TRAVEL | In Colorado, Summer Goes out with a Bang

In Colorado, Summer Goes out with a Bang

Looking for a unique way to say goodbye to summer? Head to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and check out nature's unbelievable farewell to summer.

An Adventure You'll Never Forget

Aspen Trees

The pine forests that blanket the Colorado mountains are dotted with colonies of aspen trees that grow in tight groupings. Locals adoringly refer to them as "quakies," and every fall the green leaves change to a luminous gold. The contrast of the golden aspens amid dark green pines is stunning, attracting thousands of viewers every year.

A great way to take advantage of this amazing annual event is via RV. You can fly into Denver International Airport, and rent an RV from a dealer like B&B RV - one of the oldest dealers in Denver. A quick Uber ride will grab you from the airport and take you to your temporary home-on-wheels to tour the area's countryside. Colorado has an array of jaw-dropping places to visit, making an RV the perfect choice.


Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park should be a bucket list destination for any outdoor enthusiast. With 415 square miles of federally protected land, this park is unchanged from the pioneer days. During the fall, visitors are struck with scenes of beauty that are difficult to comprehend. In multiple places one can see to what looks like the edge of the Earth, with bright explosions of golden leaves dotting the landscape.

San Juans

If you're up for a beautiful road trip, you can wind through the Rockies south to the San Juans. Here, the geology starts to resemble layers of red velvet cake while maintaining Colorado's beautiful fall colors. The San Juans boast dozens of 12,000+ ft. peaks and is often compared to the Swiss Alps.

If you want to take a break from your RV, spend a day on the Durango/Silverton narrow gauge railroad. Sit and enjoy the amazing view while the train meanders through 45 miles of some of the most beautiful wilderness Colorado has to offer. If you time this trip right and can see the aspens in full effect, the experience is something you will never forget.

Guanella Pass

In the event that you'd rather not drive for 5 hours to get to the San Juans, the historical mining camp of Georgetown can offer a similar experience. From Georgetown, you can head up Guanella pass through several protected wilderness areas. From the road, multiple 14,000 ft. peaks tower overhead. There are ample trailheads to stop at and go on an adventure. A little known trail known as "Abyss" will take you around Geneva Mountain and into acres of pure golden aspens. During the right light, the ground looks like it glows.

Georgetown also offers a railroad similar to Durango/Silverton, although much shorter. Regardless, after a some time in the RV, it can be nice to change your mode of travel. If you sit in the Presidential car you can sip on a glass of wine while Colorado's autumn colors stream past your window.

Estes Park

If you're a Stephen King fan, then Estes Park is a must-visit. The Shining was filmed at the infamous Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Tales of the hotel's haunted past are impossible to avoid during a visit. When autumn is peaking, Halloween is just around the corner, setting the tone for an extremely fun stop.