There are many things to do and see in Kalida, but you may not know where to start. There are over a dozen places to visit. You can enjoy the outdoors by visiting Mesa Verde National Park and the Garden of the Gods. You’ll also find an array of galleries downtown.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

The Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in southern Colorado. It is known for its huge sand dunes and seasonal Medano Creek. The park also has trails to the forests and alpine lakes. It is also home to a variety of wildlife.

This park is best visited in the summer. During these months, the temperatures can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they drop to mid-forties at night. If you are planning to visit the park in the winter, try to go during fall when temperatures are more moderate.

One of the best activities in the park is to climb the dunes. Climbing the dunes gives you breathtaking views of the surrounding area. You can also go for a glide in the sand. Be prepared though: climbing the dunes is not an easy feat. Even experienced hikers might take six or more hours to reach the top.

This place is a perfect place to go if you have a raft or a kayak. The dunes are made of sand, so the wind will shape them. The wind is constantly moving the sand from the mountains to the valley floor. This helps the dunes remain stable.

Sandboarding is another popular activity in Great Sand Dunes National Park. There are different contraptions available, but the basic idea is to hike up a dune and then slide down. This can be an exhilarating experience and requires a lot of caution.

Mesa Verde National Park

There are many things to see and do in Mesa Verde National Park. This park has a dry, desert-like climate with hot afternoons and cool evenings. It was recently designated the world’s 100th International Dark Sky Park and is a fantastic place for stargazing. The park has both year-round and seasonal lodging.

The park is full of ancient ruins. Mesa Verde is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It preserves more than 5,000 archeological sites and over 600 cliff dwellings. The area was once covered by a shallow sea, but as it retreated south, sand deposits formed a plateau.

While you are visiting the park, be sure to visit the visitor center to learn about Puebloan life. The center also sells souvenirs and maps. The park also has guided tours. You can take one of the tours that takes you through the park’s main features. You can choose the Mesa Top Loop or the Cliff Palace Loop. These tours are very popular and allow you to explore more of the park’s highlights.

The museum features a large collection of artifacts and exhibits from different eras of Ancestral Pueblo life. It is an interactive experience with dioramas that show life in ancient Mesa Verde. It also houses restrooms and a bookstore.

Rocky Mountain National Park

If you’re looking for a natural experience, the Rocky Mountain National Park is the place to go. There are lots of places to visit and soak in the scenery. The park has many enchanting places to go hiking, camping, or horseback riding. It is also a great spot for a picnic and to enjoy the peaceful evening.

There are 355 miles of hiking trails to choose from. These trails offer everything from leisurely strolls around the lakes to strenuous climbs up tall mountain peaks. You can hike along one or all of the trails or choose a longer trail that offers panoramic views.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. Visitors from all over the world come to this park for its many peaks over 12,000 feet. This makes the park a popular climbing destination. Climbers can choose from easy bouldering routes to multi-day treks up the vertical cliffs. During the winter months, the park also offers ice climbing.

If you love hiking, Rocky Mountain National Park is the place for you. The trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and is easy to access. There are also wheelchair accessible trails. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, you’ll never get bored in this park.

Garden of the Gods

There are more than fifteen miles of trails at the Garden of the Gods and over 21 trailheads. The trails range from easy to moderate and are wheelchair and stroller friendly. There are also free guided nature walks that take you around the park. Visitors should allow at least a half day to explore the area.

You can learn about the area at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. The Center is open year-round. In the winter months, the park closes at 9 p.m.; May and October, it closes at 10 p.m. The Visitor and Nature Center is free and open to the public.

The Garden of the Gods is a 1,367-acre park located on the Pikes Peak region. It was created during the formation of the Rocky Mountains and Pikes Peak. It is a natural wonder that has inspired people since the beginning of time. Artifacts found here date back to 250 B.C.

If you’re looking for something a little more active, the Garden of the Gods has rock climbing for the whole family. The park offers two tours per day, both of which last around an hour. You can also purchase souvenirs and fudge at the nature center.

Salida

Salida is home to a vibrant arts community and is named Colorado’s first Creative District in 2012. You can browse in many art galleries in this town, which is surrounded by a spectacular Arkansas River and majestic mountains. Many of these galleries feature fine art and photography.

Salida is known as the state’s largest historic district, with more than a hundred historic buildings. You can take a walking tour of the town with a knowledgeable guide, who will give you fascinating information about the city’s history and culture.

In addition to being situated in the heart of the Rockies, Salida offers activities for people of all ages and interests. There are plenty of outdoor adventures in the area, which can be challenging for the more physically active, while those who just want to relax in a relaxing hot spring can do so at the Salida Hot Springs Pool.

You can also go on a zipline tour. Captain Zipline offers a two-hour tour with six ziplines that are family-friendly and safe. The tour is accompanied by a restaurant and lodging. The area is also known for its UFO sightings. Another popular destination is the UFO watchtower near Hooper, Colorado. It has a ten-foot observation deck, a gift shop, and a campground.

Located in the southwest Rocky Mountains, Salida is a town that thrives on local food, art, and outdoor adventure. The area has many outdoor activities for you to participate in, including mountain climbing and whitewater rafting. You can also enjoy the culture and history of the town and the people who live there.

Castle Rock

Castle Rock is a beautiful and convenient suburb with great shopping options. It is also home to Oktoberfest, an annual German festival, and Trick or Treat Street. The Colorado Artfest features a juried international fine arts show and features live main-stage entertainment. For visitors with kids, there is an Imagination Zone. Wine lovers can also enjoy the Castle Rock WineFest, which includes wine-paired dinners, a grand tasting, and live jazz music.

The Castle Rock Outlet Mall features a variety of shops and restaurants. A great place to get breakfast or lunch is Briccy’s Coffee, which serves locally grown coffee and treats. The food court is another great place to get a bite. The savvy shopper can also purchase an Elite Savings Passbook, which allows them to enjoy discounts on purchases from a variety of stores. Castle Rock also offers zip-line tours that take visitors high above the landscape.

The Castle Rock Recreation Center offers an extensive trail system for outdoor recreation. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders can enjoy the park’s trails, which are easily accessible. The Castle Rock Recreation Center has a playground for kids, picnic pavilions, and fire pits. Visitors can also try their hand at racquetball or take an art class.

A stay at the Comfort Suites will allow you to explore Castle Rock and its attractions with ease. The town’s restaurants offer a variety of food options and excellent hospitality. For Italian food, try Scileppi’s at the Old Stone Church. The Italian restaurant offers hearty meals, as well as flights of craft beer. A wine bar in the town center serves wines and small plates from local vineyards.