Everyone who visits Colorado knows about Aspen, Colorado! If they don’t know about Aspen, than they know about Glenwood Springs. What most people don’t realize is there is a hidden gem smack dab in the middle of the these two highly touristy towns! Carbondale, Colorado is a forgotten treasure in this beautiful mountain valley.
Whether you are looking to hike, bike, swim, admire art, play at a playground, or just walk around and admire the mountain life; Carbondale, Colorado has it all. Best part about it is you can have an incredible experience without spending any money! Yep, that is my kind of a trip!
Free Things To Do In Carbondale, Colorado:
Mushroom Rock Trail
Hiking is a must if you are in Colorado, no matter what town you are in. Carbondale is no exception! The best part about hiking is that the majority of the time it is a free activity that keeps you fit, and gives you fantastic views. I don’t know it you can get much better of a view of Carbondale than hiking to Mushroom Rock.
At the intersection just before entering Carbondale, instead of turning right, turn left. There is a two section dirt parking lot. This is where the trailhead starts to Mushroom Rock. This is such a fun trail, with such a variety to this trail. There is mountain biking, mountain running, rocks to climb, and so many amazing views!
Know Before You Go:
- The entire trail is red dirt and it gets absolutely everywhere. So prepare to be covered in red dirt by the end of your hike!
- The trail is 2.2 mile there and back.
- This is a moderate trail. It isn’t super easy, but there is a bit of a challenge to it. My 3 year old and 2 year old were able to hike almost all of it without too much help. The trail is mostly dirt, but there was quite a bit of rock to the trail as well. The entire trail is either going up to the rock or going down back to the parking lot.
- There are tons of view points on this trail to see Mt Sopris and all of Carbondale.
- This is a highly trafficked trail! I mean there are a TON of people hiking this trail and those connecting to this trail.
- There are a lot of mountain bikers using these trails. So part of the trail you will share with mountain bikers so be aware, but later in the trail it splits so the mountain bikers have their own trails.
- Mushroom Rock is at the peak of the hike and is just a couple of red rocks that look almost like mushrooms.
- It is mostly a shaded trail. There is lots of tree cover, now they may not be thick trees, but they will block a lot of the sun.
Location:
Crystal River Fish Hatchery
This was the first fish hatchery in Colorado I had ever been to and this is where my kids fell in love with fish hatcheries! There is a one room little museum with information about the rainbow trout of the area and what the fish hatchery is used for.
After checking out the museum, head down to back base of the museum to the ponds. You can walk by the large tanks and watch the rainbow trout swimming around. If you have a couple quarters in your car, than use to 25 cent machine to get a handful of fish food to feed the trout.
Feeding the fish is the best part about this fish hatchery! These fish go CRAZY for the food. They all huddle together with their mouths open and fight to get some food. Some of them literally jump out of the water to get the food! It is such a fun and funny thing to watch!
Location:
Redstone Coke Ovens
Check out the history of the area, by walking around some old coke ovens. Back in the day when they used this valley for mining they would use these ovens to burn out the impurities of the coal. These ovens still sit today surrounded by beautiful mountains.
FAQs:
- Can I walk inside the Coke Ovens? No, this is discouraged so that these ovens won’t be damaged.
- Is there parking? Yes, behind the Coke Ovens is a dirt parking lot.
- Is there a trail? Yes there is really, and I mean really short trail that will walk you behind and in front of the ovens.
Location:
Penny Hot Springs
The Glenwood Springs and Aspen area are popular for their hot springs. Everyone knows about these springs, and everyone wants to go. I mean who wouldn’t want to relax in the warm water! Problem is these hot springs are really, REALLY expensive to visit. Thank goodness for Carbondale/Redstone for giving us the Penny Hot Springs!
Penny Hot Springs is a group of small manmade pools built into the side of a cliff and the edge of the river. Granted they are not the super nice, filtered and clean pools of Iron Mountain or Glenwood Resort, but they still have that nice warm, and even hot water to soak in.
While you soak in the warmth let your kids play at the small beach edge or play fetch with your dog in the flowing river. The view around these springs is incredible and definitely worth the experience.
Know Before You Go:
- There are probably about 6 small pools in total so be prepared to probably share. Some of these pools will really only fit 1 person, maybe 2.
- PARKING IS VERY LIMITED! There is a small dirt pull off at the side of the road for parking, but there are very few spaces. If you can’t park here, you are going to have to park, pretty far away to even find a spot to pull off. FYI though, if the parking lot is super full, than the pools are probably full too.
- This is not a handicap accessible hot springs. Actually it is a really steep and slippery trail down to the hot springs. So be very careful, and don’t bring a ton of stuff or you will never get it back up to your car!
- There is no sign or marking to show you where the springs are at, so pay close attention to your google maps or you will easily drive past it. It is not visible from your car!
- This is a wading and relaxing hot springs, not a swimming hot springs. You can swim in the river if you want, but just warning you now that river is super cold and super strong.
- You control the temperature and size of your pool. If you like your pool to be really hot, than move the rocks to cut off as much of the river as you can. If you like you pool just warm, than take away some rocks to bring in some of the river water. You are in control.
- You are not the only ones that like the warm water, so don’t be surprised if you find some wildlife at the hot springs.
- This isn’t exactly a fun place for kids. I mean if your kids love water, than they will probably like it, but there isn’t a lot of room for playing and not really deep for swimming. The beach area is a fun place for them to play in the dirt though!
- Be cautious about stepping into the water, it can be really, really hot!
- It is a muddy place, so prepare to get dirty!
Location:
Hayes Creek Waterfall
Hidden in a small canyon in the middle of the mountains is a small waterfall right off the side of the road. Park by they Hayes Creek sign and walk a short distance to see the beautiful waterfall. You are going to have to jump some rocks if you want a really good view, but it is worth it!
Location:
Powers Art Center
You cannot visit Carbondale, Colorado without experiencing some sort of art! Carbondale prides itself of its arts and performances. I mean really as you drive through town you will see all sorts of statues and pieces of art along the side of the road. If you walk down the Roaring Fork trail through Carbondale, you will see even more art.
To really enjoy the modern art of the area, visit the Powers Art Center. This art museum is beautiful from just the outside! It has a pool built into it that reflects to gorgeous Mount Sopris! The museum is filled with modern art, so if you aren’t a fan of modern art, maybe just admire the outside of the building.
Kids are allowed as long as they don’t touch anything. My poor kids thought that the art was actually monkey bars and were begging me to let them play on it, haha! Don’t worry, I didn’t let them! The curator did give them their very own coloring book though and sort of a scavenger hunt to find the pieces of art in the museum. Also we learned that on Thursdays they have a free children’s art activity. So if you have kids, that is the day to go!
Location:
Roaring Fork Trail:
The Roaring Fork Trail is one of the most popular and suggested things to do in the Aspen Valley and for good reason! This trail takes you by the river, close to pieces of art, right through neighborhoods of mansions, and is surrounded by so much beauty. So bring your bike or go for a hike to see Carbondale and the rest of the valley at its finest day to day living!
Location:
Sopris Park:
Now I know visiting a park kinda sounds like a lame thing to do on a vacation, but this park is beautiful!! This park has a small creek that runs through it and surrounding this creek are gorgeous small gardens. Trust me this is THE place to have a picnic, plus if you have kids they will love the playground. Win, win for parents and children!
Location:
Other Free Things To Do In The Aspen Valley:
For more Free Things to do in the Aspen Valley click here.
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