Colorado Vacations Are Action Packed For Whole Family – Locals And Visitors Alike
Scores of Summer Vacation Activities Packed into a Small Space
Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley – a picturesque 50-mile stretch running from Glenwood Springs to Aspen – offers an abundance of summer vacation activities.
The valley is cut from the soaring, rugged Elk Mountain range of the central Rockies, and follows the thundering current of the Roaring Fork River. Virtually the entire valley is shrouded by the conifers and aspens of the White River National Forest – the top recreation forest in the country – according to the United States Forest Service.
Undoubtedly, the valley’s most popular destination for hiking or backpacking is the Maroon Bells area near Snowmass. The Maroon Bells are twin peaks of red mudstone rising to over 14,000 feet. The topographical distinctiveness of the area leads to spectacular views. A free shuttle bus runs three times an hour throughout the summer to Maroon Lake, where hikers and backpackers will find access to Maroon Peak and Pyramid Peak.
The Maroon Bells wilderness area is also wildly popular for campers. The backcountry environs of a glacial valley dotted with massive fields of native wildflowers draws millions of visitors each year.
Scenic backcountry camping is also easily accessible near Carbondale, which sits in the shadow of 13,000-foot Mount Sopris.
Carbondale sits along Highway 83 at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Crystal River. Aside from numerous commercial campgrounds and RV parks, the Forest Service runs the wonderful campground at Avalanche Creek, which has just 13 campsites on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a small fee for each night, but the panoramic views from above 7,000 feet, the easy access to excellent trout fishing on Avalanche Creek, trailheads to Maroon Bells, Snowmass Wilderness area, and Sopris, and the relative isolation just ten minutes from town makes the campground a popular stay for summer vacation activities in the region.
Colorado and the federal government also oversee and maintain scores of totally free campsites throughout the Roaring Fork Valley; however, the area is spotted with quite a few pockets of private land so it is always a good idea to watch for the little signs marking private property.
The Ruedi Recreation area, just 15 minutes east of Basalt on the Fryingpan River, is home to Ruedi Reservoir. The reservoir is suitable for boating and other water sports, and the forest surrounding the area is renowned for its prime hunting.
Much of the Roaring Fork River is designated as Gold Medal fishing and there is no shortage of professional fishing guides who know the waters well. The rivers run very high during the spring melt when water pours from the mountains into the current. In the summer, though, the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, and Crystal Rivers can be waded or float fished.
The valley is quite literally an outdoor mecca for summer vacation activities. And it is not simply fishing and camping. The rivers are always populated with kayakers and groups of whitewater rafters braving the choppy currents.