Summer Plans

Question

Hello. I've brought my teens to CO for the past 2 summers. They want something new but I love CO. We have done Crested Butte, Aspen, Ouray and Telluride. I would love to see these places again but am looking to add in new spectacular places (we were not that impressed with Pike's Peak). Any suggestions?? OR should we venture into more northern states?? Thank you!

Answer

If you’ve already explored Crested Butte, Aspen, Ouray, and Telluride, you’ve hit some of Colorado’s most iconic mountain destinations. But there are still other spectacular areas in the state that your teens may love just as much—places with dramatic scenery, unique activities, and fresh landscapes that feel different from what you’ve already seen. Colorado has plenty more “wow” moments left before you need to head to other states!

Below are ideas for either continuing within Colorado or expanding into nearby northern mountain states. Both options can offer a totally new experience.

✔ Colorado Destinations You Haven’t Done Yet (but should!)

Steamboat Springs – A beautiful ranch-meets-mountains town with hot springs, tubing on the Yampa River, great hiking (Fish Creek Falls!), and a more relaxed vibe than Aspen. Teens usually love the river activities.
Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes Park) – If you haven’t visited RMNP, it’s a must. Alpine lakes, wildlife, the Trail Ridge Road drive, and endless hiking at all difficulty levels. Avoid midsummer weekends for crowds.
Durango & Silverton / San Juan Loop – Even if you've done Ouray/Telluride, Durango offers whitewater rafting, the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, and the Durango–Silverton train (always a hit for teens).
Glenwood Springs – Home to adventure: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (mountaintop thrill rides), Hanging Lake, and hot springs. A very teen-friendly destination.
Buena Vista / Salida – Laid-back river towns with rafting on the Arkansas River, the Browns Canyon National Monument area, hot springs, and mountain biking.
Grand Lake – A quieter gateway to RMNP with lakeside activities: boating, paddleboarding, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives.
Great Sand Dunes National Park – Fantastic for teens: sandboarding, sand sledding, hiking the dunes, and Medano Creek if you visit early summer.
Southwest Colorado: Pagosa Springs – Beautiful meadows and hot springs, plus access to Wolf Creek Pass. Great hikes like Opal Lake or Treasure Falls.

✔ If You Want Something Truly New (Still Within Colorado)

Consider these more remote or “less talked about” regions that still deliver spectacular scenery:

Red Mountain Pass to Lake City – A quieter alternative to Ouray with huge alpine views, waterfalls, and the Alpine Loop backcountry drive (rent a Jeep).
Marble & Crystal Mill – A stunning off-the-beaten-path area with one of Colorado’s most photographed historic structures. Teens usually love the adventure of getting there.
Great Western Sandhills (Pawnee Buttes / Eastern CO) – A totally different landscape: prairie cliffs, wildlife, and wild open spaces. Feels nothing like the mountains.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Extremely dramatic, steep canyon walls and short, easy rim hikes. Great as an add-on to another trip.

✔ If You Want to Explore Northern States Instead

If your teens are craving “something bigger/different than Colorado,” the northern Rockies deliver in a huge way. These are world-class mountain destinations that feel familiar but offer new types of scenery, wildlife, and activities.

Wyoming – Jackson Hole & Grand Teton National Park – Incredible mountain backdrops, rafting on the Snake River, wildlife spotting, and the town of Jackson.
Wyoming – Yellowstone National Park – Geothermal features, bison herds, waterfalls, a huge variety of landscapes. Teens usually find Yellowstone unforgettable.
Montana – Glacier National Park – Jaw-dropping alpine views, Going-to-the-Sun Road, turquoise lakes, and great hiking. One of the most photographed parks in the country.
Idaho – Sun Valley / Sawtooth Mountains – Very underrated and absolutely stunning. Alpine lakes, rugged peaks, river adventures, fewer crowds.
Utah – Park City – Great summer activities for teens—mountain coasters, zip lines, Olympic park activities, scenic hikes, and a lively town.

✔ Should you stay in Colorado or go north?

If you want dramatic mountains, new terrain, and more adventures within Colorado, you still have tons of high-quality choices—Steamboat, RMNP, Glenwood Springs, Buena Vista, and Durango can easily fill another summer with variety.

If the teens want a “completely fresh” feel that is still mountain-based but VERY different, then northern states—especially Montana (Glacier) and Wyoming (Grand Teton)—offer that “epic new scenery” feeling.

✔ Recommendation Summary

Stay in Colorado if you want lower travel time, variety of landscapes, and a mix of outdoor adventure & charming mountain towns.
Go north (Wyoming/Montana) if you want bigger wildlife, national-park-level drama, and a totally new mountain experience.

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