Sneaky cool park. Limited infrastructure that gets job done for access. Enough interpretative…read morecontent to get a sense of area. Really rock formations. Nice low key campsite. A cool place to check out.

One of my Earthwatch colleagues had this place on her "Bucket List". So after a long Friday out in…read morethe San Juan Rift, we stopped at Penitente Canyon for a hike and a few cold beers. Years ago, Penitente Canyon served as a place of worship for Los Hermanos Penitente. The Brothers, Spanish and Indian men of deep faith and commitment, preferred to live secluded in the foothills and canyons of the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains to practice their religion freely. In some areas you can see historic/religious painting left behind on the rocks. Penitente Canyon, while quite secluded, has also emerged as one of Colorado's premier rock climbing areas. The area is part of the 7,529 acre Penitente Canyon Special Recreation Management Area of the BLM. Our group had a wonderful time hiking the canyons, clamoring over the "Rock Garden" and watching climbers in various stages of ascent and decent. It's a beautiful area and well worth a trip in this somewhat remote region. Our late afternoon visit was also the perfect beginning of a busy weekend and a great opportunity to just hang out with new friends.

Where to start ? Rick was very good at handling and…read moreconfirming my reservation from last summer Our lesson with Stella- what a sweet girl- very thorough in explaining the fly rod and different knots well worth the 2 hours of our time Then Jeff was our guide 2 half 1/2 day float trips down the rio grande He couldn't control the amount of water flowing down this thing But he could control the boats A great patient man who has obviously dealt with rookies on the water They even supplied lunch which was a wonderful sandwich each day All in all a great learning experience I guess you could say I am hooked !! !

Beautiful country and amazing temperatures for July. Alluring trout fishing in all of the…read moresurrounding lakes.

The High Dune Trail on First Ridge is probably the most popular trail in Great Sand Dunes National…read morePark. The first dune you reach from the main parking lot, it's definitely not the tallest dune in the park but it leads to beautiful views of GSDNP. There are no trail markers for this hike - you'll cross the Medrano creek bed after leaving the parking lot and then follow the dunes and make your own way. Hiking in sand is definitely a more difficult experience, so do yourself a favor and take the shortest route to the top. While the trail is "technically" to the top of the dune, you can do some exploring at the top to get different views. And let me tell you, it is 100% worth it because it is so incredibly gorgeous from the top. This hike can get more intensive than you think - some of these hills are steep with the sand deep. There is absolutely zero shade cover, so you will be hiking in direct sunlight - wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen. On the same note, the sand can get INCREDIBLY HOT, so make sure to wear good hiking shoes to protect your feet. And pack a lot of water and snacks (remember, pack in, pack out!). We took about 3 hours for our full hike, but it will also depend on how many breaks you take and how equipped you are to hike in sand. These are the same dunes you'll see people sand-boarding and sand-sledding on. If you have the chance, rent a board and take part. It's a lot of fun! Overall, a great hike to introduce you to the sand dunes of the park. While there are some longer hikes that take you to taller dunes, we only had about 6 hours to spend in the park, and we also wanted to go sand-sledding. Super happy with this hike, the experiences, and the wonderful views of the park it gave us. Highly recommend!

Our family of 5 had the most amazing kayaking experience down the Rio Grande. Curt is so patient…read moreand knowledgeable. He explains things so well. We were also blessed to have Mike with us as well and he took amazing pictures and videos. Paula was our chauffeur and she was the best. I don't think there isn't anything she doesn't know. She knew so much history about the area and gave great food tips too! We cannot wait to come back again and raft when the river is faster or try some other adventures with Curt. You cannot go wrong with Narrow Ridge!

Our family spent a glorious morning on day before the 4th with Mountain Man on the RioGrande. About…read more25 years ago when our kids were small we used to take them on the river with MM. Today my daughter Diana is a guide with them on the river so we all went out with her and had a great time. She knows what she's doing and is part of an excellent team. The river was a bit low making for some fun navigation. All their equipment is first class and they do more than just rafting so check it out. We really having everyone with an oar in the water and taking directions as we navigate the Rock Garden, having water fights and stopping for some swimming and snacks. My kids are now in their mid-20's+ but we had as much fun as when they were five. The scenery between Wagon Wheel Gap and South Fork is as good as it gets on any river. So be sure to add it to your to-do list while in the Valley, and ask for Diana!

We recently did the Bachelor Loop tour with Matt and we had the time of our lives! Matt was a…read morewonderful guide- helpful, kind and funny! Highly recommend Mountain Skillz for your next back country adventure!

We did the sunset 4Hr ride on July 16th. The ride was a blast lots of wildlife and amazing views…read more The guide, Justin, was awesome and super knowledgeable, he made the ride a lot of fun. If you do the sunset BRING INSULATED JACKETS!!! We made the mistake of only bringing a pullover and it got very cold, thankfully Justin had blankets for us! 100% recommend!!

We recently stayed at the 4UR and had a wonderful vacation. My wife was celebrating her 75th…read morebirthday while our daughter turned 50. The ranch features great fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, gourmet dining, 3 picnics and a children's program second to none. What really sets the 4UR apart is the amazing staff led by managers Robin and Aaron. We have vacationed in Creede for over 25 years but this was our first stay at the 4UR. It was the very best. We hope we will be able to make this very special place an annual event. Stuart H Frankel, MD

This is my second time at 4ur ranch. Everything was great, but the food was SO disappointing. I…read morethink they got a new chef, because the food is not nearly as good as our last trip. It was such a significant difference, that I had to write a review and let others know. I think the new chef is named Blake Bond. He must be new at this, because our food was cold and bland. The meat was so hard in parts that it actually took a crown off that I had permanently placed before our trip. This place is expensive, and there are just too many other amazing places to go. I would have given the chef another chance, but he came out after dinner, and seemed so offended that someone would dare say they weren't satisfied. They really need a new chef!! And quick!!

They have a really good restaurant. The sticky buns are absolutely outstanding and I really love…read morethe bison burger. Last time I was there I tried the veal pot stickers and they were absolutely delicious! This is my go-to spot when I'm in town.

I work in this area of Colorado every summer. This wonderful place is under new ownership by some…read morereally great folks who are putting a lot of money into upgrades. The restaurant is famous in this area. They have a brand new gift shop, ice cream shop, serving bluebell ice cream, (which is my wife's favoriite), and a terrific coffee shop. We enjoyed the best coffee we've ever had in Colorado, hands-down. Last summer, my son and his wife and two young daughters went horseback riding there. The cowboy guides were so kind and helpful especially to our little granddaughters. The family is still talking about what a wonderful time they had. If you're in the area, you need to check this place out!

In the brief, golden interlude when winter loosens its grip on southern Colorado, the great…read moreseasonal spectacle returns to Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. This is a sweet spot of the year, the weeks when migratory Sandhill Crane descend upon the San Luis Valley in numbers that feel almost biblical. For surrounding towns, it's a quiet boon: birders arrive with thermoses and binoculars. Life-size crane cutouts celebrate the moment affixed along Main Street, or 1st Avenue as locals know it. The valley briefly hums, and then pauses with delighted witness. If you can go now, while they're still there, do. At dawn the refuge opens in a soft hush, frost silvering the marsh grasses. Then the cranes begin to gather: thousands of them, wings flashing pale gray, their ancient, bugling calls carrying across the wetlands. The viewing pullout known as 8S is the place to linger. The cranes bow, leap, and wheel in loose companies while flocks of Canada Geese drift nearby with neighborly indifference. It is difficult not to feel you've stumbled upon something grand and improbably joyful. It is a wonder written in wings and wind.

The Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge entails a fairly vast amount of land in Southern Colorado…read more Its 14,804 acres is located in an area referred to as the San Luis Valley. Along with two other wildlife refuges in the Valley, Monte Vista "provides [a] crucial feeding, resting, and breeding habitat for over 200 bird species and other wildlife." For some reason, my significant other doesn't see as much wildlife as he used to. It could be because of that jerk farmer neighbor of his that speeds 85 miles-per-hour down the dirt roads and all other highways. Or just an influx of humans moving into the area over the years. Most recently my daughters & I awed at the geese flying in V-formation overhead. These huge birds honked loudly & proudly over the refuge and surrounding farm fields. Their calls are quite an amazing alarm clock, or an exceedingly annoying one, depending on your wakefulness mood. Lol. During the winter, the wind can cut through improper clothing and give your body a full chill. In fact, the wind blows quite a bit in this valley throughout the entire year. But when I was most recently here on September 3, 2023, the weather was balmy -- such a treat compared to the dreadful heat we were having in Southeastern New Mexico. If I had a nice camera, I'd attempt to capture the various species in existence, but I don't so I can't. There is a visitor center near E County Road 6 S on Highway 15. Haven't visited there yet but perhaps someday...