43 MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | SPORTS & RECREATION | SHOPPING & SERVICES | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | Best Dog-Friendly Hike Shadow Pine Loop at Flying J Ranch Park 9661 County Highway 73, Conifer jeffco.us/1220/Flying-J-Ranch-Park Hiking with your dog requires more plan- ning than going solo, but there’s little hassle involved at Flying J Ranch Park. Dogs are allowed as long as they’re leashed, and the mild 220-foot elevation gain ensures smaller and older dogs can still tag along. At 2.8 miles, the Shadow Pine Loop provides enough distance for canine cardio, and the surrounding open space makes it easier to corral your dog if — heaven forbid — they run free of your grasp. You’ll see a wide variety of trees and wildfl owers on the trail, and maybe even an elk or deer. Although bears and pumas have been spotted in the area, hiker encounters are rare. Best Urban Park to Walk Your Dog Confl uence Park 2250 15th Street denvergov.org/Community/Parks- and-Public-Spaces/Parks-Directory/ Confl uence-Park When your apartment dog needs to stretch its legs, there’s no better place than Confl u- ence Park. The downtown oasis features grassy fi elds and a beach area off the South Platte River, where your pooch can go for a dip and enjoy pets from passing tubers. While not as big as Cheesman Park, City Park or Washington Park, Confl uence Park provides access to dozens of miles of urban trails, in- cluding the Cherry Creek Trail and South Platte River Trail. Plus, when you’re done exercising, numerous coffee and ice cream shops are just a short walk away, so you can treat your pet to a well-earned pup cup. Best Park to Explore Indigenous Culture Ute Mountain Tribal Park Highway Junction 160/491, Towaoc utemountaintribalpark.info Past the crowds at Mesa Verde National Park, this remote destination gives visitors an authentic look into Colorado’s Indigenous history and culture. The cliff dwellings, ki- vas and petroglyph panels at Ute Mountain Tribal Park are only accessible with a mem- ber of the tribe, so you’ll have to register for a tour, which starts at $40 per person. Upon approval, you’ll pile into a shuttle van with a small, guided group and bump down a back- country road, watching for wild horses while making your way to the canyon’s edge. Below, a series of wooden ladders leads to several unaltered archeological sites. Strewn around them are ancient corncobs and countless painted pottery shards, which have been left in the sand for centuries. Take only photos, and plan to visit between April and October. Best Park to See Natural Arches McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area I 1/2 Road, Fruita blm.gov/programs/national- conservation-lands/colorado/mcinnis- canyons Though it’s diffi cult to access, those who venture into the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area will discover solitude and spectacular views. This sprawling desti- nation is home to one of the continent’s larg- est collections of natural arches, second only to that of Arches National Park in nearby Moab. But rather than short walks to prime sights, the scenery at McInnis will demand serious effort. Rumble down rocky back- country roads or hike fi fteen steep miles from Fruita to witness the towering Rattle- snake Arches. More than thirty sandstone formations can be seen, the largest of which stretches 120 feet high and 40 feet wide. Best Backcountry Transport Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad 479 Main Avenue, Durango durangotrain.com Passengers on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad might be surprised when, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the train comes to a halt and backcountry explorers disembark. While most travel- ers ride between Durango and Silverton, intrepid adventurers use the historic line to access the remote Weminuche Wilder- ness during the warm-weather months. Many await the call of the Needleton stop, which provides whitewater rafters access to the Animas River and backpackers a direct route to Chicago Basin, the ideal base camp for bagging three of the state’s iconic fourteeners. Meanwhile, day hikers can trek the Colorado Trail from Molas Pass, then fl ag down the train at Elk Park, another of the four wilderness stops. Call ahead so you’re prepared with exact cash, as fare starts at $35 per person. Best State Park for People With Disabilities Staunton State Park 12102 South Elk Road, Pine cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/staunton- state-park Staunton State Park, located just outside of Conifer, has special mechanical chairs to ensure that everyone can take in the trails, no matter their level of mobility. A park program allows people to book spe- cially equipped track chairs (think wheel- chairs, but with tank-like conveyor tracks instead of wheels) over the weekends from May through November, allowing disabled folks to check out beautiful trails and maybe see a marmot or two while en- joying signifi cantly cooler temperatures than the city. The chairs can be booked free of charge on the park’s website, al- though you still must pay for a daily entry and parking pass, which runs around $14 — a small price to pay to see Staunton’s treelines and views of Pikes Peak, Lions Head and Mount Rosal. Best Steel Bike REEB Cycles 1225 Boston Avenue, Longmont reebcycles.com Most cyclists use bikes with lightweight aluminum-alloy frames, but in Colo- rado, the durability and sturdiness of steel frames comes in handy when rid- ing on the many long-distance or off-road trails, especially in the mountains. REEB Cycles caters to Colorado’s backcountry and multiday mountain riders with steel bikes like the Re:Dikyelous and Hardtail. Their wide frames leave ample space for days’ worth of gear and supplies, and even come with three water bottle mounts. Ev- ery REEB steel bike has external cable routing, too, which many cyclists prefer for on-the-fl y repairs. Best Casual Snowy Mountain Getaway Echo Mountain 19285 Colorado 103, Idaho Springs echomtn.com Most pass-holding snowboarders and skiers drive past Echo Mountain on their way up I-70 to Breckenridge or Keystone, leaving all the more room (and an easier commute) for casuals. When you’re host- ing out-of-towners or just want to take the kids for a proper tube ride, Echo Moun- tain is less than 35 miles from Denver, just outside of Idaho Springs. The runs are closer to intermediate than beginner level, so some experience is preferable, but there are areas to learn how to stop and turn, and you can always go tubing if skiing and snowboarding aren’t your thing. But if they are, perhaps it’s time to look into night skiing and snowboarding at Echo, held Wednesday through Saturday. You’ll be back home before midnight. Now just pray for snow next season. Best Wildfl ower Hike Near Denver Acorn Creek Loop Rodeo Drive, Silverthorne fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/recreation/ acorn-creek-th-71 The Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte, is worth its own weekend getaway, but you don’t have to travel that far from Denver to experience abundant blooms. Just over an hour from the metro area lies the Acorn Creek Loop, a popu- lar social trail in Silverthorne. Hike the fi ve-mile route counter-clockwise for a more gradual climb beneath shady aspens and pines; near the ridgeline, the forest opens up to panoramic views of the Gore Range. On the descent, you can admire the many wildfl owers that blanket the moun- tainside, including purple lupines, blue columbines, scarlet gilia, yellow mule’s ears and more. Visit in June or July to see them at their peak. ■ ILLUSTRATIONS BY GETT Y IMAGES ILLUSTRATIONS BY GETT Y IMAGES
