OtterBox: Top 5 Colorado Vacation Destinations

Vacation. Wow, even SAYING the word gets us excited. However, that special word often generates the question: "Where should we GO???" Being that OtterBox is a Colorado company, we have decided to offer up some amazing Colorado destinations as a suggestion for your Spring/Summer adventures. So, let's talk about mountains. Let's talk about music. Whitewater. Sunshine. After all, that's what Colorado is ALL about. Remember, take pictures on your vacation with your OtterBox and submit them to Planet OtterBox for a chance to win prizes or cash money!

#1: Rocky Mountain National Park

Okay, so this one is a tad obvious, but you simply CANNOT mess with perfection. The entrance to this 'Mountain Mecca' is located in beautiful Estes Park, CO, which sits snugly at around 7500 feet. With 5 drive-in campgrounds, over 200 backcountry campsites, 359 miles of hiking trails, and a plethora of wildlife-- this National Park makes a wonderful destination for just about any group. Take the family on a car-camping trip accompanied by lovely day hikes and nighttime bon fires. Grab a group of friends and backpack into the wild blue yonder. Summit one of the many '14ers'. We think you get the idea. And while the mountains really embody the overall core of the park, visitors can also find delight in the alpine flowers, clear lakes, rolling mountain waters and lavish forests. To learn more about Rocky Mountain National Park, AKA 'ROMO', visit nps.gov today.

#2: Garden of the Gods

With a name like this, you really can't go wrong. In the mid 1800s, 2 men conversed about what they should call this amazing natural area. One of the men explained to his friend that the area would be a prime location for a BEER GARDEN. The other man stated: "Beer garden? Why, it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods." And so it has been ever since this conversation took place. What can visitors engage in while visiting the Garden of the Gods? Picnics, horseback riding, biking, guided walks and hiking--just to name a few. You can also have some lunch at the Cafe, learn about the geology, ecology and cultural history of the park at one of the many exhibits, or take a bus tour! With this kind of diversity, Garden of the Gods really does make a great vacation destination for people of all ages. Visit their website for more information!

#3: Mesa Verde National Park

Did you know that Mesa Verde is Spanish for 'Green Table'? Now you do! Mesa Verde National Park gives visitors a peek into the lives of the Ancestral Peublo people who made it their domicile for over 700 years. Brimming with protected archeological sites and amazingly preserved 'Cliff Dwellings', Mesa Verde has some of the most distinguished historical locations in the United States. Visit the Chapin Mesa Archelogical Museum to get an archival background on the area, or drive the Mesa Top Loop Road for some spectacular views. Either way, you will be amazed by how well preserved this area really is. Wanna learn more? Of course you do.

#4: Red Rocks Ampitheatre

Colorado gets some of the best music around. It's science. The 300-foot rock formations provide the PERFECT acoustic situation--getting the attention of musicians since before the turn of the century. Not only is Red Rocks a great place to catch a concert, but it is also a great place to hike and do some old-fashioned site-seeing. The Trading Post loop hiking trail is 1.4 miles in length, and goes through a superabundance of spectacular rock formations. You will also find that the wildlife viewing is not too shabby, either. Hungry for some live music yet? Check out this summer's lineup.

#5: Floating the Arkansas River

At this point you are probably asking yourself: "Wait, when are they going to talk about WHITEWATER RAFTING???" Your wait is over, faithful Otter. The Arkansas River is the sixth longest river in the United States, and the 45th longest river in the entire WORLD. The origin of this tributary is in the the Rocky Mountains (naturally) near Leadville, and flows quickly through Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The headwaters (once again located near Leadville, CO) run as a steep mountain torrent through the Rockies--dropping 4600 feet in 120 miles. If a roaring whitewater adventure is what you seek, this is most definitely where you want to be. However, the Arkansas River is also known for it's spectacular trout fishing, particularly FLY-FISHING. Trout Unlimited considers the Arkansas River one of the top 100 trout streams in America, and it has held this reputation since the 1950s. So whether you want to scream through the whitewater or have a peaceful day of out-smarting the native trout, the Arkansas River will suite you just fine.