White water rafting season usually means that summer is in session and outdoor fun is almost a requirement for enjoying life and fresh air. Once September hits, most rafting outfitters start to close up shop due to low water levels but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer.
For many places, including Colorado, the cooler weather is a great opportunity to spend time outside without having to worry as much about overheating and sweating. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water and carry snacks and other essentials as you explore nature with these fun, rafting off-season activities.
Hiking
Many people don’t realize that hiking is an option from fall through next spring but it definitely is. Friends and family can enjoy the changing leaves at this less busy time with less worry for parking and more opportunities to be in touch with nature.
This is also a great time to take your dog with you and not worry about him overheating either. Fido can have more fun in cooler weather exploring as dogs love to do. Just be sure to have a collar with ID and current on vaccinations, better yet, keep your pets microchipped as well. Only allow your dog off-leash in legal areas if they are good at recall commands, otherwise keep both of you safe with the dog on-leash. Be sure to use flea and tick preventatives and check your pet afterwards for any clingers.
Horseback Riding
If you’d rather swap two wheels for a noble steed, horseback riding is also a fun activity to do when rafting is not an option. Horseback riding is actually the second most popular outdoor activity and it’s easy to see why. Horses have a need to wander and explore like every other creature and bonding with these amazing animals while learning about the back woods of Buena Vista is more than memorable. We offer horseback riding trips all year long.
Camping
Similar to hiking, camping during fall and winter are great times to get a nice, cozy spot without the crowds and mosquitoes. There’s nothing like falling asleep bundled up with the stars overhead and waking up to a brilliant sunrise with a hot cup of coffee in hand in the middle of the woods. Reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau or A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is pretty inspiring to get some wild in your life.
Zip-Lining
Get a hold of yourself while you wait for rafting season to come back with zip-lining tours. This is another fun year-round activity when you are in need of an adrenaline rush. Zip through the trees and get a great view of the mountains. Relatives and out-of-towners visiting for the holidays love a less than ordinary way to experience the Rocky Mountains.
Snowshoeing
If you haven’t experienced snowshoeing, this is the year to try it out. Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to enjoy the quiet of the snowy woods by foot, especially if you have an itch to go hiking but it’s too snowy. Be sure to dress in layers with a backpack, water, snacks, and the “10 essentials” (first aid kit, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, map, compass, waterproof matches, flashlight, pocket knife, whistle—and you might as well add charged cellphone).
Having a backpack is also essential as most people end up taking off jackets because of the great workout. Definitely don’t wear jeans as kicking up snow will get those pants wet and uncomfortable. Don’t worry about buying snowshoes yet, there are many places to rent snowshoes from.
At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we love rafting and spending as much time outdoors as possible.. We are rated #1 on TripAdvisor and we offer exciting year-round trips in addition to Colorado Rafting Trips such as Horseback Rides, and Zip-Line Tours. Contact us today for more information.
