Colorado Springs is an amazing place, offering a range of adventurous outdoor activities. One of the top attractions in Colorado Springs is, no doubt, Garden of the Gods Park. The place offers amazingly orange rock formations, hiking trails, climbing, and other activities. We share our tips on how to spend time there and how to...
Plan a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado? Check our tips on preparing for the visit to this unique and fabulous place, which protects the tallest dunes in North America. How to get there? Where to stay? What to Pack? And what are the best things to do in Great Sand Dunes...
We have spent no time in Colorado. But we may add it to our fall cross country trip. So great to know that we should plan a visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park. We would definitely want to see the tallest sand dunes in North America! But good to know we could wander on the sand and not worry about snakes or scorpions! I am sure we would want to try sand sledding.ReplyCancel
I have tried sandboarding in Australia and it is so much fun. I would love to try sand dunes again at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Also, would love to hike the tallest dune in North America. I have never been to Colorado but it is surely on my list to visit when I can. I will remember to check the weather when I plan.ReplyCancel
Not going to lie, the Great Sand Dunes National Park was not really on my bucket list for National Parks but I may have to reconsider since it is so unique and cool looking. I mean who would ever imagine and entire sand dune “desert” type ecosystem like something you would find in the Sahara in the middle of southern Colorado? Very cool. For me of course I would love to hike the dunes and definitely check out Zapata Falls. But I think the highlights would be 1) to do sand boarding cause that just looks cool & 2) stay there late or even overnight for star gazing event. I can only imagine how amazing the night sky looks over those sand dunes!ReplyCancel
Dream about winter in Yellowstone National Park? Yellowstone looks brilliant in winter scenery as hot geysers erupt from beneath a fluffy blanket of snow. Majestic bison with frosted noses search for blades of grass. And the silence is broken from time to time by the howling wolves and coyotes. Yellowstone in winter is the perfect...
We have always wanted to visit the National Parks in winter. And Yellowstone would definitely be on that list. Good to understand what part of the park is and is not open in the winter. It would be fun to plan to stay close by for a few days and do a guided snowmobile tour to the interior. I would love the chance to see more wildlife with less tourists about.ReplyCancel
Yellowstone Park looks as magnificent in winter as it does in summer. We visited the park only once, in early spring, and absolutely loved it. I hear these days there are huge crowds in Yellowstone, so postponing your visit for winter would be a better option if you are lucky and get as beautiful weather as you did.ReplyCancel
Oh my God such a stunning piece of Earth. I have always wanted to go to Yellowstone National Park but did not know that some bits of it is open during winters. Honestly, this is the first time I am seeing pictures of the park during winters all covered in snow and it looks so beautiful. Even though I might struggle with the temperature as I have never been in a place below 0 or 1 degrees C, I would love to visit here and see this part especially the wildlife.ReplyCancel
That’s kind of a steep Winter entry fee, considering most of the park is closed, eh? But it would be worth it because you’d be able to see the geysers without the crowds. That Bison Blizzard photo is amazing. I kinda thought bison would be hibernating in the Winter with the bears. I also didn’t know it was possible for cooking oil to freeze. So that’s how much I know! I like your suggestion about the snowmobile guided tour – fun!ReplyCancel
Visiting National Parks & Forests in Winter is quite an experience by itself! We went to the forest here when it snowed after a decade and it was an awesome experience. Good to know it would be a great spot to see wildlife. America is Beautiful pass sounds interesting. From what you say, it sounds like it is more extensive than National Parks pass. Is it? Thanks for the tip about which roads are open all year round. Also thanks for letting me know that the prices are high. I would have assumed it would be cheaper in winter!ReplyCancel
Plan a trip to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado? Check our detailed guide with lots of tips and the best things to do in Mesa Verde. We tell you how to prepare for the visit to the largest archaeological preserve in the United States. What to see and how to visit this place? Which...
I knew nothing about Mesa Verde before reading this blog post. It was fascinating to read that there are over 5000 archaeological sites. We found the cliff dwellings interesting when we visited the Montezuma Castle National Monument in Arizona so would be interesting to see more. The ones at Mesa Verde look much greater in size. I am sure a one day visit would just pique our interest to see more. Great to know there are so many different trails to see this site.ReplyCancel
Wow more than 5000 archaeological sites, that is absolutely gold. I have never heard of Mesa Verde National Park and honestly I have not been to Colorado ever but have had it on my list. I will make sure I add this to my list and spend at least half a day there. I will look forward to walking around and spending time at the place.ReplyCancel
I had the opportunity to visit Mesa Verde on a cross country road trip 10 years ago. It was one of the most fascinating national parks that I have been to. The cliff dwellings are amazing and I am so thankful that they have been preserved through the years. I didn’t realize hiking was a thing in the area or I would have taken advantage of that while I was there!ReplyCancel
Great to know more about Mesa Verde National Park. Like many others in US this too seems a fabulous destination. With over 5000 archaeological sites this must be an amazing place to visit. The cliff dwellings are certainly very interesting. Exploring some of the trails would really be heartwarming.ReplyCancel
Plan a Colorado Road Trip? So, check our complete Colorado Itinerary. During this 2 weeks Colorado road trip, you will see the best of the state. You will admire all four Colorado national parks. Moreover, you will hike in the mountains, canyons, and dunes. And spot a lot of wildlife. You will admire ancient and...
We never did more than drive through Colorado. So it was great to see a road trip itinerary that we could follow to take in all the sights. We might actually stretch our trip to 3 weeks and take it at a bit of a slower pace. Good tip about packing for any kind of weather. We forget that sometimes road tripping in the summer. I was nodding as I read this post. Saving it for future planning.ReplyCancel
I have not been to Colorado since I was
camping with my parents 40 years ago. I remember many parts of the state and it
is always in the back of my mind to return. Surprisingly, I haven’t spent any
real time in Denver, it would be a lot of fun to see a Rockies game. Would love
to visit Rattlesnake
Arches and drive the million dollar highway. Bookmarked, I love this itinerary! ReplyCancel
As many times as I have traveled to and through Colorado as I zigzagged the US on petsitting adventures, I have never been on the Million Dollar Highway. Now I have to go back! The information about the parks that are requiring reservations is very valuable. Not knowing that could spoil an entire day and create a huge disappointment. So, thanks for that info!ReplyCancel
Wow, I had no idea there’s so much nature & such lovely national parks and hiking trails in Colorado. The Rocky Mountain National park looks awesome, and I’d love to do this kind of road trip some time. Bear Lake Road also looks great, the hiking trails must be awesome, I can see. The exclamation point is one to head to for sure, the views look stunning!ReplyCancel
This definitely sounds and looks like an epic road trip full of gorgeous landscapes! I love all the different activities along the way, hiking to sand sledding which would be so fun to watch. It’s a great tip you shared to pre-book due to availability, unfortunately spontaneous road trips are not possible in a lot of places now with Covid. ReplyCancel
I have never been to Colorado but have had it on my list of places to see. I will remember to do the road trip while I am there. Such amazing places to see and do. I would definitely love to spend time at Rocky Mountain national park, looks stunning. I will make sure to be there for a few weeks to hike around the national parks.ReplyCancel
I’m always in love with road trip itineraries where you get to spot animals, birds, just wildlife in general. My toddler would totally love to spot them all. Thanks for the info about having to get the timed entry permit and tip about packing enough food and drinks. The cliff dwelling at Mesa Verde is very very interesting. I wouldn’t miss that. My toddler would go nuts over the steam engine railways!!!ReplyCancel
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Hi, we are Agnes & Chris! Welcome to The Van Escape! We are travelers, photographers, and bloggers. Our goal is to share travel & photo experience and inspire you to outdoor adventures through America. We love wildlife, off the beaten path places, soaking in hot springs, and van life. We also like cities by night and tasting local food & wine. We give you ready itineraries, hints, and essential tools to prepare you for your unforgettable lifetime journey. We only describe the places we have been, which we know and recommend without hesitation. All photos are also ours. We are so glad you’re here!
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I love those rock views at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. At 2-3 hours for a visit, we might plan to stop when we travel through Colorado this fall. I love that there are a number of great stops along the scenic drive. But it would be great to plan enough time for a hike or two to get closer to the rock formations.
Dramatic is right! I would love to visit this in person and really take in those splendor views. This would be the ultimate road trip, especially along the Pikes Peak Highway Drive. It’s fascinating to read the history of how this landscape came to be and amazing that it is still here for all of us to experience it!
That is such a cool way to name a rock formation! It sure is a feat to climb it. Attractions like these just prove the magnificence of nature over us. Wonderful shots!
Such an interesting way the place was named Garden of Gods and it is better the ‘Beer Garden’! The places so gorgeous. It was fascinating to know about how these rocks formed over time. I would love to go on a hike here and also take a Trolley Tour. This 100 years old tour sounds interesting to me and it would also give me an entire view of the place. Thanks for sharing these tips.
I love exploring geological sites. They remind one of the times that were, when Earth was not burdened with so many things. The trolley tour sounds exciting. The cliff dwellings are also worth a dekko. Certainly a park that reminds one of the beginning of time.
I am a climber and I am always interested in beautiful rock formations. I want to look at them and I want to touch them and see how the rock feels. Perfect that there are some climbing possibilities as well at the Garden of the Gods. I would definitely check this out, if I am in the area.
That is surely funny! From Beer garden to the Garden of gods what a name! Yes, I agree that the national parks surely looks like a place where gods would assemble. I love the national park and I will surely visit it when I am in Colorado. I hope to explore this part of the world someday and thanks to your posts, I have a bigger list and places to see.
I love the red feel about the place.The trolley tour would be really exciting. Would love visiting the cliff dwellings. So much of history about Garden of Gods would be wonderful to understand. Outstanding pictures.
This is so interesting; I wasn’t aware Garden of the Gods is on a
fault line. I have visited the area when I was young but do not remember much
of it and want to return. Taking a Segway tour sounds like a lot of fun and I love
that the Perkins Central Garden Trail is wheelchair-accessible