Top Ten Summer Parks

(Christian Batist)

Colorado

Sure, with the multitudes that descend during the summer months, this park seems like an unlikely place to find peace and solitude. But take a short trip away from congested roads and you will find yourself amid the finest that Colorado's Front Range has to offer. With over 370 miles of trails weaving below soaring peaks, through alpine tundra, and along mountain lakes, this is one of the best places for hiking in the country. Try the strenuous eight-mile trip up Round Top or the more moderate Storm Pass for a high-point hiking experience. And even if you stay on the paved paths, you will be rewarded with supreme biking routes and some spectacular scenic driving. For those with a desire to do something a bit more creature-oriented, seek out the elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, moose, coyotes, and a great variety of smaller animals that all call the park's 415.3 square miles home. No matter what your desire, you won't be disappointed with this quintessential Rocky Mountain experience.