Tons of Aspen Colorado Activities Rolled into a Convenient Package
Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley – a picturesque 50-mile stretch running from Glenwood Springs to Aspen – offers an abundance of summer vacation activities.
The Roaring Fork Valley is sliced out of the striking and imposing Elk Mountains on Colorado’s western slope, and follows the thundering current of the Roaring Fork River. Nearly the whole valley is cloaked in the evergreens and spindly aspens of the White River National Forest – the busiest forest area in the United States – according to the United States Forest Service.
Undoubtedly, the valley’s most popular destination for hiking or backpacking is the Maroon Bells area near Snowmass. Two of the state’s highest peaks, the Bells soar above 14,000 feet. The geographical rarities of the area allows incredible vistas. A free shuttle bus runs regularly every hour during the summer to Maroon Lake, a popular jumping off point with numerous trailheads.
The Maroon Bells also lure campers to the area’s spectacular panoramas. The backcountry environs of a glacial valley with natural, wild pastureland draws millions of visitors each year.
Scenic backcountry camping is also easily accessible near Carbondale, which sits in the shadow of 13,000-foot Mount Sopris.
Carbondale sits along Highway 83 at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Crystal River. Along with numerous retail camps and RV parks, the federal government is in charge of Avalanche Creek’s highly desired camp, which offers over a dozen campsites that are doled out based on arrival time. A minimal fee for overnight stays is charged but the breathtaking scenes from above 7,000 feet, the scores of hungry trout just steps away in Avalanche Creek, ready access to numerous mountain trails, and the site’s remote feeling despite being just a few miles from Carbondale makes the campground a popular stay for summer vacation activities in the Roaring Fork.
State and federal agencies also administer and keep up many entirely free campsites in the region; however, the area is spotted with quite a few pockets of private land so it is always a good idea to watch for the little signs marking private property.
- kayaking
- backpacking
- hiking
The Ruedi Recreation region, just 15 minutes east of Basalt on the Fryingpan River, is home to Ruedi Reservoir. The area is popularsuitable for boating and other water sports, and the forest looming over the area is renowned for its prime hunting.
World-class fishing is a massive magnet for visitors and there are ample professional fishing guides who can make a fishing trip far more enjoyable. The rivers nearly breach their banks during the spring melt when water pours from the mountains into the current. From April to September, though, the waters can be waded or float fished.
The Roaring Fork Valley boast so many possibilities for summer vacation activities. And it is not simply fishing and camping. The rivers are always populated with kayakers and groups of whitewater rafters braving the choppy currents.
Consider a Aspen Vacation this summer
Other links: http://glenwoodspringsaspen.com/ or http://activities.glenwoodspringsaspen.com/
