to do them in this year-round vacation destination.
