Aspen, Colorado Great for Kids in Summer
Summer Activities in the Rocky Mountains for the Entire Family
Jun 2, 2009
Toddlers to teenagers will be enthralled with the activities that are available during the summer in Aspen. And, while visits to Aspen can drain your pocketbook, the activities suggested here are value-oriented.
Bicycling at Smuggler Mountain and on the Rio Grande Trail
Miles and miles of mountain and road biking adventures are available. Smuggler Mountain, located within biking distance of downtown, offers challenging single-track riding. Families will enjoy a leisurely ride on the Rio Grande Trail. This trail parallels the Roaring Fork River, and adventurous bikers can ride from Aspen to Basalt (17 miles), or further! The trail offers a combination of pavement and hard-pack gravel. There are a myriad of bicycle store located throughout Aspen, and all cater to visitors with a fleet of rental bikes available.
Hiking in Aspen
Aspen is a hiker's mecca. Day-trips abound within a 10-mile radius of the city. For starters, take the bus to the Maroon Bells and walk around Maroon Lake. Or, if your legs and lungs are up to the task, take the longer (4.2 miles round-trip) hike to Crater Lake.
In July and August, the wildflower show is spectacular. All of the easily-accessible day hikes offer incredible vistas, interesting natural wonders, and a good physical challenge. Hiking opportunities can be found by visiting any number of outdoor retailers in the area.
Independence Pass
Highway 82 heads east out of Aspen, winding its way to the 12,095' summit of Independence Pass and the Continental Divide. Along the way, hiking and viewing opportunities abound. The trail to Weller Lake is a short 1.2 mile journey. Further up the road, the .5 mile Discovery and Braille Trail offers opportunities for interpretation of the surrounding environment through raised-surface trail signage. A few miles from the summit, explore the historic townsite of Independence. Over a century ago, this barren landscape was home to hundreds of hardy miners.
Ashcroft Town Site
Nestled at the top of the Castle Creek Valley, approximately 12 miles south of Aspen, the historic Ashcroft town site, another remnant of the mining era, offers a glimpse of life in the Rocky Mountains in the late 1800's. A boardwalk takes visitors through the "main street", anchored on one end by a hotel. Meadows of wildflowers blanket the area throughout the summer.
Aspen Mountain Gondola Ride
Travel 2.5 miles and more than 3,000 vertical feet on the Silver Queen Gondola to the 11,212' summit of Aspen Mountain. At the top, find multiple adventures for kids of all ages, including a climbing wall, eurobungy trampoline, weekly concerts, free disc golf, and hiking opportunities. The Sundeck Restaurant is open for lunch daily.
Aspen for Kids
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies offers summer programs for children and adults at three different locations throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. Daily hikes and programs are offered in Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt, Ashcroft, Independence, and on Aspen and Snowmass Mountains. Adult courses range from learning about backcountry navigation to studying the geology of Aspen's ski areas. Children's programs range from 2-hour nature explorations for the younger set, to week-long camps for older kids.
Camp Snowmass offers many activities with daily and weekly programs available for kids, age 2.5 through teens. Enjoy mountainboarding, skateboarding, paintball, mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming, and rocket camp.
Soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis, lacrosse, golf and hockey programs occur throughout the summer for kids of all ages. Swimming, ice-skating, and a rock-climbing wall are available at the Aspen Recreation Center, located just off Maroon Creek Road.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center, located in Snowmass Village, offers unique art programs for children and adults. Adults can participate in a myriad of workshops, from wood-turning and painting to print-making and ceramics. Programs for children are focused on the creative process in the visual arts. This summer, kids can explore everything from the kinetics of climbing walls to the art of Beatrix Potter.
Finally, one last reminder for all families. Aspen is situated at almost 8,000' in elevation. For all activities, bring plenty of water and other fluids, a hat, and sunscreen.
