Edwards, CO Outdoor Activities

Even the most rugged trucks are no match for the steep mountain terrain. Instead, visitors to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park abandon their autos in favor of a 4,300-foot-long gondola tram, taking in the panoramic mountain vistas from the safety of a futuristic, six-person pod as it ascends to the summit. Once there, visitors are confronted with a dizzying array of attractions that pair the majesty of nature with the thrills of modern amusements. The innovative alpine coaster zooms down a 3,400-foot track as riders control their car’s speed, gunning it to feel the wind in their hair or slowing down to savor the picturesque greenery. In a nod to the region’s mining history, visitors can ride the bumpy trails in a conestoga-wagon simulation, pan for gemstones, or hear resident gunslinger-dentist John Henry "Doc" Holliday speak about pulling teeth and casting snake-oil infomercials. An indoor laser-tag arena puts a futuristic twist on Wild-West shootouts, and a 4-D motion theater brings hit films to life with surround sound and moving seats. Cap off a day of adventure with a trip down a 625-foot-long zip ride or a plunge into the Glenwood Caverns and Historic Fairy Caves, following the soft glow of safety lights and sturdy handrails until emerging onto the rough stone balcony of Exclamation Point and gasping at the sight of the winding Colorado River as it digs a centuries-old trench in the countryside.

The experts who lead Aspen Walking Tours blend history, research, and cultural anthropology in a trio of informative strolls, nourishing the minds of tour-takers with local factoids. These guides quarterback small groups during each trek through time, imparting stories and tidbits that they've researched themselves. The Aspen's DarkSide tour unearths the area's ghastly past, rife with ghosts, murder, and mayhem, and the Aspen's Past to Present tour details Aspen's evolution from a modest mining camp to world-famous resort. In the fall, rather than wearing shoes whittled from dry ice, visitors can experience real chills with a spooky saunter through the Ute Cemetery—Aspen's first burial ground—during the Walking with the Dead tour.

Nestled in River Run Village at the base of Keystone Mountain, NorSki Sport Rental arms outdoor enthusiasts with high-quality, custom-fitted equipment from manufacturers such as K2, Nordica, or Rossignol. Cold-weather cavorters lock into a snowboard or pair of skis for a speedy journey down the slopes, or slip on a pair of snowshoes to traipse about Keystone’s extensive trail system in search of the abominable snowman’s ice-sculpture garden. For warmer amusement, patrons rent Specialized brand mountain, touring, and hybrid bikes during the summer months. NorSki’s knowledgeable team of mechanics carefully dotes on each piece of rental equipment, maintaining a fleet that is both safe to ride and assured of its self-worth.

Paddles slice through churning waters, keeping rafts on their course down Clear Creek as it cuts through the Denver Mountain Parks . At the base of the red crags of Gore Canyon, the white-capped water of the Colorado River foretells rafters’ trips through daunting class IV and V rapids. Elsewhere, guests make like protoplasmic coat hangers as they zipline over the scenery of Idaho Springs.

But rafting trips and zipline tours are just the beginning. Arkansas Valley Adventures leads all kinds of expeditions through Colorado’s mountains and valleys, tossing in ATVs, hot air balloons, helicopters, horses, and fishing rods with the paddles and ziplines. While flying down the Eagle River explorers will have plenty of chances to get in touch with their rugged side and ask ancient rock faces whether the paleo diet is an apt reflection of the habits of early humans.