Top Colorado Getaways Off The Beaten Path
Antero Hot Spring Cabins
Salida, CO 81201
(719) 539-8204
anterohotsprings.com
Two historic, hundred-year-old cabins in Chalk Creek Canyon in Chaffee County have been renovated, each with its own private hot springs pool just outside the door. Located along Chalk Creek just above the more well-known Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, these cabins and pool offer a more private and quiet experience. To get there take Highway 285 to near Buena Vista and go south on Hwy 24 to Nathrop. Next follow County Road 162 west past Mt. Princeton to Antero Hot Spring Cabins.
Harmonica Arch
climb.mountains.com
When you talk about natural arches, usually you're talking about rock formations in eastern Utah or western Colorado. But our state's longest granite arch is located in the Lost Creek Wilderness not far from Denver. You can start at the Goose Creek Trailhead. To get there, take Highway 285 to Pine Junction then go south on County Road 126 past Buffalo. Next you can take a Forest Service road in to the trailhead.
Tennessee Pass Cookhouse
(719) 486-8114
tennesseepass.com
In colder months you can ski the trails of Piney Creek Nordic Center in the afternoon, and then make reservations to ski up to this Mongolian-style yurt for a romantic, gourmet dinner in the San Isabel National Forest. To get there take Highway 91 from Copper Mountain to Leadville and go west on Highway 24 to the top of Tennessee Pass and Ski Cooper ski area, where you'll find the new Nordic Center Buidling. Learn more in the video clip from Colorado Getaways below:
Picketwire Canyonlands
(719) 384-2181
exploresoutheastcolorado.com/picketwire.htm
This is a not-so-easily accessed canyon along the Purgatoire River. It's a rugged canyon south of La Junta in southeastern Colorado that holds layers of history, including North America's longest dinosaur track. There are also footprints of about 100 individual dinosaurs from the Jurassic era. You'll also find rock art from the canyon's earliest human inhabitants in hidden alcoves. The remains of a church and cemetery from the 1800s (when the canyon was settled by Hispanic farmers who came north from Taos) is a must see. The Roarke Ranch, a huge cattle operation in the 20th century, is also a highlight. During your journey you'll also see prairie chickens roaming the Comanche Grasslands nearby.
Windy Ridge Bristlecone Pine Area
Pike National Forest
1920 Valley Road
Pueblo, CO 81008
(719) 836-2031
www.fs.fed.us
Windy Ridge Bristlecone Pine Area is located above the town of Alma. To get there take US Hwy 185 to Fairplay and then go north on Colorado Hwy 9 to Alma. Next, take the Kite Lake Road from town and follow signs up to Windy Ridge. Bristlecone pine trees live longer than any living thing on the planet and most of the trees on Windy Ridge are nearly 1,000 years old. You can reach Windy Ridge by taking Highway 285 to Fairplay. Next head north on Colorado Highway 9 to Alma. In the middle of town, find the Kite Lake Road and go west a couple of miles until you see a sign pointing to a 4-wheel drive road up to Windy Ridge.
Stub Creek Cabin
Roosevelt National Forest
(877) 444-6777
recreation.gov
This US Forest Service cabin in the Roosevelt National Forest was once a ranger station. It has been converted into a place for people to stay, with two bedrooms, a kitchen with a stove, a refrigerator and a microwave. It's tucked away in a remote spot of northern Colorado, located near Cameron Pass, north of Highway 14. The cabin offers solitude and a chance to live with the animals. Watching the wildlife is enough reason to visit but the area also offers designated four-wheel drive roads for more adventurous members of the family.
