The fire, which started on Saturday, doubled in size on Wednesday as hot, dry and windy conditions persisted on the Western Slope. But on the same day, Ouray Mayor Michael Underwood announced that the town is “open for business” and encouraged people to visit and to join such as an outdoor concert this Friday night and a parade down Main Street on Saturday morning.

“No one is prohibited from coming to Ouray, and anyone who wants to is welcome to come and enjoy our amenities,” Underwood told The Denver Post.

The invitation comes as the tourist-driven town heads into one of its biggest weeks of the summer season. Ouray typically sees 10,000 and 12,000 visitors per day this time of year, Underwood said, and the local economy is highly dependent on their business. But the fire, and the dramatic photos of it, are deterring would-be vacationers.

The has seen about 70% of its reservations for the next two weeks canceled, said owner Clay Bales.

Beth Bridges, assistant general manager of the , said her restaurant dinner crowd at the onsite Mineshaft Restaurant has also slowed down significantly.

Locals remain split about whether having an influx of visitors right now is a good idea, Bales said. The fire is growing rapidly, but wind is driving the flames northeast away from Ouray into the Uncompahgre National Forest, according to the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team, .

Still, wind can change directions. So, the challenge is balancing that possibility against the economic fallout from tourists staying away from Ouray throughout the fire, which could last many weeks. The trickle-down effect could mean businesses closing and employees losing their livelihoods. As a result, some have posted .

“Our businesses are dependent upon patronage, and this summer season is integral to their financial resources,” Underwood said.

“It����ap not just the business — it����ap the employees, vendors, suppliers, farmers that are all impacted. It����ap a huge ecosystem to make a tourism economy run and impacting any part of that can impact the whole thing,” Bales said.

The U.S. Forest Service in the Cimarron Ridge of the San Juan Mountains, near Silver Jack Reservoir and Owl Creek Pass, on Tuesday night, including the Big Cimarron and Beaver Lake and Silver Jack campgrounds and the Jackson Guard station.

Additional mandatory evacuations remain in place east of Highway 550 in Ouray County.

By contrast, officials made the town of Ouray more accessible Wednesday afternoon by reopening a portion of U.S. Highway 550 and allowing drivers to enter from the north.

Kristie Thompson, spokesperson for the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team, said incident commanders work closely with county and state officials to determine whether roads should be closed or remain open on state and federal lands, as well as where to close public lands. Asked if that meant officials believed the area was safe to access, Thompson reiterated that the area is currently open to the public.

“The county has a few areas that are evacuated, but there’s not any of those in Ouray, so people would be able to use their own judgement on any areas that are not under current evacuation,” she said.

For those who do choose to visit, Mayor Underwood emphasized following the Stage 2 fire restrictions, which prohibit any open fires or flames, including cigarettes, and the use of fireworks. (Gas stoves are permitted.) He also discouraged people from using Ouray as a through point to drive the Million Dollar Highway and from pulling over on the side of the highway to gawk at the fire.

Ouray’s signature Perimeter Trail is currently open for hiking, Underwood added. The wilderness south of Ouray remains open for recreation at this time; however, hikers and campers should be aware that smoke can cause respiratory issues and decrease visibility should it roll into the area, said Sgt. Derrick Linnell with the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office.

Linnell advised anyone looking for more information to call the Gold Mountain fire hotline at 970-325-3056 or look for updates on the . Bales also recommended downloading the Watch Duty app to receive timely updates and having a plan should evacuation be necessary.

The costs associated with entry fees and reservation times can add up quickly between the numerous national parks, national forests, state parks and more. It can also be difficult to keep up with it all since each attraction is managed by a different agency or municipality.

Say, for example, you live in Denver and have friends or family visiting for a long weekend. If you want to take them kayaking at Chatfield State Park in Littleton one day, you’ll need to buy a $12 vehicle day pass. And if you also want to drive them to the summit of Mount Blue Sky near Idaho Springs, you’ll need to make a reservation up to 30 days in advance and pay another $22 reservation/entry fee for the day.

That����ap a $34 investment before you consider the added costs of gas, food, and gear rentals.

Or perhaps your group wants to venture further into the forest and check out the iconic Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs followed by a trip to Maroon Bells Scenic Area near Aspen. That will set you back $12 per person for hiking access to Hanging Lake, plus $12.50 to park at the Maroon Bells trailhead. The catch: Maroon Bells’ parking reservations fill up quickly, so unless you book well in advance, you’ll likely have to take a shuttle to the scenic area for $16 per adult and $10 per child.

The cheapest way to get into Maroon Bells Scenic Area is to ride an e-bike, which incurs a $5 entry fee — though that does not include whatever it may cost to rent one from a nearby shop. Plus, you need some level of physical fitness, as round trip from Aspen Highlands Ski Area to Maroon Lake.

Fees to access these beloved areas often go back to helping crews maintain and clean the trails and amenities, so they are not cash grabs. And there are some money-saving hacks to bring down the cost. For example, when Coloradans register their vehicles each year, they can get a , a steep discount compared to the usual price of $80.

Still, it����ap easy to spend hundreds of dollars per year to visit Colorado’s most coveted outdoor destinations. Here’s a breakdown of prices to know about ahead of planning your next trip.

National Parks Annual Pass: $80

If you plan to visit all four of Colorado’s national parks, or even a single park more than twice, it����ap probably worth investing in an annual pass. Otherwise, you’ll pay $30 per car to visit , and , and $25 per car to visit the . Individual parks also sell individual annual passes for less than $80. For example, an annual pass to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park costs $55.

State Parks Annual Pass: $80

As mentioned, Colorado residents can snag a discounted state parks pass when they sign up for a during vehicle registration. That is the only time locals can access that discount. About a quarter of the population opted in for that pass between June 2024 and June 2025, to support state parks, local search and rescue volunteers and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

State Parks Day Pass: $10-$12

Day use passes to Colorado’s state parks typically cost $10 per private vehicle. However, several parks increased entry prices by $2 this year to support maintenance of roads and dams. It costs $12 to visit Chatfield State Park in Littleton, Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora, Golden Gate Canyon in Golden, Elkhead Reservoir State Park in Craig, Stagecoach State Park in Oak Creek, State Forest State Park in Walden, and Pearl Lake State Park and Steamboat Lake State Park in Clark. (Out-of-state visitors pay $15-$17 per day depending on where they go.)

Mount Blue Sky: $17-$22

Following a multi-year closure and redevelopment project, the Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area reopened to visitors in May of this year. Entry costs $20 per car or $15 per motorcycle, plus a $2 reservation fee to schedule when you want to visit in advance (required). The recreation area officially starts near Echo Lake on the , and includes access to Mount Goliath, Summit Lake Park, and the Mount Blue Sky Summit at 14,266 feet.

Pikes Peak: $20-$40 per person

Located near Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak is one of Colorado’s most accessible 14ers because there is a paved highway that runs 19 miles all the way to the summit. But, of course, it will cost you to get there. Entry costs $18 per person in a private vehicle (or $65 for a car of up to five people), plus a $2 reservation fee when booked in advance. Another option is to ride the shuttle to the top, which costs $40 per adult and $12 per child.

Hanging Lake: $12 per person

Much of the trail to Hanging Lake, near Glenwood Springs, was destroyed in a wildfire that ripped through the area in 2020. Though it has technically been open since 2021, a $4.7 million reconstruction project is now complete and welcoming visitors. Reservations ($12 per person) are required to visit Hanging Lake, a Natural National Landmark formed from travertine, or limestone deposited near mineral springs. The lake was formed by a geologic fault that caused the lake bed to drop away from the valley floor above, and it remains home to an extremely sensitive ecosystem.

Maroon Bells Scenic Area: $5 and up

The Maroon Bells Scenic Area provides access to Maroon Lake and acts as a gateway to the larger Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. It costs $12.50 ($10, plus a $2 reservation fee) to park at the trailhead. But parking sells out far in advance, so visitors may have to take a shuttle service that runs from Aspen Highlands Ski Area to the Maroon Lake trailhead. That costs $16 per adult and $10 per child when booked in advance, or $20 per adult and $14 per child when booked day-of. New this year, the area is charging $5 per e-bike entry.

Maroon Bells ranks among Colorado’s most well-known destinations, recording about 215,000 visits annually between May and October. That����ap why fees are expected to go up in the coming years, as Pitkin County officials work to take over maintaining the recreation area.

Blue Lakes: $6-$31 starting in 2027

Anyone who wants to visit the Blue Lakes, located near Ridgway and Telluride on the Western Slope, will soon have to buy a permit to do so. Starting in 2027, the U.S. Forest Service expects to require people to buy a $5 day-use permit or $25 overnight camping permit during peak season, from June 1 through Sept. 30. The prices are anticipated to include an additional $1 and $6 reservation fee, respectively. (The agency recently proposed those fees and is currently .)

The Blue Lakes have become extremely popular in recent years to the point that recreation has devastated the natural wilderness. The permit system is intended to cut down annual visitation from about 35,000 people to 8,000 people.

“Apps can definitely enhance your outdoors experience,” said Britt Mowen, a programs coordinator at in Fort Collins. Mowen uses a variety of digital tools to deepen her connection with the landscape, and Colorado State University Extension agent Karim Gharbi agrees that technology can actually enrich a user’s interactions with nature.

Note: A lot of the apps here don’t function offline, so plan accordingly. Download critical safety and wayfinding material (maps, for one!) before leaving home.

Ready to incorporate tech into upcoming treks? These are the tools local experts can’t live without.

Finding your next trail

When it comes to route-scouting apps, AllTrails () is the app that everyone knows for hiking.

I used AllTrails while researching my first guidebook, and was generally pleased with the results. The popular mobile app features a massive, user-reviewed database packed with hundreds of thousands of curated trail maps and real-time feeds offering detailed trail information (think: length, elevation gain, dog-friendliness), along with user reviews and photos showcasing terrain and current conditions. Offline navigation is also an option (with a paid subscription).

Some reviews are more helpful than others since things like difficulty and aesthetic value are obviously subjective. Still, AllTrails is great for discovering new trails, and the AI-powered search bar is fun to mess around with. (I got 20 results when I tried “inline skating routes with wildflowers great for dogs!”)

For local precision – and real-time safety advice – you might want to try the (COTREX) mobile app. Colorado Parks and Wildlife statewide public information officer Bridget O’Rourke highly recommends it — which is no surprise since CPW developed the app several years ago to give Coloradans a leg up on the outdoors.

The app works directly (and exclusively) with land managers at parks and open spaces to ensure that all the information on the platform comes from reliable, trusted sources, O’Rourke pointed out. To date, more than 236 land managers have contributed data on 45,076 miles of trail across Colorado. What����ap more, O’Rourke added, “We have a designated person who manages the app at CPW; it����ap his full-time job to make sure everything is correct.”

There’s still a social component to COTREX since users can follow one another and log personal field notes. They can also discover new routes, view allowed-use types (such as hiking, biking, OHV and snow sports), download offline maps, and see trip recommendations from participating partners.

If COTREX sounds like AllTrails, well, the apps are definitely similar, with a couple of notable differences. COTREX is totally free; there’s no subscriber-only content. What����ap more, COTREX posts real-time advisories for safety hazards and essential trail alerts – a mountain lion or aggressive moose in the area, for example, or maintenance closures. The app displays active fire alerts, too, including wildfires and prescribed burns in covered areas. If a trail is closed, or a lot is full, COTREX users can view surrounding areas. (AllTrails also generates a list of nearby trails for last-minute pivots.)

For a third option, check out the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s app, with over 40,000 miles of trail nationwide. That app is a lot like AllTrails and COTREX but focuses on rail-trails, which are decommissioned railway routes that have been converted to multi-use trails.

Backcountry safety

For those intending to explore Colorado’s wide swaths of wilderness, a safety app is a smart idea. I’ve had great experiences using , a mapping and navigation app that’ll track your route as you go. While it certainly isn’t as flashy as the competition, Gaia GPS is perfect for detail-oriented hikers who might be interested in, say, stacking map data like a deli sandwich, overlaying public land boundaries with slope-angle shading in order to steer clear of dangerous terrain.

Outdoors enthusiast Orion Aon, founder and owner of, uses , which, he said, launched as a mapping tool for hunters but now provides excellent data sets for backcountry hikers and off-roaders. Similar to Gaia GPS, OnX has offline tools for those recreating in remote places. “It����ap a paid service, but well worth it,” Aon added.

Of course, even the best app is one dead battery or dropped signal away from total uselessness. For serious treks, where the stakes are high, Coloradans should get into the habit of packing a dedicated satellite messenger like or . These communicators bypass cell towers entirely.

Plant ID apps

A handful of Colorado plant gurus all shared a similar message: use or its kid-safe imprint, Seek by iNaturalist, for … literally everything.

At its core, iNaturalist is essentially a social network for citizen science. It����ap also an excellent entry point into plant identification. Here’s how it works: Upload photos you’ve captured in the field,  then connect with other users who can help you ID the plants, fungi, and animals you’ve discovered.

“The app has three very useful features,” Gharbi said, pointing to its built-in identification algorithm, vast network of users, and expert oversight. (He once direct-messaged the preeminent millipede expert of the West, who responded almost immediately.)

“There are entomologists and botanists and ornithologists who check people’s postings,” added Kristine Johnson, a Colorado native plant master and Wild Ones Boulder regional co-coordinator.

Johnson also uses iNaturalist in “the reverse way,” she said, to find specific flowers that other users have observed in an area. “If you’re looking for a rare bird – or trying to find a new foraging spot of leaf-peep destination – this is especially valuable,” Gharbi noted.

Mowen tries not to rely on one specific app alone. “I always verify my findings with a second app and then cross-reference with a book,” she said, explaining that plant ID apps struggle to differentiate between closely related species.

Beyond iNaturalist, there’s always , an AI-driven search tool that comes pre-installed on most modern Androids. (It����ap also available for iPhone users via the Google app.)

Depending on where you’ll be recreating, you might check out , a free shrub and tree identification app from experts at CSU. The is a one-stop resource for all things wetlands-related.

Foraging for shrooms

When it comes to foraging mushrooms – a hot-ticket item for many a Coloradan – Aon likes , a paid app developed by a friend of his for foragers nationwide. The calendar-based app leverages a user’s location to recommend local species that are currently in season, explained Aon, noting that the app is for “the what, when, and where side of wild food.”

For identification, uses a modified version of a dichotomous key to help foragers narrow down mushroom identifications, Aon said. “It’s certainly better than using algorithms and photos,” he said before cautioning, “I wouldn’t recommend relying solely on an app if you’re planning to eat the wild food you find.”

Some plants and mushrooms can definitely kill you, and eating a mushroom confirmed by an app would be “super risky,” as Aon put it. “Never rely on an app for a final confirmation.” New foragers especially should get into the habit of cross-referencing IDs with a guidebook and knowledgeable source – possibly even an expert from the .

Bird nerds start here

Technically, bird identification is possible through iNaturalist, but the experts I spoke with use and for their bird-specific needs, since both free apps have algorithms that allow users to identify birds by their calls.

Merlin and eBird are connected to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a nonprofit institution based at Cornell University. Merlin is “definitely the number one birding app” for everyday users, said Audrey Hicks, Denver Audubon Society’s manager of conservation and research. (EBird, she explained, is less helpful with basic identification and is generally used by experienced birders.)

Merlin, Hicks said, is a great entry point for emergent birders. “Just tap a button, and the app starts recording whatever birdsong is around you,” she said. (In case you aren’t aware, many experienced birders ID solely by ear.)

If you aren’t digging sound identification, you can always upload a photo to the app – if you can get a clear one. Alternatively, try typing in descriptive information about the bird, and see what pops up. Merlin isn’t 100 percent accurate, but it����ap pretty good, Hicks said, explaining that the app marks (with a red circle) any species that are rare. “That����ap when you should question the result,” she said, noting that seeing a rare bird would be … rare.

Don’t discount the , a free, comprehensive field guide app featuring over 800 North American bird species, offering (similar to Merlin) identification tools, including photos, sounds, and maps, along with real-time sightings. “Serious birders like this one because it allows users to do a side-by-side comparison with various images,” Hicks said.

, also from the Cornell Lab, is another fun app if you ever discover a nest in your yard.

Seeing stars

Let����ap say you’re into stargazing, but don’t have an advanced degree in astronomy. An app can definitely help demystify the night sky. And you’ve got options!

Katherine Bond, president of the Denver Astronomical Society, uses SkyView Lite, available through Google Play and Apple. She likes this app for its accuracy and user-friendliness: “Basically, you point your phone at the sky and an interactive map will show various constellations,” she said. Other popular choices among DAS members include and mobile app. DAS astronomy night coordinator Ken Sturrock recommends .

Sturrock reminds fellow stargazers to always check the weather before heading out. Sturrock suggests , an advanced weather tool designed specifically for astronomers to track cloud cover, sky transparency and more.

If you’d like some real-live-person assistance, drop by the University of Denver’s y for one of DAS’s free monthly open houses. Details are on the astronomical society’s website, . The group also offers tours and the opportunity to view the night sky through a 132-year-old Alvan Clark-Saegmuller 20-inch refracting telescope. Be sure to sign up in advance; these events frequently sell out and require a nominal fee.

OK, maybe my penchant for paper is a bit, um, vintage. I think I’ll always enjoy the tactile feel of a physical map, and yet even a skeptic like me can see that digital companions really can help us connect with the natural world.

“I’ve definitely stopped visiting places because of crowdedness,” said Ethan Billingsley, a senior instructor in outdoor recreation leadership at CSU’s Warner College of Natural Resources. “Our radius,” he continued, “expands based on the subjective crowding we perceive.”

The keyword there, of course, is “subjective.” If you’re from Manhattan, a few dozen people holed up around the ponds at might feel downright intimate. But for OG Coloradans, seeing the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station into RMNP backed up halfway to Estes Park can be a real loss.

With over 4 million visitors every year, Rocky Mountain is one of the most visited parks within the entire NPS system. But according to a series of widely cited Reddit threads, roughly 90 percent of national park-goers never venture more than a half-mile from the main road.

This figure may be based on intuition rather than fact; Kyle Patterson, RMNP’s public affairs officer, couldn’t find any recent studies corroborating it. During a 2002 visitor survey, though, the majority of day-use visitors reported hiking 10 miles or less, and the most common distance hiked was 5 miles, Patterson reports. Still, it����ap usually possible to find peace and quiet inside RMNP – if you’re willing (and able) to “embrace rugged recreation,” Billingsley said, referring to the park’s rigorous, high-elevation routes. (And in all fairness to RMNP, the timed-entry reservation system – now in its seventh year – has been successful at “spreading use out throughout the park,” as Patterson put it.)

Colorado claims four incredible national parks, including its lesser-traveled crown jewel, (check before visiting for long-term wildfire-related closures). But we also have 13 national park sites, including five monuments, four historic sites and one recreational area – plus a handful of historic trails. NPS sites see a fraction of the RMNP crowds, but they certainly aren’t lacking in the scenic-views department.

In Cortez, for example, there’s , a 176,000-acre tract protecting more than 8,300 documented archaeological sites, including villages, kivas, field houses, cliff dwellings, petroglyphs and ancient roadways. The out-and-back Sand Canyon Trail (6 miles each way) passes a series of ancestral Puebloan ruins. If you’re visiting in the summer, mind the heat; pack plenty of water and sun protection.

The nearby town of Dolores makes an excellent home base. When you’re ready to nosh on something more sophisticated than freeze-dried camp food, try the wood-fired pizza (and craft beer) at on Fourth Street.

Wedged between two popular vacation towns – Pagosa Springs and Durango – is another southwestern Colorado gem. It’s open seasonally (mid-May through mid-October) and holds more than 100 significant Pueblo Indian archaeological sites. Try the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association’s excellent tours and guided programming – but visitors are also welcome to explore the area on their own.

Distance from Denver

For those who seek solitude, it����ap all about DFD. “How far away from Denver are you willing to drive?” Billingsley asked.

Billingsley’s a fan of , with multiple access points in Mesa and Delta counties. This high-desert expanse spans over 210,000 acres of protected public land, including the rugged Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, where fishing is a year-round affair on Big Dominguez Creek. Nearly 30 miles of the Gunnison River sustain a veritable backcountry zoo; visitors are likely to spot golden eagles, turkeys, elk, and collared lizards, among other species.

You’ll find a different kind of quiet in the San Luis Valley at , off County Road 38A, past the Y intersection near La Garita Trading Post. This site strikes a rare balance between serenity and world-class action. Sport climbers flock here for the volcanic tuff, but there’s enough singletrack to keep hikers and mountain bikers busy for days. Penitente Canyon is BLM territory, but you’ll still need to snag a reservation at before pitching your tent.

The southeastern part of the state has some nice topography, Billingsley reminds, and , a mile past the Picture Canyon sign on Forest Service Road 533, is a gorgeous destination tucked inside Colorado’s Comanche National Grassland. Visitors come for the unique rock formations, sandstone canyons, and rolling hills – all laid out across 13 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails.

There’s great birding on the shortgrass prairie; keep an eye out for scaled quail, wrens, ladder-backed woodpeckers and blue grosbeaks, among many other species. If you’re camping (it����ap the free, dispersed variety here) bring binoculars for premium stargazing. Pack plenty of water, too, since the on-site spring water isn’t potable.

Just south of the eclectic town of Trinidad, our newest state park, , houses one of southern Colorado’s most recognizable landmarks (its namesake peak). The park has 16 miles of tranquil trails. Be aware that many map applications place the property address in an incorrect location; it’s best to follow the driving directions listed on the park’s website.

Northwest of crowds

For an exceptional off-the-grid getaway, make the town of Meeker (population 2,242) your launchpad into the state’s overlooked northwestern wilderness.

“This really is the authentic West,” said Sara Stephenson, executive director of the Meeker Chamber of Commerce. In addition to hiking, biking, and motorized recreational trails, there’s plenty of fishing on ample streams, lakes, and reservoirs. The White River remains a big draw, too, though Stephenson notes that public access points along the banks are becoming increasingly scarce.

“Lots of people come here in the summer to cool off,” Stephenson said, explaining that Meeker is often 10-plus degrees cooler than Grand Junction.

Catch a rodeo if you can; held at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds, the free runs June through August on Thursday nights. (But if you’re hoping to circumvent crowds, maybe skip the town’s blowout Fourth of July festival, the annual , a weeklong celebration that includes rodeos, along with a parade, fireworks, and more.)

Since downtown Meeker is only a mile long, it����ap a walkable base camp with boutiques and locally owned restaurants. For your morning coffee fix, there’s on Market Street. The nearby is your best option for post-hike fuel, with brick oven pizza, beer, live music, and bingo. History buffs, don’t miss the on Park Avenue, which offers a quirky account of local history from inside a pair of the town’s original log buildings.

Consider booking a room at the . Between the massive, century-old animal mounts and famous bullet hole in the wall, it delivers the exact brand of haunted history you’re expecting from a historic Colorado inn. There are also furnished tiny homes a few miles out of town, toward Trappers, Stephenson said, referencing on County Road 8.

Meeker isn’t far from the , Colorado’s second largest wilderness area, with approximately 110 lakes and ponds, many unnamed, dotting the high plateau above and below flat-topped cliffs. “The 235,000-acre Flat Tops Wilderness is known for its solitude and remote setting,” said Aaron Grimes, a district recreation staff officer for the US Forest Service.

Flat Tops has an outstanding interconnected trail system linking over 300 miles of backcountry trails that are perfectly suited for multi-day loops. Most access points are reached from the west side, coming through Meeker, and Grimes noted that despite the isolation, the gravel roads are well-maintained, meaning a passenger vehicle should get you to most trailheads.

The South Fork trailhead opens to easy day hikes along the river as well as longer backpacking routes for those looking to disappear for a while. The Marvine (pronounced Mar-VEEN) trailhead, meanwhile, is a favorite for horseback riders and leads roughly 6 miles to a pair of stunning twin lakes. “The Trappers Lake area has numerous trailheads that lead to a variety of High-Country lakes and vary in distance and difficulty,” added Grimes. Developed campgrounds at South Fork, Marvine and Trappers Lake require reservations through.

Good planning is critical, Grimes cautions. “This remote area generally lacks cell phone service,” he said, adding, “Many trails are located over an hour from Meeker.” Bring extra food and water, fuel up your vehicle in town, prepare for longer travel times than expected, check weather forecasts, and bring essentials for backcountry travel. Study maps, too, and call the Blanco Ranger District for up-to-date trail conditions, at 970-878-4039.

You might as well tack on a day trip to the sparsely populated , which straddles Colorado and Utah. Colorado’s Canyon Visitor Center on Highway 40 opens seasonally, mid-May into October.

You won’t find the monument����ap namesake fossil beds on the Colorado side of the border. “The rocks are too old to contain dinosaurs for the most part,” explained park ranger Erin Cahill. Still, we’ve got some of the best geology in the world; the rugged landscape includes massive formations, deep faults, and kaleidoscopic rock layers that occasionally give way to sweeping, hundred-mile vistas.

Inside the monument, hit Harper’s Corner Road, a 31-mile-long (each way) scenic drive delivering a series of dramatic overlooks. The 2-mile round-trip hike at the end of the road is a “must do,” Cahill said. For those of you with high clearance vehicles, a four-wheel-drive road branches off toward Echo Park Campground, a secluded riverside site that����ap only accessible when the road is dry. With the exception of one group site, all camping is first-come, first-served; Deerlodge Park Campground is another remote option.

Come to the monument prepared for the high-desert heat. Dehydration’s no joke, and afternoon lightning can appear out of nowhere. Your most valuable tool is the NPS app: Download maps for offline use before you arrive since cell signals inside the monument are spotty at best.

Due north of the monument (as the crow flies) there’s . To get there, though, you’ll have to drive around the monument, through Maybell – a route that takes about 2 hours.

Tucked along the Green River, not far from the Utah-Wyoming border, the refuge serves as a vital sanctuary for migratory birds and threatened species like the bald eagle. It����ap a rich tapestry of habitats, ranging from pinyon-juniper forests to lush wet meadows. The area also boasts some cultural history, starting with the Fremont Indians, including Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch, who evidently helped local ranchers when they needed to avoid law enforcement.

Leave it as you found it

Public land agencies – often underfunded and understaffed – can quickly become overwhelmed when a lesser-known spot blows up overnight. If you’re heading off the beaten path, definitely familiarize yourself with ethics. Figure out which entity manages the land you’ll visit, then go online and brush up on their local rules. It����ap on us to protect Colorado’s most precious spots for the next generation of adventurers. Though increased visitation can deplete natural resources, tourism is an economic boon for our state’s small and rural towns – so please be sure to buy local when visiting the places outlined in this story.

The search and rescue personnel posted up near the top of Mount Elbert, the state’s highest peak, last Sunday and offered hikers free refreshments, as well as safety tips for enjoying Colorado’s mountain wilderness.

“All the hikers who met with our team members were really delighted to see them, and we handed out just the few pitchers of lemonade made with the water we brought up because all the supplies were carried in and out by the two members,” spokesperson Hannah Gallagher told The Denver Post by email.

Their choice of 14er was not random. In the last month and a half, Lake County Search and Rescue says it has made six missions to attend to hikers in need, and that calls for help from Mount Elbert come in frequently.

That’s all the more reason to educate visitors about what they consider the when in the backcountry — including sufficient water, nutrient-rich snacks, layers and lighting — and other best practices. For example, make sure someone knows your recreation plans and when to call for help, and understand that conditions can change quickly at high elevations.

The organization also advises laying out your route ahead of time and having the proper navigational tools, including those that work without cell phone reception.

Related: The highest, lowest, deepest, darkest, quietest places in Colorado

The Search and Rescue team relies on donations and does not charge people for its services, though helicopter companies will if someone needs to be evacuated to a hospital.

It����ap worth noting that these tips apply beyond hikers. The number of drivers getting caught in unsavory circumstances in the backcountry has also increased in recent years, leading to more rescues.

Two men who worked for a moving company were passing through the area after completing a delivery and stopped at the “Rapid 5 1/2 Pullover” on Chaffee County Road 371 outside of Buena Vista, . The two men often stopped at this popular camping spot along the Arkansas River to have lunch while driving, investigators said.

While walking back up the trail, one of the men — identified by the sheriff’s office as 59-year-old Paul Frasch of Silverthorne — dislodged rocks along the trail and was crushed.

Chaffee County deputies responded to the fatal rockslide at about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, according to the sheriff’s office.

Investigators estimated that one of the boulders on top of Frasch’s body weighed at least half a ton, or roughly 1,000 pounds, sheriff’s officials said. The man died at the scene.

Frasch’s coworker injured his arms while trying to free Frasch, but no other injuries or fatalities were reported, investigators said.

The incident remains under investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.

With advice like that assuring what seems a doable hike, it����ap probably not surprising that during 2025, Grand Canyon Search and Rescue responded to 848 hiker assists and 232 search and rescue incidents. What����ap more, 11 people died. In just the month of May last year, there were 13 rescues in a seven-day stretch. within 4 days of each other this June.

One of the “in” hikes these days is the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim. This involves hiking 21 to 24 miles with almost 10,000 feet of elevation change. This feat requires serious levels of fitness and preparation. Yet on social media, posters encourage complete strangers to go for it, even daring people to try it twice. That would be almost 50 miles.

This seems like telling strangers traveling to Boston to be sure and run the marathon while there.  After all, lots of runners do it in four hours.

All of this makes me yearn for a little humility. When I led hikes for my local Sierra Club chapter, I would post that the trail was for experienced hikers. I then got calls from people who had never even laced up their boots before, saying they had read online that someone ran it in three hours, so how hard could it be? Well, I’ve read about climbing K2 without oxygen, but that does not mean anyone can do it.

Online posters always like to brag about what a piece of cake it was for them, so surely an average hiker could do the same thing. But “surely” might turn into finishing a hike at midnight or knocking on the door of the ranger station at 2 a.m., whimpering that they simply cannot go another step. Or they may end up being one of those search and rescues.

No one seems to post that a hike in Grand Canyon was the gnarliest thing they have ever done, that they almost collapsed on the trail due to heat stroke — a current danger — and thirst.

Print media is often no better. Outdoor magazines tout “Ten trails where you will never see another hiker!” That����ap usually because the trail is expert-only, or not really a trail at all. I have met these backpackers far from the madding crowd, and usually, they aren’t where they thought they were because they tried but lost the “see no other hikers” route.

Backcountry rangers have told me that they cringe every time one of these articles comes out.  Partly because sending novices onto expert routes often results in calls to SAR, and partly because when hikers get lost, they often construct unnecessary and often misleading trail cairns, which then must be removed. Nor does it help that the Park Service isn’t as adequately staffed to help hikers after losing about one-quarter of its permanent staff since January 2025.

Online influencers rarely have skin in the game. Have they even been to the trail they brag about? In cyberspace, one may say anything, and there is no way to fact-check. I could post that I was the first woman to hike rim-to-rim with one foot tied behind my back, and no one could prove otherwise.

We need more humble hikers, people who post that a difficult and popular hike is not a creampuff, that it was a long, scary trek, and they came out after dark with no flashlights, threw themselves at the feet of the nearest park ranger, and pledged their firstborn for a drink of water.

I hope humble-hike descriptions may one day be welcome. Most hikers might not want to admit that they could not blithely knock off 20-plus miles with a song on their smiling lips, but they might relish the truth of a posting that went like this: “It was the hardest thing I have done IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, I threw my pack at the nearest dumpster, and I am now going to track down the person who said it was a cakewalk and slap him upside the head.”

I can only hope that this might generate a few “likes.”

Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff, a Grand Canyon educator, is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West.

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With about 10,000 people in town for the event, local shops and restaurants were bustling, bringing a welcome vibrancy to the Western Slope enclave after a tumultuous winter.

Tourism in ski towns across Colorado suffered in the wake of record-low snow last winter, with some resorts seeing as much as a 24% decline in visitation. Telluride, which is more remote than many ski areas on the Front Range, had the added challenge of a ski patrol strike that shut down the mountain for about two weeks, causing economic problems for residents and businesses.

But the thing about seasons is that they continually change.

“Summer in Telluride is so magical it����ap kind of hard not to be optimistic,” said Mark Rineer, the local sales consultant for Southern Glazer’s alcohol distributor. “As far as my perspective working with all the different restaurants and businesses, everyone is hopeful.”

Lodging data adds to that sentiment. Tourist occupancy is currently trending 3.5% ahead of last summer, according to the Telluride Tourism Board, with before the leaves change color. For example, there’s Telluride Reserve food and wine festival at the end of July and the second annual Camp Alderwild music festival in August.

“The economy seems steady for the summertime, and we’ll see how it goes from here,” Rineer said. “This is just the start.”

Residents like Lynn Moore, owner of the retail store , aren’t dwelling on the doldrums of winter. She attributes the impact on her business during ski season to a lack of snow more than anything else. (Rineer agrees; he said he only went skiing twice last season when he usually clocks 60 or more days on the mountain.)

Though some restaurants saw up to 40% declines in sales at the start of the year, January is always a slow month for retailers in Telluride, as holiday revelry and spending come to a close, Moore said. That����ap why the timing of the strike didn’t seem like a big deal to her — especially and certainly now that summer is in full swing.

“Here in town, it����ap business as usual,” Moore said. “There’s no grievances with the ski patrollers. It����ap water under the bridge.”

In the summer, Telluride has many more activities that draw visitors and help steady the flow of tourism, Moore said. As a local of 38 years, she’s also seen autumn tourism pick up in recent years, attracting leaf-peepers and wedding parties that bolster business for several more weeks.

“We have festivals, weddings, hiking, biking, climbing — you name it,” Moore said. “So many things are going on that don’t really depend on the weather.”

The Telluride Bluegrass Festival is a rain or shine event that brings in die-hard fans who stick it out no matter the forecast. That said, having a full weekend of sunny, bluebird days seemed to please the crowd, even as many hunted for shade under vendor tents, canopies that they brought or personal umbrellas. Seasoned attendees walked around with misters, showering strangers with both water and kindness. Giggling children ran around with their water guns, doing just the same.

Moore said the bluegrass festival is a beloved tradition that helps set a positive vibe for the rest of the summer. “I think we’re all just hoping that there’s no more drama, and just a lot of happy visitors and happy campers,” she said.

Judging by the smiling and sunbaked faces throughout town over the weekend, that mission was accomplished.

Efforts to restore the Hanging Lake Trail have spanned the 2020s. In the spring of 2024, a $4.7 million complete reconstruction project launched to expand access to the trail to pre-2020 levels, with everyone involved targeting June 18, 2026, as the date to unveil the final product to the public.

That day finally arrived, with the Hanging Lake Trail restored to its former glory — and beyond.

“There was no simple path forward. What followed was years of planning, collaboration, investment, hard work and conversation. An extraordinary coalition came together not just to restore the damaged Hanging Lake Trail but to rebuild it for the next century and create a more resilient trail designed to withstand future challenges while preserving future access to one of Colorado’s most beloved trails,” said Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, the president and CEO of the National Forest Foundation, during the Hanging Lake Trail Restoration Ribbon Cutting celebration near the trailhead.

The effort brought together the U.S. Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, the City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and more organizations. Funding came partially from Forest Service appropriations, a CPW grant, and more than 6,000 visitors who donated their canceled reservation fees to the restoration.

Read the full story from our partner at .

announced the shortly before 6:15 a.m. Monday. The park will reopen “when it is safe to do so,” county officials said.

A woman hiking in the park at about 5:20 p.m. Sunday noticed a bear approaching humans and following hikers, according to a news release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. She told wildlife officers that the bear grabbed her backpack and “made contact” with her leg.

The bear followed the woman down the trail for more than 30 minutes, despite her attempts to scare it off with sticks, rocks and loud noises, state wildlife officials said. The bear finally left after two other hikers joined in, but it started following a separate pair of hikers on a neighboring trail, according to the release.

The nearly 800-acre Apex Park offers more than in Colorado’s foothills, including several that venture up Lookout Mountain, .

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers responded to the area Sunday night, but were unable to find the bear, according to the agency. Jefferson County officials then closed the park for “aggressive bear activity” on Monday.

“This is the first reported bear attack in Colorado for 2026,” wildlife officials stated in the release. “Bear reports to CPW are high this year, likely due to the generally warm and dry winter Colorado experienced, impacting natural forage opportunities for bears.”

A bear was sighted in a residential area near the park on Monday morning. State wildlife officers are investigating whether it’s the same bear involved in Sunday’s incident.

As of June 12, Colorado Parks and Wildlife had received 1,192 reports of bear activity across the state for 2026, .

Any bear sightings should be reported to Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Denver Office at 303-291-7227 or by calling the Colorado State Patrol at *277.

“Most conflicts between people and bears begin when bears gain access to food, garbage or other attractants left by people,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife Area Wildlife Manager Tim Kroening said in a statement. “Properly storing food, securing trash and pet food, and keeping campsites clean helps protect both people and bears.”

If a bear visits a campsite, campers can make loud noises by yelling, clapping, blowing a whistle or using an air horn, and they should always give the bear a clear path to leave, Kroening said. These actions can discourage bears from becoming comfortable around people and help prevent future conflicts.

State wildlife officials said last month that bear sightings are likely to increase in the Denver metro amid Colorado’s ongoing drought, which can deplete the animals’ natural food sources. When resources disappear in the wild, bears venture into human-populated areas in search of food.

“Bears have to eat, and they normally would be eating things like berries, cherries, nuts — things they can find in the wild,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife Public Information Officer Kara Van Hoose said in May. “When you have drought that����ap affecting the bounty of all of these, … the easiest food sources are things like human trash, bird feeders, pet food.”

This is a developing story and may be updated.