Why Go?With one foot on either side of the Continental Divide and granite behemoths in every direction, Colorado’s northern mountains provide a glimpse of the top of the world. Here, the northern Rockies make an irresistible call to mountain-lovers, regardless of whether the season calls for climbing them in hiking boots or shushing down them on skis. Steam-boat is a world-class ski resort without the hype of other Colorado areas, and Rocky Mountain National Park and its surrounding wilderness areas and patchwork state parks is a sanctuary for wildlife and wildlife lovers alike.

In spring, summer and autumn, hiking and biking in state and national parks and forests continue to draw visitors. Many ski resorts transform into groomed mountain-biking areas, and campers make for high-altitude lakes. The region also boasts top-notch fishing, rafting and kayaking, weath-ered ghost towns, horseback riding, camping and mountain touring until well after autumn turns the aspens gold.

Rocky Mountain National Park & Northern Colorado

When to Go

Jun–Sep Sunshine, per-fect hiking and monstrous thun-derheads attract visitors.

Sep–Oct Temperatures drop and the tourists vacate. The aspens turn golden.

Nov–Apr Crisp air and tons of snowfall bring skiers to low-key resort areas.

0

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F DNOSAJJMAMJ

Estes Park°C/°F Temp Rainfall inches/mm

-20/-4

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0/32

Best Places to Eat¨¨ Backcountry Deli (p160) ¨¨ Big Horn Restaurant

(p140)

¨¨ Tasty Harmony (p146)

¨¨ Bistro CV (p161)

Best Places to Stay¨¨ YMCA of the Rockies

(p137)

¨¨ Armstrong Hotel (p144) ¨¨ Longs Peak Campground

(p134)

¨¨ Stanley Hotel (p139)

Rocky Mountain National Park............. 130Estes Park ..................136Fort Collins .................142 Cache la Poudre River .......................... 150Grand Lake ................ 151Granby .......................153Hot Sulphur Springs ..154Kremmling .................155Steamboat Springs ....155Craig ..........................163Dinosaur National Monument .................163Meeker ....................... 166

©Lonely¨Planet¨Publications¨Pty¨Ltd

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