Soak In Hot Springs And Drive The Highest Paved Mountain Pass In The US On This Colorado Road Trip
By Christy Articola|Published June 05, 2023
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Christy Articola
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Christy Articola has lived in Colorado since 2013 and considers herself a Centennial State enthusiast and expert through and through. She's based in Denver metro, but over the past decade, she has traveled to every corner, river, village, park, town, and city in the state and continues to explore it deeper and further whenever she can. Christy simply can't get enough of Colorado, and loves sharing all her adventures with you through Only In Your State! She graduated with a degree in journalism from Fordham University and is thrilled to be working as a full time travel writer for this and other sites - she finally found her perfect niche - and is so grateful for that.
Colorado is full of immense beauty, and that’s exactly why we Coloradans love it so much! When the time comes to take a road trip into the Great Outdoors, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the many options available to us. Here, we’ve put together a fantastic two-day road trip for you so you can dive into the best outdoor adventures & activities in Colorado without overthinking it. This trip will take you to hot springs, forests, and mountains, and at the end, you can sit on a patio with a cocktail or coffee and reflect on all the beauty that you’ve experienced.
From national parks and campgrounds to waterfalls, canyons, and more, there is so much to love about America’s natural splendor — and June, designated as Great Outdoors Month, is the perfect time to get outside.
There are no filters or pumps on site. All of Hot Sulphur Springs' 15 hot springs pools are fed by natural flow from seven hot springs on the mountain above. There are no chemicals in the water either, and the mineral levels have remained the same since they were first measured in 1946.
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Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa, 5609 Spring Rd, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451, USA
This place is fun for the whole family. You can enjoy this large pool with a slide, smaller pools, or even reserve a private pool for yourself and your companions. What a great way to start a road trip!
Hike Along Shadow Mountain Lake
After you leave Sulphur Hot Springs, head north about half an hour to the Grand Lake area! This lakeside, mountain community is beautiful and welcoming. It's a great place to stop for lunch and to take a hike along the shore of Shadow Mountain Lake, one of three lakes here.
Shadow Mountain Lake is a man-made reservoir that was created by Shadow Mountain Dam. It connects to Grand Lake, the largest natural lake in the state. Take a walk along the shore of Shadow Mountain Lake on the East Shore Trail here and breathe in the best of the fresh mountain air.
This trail is considered an easy route. If you go the whole way, it's 5.8 miles in length out and back, and there are a number of other trails that branch off it if you wish to go deeper into the forest.
East Shore Trail, Green Ridge Campground, 66 Co Rd 66, Grand Lake, CO 80447, USA
Pets are not allowed on this trail because it cuts into Rocky Mountain National Park. But, you'll get some great views of the lake and of the town of Grand Lake across the way!
Camp In Rocky Mountain National Park
You've already had a busy trip! It's time to rest and relax. Timber Creek Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place to do just that. It's only about 30 minutes away from the East Shore Trail Trailhead.
Of course, you'll need reservations to camp at Timber Creek Campground. It is very popular during the summer. However, if you have a camping reservation in the park, you won't have to worry about RMNP's summer Timed-Entry System. You're automatically in!
You'll love this campground! It's quiet and serene. You'll probably even get to get up close and personal with some wildlife; it's abundant in this area. Please don't offer the animals any food, though.
Timber Creek Campground, Grand Lake, CO 80447, USA
The sunsets here are exceptional. You'll be able to enjoy them fully without distractions because there's no internet or phone service here. Fantastic!
Drive Over The Highest Paved Mountain Pass In The USA
One of the very best things to do in Colorado is to drive over Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is one of the highest roads in North America, and the views are spectacular.
If you don't stop along the way, the drive from Timber Creek Campground to Estes Park will take about an hour and fifteen minutes. You should stop, though. There is so much beauty on this route.
The Rocky Mountain vistas that you'll see here are unmatched. There are 77 mountain peaks over 12,000 feet high in the park, and you'll be able to see many of them from Trail Ridge Road.
Trail Ridge Road, Trail Ridge Rd, Grand Lake, CO, USA
Some of this road even goes above the tree line! Don't be surprised if you see snow up there, even in the middle of the summertime. This drive is incredible and is one that will stay with you forever.
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Have A Patio Beverage In Estes Park
Once you come out of Rocky Mountain National Park on the Estes Park side, it's likely that you're both hungry and thirsty. A patio is a great place to reflect on your journey, and Poppy's Pizza and Grill has a great one with a view of the mountains.
You'll probably want to order a pizza, too. Road trips to the best outdoor adventures & activities in Colorado certainly inspire one's appetite!
This road trip is a wonderful way to see and experience the very best that Colorado has to offer, with less than two hours of driving time (besides getting to the start point). Between hot springs, a hike, a scenic drive in a national park, and a relaxing lunch or dinner and drinks on a patio, we think this sounds like the perfect Colorado day! We hope you’ll give it a shot and enjoy it immensely. Have fun discovering the best outdoor adventures & activities in Colorado!
If you’re looking for some more fun Colorado road trips, check out this list of 11 Colorado road trips for more inspiration!
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