Why not add an extra layer of adventure by staying somewhere that’s just as special as the Centennial State itself? Check out this list of fun lodging options that are anything but basic.
Inns & B&Bs
If you want an unforgettable experience but you’re not looking to rough it, these historic inns are just the ticket. Along with the usual creature comforts, you’ll find unexpected amenities and details from the days of yore.
Carr Manor
Head back to school — without having to hit the books — on a visit to Carr Manor, a stately B&B located in the old mining town of Cripple Creek. Built in 1897, the building served as a high school for almost 100 years before being converted into a hotel. Beautifully restored with late 19th-century décor, Carr Manor even retains some of its scholarly touches, like classroom chalkboards and school desks. Stroll to Cripple Creek’s downtown casinos, restaurants and shops; or venture farther beyond school grounds on a field trip to Pikes Peak.
Four Mile Creek Bed & Breakfast
Sleeping in a barn might not sound romantic at first, but if you head just south of Glenwood Springs to Four Mile Creek B&B, you’ll quickly become a believer. Originally homesteaded in 1885, this tranquil creekside spot was first home to Four Mile Ranch and later a working dairy farm. Now you can stay overnight in the cozy Red Barn Suite, equipped with radiant heating, a kitchen, fireplace and sweetly rustic accents. The B&B also has two cute log cabins. Spend the day at Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort, just a quick drive up the valley.
Seven Keys Lodge
Perfectly positioned south of Estes Park and beside Rocky Mountain National Park, the Seven Keys Lodge (formerly the Baldpate Inn) is a classic mountain retreat with jaw-dropping views around every corner. The idyllic setting isn’t its only draw — the inn also boasts the world’s largest key collection. When the lodge was founded in 1917, the owners gave guests keys as souvenirs, a tradition that evolved into guests donating interesting keys back to the inn. See more than 30,000 keys in the on-site museum, including examples from the Pentagon, Westminster Abbey and Mozart’s wine cellar.
Read Cozy Colorado Winter B&B Getaways
Colorado Campsites
Add a twist to your trip by choosing one of these quirky locales to set up camp. You’re sure to come away with a campfire tale or two to share.
UFO Watchtower Campground
Whether or not you believe we’re alone in the galaxy, you’ll get a kick out of camping at the UFO Watchtower in southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley. Just follow the roadside alien signs pointing the way to a domed building located on 600 acres of open space in Hooper. While you’re there, examine documentation of recent sightings and visit the energy garden, the confluence of two reported vortexes. At night, settle in to contemplate the cosmos, as the lack of light pollution creates ideal stargazing and UFO-spotting conditions. Nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve — another otherworldly sight — is an excellent daytime destination.
Delicious Orchards
The Western Slope’s North Fork Valley is famous for bountiful orchards and stunning mountain vistas. Make the most of both by camping at Delicious Orchards in Hotchkiss, where you can pitch your tent among the organic cherry, peach and apple trees or book cabins and glamping tents. Bring your appetite, as you’ll want to sample the fresh, local wares available at the farm store and cafe. Or if you’re up to the task, pick your own sun-ripened fruit straight from the branch, then reward yourself with a can of the orchard’s own Big B’s Hard Cider.