Colorado Vacation

We are flying in to Denver the last week of August. We are trying to decide whether to head to SW Colorado where we have never been and may be somewhat rushed or stay around Rock Mountain and try to find a cabin for a few days. We've been to Rock Mountain Nat'l Park a couple of times and would like to see experience something new. Any hidden gems near Denver that we might be missing? We want to enjoy the scenery, hike a little, and not be around a ton of people.

Dinosaur National Monument is interesting. It's about 5 hours from Denver.

Doesn't sound like the kind of thing that would be on your agenda (and i have no insights on any hiking things), but Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Morrison is an amazing venue....

We went to this animal sanctuary when we were in Colorado in 2017. I think it was about 45 min or so from Denver.

https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/visit-us

Coors Brewing? or Boulder and the Flat Irons are cool places to visit.

haven't been to colorado since i was 15, so definitely need to plan a trip there in the near future...

I'm envious - I've never been and really want to go to Colorado at some point.

Have a wonderful time Susielou!

We will be seeing Joe Bonamassa at Red Rocks later in August. Looking forward to it!

<--- jealous

Our third time at this venue. It's spectacular. Put it on your bucket list. This time we are close at Row 10.

Agree...it is spectacular (i've only been there once).

I'll have about three weeks off between semesters soon. Thinking about packing up the dog and heading to national park to recharge and do some day-hikes (he's probably not ready for backcountry).

Ideas, let them fly.

Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier and my three favorite but I am planning a trip to do Zions, Bryce Canyon and Moab in next year or so.

Be sure to check out the rules for dogs in the National Parks. There are restrictions in the back country. If you want to hike with a dog, aim for the National Forests instead.

Any suggestions for the Mesa Verde area?

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/lack-side-table-green__0314676_PE513926_S4.JPG

Thanks BVille. I think I misspoke. A lot of the national parks have such restrictions. National Forests, however, are pretty much open to K9 on a leash.

Heading to Colorado and Estes Park Saturday with an overnight stop in Denver/Morrison for a concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater. So ready to get out of 105+ heat indexes. Rained today so hoomidity will be atrocious this afternoon!

Have fun! Love that place (Red Rocks i mean....the rest of Colorado i can kinda take or leave).

Please post about your trip. Colorado and Estes Park are on our bucket list.

Taking the pooch to San Juan National Forest (Silverton, CO) on Sunday. It'll be his first trip so we will probably do some car-camping and day hikes. Will be nice to get away for a bit.

We leave for Colorado Aug 26th. I can hardly wait. Have BSA audit this coming week so it will be nice to have that out of the way before we go.