Glenwood Springs I-70 Exit To Roaring Fork Valley and Redstone, CO
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Gather your leather totes and animal toys to Redstone, Colorado for a family vacation of fun!
Redstone, Colorado is a quirky little mountain community surrounded by breathtaking campgrounds and 4-wheeling spots and the icy but inviting Crystal river, and boasting a small but inspiring art scene in its downtown shops.
I first discovered Redstone, between Carbondale and Paonia, in the winter, when their celebration of the cold months was in its full swing. The one place to fill up in the areahad, as usual, decorated even its pumps for the holidays, and the locally famed snow sculpturecontest was about to commence. Redstone also holds an annual dogsled race in January and of course a Winter Fest in February.
During the summer, Redstone is the ideal locale to dunk yourself in the river, go hiking, and then duck into one of several colorful (their paint jobs are a wonder to behold) local diners, with everything from burgers to fancy salads on the menu. Try the BRB Crystal River Resort to get a quaint little cabin right next to the river and whitewater rafting when the river is high from fresh mountain snow melt. There are, of course, some very lovely places for rent on the town’s main street!
A hike all the locals will recommend in the Redstone is Avalanche Creek, which also has some great spots for car camping, or you could jog on up the trail with your backpack to set up camp. This trail requires a bit of a drive on unpaved roads (not really a rough road, but also not meant for the family minivan), for an immediate taste of the wild, even before you get out of the car. Although it’s 11 miles one way to get to Avalance Lake, it’s a hike that is also nice for as long as you want it to be,until your kiddos get tired and want to go back and roast marshmallows.
The historic aspect of Redstone is evident even before you make the turn into town, if you notice a lengthy collection of coke ovens across the highway from the town. In the riverare washed up pieces of pale marble washed down the river from the aptly named Marble, Colorado, just up the road. Another historic landmark there’s the lovely historic Redstone Inn—sometimes called Redstone Castle. This lovely well-loved structure, made of—can you guess?—red stone, hosts quite a few special events throughout the the year, organizes sleigh rides in the winter and carriage rides during the warmer season, and routinely provides live music during dinner. It’s a great place to find lodging for the night, or you can simply get a tour and learn some of Redstone’s history.
When you make plans to visit, make sure you check out the inn and town’s websites to see what special things are happening, and pack your hiking shoes or cross-country skis, depending on the season! Redstone is the kind of little destination with no lack of the amenities you’ll want to have a uiniquely Colorado experience. Visit Glenwood Springs
External resources: http://glenwoodspringsaspen.com/towns/redstone-colorado http://activities.glenwoodspringsaspen.com/