Top Tips for Planning a Colorado Springs Vacation
If you’re new to the beautiful state of Colorado, you may be asking yourself, what is a good vacation spot in Colorado?
With breathtaking mountains, rambling rivers, awe-inspiring rock formations, and hiking trails for every level of adventurer, Colorado Springs boasts the best of what Colorado has to offer.
You’ll find pristine hot springs where you and your family can stare up at the stars after a memorable day of adventuring, and a quaint city full of delicious eateries and mom-and-pop shops on every corner.
In this guide to your Colorado Springs vacation, we will reveal all of the top spots you won’t want to miss out on when you visit sunny Colorado.
What is There to Do in Colorado Springs?
Outdoor Playground
No matter where you find yourself in town, simply look up and you’ll see one of the most famous mountains in Colorado: Pikes Peak. At just over 14,000 feet, visitors can bike, hike, drive, or take a train to the summit.
If you’re yourself looking for an easy nature stroll, head down to Garden of the Gods. Red rock formations line the paths as climbers, horseback riders, cyclists, and hikers enjoy the endless entertainment that this famous park offers.
If you’re wondering where you can hike in Colorado Springs, here is a list of our top five favorite hiking trails:
- Seven Bridges Trail – explore waterfalls on this paved hike
- Garden of the Gods – free entry and stunning rock formations
- Red Rock Canyon – easy hike with great views
- Bear Creek Canyon – moderate hiking with trails to waterfalls, bridges, and old mining tunnels
- Cheyenne Mountain State Park – great for both hiking and camping, with panoramic views of the city
Outdoor Adventures
Located in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and close to the Arkansas River, Colorado Springs is home to countless thrilling outdoor adventures.
You’ll find hot air balloon rides, zipline courses, ATV and off-road tours, rock climbing, and mountain biking attractions. And no Colorado vacation would be complete without kayaking or rafting down the Arkansas River.
Colorado Springs offers single- and multi-day rafting trips for all experience levels. The Arkansas River is the most popular river in the country for rafting. Just one hour from Colorado Springs and you can float below the Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in Colorado. This rugged landscape is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.
Make a day or a full weekend of your Royal Gorge rafting trip and pair it with ziplining, train rides, and exploration of the Royal Gorge Bridge.
It doesn’t have to stop there: the Arkansas River offers some of the best fishing in the country. With 102 miles designated as Gold Medal fishing, you can catch some of the trout that Colorado rivers are famous for.
Time to Relax and Unwind
After days spent rafting, climbing, and hiking, you’ll need some recoup time. Colorado Springs offers great restaurants and spas, and not far from the city, you’ll find natural hot springs.
Natural hot springs are one of the many wonders of Colorado. For centuries these warming pools have played important roles for native tribes, where they offered both physical and spiritual healing.
Today the public can go to Manitou Springs, where eight hot springs of varying temperatures await your arrival. These healing waters are full of minerals from deep underground – this water takes thousands of years to reach the surface, and is thus free from contamination, offering visitors pure, healing water.
Once back in the city, you’ll encounter restaurants that appeal to every visitor. Here are some of the best and most unique restaurants in Colorado Springs:
- Crave Real Burgers – a casual American eatery
- Mod Pizza – a casual pizza joint
- Penrose Room – fine dining, with beautifully prepared food in a gorgeous setting
- The Melting Pot – fine dining fondue restaurant
- Uchenna – vegetarian and vegan-friendly Ethiopian cuisine
Planning Your Colorado Springs Vacation
At Raft Echo we have the expertise and passion to help you plan a Colorado vacation that you will never forget. Our team will piece together your entire Colorado Springs vacation, from the most exciting outdoor adventures, to the most comfortable accommodations.
If you’re looking to unwind in luxury while surrounded by breathtaking views, we offer a variety of vacation rentals. Book one of our Royal Gorge Cabins, where we offer one bedrooms for a romantic getaway, and 2 king bedrooms for a getaway for the whole family. We even have glamping tents for those looking for an upscale camping experience.
Every cabin and glamping tent has a private outdoor area where you can sit around the fire and relive the thrilling adventures from your day. Give us a call today to start planning your next Colorado vacation.
