Now put yourself in my shoes. You're sitting at Cafe 13 in beautiful Golden, Colorado. You're…read moreenjoying a delightful chorizo breakfast burrito and an iced vanilla latte. You start thinking of where you want to camp for the night so you open up Google maps on your phone and start looking around. There's Meridian campground and Deer Creek campground and hold on- what's that? Guided Goat Hikes?? Your heart races as you hope it's exactly what it sounds like. You fill out the brief online inquiry form hoping- no- PRAYING that there is last minute availability for the evening hike. Owner and founder, Tara calls you within a matter of minutes and is trying her best to accommodate your last minute request. She says she'll get back to you within a couple hours to confirm. Twenty minutes later, she texts to confirm. Your spirits soar. You show up at the predetermined location with your traveling companion and Tara shows up with a couple of goats. Juno and Buttercup are seasoned professionals and they know what they're doing. As you begin to hike, the goats set the pace at a comfortable conversational jaunt that allows your weak sea level lungs to function at 8000'. Tara is a true professional and speaks of her journey into guided goat hiking that is nothing short of inspirational. As the hike nears its end and the sunlight begins to fade, you know your memories of this experience never will. Now that you've been on this epic journey in my shoes, I hope you will take it upon yourself to have your own adventure with Tara and one of her many wonderful goats.

I had recently lost my parents and brother, and moved to Colorado from California to heal I was…read morelooking for things to do outdoors, friendly, and local. Something that I would want to do over and over. This wknd I found it!!! The owner Tara, was so extremely friendly, so very kind and patient through text and emails to sign up and learn the locations. Once I got to the location, and saw the goats I knew that it was for me!!! I had the best day, laughing, being around all the goats, a lovely group of people, and listening to Tara chatting and leading the group and informing us with amazing information about the Goats. She answered so many questions. I felt happy, safe and learned so much!! I'm truly looking forward to another hike and feeding the goats and the baby goat yoga It's so family friendly Her Instagram and Facebook show children on the trail . Looking forward to doing it in the summer as well If you're looking for something fun to do outdoors, or just get out of your head..... go walk with a friendly goat

On a hot sunny day Lower Maxwell Falls is the perfect hike in the shade. When your feet get hot and…read moretired remove the shoes and soak in the cold creeks and enjoy a moment to relax! Postcard views are what you can expect when you aim your camera! It is a challenging course so make sure you are prepared. The trails are clearly marked so no worries about getting lost!

The hike is great exercise. The falls are magical. We went when we had our first sustained freeze…read moreand the waterfall was amazing. There were so many different ice crystals and formations. The slow volume of water brought such serenity. Please if you go and have a dog, pick up the poop and haul the bag out. The unsightly views of bagged and loose stoles is a major turn off.

Nice park for a hike or run! Good elevation gain if heading up the Old Ski Run Trail. Kid friendly…read moreas well for the smaller loops. It tends to be more shaded. Currently there is some snow, ice, and mud on the trail - as well as a few downed trees - so be careful! Otherwise a nice quiet forest hike.

Closer to the city, yet far enough away to feel like you're getting a break from it all. Sledding…read morehills for the super snowy times, a variety of trails for all others (hiking or snow shoeing), and decent bathrooms for the non-winter months. Parking can be muddy, and even a bit off a challenge on really nice days, but it's a good option for a quick hike.

Flying J Ranch Park is close enough to my house to be easy, but mentally it feels worlds away…read more That's the whole trick. You don't have to make a big Colorado production out of it. Drive to Conifer, get out of the car, and let the city brain loosen its grip. It's also not overrun. Parking is limited, and honestly, that may be part of the charm. It keeps Flying J from turning into one of those Front Range hiking scenes where the parking lot feels like a Subaru convention sponsored by REI. The bathrooms deserve their own mention. They are the cleanest park bathrooms I have experienced. Bring a wipe for your hands and you're good to go. The main walk is Shadow Pine Loop, which is about three miles and easy enough for anyone who wants a real walk without signing up for punishment or humiliation. Go left to right, clockwise, east to west, or whatever directional language works for you. I give directions like a city kid, you'll figure it out. The trail draws a mix of people: parents with young kids burning off energy, older folks, meaning older than me, on group walks, and lots of doggies. Please keep your dog on leash. I know, I know, your dog is friendly. So is everyone's dog... The only subculture to watch for is the occasional bike bro who treats right of way like a personal trail system. Most people are great. A few roll through with a festival-bro confidence level that feels wildly unnecessary on the peaceful trails. The park has changed in recent years. Prescribed burns, thinning, and fallen trees have opened up parts of the forest, so there is more sun than there used to be. Some spots look a little rough. Then you notice the new seedlings coming in, and suddenly you're thinking about forest cycles, renewal, mortality, and why you came here without coffee. Wait. Where were we? Come back. Flying J is not flashy. That's the point. It's easy, close, calm, dog-friendly, and natural enough to help change your headspace. Not every hike needs to conquer something. Sometimes it just needs to hand your brain back in better condition.

Beautiful park in Evergreen with a easy trail. Right now it's great for spikes or snowshoes. The…read moresnow was packed and more slushy and icy so we used spikes instead of the snowshoes and they worked great. The views are pretty and not too crowded at all. There was a ranger at the parking lot and it seems to be checked up on quite a bit. The parking lot isn't too small and there's good space. Highly recommend in the winter because it makes the trail more interesting.

I've rafted with Liquid Descent multiple times, and every single trip has been a 5-star experience!…read moreThe guides are not only experts at keeping you safe, but they also make sure you have an unforgettable time on the river. This year, I went early season on Clear Creek and loved it so much I came back late season for Gore Canyon- an adrenaline-packed, fun adventure! The day started with a swim test to make sure everyone was prepared before tackling Class V rapids. (Honestly, if you're not a strong swimmer, this trip isn't for you, they do test your swimming in the rapids and throughout the trip over half of the people across our 5 rafts ended up in the water at some point! Additionally this would be quite the dive into the deep end if you've never rafted before!) The trip was an incredible mix of thrills, skill, and crazy beautiful scenery you would not have guessed was there when you drive into Kremmling. Midway through, we stopped for snacks, and when we wrapped up, the crew served a delicious lunch and cold beers (NA options were there too!) such a nice touch after a big day! What sets Liquid Descent apart is the crew. Every guide I've had has been dedicated to making the trip special. I've talked to them and many of them have said they specifically choose to work here because of the company's extra training and the sense of community. I even met the owner yesterday at Gore Canyon, and you can tell the company's passion for customer experience comes directly from the top. Specifically the last 2 guides I've had, Jordan and Malia have been awesome! Yes, most rafting companies use the same put-in/take-out points and similar gear but the experience is what makes the difference. With Liquid Descent, the guides make sure it's the best it can be and their love for their job ensures you're going to have a great time. I've rafted with other companies in locations where liquid descent isnt and know: the right guide changes everything. If you're looking for an unforgettable rafting trip in Colorado, Liquid Descent is the company to go with!

I can't say enough good things about our experience with Liquid Descent. My daughter and I signed…read moreup for the beginner rafting trip... and while she was excited... I was terrified. I was so nervous walking in, but from the moment we arrived, every single staff member made us feel welcomed, safe, and supported. Our guide, Koa, was the perfect balance of fun, kind, and incredibly skilled. He guided us through the rapids with such confidence and ease while also making sure everyone felt safe and included. He checked in on us several times throughout and made sure we were having fun, asked us if we wanted to "spice it up" a bit or keep it mellow and just really let us know this was "our" trip and he's cater to what we wanted. I quickly found myself letting go of fear and enjoying the moment... something I didn't expect would happen. Koa's energy was contagious, and his calm, respectful nature made us feel like we were in the best hands possible. At one point on the river, another rafting company had a mishap and we had to pull over and wait for them to recover and get their riders back into the raft safely. Koa explained what had happened with total grace - no judgment, no gossip - just a calm and respectful explanation. He also spoke so kindly of his own coworkers and even the owner of Liquid Descent. You could tell he genuinely cares about the rafting community and takes pride in his work and LOVES his Liquid Descent family! Every employee we encountered was friendly, encouraging, and helpful - from getting us fitted with helmets and life jackets to cheering us on as we headed out. As someone who started out nervous, that kind of supportive vibe made a huge difference. They encouraged me, and they helped me push past my comfort zone in the best way possible. What a GREAT memory! We will remember this day not only for the thrill of the rapids, but for the kindness and heart of the people who guided us through it! If you are considering rafting in Colorado, go with Liquid Descent. I'm so glad we did!

We went to CO to visit family and experience the beautiful outdoors, and a Geological Hike, the…read moreVolcanic Gems Geology Hike, with Dr. Rox was our first excursion on the weekend. Dr. Rox was fantastic. Both my wife and I are teachers, and so we loved how academic the hike was as Dr. Rox would pause and explain the rock cycle, tectonic movement, or the birth of the Rocky Mountains. We were also delighted that our two teenage sons asked a bunch of questions and were obviously engaged in, not only the Geology lesson, but also the local flora and fauna. Dr. Rox answered every question, and, when she didn't know the name of a plant, she pulled out a trusty book and looked it up. She kept things light, but we definitely learned a lot as well. When we reached the end of the hike where the zeolite crystals had grown in the geodes, we climbed all over the rocks finding crystal after crystal. It was certainly an impressive site. We really loved both the scenery and our guide, and I would recommend this hike to anyone with any interested in geology. A big thanks to Dr. Rox for making our hike so fun and educational!

The overview summary of Trail Gems encapsulates it for me: "guiding you through the incredible…read morebeauty of Colorado's wilderness." I live in Colorado, but I do not appreciate its beauty enough. I also never knew the story behind the beautiful rock formations and natural landscapes I pass by everyday. Rox provides context and explanation for a natural history of the beautiful sights of Colorado. Rox is also very organized and thoughtful, making sure we had water, snacks, and umbrellas. We got to look, touch, break, and collect all different kinds of rocks in a variety of gorgeous locations. It was fun to explore and engage in a tactile activity. In our modern world where so much of our lives are spent behind screens, this was a truly relaxing yet exciting activity and exploration tour in the outdoors. It was creative and fun. I felt like a kid again!

My wife and I love to explore the best fisheries in North America, and one of our bucket list…read morewishes was to experience the thrill of trophy fishing for lake trout in The Rockies of Colorado. I researched the guide networks extensively before finding Will Dykstra at Tightline Outdoors, and last week we spent two days with Will on Spinney Mountain Reservoir. We picked a couple of days with challenging fishing weather, as there was a high pressure system over the The Rockies, and the skies were sunny and the water dead-flat. Challenging conditions for most fishing guides, but not for Will. His extensive knowledge of this fishing habitat had my wife and I landing monster rainbow trout within ten minutes on the water. I am not talking about the sedate 12-14" variety we catch in our Northern New Mexico backyard. These monsters that Will put us onto were 18"-25" fighters that literally took our breath away. Will is an extraordinary guide, and he knows his fisheries so well that we learned an incredible amount about high elevation fishing from him. His 21' Lund Explorer is extremely comfortable, and has all of the best marine electronics and fishing equipment. We had a fabulous two days with Will, and I could not recommend him more highly as not only a world-class fishing guide, but as a really class human being. We hope to make a pilgrimage to Colorado every year for a high-country fishing experience, and Will is the only person that we will call to help us explore its beautiful mountain fishing habitats. Doug & Joani Griffith

what an amazing group of people. Over the last couple years I've had the opportunity to participate…read morein some of tightlines fishing tournaments and now with a guided trip. Nate even held a "garage sale" of sorts a couple years back where he unloaded a bunch of fishing gear that he legit could have made a fortune off of, but instead chose to sell it for pennies on the dollar because he honestly cares about the fishing community and wants people out on the water. ANYWAYS I contacted tight line about a guided ice fishing trip and Dustin responded. He asked me what I had in mind. I told him I was trying to figure out walleye on a certain body of water. He said that wouldnt be a problem. He contacted me the day before the trip to let me know he was out scouting, Time I wasn't paying him for mind you. He said he marked several fish and didn't even fish them so as not to pressure them. Talk about discipline. When we arrived he was ready to go and we embarked on our quest to catch some walleye. Dustin put us right on the fish and explained that we had to be very specific in our presentation to entice a bite. Took me awhile but after his coaching I was pulling them them up. If they weren't biting Dustin was quick to hand you another rod with another setup to see if that would do the trick. He was especially patient and helpful to my girlfriend who is very very new to ice fishing. He answered my 2 million questions without hesitation and offered up more intel. Bottom line dude was the cats pajamas. Professional, knowledgeable, relatable, Walleye guru. Would recommend this company 1000 times over. Can't wait to get out with them again.

Today we had the great opportunity to spend the day fishing with Rick of "Colorado Trout Guide"…read more Rick does guided fishing trips in the Colorado Rockies. We had a wonderful day with him on Turquoise Lake in Leadvilled, CO. The four of us caught over 35 fish and took home 10 cleaned fish (Rainbow Trout, Cuthroat Trout and CutBow Trout). Rick took us to the lake in his 1956 turquoise blue Chevy trailing his 1966 tri-hull power boat. We fished for hours while Rick taught my two boys how to cast, catch, detach and identify the fish. We have memories to last a lifetime of a fantastic day on the lake catching fish after fish! I highly recommend a trip with Rick if your a beginner or experienced fisher. Rick has tons of experience and provides a great trip. We'll definitely fish with Rick again!

From the owner: We offer fishing trips in our boat to some of Colorados most beautiful mountain lakes. We supply…read moreall that is needed for a fun filled day of fishing and I am here to teach you my secrets. In fact I guarantee you will catch fish with me or your charter is free.

Obviously everyone's trip experience is going to be in different. But ours was fantastic. We are a…read morefamily of 4, a 10yo Bo with lots of energy and a 12 yo girl with not so much. It's definitely a large operation. Check in for us involved a 100 people or so. But they've got it down. Don't plan to bring much/anything with you honestly. You can choose wet suits, dry jackets etc... It was 75 degrees in July here so our family split between wet suits and dry jackets. The latter was the better choice. You take a 30 minute school bus ride and some quick safety instructions (thanks Erico!) And then get assigned to your boat. Ours included 8 of us and a guide. Honestly that was too much but okay. Our guide was Tristan who was fantastic. Funny and engaging with fun facts along the way. But more importantly you could tell he was taking safety seriously. We did the browns canyon ride and it was a good mix of slightly challenging for the kids and fun for the adults. All in all it was a great way to spend half a day!

Phil and Tim. Phil and Tim are amazing. Tim is an energetic…read moreleader and guide, and Phil is so patient and reassuring that they make the perfect team. This was my first time zip-lining and my first time visiting Colorado! They made such a memorable experience for me. Be in Phil and Tim's group and your zip-lining experience will be elevated by a million. (No pun intended.) The route was beautiful, the weather was perfect, and the instructions were clear throughout. 100% will do again with them one day if I can. Thank you guys. And Bucket. I love Bucket.

Absolutely fantastic experience with AVA - 5 stars! I've been white water rafting all over Colorado…read morefor years, and this is by far the best company I've ever gone through. They are truly 5 stars in customer service, safety, and overall experience. The staff was incredibly helpful and welcoming from start to finish. They went over safety instructions thoroughly, which made everyone feel comfortable and prepared--especially the beginners in our group. Our guide, Chris, made our rafting experience so much fun! He was patient, enthusiastic, and clearly very skilled--he made sure everyone, from first-timers to experienced rafters, had a great time. The entire team was professional, accommodating, and clearly passionate about what they do. We had an absolute blast, and I'm already planning to come back a few more times this summer. Highly recommended! The only downside was the booking process--the website isn't very user-friendly, and I ran into issues several times trying to reserve our trip online. I ended up calling, and thankfully the staff made the reservation quickly and easily over the phone, and I was able to pay that way without a problem. Please PLEASE do some work to the website!

Me and my family had a great experience on our vacation Our…read moretour person Mike was cool and being from our hometown made us feel even safer