January is the month of resolutions. It’s a fresh start to work towards your goals and challenge yourself to grow. To help motivate you to get outside and try something new, we’ve created a list of twelve different activities to try this year and the best month to try them in.
January: Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great winter activity for people of all ages. Book a tour or just pick a trail and go, snowshoeing can be done anywhere in the mountains. Either on powder or hard ice and slush, there’s a variety of snowshoes to choose from so it’s a very versatile activity.
February: Glamping
Glamping means ‘glamourous camping’ and the camper sleeps in a hut, tipi or yurt that usually has a small cot or bed and some sort of heater. Glamping tents can range from a simple setup to a full blown resort. One of the prettiest places to glamp is in Ouray, Colorado.
March: Canyoneering
Canyoneering is a technical activity that involves traveling through canyons with a harness and helmet. It usually involves a mix of hiking, scrambling, climbing, jumping and swimming. It’s the perfect activity for outdoor adventure lovers who enjoy a great workout and beautiful views.
April: Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is a perfect early spring activity when the weathers just warming up. You can book a guide or go solo almost anywhere in Colorado. An alternative to bait fishing, fly fishing forces you to slow down and live in the moment. It’s a great activity for people of all ages to enjoy for its flexibility and relative ease.
May: Camping
Camping is an old and well- loved outdoor activity. You can rent a campsite spot or choose to do dispersed camping. Dispersed camping is free camping (in an allowed area). In Colorado, National Forests hold most of the free camping as well as BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. Specific details can be found online on the respective websites.
June: Paddle Boarding
Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) is becoming a popular summertime activity. It’s great for people of all ages and athletic ability because you can sit, kneel, straddle or stand on the board. Estes and Evergreen Lake are two stunning places to try SUP.
July: Rafting
Rafting and whitewater rafting are great outdoor activities for those swelteringly hot July days. You can cruise down the river or fly through rapids and experience Colorado from the water. Whitewater rafting is recommended to go with a guide as it can become a dangerous activity without any training. The best option is to book a tour and enjoy the cool water and thrill of the ride.
August: River Surfing
River surfing brings the surf to landlocked cities. For those that love surfing or want to learn but don’t live by a beach then river surfing is perfect. The Eagle River in Eagle, Colorado is the top spot for this awesome outdoor activity.
September: Backpacking
Backpacking in September is the perfect time as the weather is cooling down so the long days carrying your pack are a little easier. Backpacking is simply defined as hiking for more than a day and carrying all your gear in your pack. This activity is best suited for experienced hikers. Make sure you bring lots of supplies and a guide for first- timers.
October: Wildlife Tour (RMNP)
October is elk season in Rocky Mountain National Park. Book a wildlife tour to experience, upclose the beauty of Colorado’s flora and fauna.
November: Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is an exhilarating wintertime activity great for the whole family. Unless you own a snowmobile, then booking a day tour is the way to go. Anywhere in the mountains will offer half- day and full- day tours so pick your favorite ski town and book a tour today!
December: Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is a slower paced fishing experience done by fishing through a hole in the ice on a frozen body of water. Some people use a heated enclosure to endure the freezing temperatures while other fish out in the open. No special equipment is required but make sure to wear lots of layers and dress warm!