Summer Colorado Town - with Kids

I've taken my kids to Breckenridge in the summer and they've had a blast. We drove over to Buena Vista for some rafting and really enjoyed that too.

Adding one to consider: Steamboat.

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I'd probably lean towards Estes/RMNP though

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It's going to be busy as frick though. I think they might be taking reservations to get into the park each day.

I'd stay in Summit in terms of the most options to see stuff within a reasonable drive and actual things to do.

It's not a very long drive to RMNP.

You're 1.5 hours to whitewater rafting in BV (though by late July it might be running a little slow).

It's about 2 hours from Dillon to Aspen.

What, like 30 minutes to Vail?

Taking off for a couple of nights out to the westslope wouldn't be that difficult either. Pretty drive and very reasonable within a day, and there really aren't "wasted" travel days in the mountains.

With that much time, I'd split Frisco/Dillon and Telluride.

If you are driving, consider Durango. The Durango Silverton Railroad, Bar D Chuckwagon, Purgatory Resort has kids activities, a lot of rafting opportunities, hiking trails everywhere, Mesa Verde NP, etc.
How old are your kids ?

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Kids are 7 & 10. We don't want to move every day, but are open to splitting time between 2 places. Maybe 3-4 days at one place and 3-4 at another.

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I’d stay in Frisco and do Vail, Copper, Breck, and Keystone. All within a 30 minute drive of Frisco

I agree with Frisco/Dillon area as a good base camp but why bother hitting all the ski resorts in the summer? I'd just do Breck for a good portion of a day though.

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If they get bored there are other options nearby. Didn’t mean they should go to all of them.

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Well, then I guess my post doesn't really apply.

Will echo Dillion or Silverthorn and drive places. Brek, etc... 10 minutes. Parents live in Dillion and we go a couple of time a year.

My 2-cents (what we do). 3-4 days in Dillion. 10 min Driving distance to million great hikes and towns.

then 3-4 days in Salida or Buena Vista. about 90 minutes from dillion and closer to leadville. Lots of small town old CO there. Brother lives in Salida

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then 3-4 days in Salida or Buena Vista. about 90 minutes from dillion and closer to leadville. Lots of small town old CO there. Brother lives in Salida

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I can't argue with a more narrow focus. The thing is, it's like 45 to Leadville from Dillion. Freemont Pass is pretty easy. So they could easily do a day in the Leadville area.

The big advantage to BV or Salida is it makes the Aspen area within an hour away. Along with rafting on the Arkansas and exploring that area could take a few days up easy.

We did Taos a couple years ago. Hit Carlsbad caverns on way, watch the bats at sunset. Stayed at an AIRBNB. We did Taos Pueblo, pottery class, white water rafting, horse back riding, hiking, Gorge Bridge. etc. Drove over to Angel Fire one day and did zip line and mountain top frisbee golf. Angel Fire has a huge mountain biking operation in the summer which looks like a blast. Hit up Santa Fe for a day also. Late July the white water rafting will be more like canoeing.