Just booked a last minute Airbnb for the week after next. Taking the wife and boys on a road trip from DFW. I haven't been to Colorado since I was about my kids age. Anyone have recs for things to do in the area? We will probably go zip line or something along those lines one day. Would also like to go on some good hiking trails. Maybe go to Aspen for a little bit as it's only an hour drive. Not sure if we are driving through the night or stopping somewhere along the way. If anyone knows any fun stops that aren't too far off track, let me know. Already saw the sand dunes that would only add about an hour drive.

There's not much to twin lakes but the view is amazing. There is a really good restaurant in the hotel "in town" that you should certainly check out while you are there. Very old building.

The drive over the pass to aspen is adventurous but would be a fun day trip. You can stop on the side of the road in a few places and take the sites in.

Do you fish? There are lots of options in the area. The Arkansas is right there. Cotton wooed creek out of Buena vista has some fish. You can catch some in the creek that flows into twin lakes as well.

Tons of hiking options. Google will give you plenty of options

I know snow levels were down, but you can still probably do some white water rafting on the Arkansas.

Buena vista and Leadville will be closest towns. I prefer buena vista due to the intolerable traffic in Leadville. Lots of restaurants, cool downtown area, and nice trail along the Arkansas River in town where you can watch people raft and kayak the rapids.

Not sure about sand dunes. I know it's not much of a break up of the trip, but it might be fun to stop at palo dura canyon one night and catch the play Texas.

We are planning a day trip to Aspen. What do you mean by "adventerous"? As in dangerous/sketchy roads? Thinking about taking my wife's Bronco but that would cut down quite a bit on luggage as opposed to taking my truck.

Fire by Reudi Reseviour

It's narrow at some spots but just stay on the road and it's no problem. You can do it in any regular vehicle.

https://aspenchamber.org/blog/everything-you-need-know-about-independence-pass/

Pick your poison.
Indy pass is a narrow paved Road. Some cool places to pull over and take in some time. Swim, hike etc…. Definitely a nice trip. Aspen. Pick a nice lunch spot and wander about.

Leadville doesn't have traffic, old mining town. Not much to see, decent biking south of town at CMC campus. Interesting history but not much explore.


BV for sure offers a better developed town. South Main and Main along with ample other activities.

The Ark will be low this year but almost always decent rafting. Depending on ages Numbers or Browns Canyon. Older go for Numbers.

That drive on 82 to Aspen is a fun one. Tight roads with little to no guardrails in places, but it's beautiful and totally worth it.

Maroon Bells is a can't miss if you're around Aspen. I believe it is the most photographed spot in Colorado.

Maroon Bells is on my list, but we will have to shuttle as the parking is all purchased.

I believe that is Crystal River Mill

oldarmy76 said:

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There's not much to twin lakes but the view is amazing. There is a really good restaurant in the hotel "in town" that you should certainly check out while you are there. Very old building.

The drive over the pass to aspen is adventurous but would be a fun day trip. You can stop on the side of the road in a few places and take the sites in.

Do you fish? There are lots of options in the area. The Arkansas is right there. Cotton wooed creek out of Buena vista has some fish. You can catch some in the creek that flows into twin lakes as well.

Tons of hiking options. Google will give you plenty of options

I know snow levels were down, but you can still probably do some white water rafting on the Arkansas.

Buena vista and Leadville will be closest towns. I prefer buena vista due to the intolerable traffic in Leadville. Lots of restaurants, cool downtown area, and nice trail along the Arkansas River in town where you can watch people raft and kayak the rapids.

Not sure about sand dunes. I know it's not much of a break up of the trip, but it might be fun to stop at palo dura canyon one night and catch the play Texas.

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Cottonwood Creek had great fishing last time I was there. But that was in summer of 91 and I was fishing at 6am before getting in the vans to go to the field area for Geology Field Camp every morning. Still remember seeing a giant porcupine walking out of the campground ahead of us one morning. We thought it was a bear cub at first and started looking around for mama.

Drive up to Marble.

If in twin lakes, maybe make the hike down to the Royal Gorge in Canon City. Grand Canyon of the Arkansas. 1250 deep and 300' wide.

I wouldn't mess with great sand dunes. Long ways outta the way. And hot as balls. Only do it if you're taking the 160 route west to Pagosa or Durango.

Maybe do a day in Breck for all the activities? Not too far.

You could swing down to St. Elmo if going to Buena Vista and maybe up and over Cottonwood Pass into the small town of Tincup near Taylor reservoir.

Admittedly, twin lakes is an interesting jump off point. Probably should have chosen something different but you're still going to enjoy it.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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Drive up to Marble.

If in twin lakes, maybe make the hike down to the Royal Gorge in Canon City. Grand Canyon of the Arkansas. 1250 deep and 300' wide.

I wouldn't mess with great sand dunes. Long ways outta the way. And hot as balls. Only do it if you're taking the 160 route west to Pagosa or Durango.

Maybe do a day in Breck for all the activities? Not too far.

You could swing down to St. Elmo if going to Buena Vista and maybe up and over Cottonwood Pass into the small town of Tincup near Taylor reservoir.

Admittedly, twin lakes is an interesting jump off point. Probably should have chosen something different but you're still going to enjoy it.

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Thanks for the recs. We didn't even know we were going on vacation until yesterday. Kinda just got a wild hair up my rear and didn't really research it. Just wanted a nice getaway with the fam.

I probably won't go the sand dunes route. I already am thinking about going to Cañon City a day or two early to see the Royal Gorge. Maybe drive over to Pikes Peak before going to Twin Lakes (I know it's out of the way but we can't check into our Airbnb until 3pm on Monday, so looking for some filler time).

Twin Lake doesn't look like it has much, and we are ok with that. We are more interested in kayaking/fishing, hiking, and zip lining. To be honest though, if the views from our place are half a nice as the pictures, I could sit on that porch the entire trip.

Any recs on good hiking trails?

If you're still considering Buena Vista, go for it. Like others said above, the downtown is nice and "busy", there's a good ice cream shop off of the highway, and Mt Princeton Hot Springs Resort got a new investor appx 15 years ago that's thrown a lot of $ into making it a real nice place to spend a few hours. It's nearly impossible to book a cabin there, though. Up in BV/Salida, you've got your pick of Collegiate Peak 14ers, or can fish the Arkansas.
If you grew up active in Young Life, BV is where the Frontier Ranch camp is, too.

do some searching on hikes... they're literally everywhere around there.

The continental divide trail cuts right through there and I believe there's a trailhead/parking spot somewhere on Cottonwood pass.

Thanks guys. The last time I was in Colorado was that Young Life trip. I didn't recall where it was. Looking forward to getting out of the heat and seeing some nature in a few days.

normalhorn said:

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If you're still considering Buena Vista, go for it. Like others said above, the downtown is nice and "busy", there's a good ice cream shop off of the highway, and Mt Princeton Hot Springs Resort got a new investor appx 15 years ago that's thrown a lot of $ into making it a real nice place to spend a few hours. It's nearly impossible to book a cabin there, though. Up in BV/Salida, you've got your pick of Collegiate Peak 14ers, or can fish the Arkansas.
If you grew up active in Young Life, BV is where the Frontier Ranch camp is, too.

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Buena Vista is the place to go for rafting, just don't pronounce the name wrong or they will know you are from Texas.

ColoradoMooseHerd said:

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normalhorn said:

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If you're still considering Buena Vista, go for it. Like others said above, the downtown is nice and "busy", there's a good ice cream shop off of the highway, and Mt Princeton Hot Springs Resort got a new investor appx 15 years ago that's thrown a lot of $ into making it a real nice place to spend a few hours. It's nearly impossible to book a cabin there, though. Up in BV/Salida, you've got your pick of Collegiate Peak 14ers, or can fish the Arkansas.
If you grew up active in Young Life, BV is where the Frontier Ranch camp is, too.

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Buena Vista is the place to go for rafting, just don't pronounce the name wrong or they will know you are from Texas.

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Byoona Vista, amirite?

Ewe have no idea how much it angers them up there. My cousin is a Texas transplant to BV, and if she didn't own half the town, they'd probably run her out of it

ChoppinDs40 said:

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I believe that is Crystal River Mill

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i've been there. It is gorgeous! there is a 4WD road near there with a warning sign that says once you get on it you can't turn back! it's too narrow. you could also see the wreck of a vehicle several hundred feet below at the bottom of the canyon. We did not take the road less traveled that day!

rednecked said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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I believe that is Crystal River Mill

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i've been there. It is gorgeous! there is a 4WD road near there with a warning sign that says once you get on it you can't turn back! it's too narrow. you could also see the wreck of a vehicle several hundred feet below at the bottom of the canyon. We did not take the road less traveled that day!

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also near there is the Marble mine with incredible pure white marble all over the place. When I was there they would let you take out anything you could carry by hand. I have two huge chunks of it. I have a picture of myself standing in a field covered in giant marble blocks they pulled out of the mine. they are as big as houses.

rednecked said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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I believe that is Crystal River Mill

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i've been there. It is gorgeous! there is a 4WD road near there with a warning sign that says once you get on it you can't turn back! it's too narrow. you could also see the wreck of a vehicle several hundred feet below at the bottom of the canyon. We did not take the road less traveled that day!

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that's down into Devil's Punch Bowl (or up from Crystal Mill). I've done that road many times and yes... it is a very intense 4x4 trail. Off-camber, jagged rocks, fall to your death shelf. I've been on some very gnarly 4x4 trails in Colorado and that spot down into Devil's Punch Bowl is one of the scariest.

Separately, when we were there one day, we saw a guy drop a kayak in and did the waterfall run from punchbowl to punchbowl. Google Devil's Punchbowl and you'll see what I'm saying... one of the coolest waterfall / rock features you'll see in the area.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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rednecked said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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I believe that is Crystal River Mill

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i've been there. It is gorgeous! there is a 4WD road near there with a warning sign that says once you get on it you can't turn back! it's too narrow. you could also see the wreck of a vehicle several hundred feet below at the bottom of the canyon. We did not take the road less traveled that day!

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that's down into Devil's Punch Bowl (or up from Crystal Mill). I've done that road many times and yes... it is a very intense 4x4 trail. Off-camber, jagged rocks, fall to your death shelf. I've been on some very gnarly 4x4 trails in Colorado and that spot down into Devil's Punch Bowl is one of the scariest.

Separately, when we were there one day, we saw a guy drop a kayak in and did the waterfall run from punchbowl to punchbowl. Google Devil's Punchbowl and you'll see what I'm saying... one of the coolest waterfall / rock features you'll see in the area.

that's it! couldn't remember the name. I've done some hairy 4 wheeling in CO and UT but that was more than I wanted.

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If you do go to Cañon City, don't miss the Skyline Drive!

If you're wanting to incorporate Pikes Peak, I'd consider spending the night before in Colorado Springs and doing a day there (Garden of the Gods, Air Force Academy, waterfalls, so much more) before looping down to the Royal Gorge on the way to Twin Lakes. Looping up from CC to Buena Vista through Salida is a beautiful drive along the Arkansas River.

Have fun and enjoy the break from the heat!

Just refer to it as "BV"

Beeeuuna Vista

Lived there for a decade

Heading out tomorrow morning to Cañon City for a couple nights in a hotel before hitting our Airbnb in Twin Lakes on Monday.

Maroon bells and Aspen on Tuesday, zip lining in BV on Wednesday. Probably fish and canoe on Thursday. Really looking forward to it.

The wahatoyas.