The National Park Service opened a lottery for extended self-guided rafting trips along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park this week, offering hundreds of spots for 2026.
15.01.2025 - 13:31 / lonelyplanet.com
Jan 15, 2025 • 8 min read
From walks in the park to ascents up a fourteener, Colorado Springs has numerous hiking trails to suit all interests and athletic abilities.
Since this eastern Colorado city is nestled at the foot of the Rockies, you don’t have to travel far from downtown to encounter beautiful red rocks, towering waterfalls and otherworldly terrain. Indeed, such excursions in nature are some of the city’s top draws. The hard part will be determining which way to go first; the good news is you can’t go wrong.
With a choices for families, casual walkers and advanced mountaineers, these eight hikes will help you get in your steps – and then some.
Best for hiking enthusiasts and athletes
1 mile round trip (1609m), 2000ft (609m) elevation gain, 1 hour, challenging
For hikers looking for a fun challenge and a serious glute workout, the Manitou Incline is calling your name. It’s 2768 steps to the top – and a rite of passage for many. This path was originally cleared to lug materials to build pipelines on Pikes Peak via a cable car; once the pipelines were complete, it became a tourist attraction.
The path up is not for the faint of heart: expect steep inclines with an average grade of 45%, and up to 68% in some places. At this high altitude, it can anywhere from under 30 minutes to over an hour less to reach the top, depending on your fitness level. Successful hikers are rewarded with a view of Colorado Springs and the eastern plains. If your thighs object midway, you can bail out early on the Northern Incline Return Trail, which all hikers take on the way down.
Planning tip: While the Manitou Incline is free, online reservations are now required to manage crowds, so consider using the free Manitou Springs shuttle to avoid competing for a parking space.
Best sunset walk
2.7 miles (4345m) round trip, 262ft (80m) elevation gain, 1–2 hours, easy
For gorgeous views of the front range with the city below, head northeast of Colorado Springs to Palmer Park. You’ll be surprised by the unique terrain of this urban green space, which brings you up into the mountains while remaining within the city limits. The drive along Paseo Rd winds to the top, where you’ll find a gravel road leading to a parking lot and trailhead for the Yucca Flats. Follow the Mesa and Yucca trails, a loop offering beautiful wildflowers and interesting scenery for all skill levels – not to mention amazing views of the Rockies.
Best hike for adventurers
3.4 miles (5472m) round trip, 500ft (152m) elevation gain, 2–3 hours, easy
A visit to the Paint Mines Interpretive Park will get you off the beaten path. About 30 miles (48km) east of Colorado Springs, this park makes you feel like you’re on another planet. Its rare geological formations are
The National Park Service opened a lottery for extended self-guided rafting trips along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park this week, offering hundreds of spots for 2026.
As I heaved my snowboard bag out of the trunk, onto my back, and across the Denver airport, I debated if the effort was worth it.
In many ways, my partner and I are proof that opposites attract.
Could all our future planes travel faster than the speed of sound? It’s been more than 20 years since the last supersonic passenger flight took off, but a US company wants to bring it back.
A three-and-a-half-hour drive from my home in Denver takes me to one of the most expensive towns I've ever visited.
Jan 25, 2025 • 8 min read
Last year, MGM Resorts International and Marriott finalized a deal that saw an impressive collection of Las Vegas megaresorts join the Marriott Bonvoy family. Now, the gaming giant's namesake property, MGM Grand, is unveiling an extensive renovation set to uplift the resort by $300 million.
Jan 22, 2025 • 8 min read
Jan 21, 2025 • 6 min read
Jan 20, 2025 • 17 min read
As someone who has lived in Colorado for five years, I know Denver is more than just a place to fly in and out of on your way to the mountains. Colorado's capital city represents a lot of what makes this state so special.
In the world of hotel openings, 2025 will be a year of firsts: Oetker Collection makes its debut in North America, 1 Hotels is heading to Australia, and likewise Aman to Mexico and Auberge Resorts to Italy, to name just a few. Grande dames like the New York City Waldorf Astoria will reopen (after an eight year closure, no less), and boutique concepts like NIHI will find footing in second locations. Here, we’ve scoured the globe for the most exciting hotel openings to have on your radar for 2025. Whether you’re an armchair traveler just looking for inspiration, or you’re ready to book your next flight—happy new year of travels.