Going on vacation doesn’t always mean leaving on a jet plane; sometimes, it just means leaving in a Jetta. Colorado makes this easy: a state packed with many of Mother Nature’s wonders, there’s tons to do and experience without going far from home. If you’re looking for a fabulous road trip destination, consider one of the following:
Ouray
Ouray is located in the San Juan Mountains, about a six-hour drive from the Front Range. Known as the “Switzerland of America” due to its alpine environment, it offers everything you’d expect from a Colorado town. For families, Ouray’s waterpark game is beautiful. Enjoy three waterslides, an inflatable obstacle course, poolside massages, and a 95-degree soaking section.
Buena Vista
Buena Vista is around two hours from Denver, although that’s highly dependent on traffic. While it's well known for its outdoor adventures, from four-wheeling to mountain biking, it also sits near some of Colorado’s best-preserved ghost towns. St. Elmo, a national historical site, is one of these; it's home to roughly eight people year-round. Visitors can walk down Main Street and look at houses and buildings frozen in time.
Divide
The town of Divide sits on top of the Ute Pass, a peaceful and beautiful community 9,000 feet high. About 25 miles west of Colorado Springs, it features numerous attractions for all tastes. Hike or bike Mueller State Park, stop by the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, or explore the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, where 1,700 plants and insect species are forever memorialized in rock. It’s a summer memory sure to be preserved forever.
Estes Park
If you want your road trip to be more of a road jaunt, Estes Park is a nearby destination that packs a punch. Just 30 miles from Longmont, Estes is nestled in rolling hills and postcard-worthy scenery. It offers many things to do, from hiking and exploring Rocky Mountain National Park to hitting the boutiques and eateries in the center of town. For paranormal pursuers, the Stanely Hotel offers ghost tours to leave you in high spirits.
Salida
Salida is about three hours from Longmont, a small town with a big heart. Like most other Colorado destinations, it’s well known for outdoor activities, including hiking fourteeners, mountain biking, soaking in the hot springs, and splashing on the shores of the Arkansas River. For those who also enjoy the great indoors, Salida is home to shops, art galleries, pubs, cafes, and more.
You don’t have to leave the state to go on vacation. With so many destinations just a few hours away, it’s easy to make your summer one packed with excitement, fun, adventure, and plenty of road trip junk food.
Fox Ridge Apartments in Longmont, Colorado, offers a quiet residential location, mountain views, and modern amenities. We’re the perfect place to call home. Contact us to learn more.