More info: Why now: At Colorado’s 42 state parks, there are 63 heated cabins and yurts, most of which sleep six, close to the action or way off the beaten path, perfect for a still-snowy, early- spring retreat. Options for activities include birding, geocaching, snowshoeing, hiking, ice fishing, ice skating and cross-country skiing. Several parks — including Trinidad Lake and Ridgway — are already open for boating. Bring the camera — the parks are home to a variety of wildlife (the bald eagles at Barr Lake have begun nesting again, by the way). The cabins offer wood-burning, propane or electric heat, and most have kitchens (some offer outdoor grills); the yurts vary in cooking facilities from campfire rings and grills to propane cookstoves. Check individual park sites for specifics. Bring sleeping bags, pillows and blankets.
Cost: $70 per night, plus $7 daily park fee ($70 annual pass). Kyle Wagner
