Aarondale

Once you’re all cosied into your new abode for the time being, you’ll likely be looking to pinpoint a few places on your map. And there's plenty to do, especially when it comes to hiking in Colorado’s big backyard. Perhaps fishing, biking, jet-skiing or boating in Trinidad Lake State Park (45 minutes’ drive)? Rental jet skis, boats and other water-based vehicles are for the taking at John Martin Reservoir (an hour and 35 minutes) too. The Comanche National Grassland is practically a playground… there are hiking trails, Native American rock drawings and biking courses around the sandstone Vogel Canyon (an hour); The Picket Wire Trail travels into canyonlands, a river valley and a historic district; and the Dinosaur Tracks (an hour and 20 minutes), is home to the largest dinosaur prints site in all of North America, thanks to thousands of tracks made by plant-eating dinosaurs. The hiking doesn’t have to end there, as Royal Gorge (two hours and 25 minutes), its bridge and especially scenic train ride are a road trip away. For those of you who are all about the heights and thrills, this place has a zipwire, sky-high coaster and rock climbing activities.