Nature

Aspen Center for Environmental Study Sign up for a ski nature tour led by a biologist. Visit during summer months for educational hiking and camping trips into the nearby White River National Forest. 100 Puppy Smith St., Aspen, CO; +1 970 925 5756. Admission.

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Explore the blooming roses and colorful orchids at this mountaintop botanical garden, walk through the wet and pungent bog ecosystem, enjoy a forty-foot waterfall. 183 Gore Creek Dr., Vail, CO; +1 970 476 0103.

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge Enter a land nearly devoid of human impact; see nesting geese, wild elk, and soaring eagles along the eight-mile River's Edge Wildlife Drive; stay near the marsh for a chance to photograph migratory waterfowl. 1318 Hwy. 318, Maybell, CO; +1 970 365 3613.

Cave of the Winds Travel deep inside the hills of southern Colorado to see stalactites and frozen waterfalls; bring your camera to get a picture with a massive geologic formation. Hwy. 24 West, Manitou Springs, CO; +1 719 685 5444. Admission.

City Park Explore duck ponds, playgrounds, and picnic areas in this 370-acre (150-hectare) green space in the heart of the city. Kids will especially enjoy cooling off in the interactive H-2-Odyssey fountain. Located just west of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO; +1 303 331 4113.

Colorado National Monument Visit one of the most iconic landscapes of the American West, watch eagles soar with towering stone monoliths beneath them, snap photographs of bighorn sheep as they make their way down the side of the canyon. Pack your tent for a night of camping under the stars. Fruita, CO; +1 970 858 3617. Admission.

Colorado State University's Environmental Learning Center Take an informative guided tour featuring the flora and fauna of four different ecosystems, watch great horned owls hunt for prey under old-growth cottonwoods, visit the raptor center to watch birds undergo rehabilitation. 3745 E. Prospect Rd., Fort Collins, CO; +1 970 491 1661.

Curecanti National Recreation Area Climb aboard a 42-passenger pontoon boat for a picturesque ride through the Black Canyon, rent a canoe and paddle out on the Blue Mesa Reservoir in an attempt to catch a salmon, hike the Curecanti Creek trail for a chance to spot bighorn sheep and other wildlife. 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO; +1 970 641 2337. Admission.

Denver Botanic Gardens Explore more than 20 gardens in this colorful urban oasis, sit for a formal tea demonstration in the Japanese garden, escape to the Tropical Conservatory during the winter months. 1005 York St., Denver, CO; +1 720 865 3500. Admission.

Dinosaur National Monument Touch a real dinosaur bone still buried in the earth, hike the Harpers Corner trail for a panoramic view of three river canyons. 4545 E. Hwy. 40, Dinosaur, CO; +1 970 374 3000.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Wander between massive petrified redwood stumps, search for fossils, listen to a ranger talk about how scientists tap into the area's many geologic resources. 15807 Teller County One, Florissant, CO; +1 719 748 3253. Admission.

Four Mile Historic Park View Denver's oldest building and a collection of historic log cabins; watch costumed interpreters explain how pioneers performed everyday activities with primitive resources. 715 South Forest St., Denver, CO; +1 720 865 0800. Admission.

Garden of the Gods Park Follow picturesque nature trails that wind through looming red rock formations, visit the Rock Ledge Ranch site to see costumed re-enactors bring the pioneer days to life, stop by the nature center to learn about the region's wildlife. 1805 N 30th St., Colorado Springs, CO; +1 719 219 0108.

Great Sand Dunes National Park Explore the rolling sand dunes and canyons inhabited by Ute natives hundreds of years ago; hike out to Medano Creek to see the surreal landscape of sand dunes, ice-peaked mountains, and flowing water; rent a horse and take a ride out to Zapata falls; admire the colorful wildflowers that dot the route. 11999 Hwy. 150, Mosca, CO; +1 719 378 6300. Admission.

Lake Dillon Pilot a rented sailboat out onto the peaceful waters of the lake, rent a fishing rod from the marina to try and catch some trout. Lake Dillon Dr., Dillon, CO; +1 970 468 5100.

McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area Search for a horned owls, hike over to Rattlesnake canyon to photograph the collection of nine freestanding stone arches, and take and interpretive walk through the Trail Through Time, an active dinosaur quarry. 2815 H Rd., Fruita, CO; +1 970 244 3000.

The Pike and San Isabel National Forests Explore over three million acres of diverse wilderness stretching from the front range of the Rockies to the prairies of southern Colorado; cast a line in the South Platte river to reel in a trout. 2840 Kachina Dr., Pueblo, CO; +1 719 553 1400. Admission.

Pikes Peak See the view that inspired the song "America the Beautiful," choose from a variety of trails to hike, spot a bighorn sheep grazing for its dinner, grab your own bite to eat when you reach the Summit House. Hwy. 24 West, Colorado Springs, CO; 800 318 9505. Admission.

Rocky Mountain National Park Travel deep into the heart of the Rocky Mountains and see one of the crown jewels of the National Park system; choose from over 350 miles of hiking trails; stand alongside the raging waters of Alberta Falls; camp next to the Colorado River. 1000 Hwy. 36, Estes Park, CO; +1 970 586 1206. Admission.

South Platte River Greenway Escape to nature without leaving the center of the city; kayak the Platte River or take a stroll along a scenic walkway. 15th & Platte, Denver, CO; +1 303 438 6360.