matwoodaustin

Our family will be in Edwards, Colorado July 12 for a wedding. We want to stay in Colorado for 2 weeks after the wedding to enjoy the Colorado Summer. We are considering renting a home in one location for 2 weeks and using it as a home base for activities, but not sure where the best place would be to do that. We would welcome all suggestions for where to stay and what to do for the last half of July. Hikes, biking, river rafting, zip lines, music festivals, take in hot springs??? Not sure where to start. We have 3 teen girls (ages 19,16, and 13) -- all fairly athletic and adventurous. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Nelson

Two weeks plopped down in one Colorado location in July is about as good as it gets! You will love it.

There are many options but two places that immediately come to mind are the area around Aspen, or southwest Colorado like Durango or Telluride.

Have a great trip.

Nelson

P.S. Crested Butte is another good place. It's close to Aspen as the crow flies, but a long way by road.

See, lots of options!

sylvia3

Colorado is a big state; you might want to consider breaking your stay into two rentals (or more), or you'll be in the car driving most of the time.
The mountain ski areas are terrific for all the activities you list: ride up the mountain, bike down, etc. The rentals in a place like Vail or Winter Park (very close to Rocky Mountain National Park west portal) are much cheaper in the summer, and there a lot of outdoor adventures and cultural events.
The southwest part of the state is wonderful for places like Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Durango (Durango /Silverton railway) Ouray, Pagosa (for phenomenal hot springs), Mesa Verde, or even a side trip to New Mexico for Taos or Santa Fe (4 hours from Mesa Verde area, so that would require an overnight).http://www.colorado.com/southwest
The scenery just getting to your next place to stay (if you break up the visit) is part of the adventure!

Tabernash2

You'll be in Edwards, and might want to stay there for one week to explore Vail and surrounding area. But I don't think I'd stay in one place for two weeks.

I'd move for the second week, maybe to Aspen, where there is tons to do. Check out their summer calendar for music festivals. Usually there are several concerts in lovely outdoor settings. Also all the other activities you listed. We like The Gant, a very nice condo/hotel which is just a couple of blocks from downtown Aspen. I suggest you stay in Aspen, as opposed to Snowmass, for its historic vibe.

spirobulldog

Best thing ever(although pretty expensive) is www.soaringcolorado.com It does include the Durango train and lunch. Only way to get their is via the train or helicopter. It was the single #1 thing to do on Tripadvisor in the world(might still be, not sure). I have been on several zipline tours and noone come anywhere close to this one.
I really like Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes National Parks in CO.

Gretchen

Something to do with that time would be to get some fly fishing lessons--all kinds of places to do it, with GREAT fishing.

Bitter

Glenwood Springs (with good hiking (hanging lake), rafting, hot springs, adventure park/cave, would cover many of your activities. But I wouldn't spend both weeks there.

wave725

Definitely break your trip up into several locations. The above recommendation of hiking Hanging Lake is a must. The trailhead begins right off the Glenwood Springs exit on I-70 and it's only a 3 mile hike r/t - although it's straight up. We did it last summer while just passing through.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails...nging-lake.htm

Rocky Mountain National Park offers some amazing hikes as well as whitewater rafting, horseback riding, marina, etc. The drive across Trail Ridge Road (which connects the east and west side of the park) climbs over 12,000 ft. and offers some short hikes and spectacular views.

Some must-do hikes are Emerald Lake, Sky Pond, Bluebird Lake, Chasm Lake and if you're up for a challenging hike, the Keyhole at Long's Peak.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails...p-10-hikes.htm

Ouray is a cool little town also known as Little Switzerland with some great hiking in the surrounding area. One of my favorites is to Blue Lakes in the Uncompahgre National Forest.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/blue-lakes.htm

matwoodaustin

These recommendations are perfect. We've already made SoaringColorado reservations and have decided to split our vacation into two parts: one in Durango; the other somewhere near Edwards//glen wood Springs. Many thanks. For drive from Edwards to Durango, which route do you recommend? Mapquest offers 70/550 which would let us go through Ouray or 24/285/160 which it says has a somewhat shorter travel time

Tabernash2

Whoa, that's a long drive, isn't it, from Edwards/Glenwood Springs to Durango? Then back to the Denver airport?

starrs

Ouray route

Tabernash2

Still a long drive. There are gorgeous places closer to Edwards than that. I do like Durango and Ouray, but don't like spending time in the car watching scenery go by.

matwoodaustin

I agree the drive is long but we are picking up kids from summer church camp in Durango and must be there as well as in Edwards the following week for a wedding. We are accustomed to long road trips with the kids, so it should not be an issue.

Tabernash2

Ah ha. That makes perfect sense, then!

Sounds like a plan.

You will see gorgeous areas in CO