4 Outdoor Adventures in Colorado

These activities are sure to make a splash this summer

Summer is here and in the Rocky Mountains that means adventure. It gets just warm enough in these mountain towns that getting wet while canyoning or rafting is welcome. What exciting outing will you choose this summer?

Photo courtesy of VisitGlenwood.com

Experience a high-flying adventure in Glenwood Springs with Paragliding Colorado. You don't need to have paraglided before to do an outing here and newbies are welcome. The tandem pilots will do all the work and you’ll enjoy a birds-eye view of Glenwood Springs. Not to mention, this activity comes with bragging rights.

Afterward, enjoy one of the city’s hot springs pools. Iron Mountain Hot Springs provides views of the Colorado River, while Yampa Spa & Salon’s caves provide a hot springs experience that’s hard to find elsewhere. Or, soak at the world-famous Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, a place that’s been hosting families since 1888.  

Photo courtesy of Visit Fort Collins  [Richard Haro]

Rocky Mountain Adventures has 26 years of experience, and in addition to rafting excursions, they do guided fly-fishing outings and kayak classes.

Whether you are looking for an exciting day with big, fast water or a more family-friendly rafting trip, Rocky Mountain Adventures has got you covered. They raft the Cache Poudre, Clear Creek, the Upper Colorado and the North Platte River and it’s easy to find the perfect type of trip for your needs.

Afterward, enjoy a beer at one of the Fort Collins’ many craft breweries or catch live music at a myriad of venues around downtown.

Photo by Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer

A day with Soaring Tree Top Adventures is like no other. This is not your average zip line experience. This is an all-day outing that includes a train ride to the park. You’ll spend the day zipping through the trees and across the Animas River. At noon, a delicious lunch is catered.

Photo by Ryan Schlaefer

The staff here is top-notch and without a doubt, you’ll love your guides. Soaring Tree Top Adventures is the longest and safest zip line of its kind so you can be comfortable taking the entire family on this excursion.

Afterward, stroll downtown Durango and stop by 11th Street Station for a variety of food truck menu options and a cold drink at Ernie’s, the station’s bar.

Photo courtesy of Canyoning Colorado

In Ouray, they ice climb in the winter and go canyoning in the summer. What is canyoning? It’s hiking with the addition of rappelling down waterfalls. Basically, it’s an exciting nature experience where you will get wet.

Canyoning Colorado provides all the equipment and a guide, and this is a sport where you do not need experience. Anyone can do it as long as you are 12-years-old or older. There are full-day and half-day excursions available. There’s no place more beautiful to enjoy canyoning than in Ouray, the Little Switzerland of America.

After this thrilling experience, enjoy a soak in the newly remodeled Ouray Hot Springs Pool and listen to live music at the Ouray Mountain Air Music Series.