Summer Road Trip Guide to Colorado

The best hikes, campsites, paddleboard spots

While I was back in San Diego this summer, I picked up our van and drove 16 hours to the mountains. Past the dry, boiling state of Utah and into the fresh air of Colorado: I spent ten days totally unplugged, living in a van, and visiting the most beautiful nature in the United States.

When Mr. Brenna first suggested I take our van to my cousin’s wedding in Colorado - I hesitated. Flights were only $80 one-way on Frontier. Would it make sense to spend all that money on gas? Could I handle driving and managing the van without him?

Turns out you just have to feel the fear and do it anyway. And you know what? It wasn’t scary at all. It was slow-paced. Every morning I cherished waking up without an alarm, surrounded by the wilderness with nothing to disturb me. With nowhere to be, I started each day by boiling water for tea and lingering in bed reading a book. Here is my guide to an iconic summer road trip in Colorado.

It’s impossible to cover all of the amazing things we did and saw. But a highlight of the major trip discoveries are:

1. Sierra. Did you know that TJX companies (Home Goods, TJ Maxx) has an outdoor lifestyle store called “Sierra”? This find blew our minds. Mr. Brenna and I spent an afternoon buying $12 name-brand hiking shorts, cheap protein bars, and even a $20 sleeping pad! Although we are lifetime members of the “co-op” (REI), it’s great to have a less expensive alternative.

2. Iced decaf lattes. Since Italy is void of ice mixed with coffee, I had to get my fix in the states. My favorite was from a very cute breakfast shop in Frisco, CO called Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe.

3. Summer Rain in Colorado. One thing no one told me about summer in Colorado - it can suddenly start raining (normally in the afternoons) even when the forecast is clear. I would suggest always bringing a rain jacket on a hike just in case.

4. $20 campsites. We stayed in some of the best campsites I’ve ever stayed in, all booked last minute through Recreation.gov. Waking up to the smell of Christmas does not get old! Our favorites were Lakeview Campground in Twin Lakes, Silver Queen Campground near Maroon Bells in Aspen, and Saddlehorn Campground in Colorado National Monument.

5. Cute Colorado Merch. There is a certain fashion aesthetic to Colorado that I would not be able to explain to Italians. Is it the flat-brim hats? The Chacos and Tevas sandals? The athleisure paired with tanned, fit, and sun-kissed bodies? Whatever it is, I was thrilled to have two weeks without looking in the mirror and dressing comfortably.

6. Basalt. After a day feeling poor and stinky in front of the rich elites of Aspen, we struck gold while visiting beautiful Basalt, CO. I got this cute designer dress for $50 at Heirloom, an amazing thrift store with lots of clothes the Aspen-ites don’t want. We also walked by the Tipsy Trout, a gorgeous bar and restaurant right on the river.

   

Best Paddleboarding/Swimming Spots:

1. Piney River Ranch - You can rent equipment from the ranch or drop in using your own paddles. Mr. Brenna towed me around the lake while I spent the morning sunbathing and watching the clouds roll by the mountains. Heaven.

2. Lake Dillon - Although you can’t swim here, we paddled out to a little beach and walked around the shallow water. Lifejackets are required.

3. Twin Lakes - We camped nearby and enjoyed breakfast on the picnic tables. Next time, we’re taking the paddles!

4. Iron Mountain Hot Springs - This private hot springs and pool in Glenwood Springs was just what we needed to relax after camping. We spent the 4th of July relaxing and floating and sipping fancy drinks.

Best Hikes:

1. East Maroon Portal to Maroon Bells - We took the shuttle to Maroon Bells and did the lake loop, not realizing that we would have been able to hike to Maroon Bells from our campsite! The next day, after camping nearby, we hiked from the East Maroon Portal to Maroon Bells. The scenery was stunning. I would have loved to do Crater Lake trail too.

2. Harvard Lakes Trail - just outside of Twin Lakes, this hike has a pretty steep include, but your reward is two gorgeous lakes at the top.

3. Upper Piney River Trail - pass Piney Lake, wildflowers, and snow-capped mountains. Very “Sound of Music”.

4. Dillon Nature Preserve - an easy stroll through the reservoir with plenty of stunning views.

5. Independence Pass - Regrettably, I didn’t know anything about this stunning place before we stopped here. We walked down a few trails before getting too cold and turning around. I wish I packed cold-weather gear so I could explore this place more thoroughly. It was breathtaking.

Best Breweries and Eateries

I don’t even drink alcohol anymore, and I still love these breweries! They had great NA beers and Mr. Brenna enjoyed the IPAs and hazies.

1. Outer Range Brewing Company in Frisco, CO

2. Westbound & Down Brewing Company, Idaho Springs, CO

3. Grateful Deli, Aspen, CO - An ode to the Grateful Dead, this sandwich shop is great for hippies who are interested in eavesdropping on tech entrepreneurs.

4. House Rock Kitchen, Buena Vista, CO - This fast-casual restaurant had great drink options and the food was fresh and delicious.

Between seeing a concert at Red Rocks with my cousins, stargazing with my friend in Colorado National Monument, and paddleboarding in alpine lakes, this was the trip of a lifetime for me!

Have you ever been on a long road trip? Have you ever lived in a van? Here are some bonus things I listened to and read on this trip:

• My friend Elyse introduced me to the work of Amanda Montell, author and podcaster. I loved her podcast “Sounds Like a Cult,” especially the episode on Catholicism, and her new pod “Magical Overthinkers”.

• I love the advice to make friends with people who are older than you, because most likely, they are also much wiser. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has an awesome podcast called, “Wiser Than Me” - all about gaining wisdom from women who are older than her. I loved the Jane Fonda episode! She is an iconic woman.

• I got halfway through “The Guest” by Emma Kline but did not finish. I love books where I get to know the characters, and this protagonist left me worried and confused. Here is my Goodreads profile - I’m taking recommendations to get me out of this reading slump!

Also, I’m hosting a free journaling workshop on Meetup Aug 18! We will spend an hour going through a few prompts together. Check out the event here, I’d love for you to join.

I’m also publishing my monthly paid subscribers only personal update today and would love to have you join the community.