Glenwood Springs Colorado Gateway To Aspen and Redstone, CO
Bring your leather totes and dog toys to Redstone for a family vacation of fun!
Redstone, Colorado is a unique little outdoorsy town surrounded by breathtaking campgrounds and 4-wheeling spots and the rushing Crystal river, and boasting a tiny, fascinating art scene in several shops scattered quaintly between vacation cabins.
I first happened upon Redstone, between Carbondale and Paonia, in the coldest part of the year, when the fountain in the center of town was frozen into a smooth glacier blue colossus. The one gas station in the areahad, as usual, taped up its two old-school gas pumps in shiny Christmas wrapping paper with huge golden bows on top, and the locally famed snow sculptingcompetition was about to commence. Redstone also holds things like dogsled races regularly and a lively Winter Fest in February.
When the weather turns warm, Redstone is the perfect locale to splash around in the river, go hiking, and then check out one of several brightly painted food joints, where you can get a hamburger—or you can get seared ahi tuna on a bed of lettuce. Try the BRB Crystal River Resort to get a quaint little cabin near the river and river rafting in the summer. There are, of course, some very lovely vacation rentals on the town’s main street!
A hike all the locals will recommend in the Redstone is Avalanche Creek, which also has some great spots for car camping, or you could jog on up the trail with your backpack to set up camp. This trail is a ways down a dirt road (I was fine in my Subaru, but I don’t recommend taking the family Honda down this track), for an immediate taste of the wild, even before you get out of the car. Don’t be intimidated by the 11 mile trail, since it’s a good trail for meanderinguntil your kiddos get tired and want to go back and roast marshmallows.
The historical nature of Redstone is evident even before you see the town, since there will be a lengthy collection of coke ovens across the highway from the town. In the riverare bits and boulders of luminous marble which the river has carried down from the hills and riverbanks of Marble, Colorado. Another historic landmark there’s the lovely , well-preserved Redstone Inn—also known as Redstone Castle. This handsome old building, made of—I bet you can guess—red stone, holds quite a few special events nearly every month, offers sleigh rides in the winter and carriage rides in the summer, and often offers musical performances and a fancy evening meal. It’s a great place to find lodging for the night, or you can simply get a tour and find out about some of Redstone’s history.
When you make plans to visit, be sure to take a look at the inn and town’s websites for upcoming happenings, and pack your rock or ice-climbing gear, depending on the season! Redstone is the kind of place with all the amenities you’ll need for a uiniquely Colorado escapade. Visit Glenwood Springs
External links: http://glenwoodspringsaspen.com/towns/redstone-colorado http://activities.glenwoodspringsaspen.com/