BOATING

Colorado is not only known for it's magestic mountains, but also for it's pristine lakes that bring thousands of tourists every year to the state. It's almost impossible to name all the activities available on the Colorado lakes, but one of the most prominent, and my personal favorite, is recreational boating. Boating lakes dot the whole state and are unlike any other lakes in the country because many are surrounded by steep mountains canyon walls. I reccommend getting on the water as soon as possible in the morning in order to have the glassiest water for wakeboarding. Then as other boats start pouring in and the water starts getting choppier you can break out the tubes for tubing.

CAMPING

Camping in Colorado is easy, beautiful and always a good time. Whether you're traveling across the country in an RV or just headed up to the mountains for the weekend with a tent, there's a variety of campsites all across the state. There's also many cabins available for renting at a lot of camp grounds for pretty cheap prices. Because there's so many campsites to choose from, you want to look into all the different ones available before coming to a decision. It really depends on the  kind of experience you're looking for. You can take a 5 day backpacking trip across the Rockies or head up to Horsetooth Reservoir for a night or two. Many campsites are located on lakes or on rivers while some overlook canyons. You can choose to have a campsite with a electricity and running water or drive up a mountain til you lose phone service. In the vast mountain areas of Colorado, anything is possible.

PARAGLIDING

The Colorado Rocky Mountains are a prime location for paragliding. There are associations located in Vail, Aspen and Steamboat where you can be instructed and certified to para-glide from peak to peak all across the Rockies. A paraglider is a large parachute that you harness onto yourself before you run off a cliff and soar across valleys and canyons. Obviously, paragliding is a unique experience and Colorado has the most unique terrain for it. There is no where else in the world with mountains like the Rockies and I can't say for myself, but Colorado's reccomended by many to be the best paragliding around.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

Because of the steep mountain terrain, Colorado is home to some of the most wild rivers in the country. The Arkansas, the Colorado and the Poudre Rivers all are prime rafting destinations for any kind of trip. When planning a rafting trip in Colorado, there's a lot of flexibility. A short ride a few miles down the river can take only a few hours. Or you can choose to go on a 5 day rafting adventure where you can conquer the largest rapids in the state. There are many rafting companies located all over the state with experienced river guides that know what they are doing. Best of all, they know exactly the right spots to go depending on the experience of their rafters. My personal favorite rafting trip is through the Royal Gorge- a 1,000 foot canyon carved by the Arkansas River. The trip has all different classes of rapids ranging from class 1 to class 5 and also provides scenic views of the canyon. The trip starts in Canyon City-about 2 and half hours southwest of Denver. The trip is most enjoyable in the early summer when the weather is warm enough to not be a chilling ride, but the water is still high enough from the spring snowmelt. But there are hundreds of rafting trips offered in Colorado and picking a good one really depends on your experience and preferences.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Colorado also offers miles and miles of mountain biking trail with views and scenery that can't be matched. Trails are relatively easy to find at any state park or camping site. There's also many sites such as http://www.singletracks.com/colorado-bike-trails_6.html that provide you with the location and diffaculty ratings of biking trails in Colorado. There's also many different kinds of trails so you have a wide range of options. If you're looking for an easier ride, there are plenty of winding dirt roads that ease on up to a number of different locations. If you're looking for a more challenging experience, you might want to try one of downhill rocky trails that propells you down the side of a mountain. In the summer, many ski resorts use their ski lifts as bike carriers to carry you and your bike up the mountain so that you can more thoroughly enjoy your time going down. Make sure to wear a helmet and proper protective gear when riding. While biking, it is even more crucial to stay on the trail than while hiking because you can get lost a lot more quickly when you're darting around trails and over boulders. Also, from personal experience I can tell you it is very important to make sure you have proper tire patching tools and a tire pump as there are sharp rocks and sticks that will slice a hole in a tire more easily than one would think.

HIKING

If you're not up for a 14er but you still want the hiking experience, there are many other hikes that are a little less intense. Colorado has thousands of miles of trail that weave all throughout the Rocky Mountains and around majestic valleys and crystal blue lakes. It's really not hard to find a nearby trail in Colorado anywhere you are. Of course, the kind of hike will differ depending on the area you are in. If you are looking for more rigorous hike, you'll want to go farther up in the mountains. It's hard to recommend a specific hiking trail because I've found it really depends on how experienced of a hiker you are, what kind of environment you enjoy and what kind of experience you're looking for. Personally, my favorite hike is up in Granby around Bowen Lake-it's 16.5 miles roundtrip. It offers some incredible views of the lake and it includes many high points where you can see other Colorado mountain peaks stretch on for miles. Some important tips for hiking are always staying on the path to prevent getting lost. It's easy to wander off and quickly become lost in the wildernass. Always make sure to take a compass and essential survival gear just in case you lose your way for a long period of time. Make sure to know your limits and know when you need breaks. Also remember to leave no trace as we are guests while we hike through the mountains.