Fun Glenwood Springs Activities Might Include Whitewater Rafting or Backpacking

Scores of Glenwood Springs Activities in a Beautiful Little Valley

Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley – a narrow gash of land just west of the Continental Divide – possesses a profusion of summer vacation activities.

The valley is cut from the soaring, rugged Elk Mountain range of the central Rockies, and ambles along with the flow of the Roaring Fork River. Almost all of the valley is cloaked in the evergreens and spindly aspens of the White River National Forest – the busiest forest area in the United States – according to the United States Forest Service.

There is no question the hottest hiking and backpacking location in the Roaring Fork area is the Maroon Bells area near Snowmass. Two of the state’s highest peaks, the Bells soar above 14,000 feet. The geographical rarities of the area allows incredible vistas. A free shuttle bus departs every twenty minutes during the summer to Maroon Lake, where hikers and backpackers will find access to Maroon Peak and Pyramid Peak.

The Maroon Bells wilderness area is also wildly popular for campers. The isolated meadows of a glacial valley dotted with massive fields of native wildflowers pulls in visitors in droves.

Scenic backcountry camping is also easily accessible near Carbondale, which looks north to the southern face of Mount Sopris.

Carbondale sits along Highway 83 at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Crystal River. Along with numerous private camps and RV parks, the federal government is in charge of Avalanche Creek’s highly desired camp, which has limited availability during the busy summer season. There is a small fee for each night but the awe-inspiring landscape from above 7,000 feet, the scores of hungry trout just steps away in Avalanche Creek, trailheads to Maroon Bells, Snowmass Wilderness area, and Sopris, and the site’s remote feeling despite being just a few miles from Carbondale makes the campground a popular stay for summer vacation activities in the region.

Officials also oversee and maintain scores of completely free campsites throughout the Roaring Fork Valley; however, little areas of private property dot the landscape so it is always a good idea to watch for the little signs marking private property.

• hiking
• rafting
• backpacking

The Ruedi Recreation district, just 15 minutes east of Basalt on the Fryingpan River, encompasses Ruedi Reservoir. The reservoir is popularsuitable for all types of water activities, and the mountains looming over the area is renowned for its prime hunting.

Much of the Roaring Fork River is designated as Gold Medal fishing and there are ample professional fishing guides who know where the big fish are. The rivers fill to capacity during the spring melt when the winter snow falls prey to the warm spring sun. From April to September, though, the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, and Crystal Rivers can be waded or float fished.

From Aspen to Glenwood Springs there is no shortage of choices for summer vacation activities. And it is not simply fishing and camping. Everyday sees the waters filled with families tubing as a group or whitewater rafters taking on the rivers.

Consider a Glenwood Springs Vacation for your summer excursion

More links: http://glenwoodspringsaspen.com/ or http://activities.glenwoodspringsaspen.com/