Colorado is a breathtakingly-beautiful state, and it offers a host of tourist activities. From Rocky Mountain National Park to the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, there’s a nearly unlimited range of things to see. Colorado isn’t a good tourist destination for people who hate hiking, since the best of Colorado is experienced through long treks outdoors.
If you want to get the most out of your Colorado trip, consider the following tips! Each one will help keep you safe and active as you explore the best of this gorgeous state.
Be Ready to Hike
Since Colorado’s most stunning attractions are outdoors, you’ll want to be on the trail for most of your adventure. While you can take Jeep tours to some of the best spots, you should also expect to spend part of your trip hiking. Be prepared with water bottles, good hiking shoes, good socks, and anything else you need to hike in comfort. Colorado is filled with gorgeous outdoor areas, and you can choose to hike longer, more difficult treks like Greenhorn Trail or stick to easy day hikes near a large city, which will allow you to enjoy nightlife and restaurants after a beautiful day outside.
Be Ready to Photograph
If you enjoy taking photographs, you should be prepared for literally hundreds of photo opportunities in Colorado. Not every vacation gives you the chance to take incredible photos, but any Colorado hike will. Whether you’re catching the sunset at Garden of the Gods or snapping a few shots of flowers in Estes Park, you’ll find unlimited photography opportunities. You might regret not being prepared, so bring adequate supplies with you — be sure your camera has a lens or setting made for outdoor light.
Be Ready for the Unexpected
When you’re off hiking in the middle of nowhere, anything could happen. Be prepared for small emergencies, like getting lost or running out of water while you hike. Bring a compass, a first aid kit, and devices for purifying water. It might help if you look up AT&T Stores in Colorado before you leave, just in case your phone gets damaged in the wilderness and you need a replacement or need a screen repair.
Although a certain amount of risk is involved, the experiences you have in the incredible unadulterated natural world in Colorado will definitely outweigh any minor inconveniences. The most important thing is to be prepared, so think ahead and plan for a variety of scenarios.
Be Ready for Varying Temperatures
While Colorado might be warm and sunny during the day, the early mornings and mountain summits are often much cooler. Make sure you pack a jacket, raincoat, and even a hat and gloves, depending on mountaintop temperatures. It’s always a good idea to look up expected weather before you explore a new terrain and pack accordingly. The temperature will vary a great deal depending on where you’re hiking, so research your destinations ahead of time. The great news is that Colorado is renowned for its abundant sunshine, so you’ll get to enjoy clear skies and Vitamin D — just be sure to pack the sunscreen!
Be Ready for Exploration
When you hike across the mountains of Colorado, you often can’t take a break in a local fast food stop. To fully experience the terrain, you’ll have to be in the wilderness for several hours (or days!) at a time. It might sound intimidating, but it’s actually hugely beneficial for you to take the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the natural world. One psychologist claims that three days in the wilderness is “a kind of cleaning of the mental windshield.” So be curious and be ready to explore, even if it means being outside for longer than you’re used to.
Colorado will never disappoint any visitor willing to strap on their hiking boots and head out into the unknown. The incredible terrain and natural beauty will restore you and inspire you — and all you need is your own two feet to see the sites!
