Right now families may feel like they have the whole summer in front of them, but that feeling will quickly turn into the panic of trying to cram in everything before the school bells beckon. So parents, grab your calendars and pencil in these before-back-to-school activities between now and the end of August. We’ll give you one example of where to have an experience, but there are any number of places to enjoy the activities below. Be sure to write down your own list to avoid any summer coulda-shoulda-wouldas when the school supply list arrives.
1. Fall asleep to the sound of a rushing river
Water and children always mix well (with proper adult supervision of course), so the younger set finds endless entertainment camping by a body of water. The near Crested Butte is close to fishing in the Slate River, and there are cool mountain pools for splashing in on a hot day.
2. Giddy up for a Western experience
You don’t have to be from out of state to want to cowboy up for a few days. offers week-long summer dude ranch packages complete with horseback riding, hayrides, fishing and trapshooting. Ranch-raised horses and cattle range on 3,200 acres, more than half of which are protected by conservation easements.
3. Go tubing, summer style
Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the thrill of sledding without all of that heavy winter clothing? Well, now you can. Last summer Snow Mountain Ranch opened the state’s only . Sprayers on an AstroTurf-type surface will take you back to one of winter’s most thrilling activities.
4. All aboard
Ride the rails out of history on one of Colorado’s historic trains. The travels between Durango and Silverton along the Animas River through scenic wilderness inaccessible by any road and has museums at the end of each line.
5. Summer screamers
Thrill rides aren’t available only at Denver’s amusement parks. The Giant Canyon Swing at in Glenwood Springs takes riders out over the Colorado River 1,300 feet below. It’s an amazing view for those willing to open their eyes.
6. Let’s rodeo
While weeklong county fairs and rodeos are a summer staple across the state, some arenas host a rodeo every weekend. The features the full lineup of classic rodeo events, including bareback and saddle bronc riding, team roping, barrel racing and of course, bull riding.
7. Take a hike
With trails crisscrossing every corner of the state, there’s always the opportunity to try out a new one. is largely a result of the mining activity of the 1800s and Ute Indian travel routes. The Ouray Trails Group works with the U.S. Forest Service to develop and maintain 76 hiking trails, available to hikers, mountain bikers, horses and/or off-road vehicles.
8. Go to the park
Celebrating its 100th birthday this summer, Rocky Mountain National Park is getting a lot of press. But it is only one of 13 . For the archaeologist in the family, the state’s national parks boast nearly 7,000 archaeological sites.
9. Travel back in time
Colorado outdoor plays and festivals allow families to visit a time outside their own, and the state’s most prominent example is the 2015 . Visitors wandering down the village streets in Larkspur will encounter master revelers, watch artisans create original works of ancient craft and be taken in by the aroma of that festival favorite: roast turkey legs. Open weekends only.
10. Lions, tigers and bears
If Colorado’s zoos are feeling a bit tame for your family, check out the . Located in Keenesburg, the 720-acre property is a refuge for more than 350 rescued lions, tigers, bears, wolves and other carnivores. Visitors can view them from the Mile Into the Wild Walkway, which stretches more than 5,100 feet in length.
OK, pencils down. It’s time to head out on an adventure while you still have the whole summer in front of you.
Chryss Cada is a freelance writer and journalism instructor at Colorado State University. Visit her at Chryss.com.
