Colorado is a state that has many contradictions, both in terms of the terrain that ranges from plains up to the majestic Rocky Mountains, and in terms of the population centers, ranging from large cities down to areas with very few residents. When it comes to outdoor activities, the mountain range that runs down the center of the state is usually considered to be the hub of these activities, but there are plenty of different places to go.
Along with the wonderful activities, you can also wind down in the evenings with the wonderful food that is produced here, along with Colorado's famous wines and the wide range of craft beers available in the state.
Mountain Biking On The Colorado Trail
The Colorado Trail is a route that stretches for nearly five hundred miles through some of the most attractive scenery in Colorado, and the majority of the route is open to mountain bikers, who find this to be an amazing challenge and a really rewarding ride. The wildlife and flora along the route is spectacular, and although cyclists aren't allowed in the six wilderness areas, the rest of the route is well worth enjoying. If downhill mountain biking is more your kind of thing, you'll find some great trails at the Steamboat Bike Park in Steamboat Springs, and at the Keystone Bike Park in Keystone.
Night Skiing
During the winter, Colorado is famous for its wonderful skiing conditions, and while Aspen may be the most famous of the resorts, there are a wide range of different slopes where you can enjoy the powdery white snow.
In some of the bigger resorts, they will have large floodlights that they will use to light up the snow once night starts to fall, and this makes for a wonderful skiing experience. While it certainly extends the amount of time you can enjoy on the slopes, the night skiing also draws a mainly adult crowd, meaning that it is a lot of fun, while the Keystone Resort is known for fifteen different slopes being lit up during the season.
Rafting On The Arkansas River
Although it may be called the Arkansas River, the rafting here definitely takes place in Colorado, with several stretches of the river worth rafting. The river itself originates in the Rocky Mountains, and flows through some stunning gorges and scenery before heading down towards the lower ground on its way to Arkansas. There are three main areas which are rafted, with the Royal Gorge offering class IV and V rapids for huge excitement, while Browns Canyon and Bighorn Canyon also offer some fun rafting that is suitable for those solo travelers taking their first experience as well as the hardcore rafter.
Hot Air Ballooning
The amazing Rocky Mountains are one of the great attractions of a trip to Colorado, and when it comes to enjoying spectacular views of these peaks, there are some great viewpoints, but many of the best views are to be found in the air. Because the hot air balloons used for these flights are larger versions with space for several people in the basket, you will meet new people who are also coming to Colorado for a thrill and to enjoy the scenery. Once in the air, looking down on the peaks will provide an amazing experience, although this might be one to avoid for those scared of heights.
Zip Lining
When it comes to getting an adrenaline rush, flying through the air is one of the best ways to achieve this, and Colorado has some wonderful zip lining parks that will give you the chance to spend an afternoon zipping through the tree tops. Each zip line will have you harnessed to the wire, so it is perfectly safe, but this activity offers a different, and much quicker way, to see some of Colorado's forests. This is a fun way to spend some time, and as a solo traveler you will often be taken along with a group of other visitors, giving you a chance to meet others also visiting the area.