Trail & Experience: Hanging Lake Trail is absolutely…read morebeautiful! It's definitely an uphill challenge, but so worth it. The trail is easier to go down than up, but the workout is worth every step for the stunning views at the top. Atmosphere : Going around sunrise is perfect. The sun isn't beating down on you. Plus the whole area feels peaceful and refreshing. The lake itself is stunning and truly worth the hike. Service: Rangers were super nice and helpful. Parking is easy to find, and GPS takes you directly there. You do need a permit $12 per person and timeslots fill up quickly, especially early in the morning, so plan ahead. Tips : Dogs are not allowed. Go early for cooler temps and smaller crowds. Bring water and good shoes the uphill is a workout! If you're in Glenwood, this hike is a must!

Whether you go snow shoeing hiking like a normie. This trail has changed and evolved so much that…read moreevery time I hike it I find new features new things and more challenges. It's a strong standing testimony that nature is forever wild and we are just the visitors Mother Nature allow. Enjoy the photos. NO YOU CANT SWIM IN HANGING LAKE! Do not be a bum and touch the water or get into it it's to be respected and enjoyed.

This is a great trail with a beautiful river running alongside it the first mile is an easy walk…read morethrough mile two and then becomes moderate and trail starts to narrow and be less traveled by mile three. Then is a great view at mile 4 at 8000 ft elevation. We ran out of time and could not continue any further. It's an amazing trail. I want to thank the previous reviews. This helped us find the trailhead. It's an awesome hike.

This is a very awesome trail that is not very well known by tourists. We stumbled upon it…read moregeocaching and I could not believe that it is not more popular! It's up to a 7.2 mile trail out and back. You can go any distance you chose. I would rate this as a moderate trail. They allow camping after the first five miles of the trail. The end of the seven miles tops out at 10,000 feet. This trail is accessible from May through October. Good parking! We only went a mile up because of a thunderstorm rolling in. It was all along a river! Super beautiful !! I wish I had more time to hike the rest! Can't wait to come back and finish the trail!

We made a quick pit stop here to stretch after skiing in Vail for the weekend. Grizzly Creek is…read morelocated off I-70 in Glenwood Canyon near Glenwood Springs. There is parking, tables, and restrooms at this rest stop. The scenery here is beautiful with the creek running through the mountains. The Grizzly Creek Trail is nearby if you want to do some hiking. It's about 4 miles one way and a little challenging. You can also do some rafting in the creek. Even though it was snowy and cold when I was here, Grizzly Creek still made for some beautiful photos.

Incredible recovery but you can still see the aftermath of the 2020 wildfire. So much green. The…read moresoothing sound of water rushing over the boulders. Giant yellow & black butterflies everywhere. Mother Nature really knows how to roll out the "red carpet" for us

Amazing hike but consider getting some poles and spikes highly recommended. Very icy in spots.read more

It is so good to see that Hanging Lake recovered on its own from the mudslides a few years ago…read more Nature is a magical thing. If you are able to take your time and take this hike a slower pace you should. We rushed up the incline, which doesn't feel like one on the legs but breathing sure was tough. We were trying to beat the storm rolling in. They told us at the gate that if a the storm rolled in we would hear a lot horn and everyone is required to evacuate so, whether you make it or not you have to leave. Since this is now a timed pass to hike this trail we didn't want to have to come back because of a storm. So, we rushed up and in the last 5 min it es you climb some questionable steps with a handrail but any one could slip through that rail system not just small children. If you get anxiety at heights this may not be for you. I don't love heights but I was able to do this one by just focusing on one foot I front of the other. It was unlike any Lake I have ever seen. The water is a beautiful aqua green which is naturally occurring. You won't regret it, so book that pass now!

Obviously the location is amazing. Hard to beat hot springs in winter, especially since we were…read morelucky enough to be there while it was snowing. But service and accommodations? Negative stars. My husband and I just stayed two nights in the caboose for our anniversary. First impressions the caboose is adorable, but smells like the inside of a bong. Absolutely overwhelmingly rank. We opened all the doors and windows and used most of a bottle of febreeze we found under the sink to make it slightly more tolerable. Then when we pulled open the murphy bed we found someone else's dirty underwear. We let the attendant know, he apologized and told us he'd let his manager know and we should hear from her the next day. We watched him write a note for her. Heard absolutely nothing. No follow up whatsoever. We talked to another employee when we were checking out to let him know we left a pile of someone else's dirty laundry on the stoop and his response was "f***, I keep telling those guys they have to clean in there." Seriously not impressed for a $500 stay. On top of that the provided linens are one thin blanket, threadbare sheets and the saddest pillows you've ever slept on. I get that it's a rustic setting, but that's no excuse for a dirty, smelly room and cheapskate bedding. It was just gross.

Atmosphere: Strawberry Hot Springs is one of my favorite hot…read morespring spots to relax. The atmosphere is so calm and peaceful. You can really let go of all your stress as soon as you get there. They have about four hot pools and a cold plunge. The cold plunge is freezing at first but it actually feels amazing after being in the hot water for a while. I've visited in both fall and winter, and each season is stunning. Kids are welcome during the day. Which makes it great for a family visit. At night, clothing is optional during certain hours, so just check ahead if that's not your thing. Service: The staff is really laid-back and friendly. They check bags for food because chipmunks will try to sneak to your bag and steal your snacks. The bathrooms are always clean and well-maintained. Everyone makes the whole experience feel easy and enjoyable. Cost & Reservations: If you drive yourself and there's no snow, admission is $20 cash per person. If it's snowy, there's a shuttle from Steamboat Springs for about $50, which includes admission. Visits are two-hour reservations, you can book on their website. Payment is cash only in person, so make sure to bring some. Tips: Keep snacks in your car to avoid the chipmunks, bring a towel and something warm to wear after your soak, and enjoy!

Right from the moment we pulled into the parking lot, the sound of rushing water filled the air,…read moreand it didn't take long to find out why. The centerpiece of the park is this stunning trio of waterfalls--three streams of water pouring side by side over bright limestone cliffs, surrounded by the kind of lush greenery that feels almost tropical. It was like walking into a Colorado rainforest. Mist from the falls cooled the air, and everything around them felt alive--ferns, moss, chirping birds, and the occasional chipmunk darting across the path. The trails were surprisingly well maintained and easy to navigate. We started with the paved path that led right up to the base of the falls--perfect for just soaking in the view, and even wheelchair accessible. Then we took the Coyote Trail, which loops up around and behind the falls. That's where things got even more fun. The trail winds past a handful of small limestone caves, some of which you can crawl into and explore. One of them opened up into a surprisingly big cavern--we hadn't brought flashlights, but our phones did the trick, and the kids loved it. It felt like discovering secret chambers in a fantasy story. When we made it to the top of the falls, the view was totally worth the mild climb. You could look down and see all three cascades in full, framed by trees and cliffs. And with the mist rising in the sunlight, it felt absolutely magical--like something out of a painting. What I loved most was how much this park offered in such a compact space. Waterfalls, caves, trails, wildlife, creeks, picnic spots--everything felt close and accessible, but never crowded or rushed. It was peaceful, beautiful, and so well kept. Honestly, it's one of the best hidden gems I've stumbled upon in Colorado.

This is a worth while stop if you are traveling through the area. It was a scenic drive from I-70…read moreinto the park. I was traveling with my husband and relatives. Note: I detracted one star because all the picnic tables for day visitors have been removed to discourage that activity. The only tables in the park are for the camp sites. We pulled into an empty site, since we did not see tables elsewhere, to have a quick lunch. We got a talking to from one of the park employees that it was not permitted. We were nearly done with lunch so we finished quickly and removed ourselves, making sure the area was as we found it. We then parked up at the trailhead parking. It is a pleasant walk to the base of the falls. Then we headed up the stairs that take you behind the falls as well as to some caves. My husband and his brother did the hike up and around to the top. My sister-in-law and I found a nice shaded bench to enjoy the views while we waited for them to return. It was an overall good experience. I would go back.

Flat Tops Wilderness Guides is totally GOOD TO GO! Cliff and his crew are great guys and you will…read moreexperience the wildness beyond expectation! We stayed 3 nights there and it was great fun. Highly recommended.

Cliff took our group on an awesome adventure, culminating with a summit of Shingle Peak. We had a…read morepretty mixed group in terms of experience and fitness and Cliff did a great job of challenging everyone while keeping us safe. I was impressed with the way he modified routes and timelines based on weather and our group's performance. This was truly a custom adventure and not a generic "one size fit all, take it or leave it" trip. Camp food was at least 2 tiers above what I was expecting. Great way to experience the Colorado Flat Tops!

This is a stunning park next to Rifle Falls State Park. This one has tons of climbing areas for…read morewarmer months, and incredible ice caves to explore in the winter. There are a ton of picnic benches and places to relax next to the river that winds through the park, and a solid array of campsites as well (closed currently due to the weather and Covid). I highly recommend going in the winter to check out the stunning ice caves... just grab some cramp-ons for your shoes (and I'd recommend snow boots or waterproof boots because there is a solid amount of snow). We didn't see areas to snow shoe currently (as of December 2020), but we also didn't go out too far beyond the more easily accessible areas.

This was our first time on this trail. We only went as far as the barn because the trail past that…read morewas closed still due to fire. The path to the barn is just about 2 miles. we had 570 feet of elevation gain. all trails said it was like 850 or something like that but that was definitely a bit off. When you first start the trail is a bit of up but then it flattens out. There are so many lovely views along the way! i am not familiar with this area or not and if this is a off leash trail or not but every dog we encountered was off leash. So just be forewarned if you have a naughty dog this may not be the place for you. The trail was a little wider so we were able to walk in groups of two which was nice. the river below was frozen and there was snow on the other side of it. The trail however was dry and perfect for hiking The barn which is 2 miles in is great. Look for the secret door while you are there to a room! Would definitely go back if i were in the area. The kids we were with were mostly not experienced hikers and everyone did just fine on the trail.

This is my go to trail for a quick in and out trail. Easy to moderate trail depending if you go…read morepast the barn and creek. It can be muddy in the spring but I love the sound of the river churning below.