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Best Dinosaur Tracks --Outdoors

Dinosaur Ridge

An oldie but goodie. And we mean old: The tracks that appear to climb up the sandstone mountainside were made in a muddy streambed more than 165 million years ago by passing ornithopods and theropods. Pull over over on the side of the hill across from Red Rocks Park and take a gander at this National Natural Landmark, or pick up an interpretive brochure at the Visitors Center at the bottom of the ridge for a more educated look. And groups of a dozen or more can go whole hogback by signing up for a guided tour with Friends of Dinosaur Ridge.

Best Place to Do It in the Moonlight

Dream Canyon

Not everything takes place under the sun. Sometimes the moon produces strange effects. There's a narrow gorge near Boulder County's Sugarloaf mountain that's a favorite place for gay men to sunbathe or moonbathe in the nude, skinny dip in the streams and have sex along with the birds and the bees. But, hey, what's good for the goose and the goose is also good for the goose and the gander...or the gander and the gander...or, well, whatever. With its relatively remote location, beautiful scenery and plethora of trees, cliffs and trails, Dream Canyon is a good place for anyone who wants to do the wild thing in the wild, day or night. Just watch out for sheriff's deputies. Angry neighbors have asked the law to spend more time collaring frisky individuals as well as frisking collared individuals.

Best Place to Do It in the Moonlight

Dream Canyon

Not everything takes place under the sun. Sometimes the moon produces strange effects. There's a narrow gorge near Boulder County's Sugarloaf mountain that's a favorite place for gay men to sunbathe or moonbathe in the nude, skinny dip in the streams and have sex along with the birds and the bees. But, hey, what's good for the goose and the goose is also good for the goose and the gander...or the gander and the gander...or, well, whatever. With its relatively remote location, beautiful scenery and plethora of trees, cliffs and trails, Dream Canyon is a good place for anyone who wants to do the wild thing in the wild, day or night. Just watch out for sheriff's deputies. Angry neighbors have asked the law to spend more time collaring frisky individuals as well as frisking collared individuals.

Best Place for a Less Active Family Reunion

Como Christian Camp
Como

Perhaps your family isn't into unhealthy competition. Maybe you just want to take in some beautiful scenery as you throw a frisbee in a gentle, loving manner. Consider renting Como Christian Camp, located in the tiny old railroad town of Como that's about an hour southwest of Denver on Highway 285. In addition to decent accommodations, the camp features a nine-hole, professionally designed Frisbee Golf course. At 10,000 feet, the game may be all the challenge you need. "If you're not doing well, just look up," the caretaker advises. "It's a great view."

Best Place for a Less Active Family Reunion

Como Christian Camp
Como

Perhaps your family isn't into unhealthy competition. Maybe you just want to take in some beautiful scenery as you throw a frisbee in a gentle, loving manner. Consider renting Como Christian Camp, located in the tiny old railroad town of Como that's about an hour southwest of Denver on Highway 285. In addition to decent accommodations, the camp features a nine-hole, professionally designed Frisbee Golf course. At 10,000 feet, the game may be all the challenge you need. "If you're not doing well, just look up," the caretaker advises. "It's a great view."

Best Bike Ride -- Road

Left Hand Canyon

Forget dodging in-line skaters on the bike paths and riding in endless circles around Cherry Creek Reservoir. You live in the Rockies, so you might as well ride in them. Head to Boulder for a scenic, challenging and expeditious -- give it an hour and a half -- ride up and back down the canyon. Not heavily trafficked and with a gentle climb (until the end, where the incline grows dramatically steeper), Left Hand Canyon is long enough for a solid sweat, but short enough to keep you interested. Additional bonuses: the stream running alongside the road that keeps you cool on the way up, the general store in Jamestown that stocks cold drinks, leaning into the gentle curves on the way down.

Best Bike Ride -- Road

Left Hand Canyon

Forget dodging in-line skaters on the bike paths and riding in endless circles around Cherry Creek Reservoir. You live in the Rockies, so you might as well ride in them. Head to Boulder for a scenic, challenging and expeditious -- give it an hour and a half -- ride up and back down the canyon. Not heavily trafficked and with a gentle climb (until the end, where the incline grows dramatically steeper), Left Hand Canyon is long enough for a solid sweat, but short enough to keep you interested. Additional bonuses: the stream running alongside the road that keeps you cool on the way up, the general store in Jamestown that stocks cold drinks, leaning into the gentle curves on the way down.

Best Way to See the Aspen Turn -- on Horseback

Aspen Lodge at Estes Park

The glorious colors of turning aspen trees in autumn are not to be missed -- but the traffic caused by other nature lovers pouring up I-70 is a must to avoid. The solution? A horse, of course. The Aspen Lodge Resort in Estes Park organizes fall aspen-viewing rides, pairing riders with trusty steeds appropriate for their experience; once suitably mounted, your group can trot along trails that meander through the blazing groves. Not only do you get to appreciate nature's colorful display, but you get to do it from a cowboy's colorful perch. The year-round working ranch/resort also offers fishing, swimming and other activities, but for a real look at the great outdoors, this mobile aspen viewing presents a golden opportunity.

Best Way to See the Aspen Turn -- on Horseback

Aspen Lodge at Estes Park

The glorious colors of turning aspen trees in autumn are not to be missed -- but the traffic caused by other nature lovers pouring up I-70 is a must to avoid. The solution? A horse, of course. The Aspen Lodge Resort in Estes Park organizes fall aspen-viewing rides, pairing riders with trusty steeds appropriate for their experience; once suitably mounted, your group can trot along trails that meander through the blazing groves. Not only do you get to appreciate nature's colorful display, but you get to do it from a cowboy's colorful perch. The year-round working ranch/resort also offers fishing, swimming and other activities, but for a real look at the great outdoors, this mobile aspen viewing presents a golden opportunity.

Best Dog Park

Off-Leash Dog Park

Flickr/Jeffrey Beall
When running at large can get your owner a big, fat ticket, but there's no place in the city to blow off some steam, what's a pooch to do? That was the quandary facing the Aurora Parks Department, and last year they finally did something about it. The Off-Leash Dog Park -- basically a five-acre fenced-in field of mown native grass next to the water -- gives canines a place to run and chase things, including each other, without the encumbrance of any sort of restraint. They are free to play Frisbee, sniff and be sniffed, and run wild -- so long as humans clean up after them and keep some semblance of order.

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