Colorado Wild - RVing in the Centennial State

Very simply, Colorado is an unforgettable experience. Whether you're looking to go skiing, witness breathtaking natural beauty or discover its rich history, you'll find the perfect adventure in Colorado. From incredible golfing and rafting to other outdoor adventures, Colorado offers countless activities from the extreme to the extremely relaxing. You'll also find great arts and entertainment, plus award winning dining ' everything you need to create the perfect RV vacation. Indisputably, Colorado is truly one of the most scenic states in our country.

A huge part of Colorado's history is mining. Many of the towns were created because of the mines, and most of the roads in the rugged outback were originally built for accessing them. In some areas, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid used some of the local towns for hideouts before heading to Bolivia.

For a truly scenic RV trip travel along Interstate 70, the gateway for most visitors. A great stopping point is near Grand Junction in nearby Clifton. Just a few miles away you will discover Colorado National Monument which overlooks the entire valley, as well as the Colorado River. The monument preserves 32 square miles of canyons and mesas. Most of Colorado National Monument rises more than 2,000 feet above the Grand Valley of the Colorado River. The magnificent rock formations in the Colorado National Monument will literally take your breath away.

As you travel along the interstate you'll eventually run into the old mining town of Leadville, the highest incorporated town in North America at 10,430-feet above sea level. In the glory days of silver mining, Leadville was one of the richest boomtowns in the area. If you travel a few miles out of town you'll discover a wonderful little campground called Sugar Loafin' near Turquoise Lake. Surrounded by spectacular mountains camping at 10,000 feet is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Once you're on the road again you will eventually come to Woodland Park, which is located up the hill from Colorado Springs. One of the greatest campsites in the area is Diamond RV Park, just a couple of miles from downtown. All the campsites are located under huge trees in the forest and the experience will leave you feeling like you are truly one with nature.

Up and over the Continental Divide you'll eventually come to Lake San Cristobal, just outside of Lake City. If you're lucky and you time your visit just right you can witness the bluebird migratory flyaway. The Audubon Society puts up hundreds of bird houses for the event and the sky is filled with migratory bluebirds.

If you meander slightly south to the Silver Thread Highway, and pass though Creed and South Fork you'll eventually come to Durango. The town of Durango is the southern stop for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Steam Railroad, which runs daily between the two towns. Travel along the Million Dollar Highway and you'll hear a variety of explanations as to how the highway got its name. One version claims it's based on the oar-bearing fill that was used to construct the road. The other refers to the high cost of building the road over Red Mountain Pass, at 11,008 feet, as well as over the Uncompahgre Gorge. The one thing that nobody will dispute is the million dollar views from the highway. This marvel of engineering, design by Russian immigrant Otto Mears, slices though rugged mountains as it follows former stage coach routes and pack trails. A journey that once took weeks in pre-auto days is now less than a two-hour journey'if the road is dry.

Eventually you will come to Ouray. This small intimate community is nestled in some of the most rugged and towering peaks of the Rockies. Set at the narrow head of a valley and surrounded on three sides with 13,000 foot snowcapped peaks - Ouray has been eloquently nicknamed the Switzerland of America.

Remarkably, two-thirds of Ouray's original Victorian structures, both private and commercial, are still occupied, and have been lovingly restored in order to preserve their turn-of-the-century charm. Many of the streets are still unpaved. In springtime when the snow melts it creates thunderous waterfalls on the cliffs of the surrounding area.

Telluride is the final destination; situated in a boxcar canyon surrounded by majestic 13,000-foot peaks, Telluride is one of the most popular destinations in Colorado. The valley is the vertical ascent to Black Bear Pass, a very popular Jeep road closed during the winter months. In summer, motorcyclists and four wheelers head up Imogene Pass to the Tom Boy Mine and over the mountains to Yankee Boy Basin. There is no end to the activities you can find in Telluride.

It would literally take years to see everything that Colorado has to offer. Perhaps it's the rare beauty makes each visit special or the small discoveries off the beaten path. Whatever the lure, simply pull out a map and start exploring you will not be disappointed.