Stretch Your Legs
Most people start their drive from Denver to Colorado Springs with a pretty straightforward and quick drive on I-25, but it’s worth stopping in the nice town of Monument. It’s the highest point on the drive and the views of Pikes Peak are fantastic. You can walk the wooden sidewalks and stop for a quick bite at a local restaurant if desired. Rosie’s Diner is great for food or take a quick detour to Serranos Coffee Company for a fresh roast before jumping back on the road. Monument is a great stopping point but don’t linger for too long because the best of this trip is waiting closer to Colorado Springs.
Garden of the Gods
When you reach Colorado Springs after traveling from Denver, make time to visit the Garden of the Gods Nature Center. This public park is open year-round and offers something for everyone. You can simply take the scenic drive and stop to take-in breathtaking views or you can be adventurous and tackle the rock climbing routes. The park has trails, jeep tours, e-bike rentals and more. It’s one of the most scenic places in the state and is easy to visit when visiting Colorado Springs. If you’re going straight from the Denver airport to Colorado Springs, we recommend a walk here to reduce jet lag.
Stay and Eat
Colorado Springs has a wide range of lodging options and some really great food. You can go for a traditional hotel chain like the Holiday Inn Express or something unique like the Glen Eyrie Castle. That’s right, this is an actual castle situated on a sprawling, manicured estate. The castle has an excellent restaurant but you can also hit the town and eat at Bird Dog BBQ, the Caspian Cafe or any of the numerous excellent local restaurants. For the full resort experience, check out the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. The experience at the Cheyenne is world-class and everything you need is located nearby. Hosting dozens of adventure packages, you can book your Colorado Springs rafting trip along with your room!
Hit the River
After filling up on food and enjoying a good night of rest, it’s time for more adventure! Choose from our most popular Colorado Springs rafting trips on the Arkansas and Gunnison Rivers. Arkansas River Tours runs everything from Colorado family rafting to trips to big water excursions. If you want to experience the most famous whitewater rafting in Colorado, this is the place to explore. Royal Gorge rafting trips are perfect for explorers ready to dive into a scenic canyon loaded with big rapids. The Cottonwood float is perfect for families wanting something more mellow but equally beautiful on the Arkansas River. Throw in the option for Colorado fly fishing trips and you have a winning combination of adventure for everyone!
The next time you take a trip from Denver to Colorado Springs, give us a call for an exciting day of Arkansas River rafting and add a little adventure. Mellow floats, wild whitewater and world-class trout fishing are all waiting just outside of Colorado Springs. The region offers incredible scenery, wildlife, and a host of exciting activities in the great outdoors. We can’t wait to see you on the river!
Look for more information on traveling in Denver? Check out this link to Kayak’s Denver city guide!
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