Summer is the perfect time to plan an adventure. Here in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, there is no shortage of things to do and places to see, making this the ultimate destination for tourists and residents to spend the season. The mountains make for an ideal playground where people of all ages and interests can find something that sparks a new or rekindled love for Colorado living.

It’s no wonder people from across the country, and the globe, flock to Colorado each year to find exciting ways to get outdoors. Home to four national parks, 13 national forests, 4,000 lakes and reservoirs, and more than 5,683 miles of hiking trails, Colorado offers endless possibilities for fun and exploration. From the Vail Valley to Telluride, and everywhere in between, adventure awaits you around every corner. Here are eight ways to make the most of your summer in Colorado.

Summer is the perfect time to plan an adventure. Here in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, there is no shortage of things to do and places to see, making this the ultimate destination for tourists and residents to spend the season. The mountains make for an ideal playground where people of all ages and interests can find something that sparks a new or rekindled love for Colorado living.

It’s no wonder people from across the country, and the globe, flock to Colorado each year to find exciting ways to get outdoors. Home to four national parks, 13 national forests, 4,000 lakes and reservoirs, and more than 5,683 miles of hiking trails, Colorado offers endless possibilities for fun and exploration. From the Vail Valley to Telluride, and everywhere in between, adventure awaits you around every corner. Here are eight ways to make the most of your summer in Colorado.

Summer is the perfect time to plan an adventure. Here in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, there is no shortage of things to do and places to see, making this the ultimate destination for tourists and residents to spend the season. The mountains make for an ideal playground where people of all ages and interests can find something that sparks a new or rekindled love for Colorado living.

It’s no wonder people from across the country, and the globe, flock to Colorado each year to find exciting ways to get outdoors. Home to four national parks, 13 national forests, 4,000 lakes and reservoirs, and more than 5,683 miles of hiking trails, Colorado offers endless possibilities for fun and exploration. From the Vail Valley to Telluride, and everywhere in between, adventure awaits you around every corner. Here are eight ways to make the most of your summer in Colorado.

Hit the highway to see the state by car. With more than 26 scenic and historic byways, some of Colorado’s most breathtaking views are just a road trip away. Buckle up and take in magnificent, tree-covered mountains, wildflower fields, gushing waterfalls, and maybe even spot some wildlife as you wind through the mountain roads. Getting from Point A to Point B has never been so fun.

Part of Colorado’s State Highway 82, Independence Pass crosses over the Continental Divide between Leadville and Aspen. Not only is this the highest paved pass in the state, but it is also a great place to see the changing colors in the surrounding groves of aspen trees.

Pack up the Jeep and head out to cross the highest mountain pass in the San Juan Mountains and the second-highest vehicular mountain crossing in Colorado. This pass, which connects Telluride and Ouray, is meant for off-road vehicles only. While the drive may be precarious, the views are well worth it.

On this 75-mile route, you’ll get to see the powerful Colorado River, which is responsible for carving the Grand Canyon. Start your journey at Grand Lake and end it at the awe-inspiring Gore Canyon. While you can complete the drive in just 90 minutes, don’t be afraid to take your time and make frequent stops to savor the scenery.

Get your steps in while enjoying the fresh air on one of the more than 17,000 marked trails that Colorado offers. Hiking is by far one of the most popular ways to immerse yourself in the state’s natural beauty. Whether you prefer to stroll through fields of wildflowers or challenge yourself to climbing one of the 58 mountains exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation, there’s a hike for everyone. Don’t forget to pack an adequate amount of water – about a half-liter of water per hour – and a snack to keep you well-fueled for a day on the trails.

This 7.9-mile hike is lined with fields of wildflowers, like something you might see on a postcard. While this out-and-back hike is rated as “difficult,” the breathtaking surroundings make it a must-try trail.

For those looking for an easier hike, the Burro Trail is a fun option for hikers of all levels. Up to 7.8 miles, the shade-covered trail winds through the woods alongside a peaceful babbling brook.

Try one of Colorado’s 14er’s! This seven-mile trail near Idaho Springs begins at 11,600 feet above sea level and tops out at 14,060 feet where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountain peaks and beyond. You’ll want to start early for this hike as the general rule of thumb is to be off the summit by noon.

Feed your need for speed on a mountain bike. Colorado’s mountainous terrain and scenic backdrops make it a mountain biker’s dream come true. Grab your bike or rent one at any of the local outfitters. This adrenaline-fueled adventure is a great way to experience the alpine during the summertime. Some trails allow you to skip the journey up the mountain by riding a lift or gondola to the top so that you can enjoy the ride down. Just be sure that you don’t forget your helmet!

Considered the best of the best for mountain biking trails, the 401 trail is a 13.6-mile, singletrack loop that provides stunning alpine views of the Elk range as it winds its way around alpine lakes, through thick aspen groves and beautiful wildflower fields.

Known as “Mountain Bike Capital USA”, Winter Park’s Trestle Bike Park provides over 600 miles of trails, including 40 miles of lift-serviced trails, offering some of the most spectacular riding, whether you are a novice or an expert.

Just east of Main Street, Carter Park is a 3.5-mile loop where the trail climbs through a series of nine switchbacks. Once comfortable with this short and steep trail, the Carter Park Loop provides access to the vast trail network around Breckenridge.

Head to Sedalia for 14.5 miles of smooth trails through the Gunnison National Forest. You’ll feel the burn as you pedal up short climbs and descents winding through the pine trees and zooming past stunning valley views.

Calling all fishermen and women! If you’re looking to catch a trophy Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, or Cutthroat Trout, Colorado has some amazing rivers where these and other species of fish thrive. Fed by snow melt from the mountains, many of the rivers and streams throughout Colorado are dubbed “Gold Metal Waters,” because they offer up to 60 pounds of trout per acre. What are you waiting for? Perfect your cast and put your waders to good use this summer.

Designated as the longest stretch of “Gold Metal Water,” this portion of the Colorado River is known for producing some of the best fish stories in the state.

If you’re looking to catch a trophy Trout you must visit the Dolores River on your next fishing trip. Better bring your camera for proof of your catch!

Head to the Arkansas River for some fantastic fly-fishing. Pack your rod and get ready for a great day on the water no matter the season.

Although it is known for its mountains, Colorado has plenty of options for those who want to spend their weekends on the water. With more than 4,000 lakes and reservoirs throughout the state, a refreshing dip, dive, or boat ride is a great way to beat the heat this summer. Despite being a landlocked state, these bodies of water provide great beaches for a weekend getaway near the water.

Stand up paddle boarding has become one of the most popular ways to spend a day on the water for all ages. Rent a board or bring your own for a day of fun in the sun.

Rent a sail boat, pontoon, or kayak at the Dillon Marina for an aquatic day set against the backdrop of Colorado’s majestic mountains.

Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, Grand Lake is Colorado’s deepest and largest natural body of water, and is home to the Grand Lake Yacht Club which is the highest-altitude yacht club in the world.

There is perhaps no better place to experience Colorado in its most natural state than at one of the four national parks. Each with their own unique offerings and characteristics, you’ll enjoy spending the day exploring trails, climbing up towering sand dunes, admiring the power of spectacular waterfalls, or peering over the edge of an unfathomably steep gorge. Within these parks, Colorado is true to its wild roots.

If you’re looking to explore The Rockies, this is arguably the best place to do it. Founded in 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson and accessible through Grand Lake and Estes Park, this national park spans 415 square miles of protected land and untouched environments. Plan to take your next hike, scenic drive, or camping trip in one of Colorado’s most famous parks.

In western Colorado, you can conquer your fear of heights at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The park gets its name from the astonishingly deep canyon, parts of which only receive 33 minutes of sunlight a day. Since its establishment in 1999, people have traveled from near and far to marvel at the massive gorge and participate in activities such as nature watching, fishing, and star gazing.

Walk, climb, and slide through the highest mountains of sand in the United States. Established in 1932, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, located in southern Colorado, is a must-see natural attraction. Rent a sand board and try your hand carving down the sandy slopes or dip your toes in the seasonally available Medano Creek that runs through the sand at the base of the dunes.

Immerse yourself in history and nature at this stunning park in southwest Colorado, established in 1906. Check out the well-preserved stone communities built by the Ancestral Pueblo people. For more than 700 years, this group of people called the canyon home. Today, you can appreciate their skilled craftsmanship by visiting their elaborately built rocky residences. And if you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of some of the species of wildlife that can only be found in the park and nowhere else in the world!

As a part of The Wild West, Colorado is rich in history. From the indigenous peoples who first lived on the land to the mining towns that shaped many of our mountain resorts as we know them today, our state has an interesting story to tell. By visiting one of the numerous museums and historic sites scattered throughout Colorado, you can be transported back in time for an afternoon of education and adventure.

Wander through this restored miners’ hospital, originally built in 1895, to learn more about Telluride’s rich history of mining in southwest Colorado and the culture of the Ute people. You can even mine for gems!

Learn a thing or two about the snow sports that have played such a vital role in creating Colorado’s culture, and check out the skis and snowboards from yesteryears.

Starting out as a blacksmith shop in 1883, this museum celebrates Crested Butte’s legacy in the Wild West. The exhibits here preserve bits of the town’s history such as its roots in the mining industry and the origins of the community’s coveted ski slopes.

Did you know that in high altitude environments, such as Colorado, golf balls will fly farther? If that’s not enough of an incentive to schedule a tee time at one of our state’s 163 golf courses, the striking scenery will do the trick. With diverse terrain and challenging variations in elevation, golfers of every skill level will love driving and putting their way through some of the most gorgeous golf courses in the U.S.

Nestled near the legendary Vail and Beaver Creek resorts, Red Sky is a private club where members can play between Tom Fazio and Greg Norman courses, and enjoy the spectacular vistas of Vail’s Back Bowls.

Encircled by the tallest mountains in the state, this nine-hole public course near Leadville is an unrivaled, high-altitude setting for your next round of golf.

At this par-35, Keystone Resort golf course, all 18 holes boast spectacular views that are sure to elevate your experience. Golfers of all skill levels will be challenged by the varying bunkers, water hazards, and elevation changes that make this course one to remember.