Outdoor adventure in Colorado is around every bend of the trail. With activities such as skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, climbing, rafting and so much more, there is little chance for an outdoor lover to get bored. Be it the outdoor activities or the incredible scenery, you’ll be constantly entertained.
Colorado is not short of epic outdoor adventure. It doesn’t matter what your preference is….hunting, fishing, wingshooting, or just enjoying the views or epic trails across the state.
Let’s plan your own outdoor adventure in Colorado!
Colorado Outdoor Adventures
Bisected by the Rocky Mountains, Colorado contains virtually every recreational opportunity conceivable.
The Centennial State is one of the best in the nation for outdoor recreation, and it has a diversity of terrain that is truly mind boggling. With four national parks, eight national monuments, and three national historic areas, outdoor adventure in Colorado is easy to find.
Our Top 10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Colorado:
Ten isn’t going to be nearly enough…heck, 50 isn’t enough, but space is limited and here is what we’ve come up with.
Colorado has a diverse landscape of arid desert, river canyons and snow-covered Rocky Mountains, which are partly protected by Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Hike Devil’s Head
- Visit Maroon Bells
- Echo Lake
- The Garden of the Gods
- Go Whitewater Rafting down the Colorado River
- Go Off-Roading
- Hit the Slopes
- Tour the Old Mining Towns
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
Need help getting started? We have you covered.
Fishing in Colorado
We are excited to offer top-end Colorado fly fishing guides on some of Colorado’s premier public and private trout water.
The Rocky Mountain State is home to 6000 miles of fishable streams and rivers as well as some 2000 reservoirs and lakes.
Colorado offers a diverse selection of game fish. Our clients regularly catch rainbow trout, several subspecies of native cutthroat trout, cut-bows, brown trout, brook trout, northern pike, Kokanee salmon in the fall, and even do so fly fishing for carp.
Top 10 Best Places to go Fishing in Colorado:
- Upper Arkansas River
- Blue Mesa Resevoir
- Animas River
- Grand Mesa Lakes
- Gunnison River
- Steamboat Lake State Park
- Trappers Lake
- Wolford Mountain Reservoir
- Yampa River State Park
- Fryingpan, Roaring Fork, and Crystal Rivers
See our Fishing Trips in Colorado
We’re looking forward to helping you book a fishing trip in Colorado
We understand how fishing conditions change throughout the season and we give you advice based on peak fishing times. When it comes to fly fishing, we have high standards, and do our best to set realistic expectations. Contact us to discover how easy it is to book your dream trip with Outdoors International.
Upland Bird Hunting in Colorado
Colorado may not be as famous as some areas for its bird hunting but it does provide an excellent opportunity for hunters of all levels to learn and enjoy pheasant and quail hunting.
The upland bird hunting season ranges from September through November for pheasants, quail, and dove, followed by turkey, grouse, and prairie chicken. While the Northeastern section of Colorado is known as a popular bird hunting area, (especially for pheasants), The Southeastern section is also great for bird hunting and is far less crowded.
Duck and Goose Hunting in Colorado
With natural flyways and convenient reservation systems, Colorado offers some of the best opportunities to hunt waterfowl on public land in the nation.
Northeastern Colorado is renowned for its Canada goose and duck hunting. Thousands of geese and ducks frequent Windsor, Severence, and the I-76 corridor along the South Platte River. Many of Colorado’s state wildlife areas, state parks, state-trust lands and WIA properties offer good waterfowl hunting. In fact, some of these areas provide top-notch shooting that rivals the best private duck clubs.
Big Game Hunting in Colorado
You should be applying in, and hunting Colorado every year or every other year.
Colorado is that it is a true preference point state, which means whoever has the most points for that specific hunt code will get drawn. This is important to remember when building an application strategy for the future. When you are dealing with the second, third, or fourth rifle seasons, weather trumps all. If you have hot, dry weather through these October and November seasons, you will be hard pressed to turn up mature animals, regardless of the amount of points it took to draw that unit.
What you’ll need for hunting in Colorado:
- A hunting/fishing license: These an be purchased online at cpw.state.co.us.
- Hunter Education: Hunters need to take a hunter education class if born after January 1, 1975.
Elk Hunting
We have over-the-counter rifle elk hunts; archery elk hunts; elk hunting on private land; and limited entry trophy elk hunts in Colorado.
A beautiful sunset after a successful elk hunt in the Colorado high country.
There are TONS of choices when you hunt elk in Colorado with one of our outfitters! We have over-the-counter rifle elk hunts; archery elk hunts; elk hunting on private land; and limited entry trophy elk hunts in Colorado. We even have an elk hunting estate in Colorado. Success rates and trophy quality are both very good for over-the-counter elk hunting units.
Why you should consider elk hunting in Colorado:
- Colorado has the largest elk herd in the country.
- High success rates.
- Archery OTC tags.
- Plenty of private ground hunts, and remote backcountry options with little hunting pressure.
- Good combo options.
- See our Colorado Elk Hunts.
Mule Deer Hunting
Colorado is the clear-cut leader for producing trophy mule deer bucks. It’s the first state we recommend hunters apply for if they want a true giant.
Our hunters have great success on average 160 to 190 inch deer.
Colorado has done a great job of managing their mule deer herd, and it’s at or near the top of the list as a premium state for western hunters. Rifle hunters should look at Garfield, Eagle and Mesa counties when they’re applying for tags. Bowhunters should focus on the Colorado Eastern Plains region. If you’re looking to book a hunt with an outfitter, we have access to some ranches with spectacular mule deer hunting across the state.
Why you should consider mule deer hunting in Colorado:
- Colorado offers many seasons for all types of hunters.
- Very few points are needed to draw some 2nd and 3rd season rifle tags. There is no other state in the West where you can draw a high trophy quality tag with 0 to 1 point.
- If you don’t draw, we have Ranching For Wildlife tags available on private ranches.
- Remote backcountry options with little hunting pressure.
- Good combo options for elk. Colorado has the highest elk population of all the states.
- See our mule deer hunts in Colorado
Pronghorn Antelope Hunting
Our Colorado ranches are managed for amazing hunting, and our antelope hunters have had an incredible 100% opportunity rate on trophy bucks!
Pronghorn are exciting to hunt and can be a thrill for even the most accomplished hunter.
When most hunters think antelope hunts Colorado usually isn’t the first place to come to mind, but maybe it should be…Colorado is famous for its quantity AND quality of pronghorn antelope. This state is consistently producing record-class animals. Our Colorado ranches are managed for amazing hunting, and our antelope hunters have had an incredible 100% opportunity rate on trophy bucks!
Why you should consider pronghorn antelope hunting in Colorado:
- Great trophy quality.
- Colorado offers many seasons for all types of hunters.
- If you don’t draw, we have Ranching For Wildlife tags available on private ranches.
- Remote backcountry options with little hunting pressure.
- Good combo options.
- More affordable trophy options when compared to some of the more popular hot spots.
- See our Pronghorn Antelope Hunts in Colorado
Mountain Lion Hunting
Colorado mountain lion hunting is good because they have good snow, and big toms. That’s a good mix!
These Colorado mountain lion hunting trips take place in prime lion country, with a good population of mature toms.
These Colorado mountain lion hunting trips take place in prime lion country, with a good population of mature toms. They use trucks, 4-wheelers and snowmobiles to cruise roads to find a fresh track. Once you find a track that looks good, you “turn out”. If you have never hunted with the use of hounds you will gain a new respect for what these dogs can do while hunting mountain lions. Sometimes the chase ends quickly, and sometimes you’re in for the hike of your life. You never know.
Why you should consider mountain lion hunting in Colorado:
- Great trophy quality.
- Lots of mountain lions.
- Long hunting season that runs November through March.
- Good winters with plenty of tracking snow.
- See our Mountain Lion Hunts in Colorado
