A summer vacation in Colorado offers lots of activities and delights for all ages and all tastes. And among all the mountain towns in Colorado, none offers as many things to see and do as Ouray.
Whether you’re a solo traveler looking for a physically challenging activity, or part of a family searching for age-appropriate recreation and excitement with the kids, Ouray, Colorado, will meet and surpass your expectations. It’s an amazing family vacation destination, but also an adventurous and romantic one.
The best news? It’s not too late to plan your summer vacation in Colorado and visit Ouray!
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What to do on your summer vacation in Colorado
You can find that your biggest challenge is to fit everything you want to do during your summer vacation in Colorado.
If you try only once to take a brisk jog or a meandering stroll just as the sun rises over the surrounding peaks, you will definitely want to start the day at the break of dawn while on your summer vacation in Colorado. Then, you can enjoy an amazing breakfast in Ouray.
Continue your active Colorado summer with a morning walk down to the Natural Hot Springs Pool, or keep that for later, after you’ve been hiking, and want to soak out the knots in your legs.
You can also take a jeep road trip through the Imogene Pass at 13,000 plus elevation, have a snowball fight there, then visit the gift shops and the rock stores.
I’m guessing you got the big picture: Ouray’s packed with fun and excitement for everyone.
Although most of the fun things to do on a summer vacation in Colorado are outdoor, your holiday doesn’t have to be an active one. It can also be relaxing, with hot tub soaks, nature slideshows, and shopping.
And even though this mountain hamlet swells to a few thousand visitors a day during the peak summer days, it doesn’t mean that there is no silence and solitude for the weary of body and soul looking for some healing. Quiet aspen and spruce groves and cascading waterfalls provide a wonderful escape from the stress of your hectic lifestyle. And again, the natural hot springs will work wonders!
Experiences you shouldn’t miss when you visit Ouray
Is camping in summer your thing? The Ouray KOA is located north of the town, along the Uncompahgre River. You’ll have an amazing time there and will quickly discover that the staff at KOA will do their best to offer all the travel tips you need to explore the spectacular surroundings. This campground is clean and neat, and if you’re interested in a good night’s sleep, the whole campsite is quiet and respectful starting at 10 pm.
The US Forest Service also has campsites south of the city, with a bird’s eye view of the valley below and the canyon walls lining the gorge.
During your summer vacation in Colorado, check out the offers of the jeep tour operators and their gold mining tours for the whole family. And if you dare, rent a jeep yourself and hit the road to visit the nearby historic ski resorts, the first-class Indian ruins of Mesa Verde, and the Durango-Silverton narrow-gauge line.
If you don’t want to go on a jeep ride in the summer, you can also rent ATVs, mountain bikes, and/or motorbikes. Or you can simply go hiking to places in Colorado like Box Canyon Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Cascade Falls.
Plan a week or at least 3 or 4 days to enjoy the beauty of Ouray during your family summer vacations in Colorado. Just make sure you book your accommodation in advance. You can choose between hotels, vacation rentals, and glamping in Colorado. This is a popular destination, although it’s not overcrowded with tourists. (There’s simply too much open space to feel crowded!)
Enjoy discovering the best places to visit in Ouray Colorado and I’m certain it’ll be a vacation spot you’re going to want to see again soon!
Mirela Letailleur is a Romanian travel blogger living in the South of France. She writes on The Travel Bunny travel blog about affordable travel in Europe, creator of unique free travel guides, local travel expert. Problem solver. Wannabe coffee guru.
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