A 3-day Colorado river rafting trip is the sweet spot for most people: long enough to leave the trailhead mindset behind, short enough to fit a long weekend. You raft by day, camp by the water at night, and let a guide crew handle the food, the gear, and the route. Plan on a few months of lead time, a moderate fitness level, and a willingness to sleep outside. Two outfitters make this easy. AVA runs a 3-day trip on the Upper Colorado near...
China officially established its first national park system in October 2021 with five flagship parks spanning 230,000 square kilometers, and among the 11 parks you can visit today (including official designations and standout pilot sites), the best are Sanjiangyuan National Park, Giant Panda National Park, Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, Wuyishan National Park, Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, Zhangjiajie National...
Kluane National Park and Reserve is a 22,000-square-kilometer UNESCO World Heritage Site in Canada's Yukon Territory, home to 17 of Canada's 20 highest peaks, the world's largest non-polar ice fields, and a wilderness so vast that it redefines what adventure travelers think is possible in North America. If you're searching for world-class mountaineering, backcountry hiking that stretches beyond the horizon, or the kind of raw, untouched...
Arizona is home to three stunning national parks: Grand Canyon, Saguaro, and Petrified Forest. Each offers a completely different slice of the Southwest, from the world's most famous mile-deep gorge to towering desert cacti and ancient fossilized forests that predate the dinosaurs. If you're driving from Colorado to explore the Southwest, you're in luck. All three parks sit within reasonable road trip distance and deliver experiences you simply...
Colorado offers 27 major boating lakes spanning from high alpine reservoirs to sprawling prairie waters, giving you everything from wakeboarding on 3,000-acre playgrounds to quiet paddle excursions beneath 14,000-foot peaks. The best lakes for powerboating include Blue Mesa Reservoir, Horsetooth Reservoir, and Lake Granby, while wakeless gems like Turquoise Lake and Georgetown Lake deliver pristine paddling surrounded by scenic mountain views....
Wyoming is home to six remarkable National Park Service sites that showcase some of America's most dramatic landscapes: two iconic national parks (Yellowstone and Grand Teton), two national monuments (Devils Tower and Fossil Butte), one national recreation area (Bighorn Canyon), and one national historic site (Fort Laramie). Together, these protected areas span millions of acres and preserve everything from the world's first national park to...
Planning your first motorboat outing on Colorado's pristine lakes and reservoirs? Here's the straight answer: Colorado doesn't require a traditional boating license for adults, but if you're under 18, you'll need to complete an approved boating safety course and carry the certificate with you on the water. Since June 1st, 2024, anyone under 18 operating a motorboat or personal watercraft must have passed this certification, while adults 18 and...
8A Colorado Stone LLC is a stonework business operating in Colorado's thriving artisan community, specializing in the craftsmanship that transforms raw stone into functional and decorative elements for homes, landscapes, and commercial spaces. For travelers and locals drawn to Colorado's rich tradition of handcrafted goods, this company represents the intersection of natural Rocky Mountain materials and skilled fabrication that has shaped the...
South Alamo Road is the gateway to one of the San Luis Valley's best-kept secrets: the Alamosa South Bluff Trail system. This modest gravel access route leads adventurers from the outskirts of Alamosa directly to dramatic overlooks, hidden slot canyons, and volcanic rock formations that rival better-known Colorado destinations without the crowds. The road isn't fancy, but what it delivers is pure high-desert magic. Key Takeaway: South Alamo Road...
Trail #78 along the Big Dry Creek corridor runs 2.3 miles through Westminster, Colorado, connecting Lowell Boulevard to Federal Boulevard with a smooth, paved surface perfect for cycling, running, and walking. This segment stands out for its wide concrete path, minimal street crossings, and year-round accessibility, making it one of the most practical choices in the metro area's extensive trail network. Key Takeaway: Trail #78 offers a flat,...
