8 mile dirt road into the mountains...what did I get my sister and myself into? Let me tell…read moreyou...something I had never experienced before, at least not all in one place. Amazing views, kind and accommodating people and lodgings, so much riding and so much good food all for what was a ridiculously low cost. The horses were obviously well kept and enjoyed their time with us, I hope, almost as much as we enjoyed ours with them. The food was clean, healthful and almost too much for my 5ft self. Nothing goes to real waste there as they do there best to be sustainable. It is a working ranch so there is a lot going on. Before anyone goes off on the animal cruelty thing, check yourself. They care for and about all of the animals on their property, the domestic and wild ones the same. If I lose some of you on this part, so be it: there is a feeling of faith there...nothing shoved down your throat but a simple reminder to be good to this land and to each other. Check on the pricing as they have summer months and a few other options. We went just as Labor Day was ending and got everything for what I think was less than their summer prices.

Disclaimer: I married into a family that loves this place and has been coming since 50 years ago,…read moreso there has been a heavy bias and favorable context for this place in my kind even before I went. I had seen the damage the fires had done and the lack of trees on the mountains were not a turn off for me, EXCEPT when I forgot to apply sunscreen. I finally went for myself with said family and extended family and it was a blast. Food, activities, entertainment, scenery, it was all fantastic. Staff is wonderful and treat you like friends. They have lots of stuff for kids aged 3 to teens and all those kids had a blast. Made a ton of great memories. Would recommend for anyone who likes active outdoorsy vacations/retreats.

The staff is amazing. They encouraged the girls to push their boundaries. They cheered them on. And…read morethey helped when they got stuck. It kept the kids engaged and entertained which in the digital age is priceless. They provide all equipment. They have music playing. And there are tons of chairs to sit in while the kids are expending energy. There are so many obstacles and paths that any level will be satisfied.

We had a great time zip lining at The Edge. Millie and Gigi were awesome guides! They ensured…read moreeveryone was safe and had fun. Be sure to carry water with you on the course. The Mountain View was a definite bonus. Picture perfect!

What a great place to have a membership. From the butterfly…read morehouse. To the kids area, pumpkin farms, separate places to hike, flowers to investigate, trails to wander. Everytime we come. We end up on a new journey. Our grandson loves joining us. We love just wandering by ourselves chatting, looking. Photographing. Farm animals. It's a wonderland. It's just serene. The staff are also very kind. Chat with us. Come down & spend a day. You will end up purchasing a membership

Atmosphere: The trail was super festive and cozy, full of…read moreChristmas lights and holiday vibes. They had a few treats like caramel apples, tea, and hot cocoa, which made it feel extra special. We leisurely walked the trail, and it took about an hour to see everything. Price: Tickets were just $9 at the end of the season about half the usual price! Water was $2, which is reasonable for being out and about. Definitely a budget-friendly holiday outing. Crowd: Going late in the season was perfect practically no one there. We could take our time and really enjoy the lights without feeling rushed. Customer Service: Staff were friendly and welcoming. Check-in was easy. Just scan your ticket at the front and everyone at the food/drink stands was helpful. Overall Experience: I had a great time. While I might personally pick Denver's Blossom of Lights first, Chatfield Farms is still a fantastic, affordable, and festive experience. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxing holiday lights outing.

Paddling here is great but even better, they have SUP Yoga! These are on Saturdays and is only $40…read moreincludes paddle board rental, life jacket, paddle, anchor and yoga class! The area faces the mountains so you're in all the elements of water, sun, wind, rain drops, mountains and all. A totally different and wonderful experience.

So, if you are looking for a spot that has a lot of trees / greenery / etc. the location we went to…read morewill not be the spot for you (Chatfield Reservoir). That said, if you are a beginning kayaker and just want to get some experience, this is a great place to go. If you are timid around water, not sure if you will like the sport, or someone who just generally likes to try new things, be outdoors, etc. - do it! We were in town from Arizona and the water was pretty choppy (dude said winds were ~10 mph... I think they were closer to 15 mph...) I am not in love with sit on top kayaks and I don't particularly love chop. Moving water? Fine. Rocking back and forth? Ehhhh. We only paddled for about 30-40 minutes because it was so windy. We paddled against the wind to get our bearings, floated/paddled to the other end with the wind, and then worked our arms off paddling back. My husband doesn't really enjoy that type of work out (ha!) so he got out and pulled his 'yak for a bit. I was more determined and paddled the whole way. It's a very chill area (or was in May) but if you wanted to bring a group of folks to paddle and sunbathe and eat some snacks on the shore (which apparently happens in the summer) you'll have a blast. We prefer barren, inclimate weather (seriously) so it was a perfect day for us.

Fun park for events. The actual play area is just ok but all the open space to run around is…read morewonderful.

I've been here for the Elizabeth Rodeo and most recently for a concert at the small pavilion. Both…read moreevents have been a blast. The rodeo is wonderful for a small town and it's just a few minutes from Denver. They have great rodeo grounds with lots of local flavor. It's a very entertaining day or two. We saw a wonderful folk band named "Big Wide Grin" Saturday night (last Saturday of each month in the summer they have a different band there. Check out coyotecreekconcerts.com for information. It's a tiny venue with a very intimate feel. You get a lot of local farmers and ranchers there. They had a raffle at the intermission and gave out goose eggs as one of the prizes! It was a hot night and we were lacking a breeze so it was hot for the second set, but the music was great and the band was fun and friendly. I might not make it down for all of the shows as they tend to be heavy on the country music aspect, but they do have acoustic guitar groups there with music that is right up my alley. Heck, I'm thinking I'll drag my mom along in August for some bluegrass/folk music done by some people who have performed on Prairie Home Companion!

Incredible 360 views where you can see Denver, Pikes Peak, many other 14ers…read more It is a unique view of Colorado from above since Devils Head is kind of isolated from other mountains. The trail I think is the perfect length, it does feel a little longer than 2.8 miles out and back. I'd say this is a moderate hike. You can bring dogs on this trail. I don't think it is super friendly for young children. I personally would get pretty exhausted if I had to backpack up my toddler. But for the older kids it would be a good one. Definitely add this one to your list! I think it is my favorite hike I have done so far on the front range!

Plenty of parking space and an overflow lot. Trail is well maintained and it's a quick in and out…read morehike. The views at the top are gorgeous.

Super fun ride with nice, well kept horses. Marie and Liz were terrific hosts…read more We did a two hour ride experience (orientation and ride time). I would recommend, great experience.

Just came today for a trail ride and I gotta say I loved the experience and learning lessons 10/10…read morethank you sm!

Great short hike that spits you out on the far side of Hidden Mesa Open Space. There are lots of…read morecool sites and we saw tons of birds, butterflies, rabbits, and one snake. Running by the creek is cooler and shaded at times.