Fun Colorado Day Trips

If you are in Denver or Vail, there are several great day trips worth checking out.  The following are some of my favorites.

Driving west on I-70, between Vail and Glenwood Springs, you will pass through beautiful Glenwood Canyon.

The Hanging Lake Trail is a must-stop along this scenic patch of highway.  The trail is relatively short–just over a mile–but it’s quite steep and rocky.  There are, however, plenty of places to rest along the way  to take great photos of the canyon and river flowing through it.  There are handrails on the tricky parts.  Hanging Lake is one of Colorado’s gems, a National Natural Landmark, a mysterious natural wonder high in the bluffs.  In summer, waterfall tendrils, gumdrop-green waters, a cliffside location and lush surroundings make it one of Colorado’s most popular hikes.  In winter, masses of icicles transform the lake into a frozen wonderland.

Iron Mountain Hot Springs, at the site of the historic Iron Springs Spa on the scenic banks of the Colorado River, is located in Glenwood Springs–about 3 hours from Denver or 1 hour from Vail.

It has a rich history dating back to 1896, when travelers came from near and far to soak in the therapeutic thermal mineral waters.

Sixteen pools filled with pure, untreated thermal mineral water feature natural designs that complement the riverside landscape—with walkways to connect them; the walkways are heated in winter for a true winter perk!  A quiet zone surrounds these pools to ensure a peaceful setting.  Each pool is a little different, with temps ranging from 98 – 108 degrees F, and all are tucked into the riverbank with mountain views that soothe and inspire!

The family pool has fresh water kept around 93 degrees F with a jetted spa and provides accessibility.

In addition to the bathhouse and gift shop, there is a great little café and bar so you can spend much of the day there.  Upon leaving Iron Mountain Hot Springs, you might want to stop off at  the nearby Glenwood Springs Brew Garden  for a beer and delicious banh mi or Kaleidoscoops for a variety of ice cream flavors.

Aspen is one of America’s most famous mountain towns, and it manages to maintain a character that is 100 percent Colorado.

Hops Culture, located on the pedestrian mall, is a terrific place to have a tasty Colorado brew and bison nachos (with Texas bison!).

Visiting Maroon Lake with the striped, tilted pyramids of the twin Maroon Bells in the background is a great way to enjoy a day trip.   It is one of North America’s most famous mountain scenes.