Summer in Colorado: Where and How to Have Fun

Home to the world’s deepest hot springs and the country’s highest suspension bridge, Colorado is a natural wonder. And while the state’s impressive ski scene may get lots of attention during the winter, Colorado is also teeming with fun things to do in July and August.

Have a Picnic

A crown jewel of the Rockies, Colorado is naturally majestic. In the summer, colorful mountains dazzle the landscape as rivers rush through the stunning terrain. So grab a front-row seat to Mother Nature’s performance by packing a picnic and picking a scenic spot to enjoy it! Royal Gorge Park has lots of options. If you prefer to pick up your food on the go, order your picnic from one of our park restaurants.

Kick Back in a Beer Garden

Tossing back an ice-cold beer while laughing with friends and family in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains is about as Colorado as it gets! If you find yourself in the Royal Gorge area, there are plenty of locations serving frothy hops.

Climb the Gorge Walls

Do you want to get in a bit of exercise before hitting the beer gardens? Climb the walls of Royal Gorge. The Royal Gorge Via Ferrata offers guided rock climbing tours. It’s widely considered the best mountaineering experience in the state, so dust off your spikes and make a reservation!

Watch the Seven Falls Dancers

The Seven Falls Indian Dancers are a Colorado based family troupe that has presented and competed in Pow Wows nationwide for generations. They perform educational and entertaining Native American dances, including the Eagle and the Hoop Dances. The group performs 5 afternoons a week at the Elk Park Amphitheater at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park.

Birds of Prey

Some birds are dainty branch-dwellers who spend their days perfecting soprano serenades. Other birds are murderous carnivores who swoop through the skies in search of meat. The Birds of Prey exhibit focuses on the latter — and it’s fascinating!

A local educational nonprofit runs the show seven days a week between June and September and aims to demystify the lives of raptors, falcons, and eagles. Conveniently, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park entrance fee includes the show’s cost. So all you have to do is show up!

Cheyenne Mountain ZOOMobile

On Fridays and Sundays, trainers and zoologists from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo bring a collection of animals to the Elk Park Amphitheater at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. It’s a huge hit, and participants can get up close and personal with various reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates.

There’s plenty to see and do in Colorado’s Royal Gorge region in July and August. Get outside and join the fun!