Winter can be a beautiful time to hike, but it’s important to dress appropriately for the cold weather conditions. As a Colorado resident, I am skiing more than hiking during the winter months. However, during October and November, I am still making it out to trails and have my favorite hiking clothes for cool weather hikes. If you’re a woman planning a winter hike and unsure what to wear, this article is for you. Or, if you’re an experienced hiker looking for new winter hiking clothes to add to your wardrobe, I have you covered. Read on to learn my favorite winter and cool-weather hiking clo ..read more

People from around the world flock to the Estes Park area and Rocky Mountain National Park for all the amazing outdoor adventures that can be had. Dozens of trails ranging from the most basic to the most extreme call to visitors of all ages. If you want to avoid the crowds or spend a day outside of RMNP and still find a great adventure, here are some hiking trails located near Estes Park not in Rocky Mountain National Park. Lake Estes Loop Trail Another easy hike for beginners is the Lake Estes loop. Located in Estes Park, Lake Estes is home to many of the area’s activities. The loop follows ..read more

What gift do you get for the outdoor lover that already has all of the camping, hiking, and adventure gear they ever need?  Don’t worry – there’s always new outdoor gadgets or gear that can add something special to their next outdoor adventure! Here are some of my favorite gift ideas for outdoor lovers, hikers, and campers. 1. Camping Spice Kit  This is a great a great camping stocking stuffer! It’s only $5 and really comes in handy to have all of your essential spices with you while camping. You can just keep in your camping bin, so you’re always ready and packed for your next adve ..read more

Dutch oven recipes for camping are my favorite way to cook over a campfire. Why? There are so many incredibly tasty & easy dutch oven meals for camping! You can pour all of your ingredients into your dutch oven and then sit back and relax around the campfire. Here I’ve rounded up some of my favorite dutch oven recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert! But first, a few pointers on how to cook in a dutch oven over a campfire. How to Cook Over a Campfire with a Dutch Oven The key to cooking with your dutch oven is coal placement. The more coals you place on top and below your d ..read more

Looking to take a dip somewhere this summer?  It’s been hot these past couple weekends here! I had a goal this summer to explore new places. Most recently, I’ve been exploring new swimming lakes around Colorado to get outside and go to the “beach.” We might be in a landlocked state, but there’s plenty of beautiful lakes within an hour of Denver, Fort Collins, and Boulder. These lakes have a built-out beach areas for you to sunbathe, relax, and swim! While you can find some beautiful alpine lakes on a hike, most are too cold for swimming (or swimming isn’t permitted at all.) So here I ..read more

Looking for a outdoor camping experience that is in the wilderness and also provides “glam” amenities? Glamping in Colorado is a great option for couples, friends, or family who want to camp in comfort. 1. The Turquoise Door Image from Airbnb.com The Turquoise Door is a tiny house cottage with amenities like a sleeping loft, a full kitchen, and a well-stocked fire pit. The cottage is located at the end of a country road away from city lights, which makes it an ideal location for stargazing. With one double bed and one queen bed, The Turquoise Door offers an exceptional glamping experience for ..read more

I’ve been car camping the past 3 weekends here around Colorado. Every time there was something I forgot! We have a well-organized camping bin that we can throw in the car, but there’s always something small (like grabbing a deck of playing cards) that I forget. While a camping checklist may be helpful for remembering specific items, there are other key preparations before embarking on a camping trip! Don’t forget to check the weather and check for any permits needed. You may also want to print out directions in case you lose service out in the wilderness! I put together a go-to packing list f ..read more

Ready to get back outdoors and enjoy the best possible meals on the planet? If you’re itching to light that campfire and create the type of meals that can only be savored out in nature, consider adding a few new pieces of cooking equipment to your camp kitchen collection. While campfire cooking equipment varies widely these days, selecting the right pieces for your camping needs just got easier. Check out the list below of the 18 best items to consider adding to your camp kitchen soon. 1. Percolator Coffee in the great outdoors tastes even better than on a cold morning at home. There’s just s ..read more

Colorado is a beautifully diverse state. A great way to experience it is on a train. The advantage of taking a train is that you can easily see locations that are difficult to reach by car and too far to hike. Consider these nine Colorado train rides. 1. Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway Image from Colorado.com Ride to the top of Pikes Peak on the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Alternatively, ride your bike up the mountain and use the train to come back down or hike one way and take the cog railroad the other. This railroad is the highest cog railway in the world ..read more

Looking for a cozy stay that is comfy yet also immersed in the beautiful and natural wilderness of Colorado? Look no further–stay in a Yurt! During your stay in a Yurt, you can also venture out and explore a Colorado Mountain Town. 1. Creede Yurt Image from Airbnb.com This lovely yurt is located in the San Juan Mountains in the city of Creede, Colorado. It is for guests who want to be completely off the grid, as it does not have running water, electricity, internet, and cell phone service. If guests need to make a phone call or get some water, they will be only five miles from town. Guests sho ..read more