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Best Hostels in Colorado for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Planning vacations can be stressful, especially when it comes to finding the right place to stay. But we’ve got you covered if you’re looking for not only a place to sleep, but some company and some extra perks too. Check out our list of the best hostels in Colorado.

For a Little Bit of Everything

The Bunkhouse in Vail, Colorado
The entire staff can fit into one of the spacious “pod style” bunks.

Bunkhouse: Vail

This accommodation has a little bit of everything. There is easy access to some of the top world-class skiing locations in the world, including both Vail and Beaver Creek Mountain. Nearby are 50 hikes in the Valley, including the 14ner “Mt. of The Holy Cross,” and a trailhead less than nine miles from the Bunkhouse.

There’s also concerts all summer, on Tuesdays (Vail @ Betty Ford Amphitheater) , Wednesdays (Avon @ Nottingham Park), and Thursdays (Minturn @ Little Beach Park)

Their staff knows the area and can make recommendations for almost any outdoor activity imaginable including:

  • white water rafting
  • rock climbing
  • horseback riding
  • aerial yoga
  • mountain biking
  • jeep tours
  • fly fishing
  • zip lining
  • backcountry skiing
  • ice climbing
  • avalanche education

Best way to get to the Bunkhouse:

The Bunkhouse has a discount code with Epic Mountain Express with pick up from DIA and drop off at their front door.  The least expensive way to get there is the “Bustang” from Denver to Vail Transportation Center. From there you can navigate the local bus system or Uber to the hostel.

Pricing:

  • Average summer rates starting at $50, average winter rates start at $75 a night.  (Insider tip: book early to lock in lower rates and to get a lower bunk.)  Bunk house will have a special promo for Huck users inside the app after the app’s launch.

Settle down with two complimentary craft beers or glasses of wine per nightly stay, and free concerts all summer long. Check out the Bunkhouse for a little bit of everything at one of the best hostels in Colorado.

For Groups, Couples or Solos

The Bivvi Hostel
Lobby of The Bivvi Hostel

Bivvi Hostel: Breckenridge 

This boutique mountain lodge for adventure junkies, mountain experts, and outdoor enthusiasts will fall nothing short of all your vacation expectations. They offer a variety of room options, where you can opt to share a room and meet someone new in their 4- or 6-person bunk rooms. Or, choose from a variety of private rooms, including a romantic hot tub suite for two or a fun four-person apartment with kitchen that’s perfect for a group of friends.

Enjoy a hot complimentary breakfast in the morning and their happy hour from 4-6 p.m. at night while soaking in the hot tub.

Whether you’re into hiking, biking, or anything outdoors, this hostel has plenty of amenities to satisfy you or your group’s needs and a great location to make it easy to get out and explore. The property is walking distance from the Breckenridge ski resort chair lift and main street, making traveling easier with its convenient location and free transportation system. The free Summit Stage bus comes every 20 minutes just outside of the Bivvi and will give you a lift to Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Copper Mountain.   

Pricing:

  • Summer rates include bunk beds starting as low as $35 a night and private rooms starting as low as $120 a night.
  • Winter rates include bunk beds starting at around $65/70 a night and privates from $150/160.

For a Comfy, Eclectic Stay

Colorado Hostels

The Divide Riders Hostel: Del Norte

Located in Del Norte, The Divide Riders Hostel is a hostel perfect for accommodating travelers, hikers and bikers. The Divide Riders Hostel has one large room that includes a communal kitchen and living room, eight single beds, plus a shared bathroom. The clean and comfy space is decorated with antiques and art and is an inexpensive option for single or group travelers.

Located in old town Del Norte, everything in the town is within walking distance, making travel plans and transportation the least of your worries. Located right on the Continental Divide, this hostel is accommodating for those with various interests at some of the most attractive tourism locations in the world. The Wolf Creek Ski Area, The Penitente Canyon and The Great Sand Dunes are all within close proximity, providing a wide variety of outdoor adventures. The town itself is also known for its dining, displaying an assortment of diverse cuisine.

Pricing:

  • $30.00 per person per night year round, and can be booked directly through Divide Riders Hostel or through Airbnb. With prior approval and a fee, we will allow pets.

Perfect for Meeting Fellow Travelers

Salida Hostel
River Behind Salida Hostel

Salida Hostel: Salida

Salida Hostel’s friendly and welcoming staff and environment not only help guests plan their adventures but have created a space where guests can meet and connect. Whether hanging by the fire pit outside, playing board games in the living room, or chatting while cooking meals, you’re bound to find friends who have the same interests as you. Choose from staying in its co-ed dorm or renting one of its private rooms with a private bathroom.

This lively town is known for hosting events all summer and is full of festivities at night. The hostel is within walking distance of downtown and has river access right out its backdoor, filling every adventurer’s needs.

Best Way to Get There:

Get there by a bus departing from Denver, or call ahead and an employee can come get you for free. 

Pricing:

  • Dorm rates are around $30 and winter rates around $27 including the taxes. 
  • Private rooms run from $59 low season to $129 high season, all private rooms have private bathrooms.

For a Stay with Some History

Rico Mine Shaft Inn
Rico Mine Shaft Inn

Rico Mine Shaft Inn: Rico

Located right in the middle of the San Juan Mountains, Rico Mine Shaft Inn is a charming historic bed and breakfast in the small town of Rico. They offer private rooms with either private or shared bathrooms, cooking facilities, and a hot breakfast each day. This remote mountain town is located right between Telluride and Dolores and is perfect for:

  • fishing
  • kayaking
  • mountain biking
  • hiking
  • rafting
  • snow sports

Likewise, Telluride Ski Resort, along with a bunch of backcountry skiing, is within close proximity. Rico also has a hot spring that is free and open 24/7 for some relaxation after your time spent outdoors. Originally founded in the 1800’s, Rico is known for its vast amount of history, old town feel, and remote location.

Pricing:

  • Shared bathroom rooms run anywhere from $40/night (single bed room) to $110/night (the ‘family room’ with multiple beds).
  • Private bathroom rooms that run around $125/night.  

Whether you’re looking for a weekend full of adventure, socializing, or relaxation, one of the five guest houses should satisfy your vacation needs.

Defying Gravity on Ice – Conversation with Tyler Kempney

Tyler Kempney at the World Cup of Ice Climbing in Denver
Tyler Kempney at the World Cup of Ice Climbing in Denver

On today’s episode, we are chatting with Tyler Kempney who is on the U.S. Men’s Ice-Climbing team and recently competed in the world ice climbing championship in Denver.

Don’t forget to follow Huck Adventures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Visit our website, huckadventures.com, for updates on our app launch.

Use the links below to visit our affiliate partners. For every purchase you make, a percentage goes to Huck Adventures at no additional cost to you.

Visit PeakRefuel.com and enter the code HUCK at checkout and you’ll save 15% on your order.

Visit SeatoSummit.com. A portion of your purchase will go to Huck Adventures to help us produce more episodes.

Join us for a Huck Adventure and photo shoot

We have a fun and exciting opportunity for you. Huck Adventures is shooting an advertising campaign July 31 – Aug. 15 in Telluride / Crested Butte, Moab, Lake Powell, and one more location in Colorado that’s TBD. The photos and videos we’ll be filming will be used in advertising campaigns, on the app and website, in email newsletters and flyers, and more. 

We’re looking for people to join us for our Huck Outside shoot who aren’t camera shy, are looking to go on an adventure with a fun group of people, like testing out new gear, and have experience in one or more of the following sport categories: 

  • Camping
  • SUP
  • Cliff Jumping
  • Deep Water Soloing (DWS)
  • Hiking
  • Yoga
  • Pack rafting
  • Mountain Biking (MTB)
  • Slackline
  • Canyoneering
  • Sand Boarding
  • Trail Running
  • Rock Climbing

Shoot Schedule: 

  • Crested Butte (July 31-Aug 2)
  • Telluride / (Aug 2 – 3)
  • Moab / Zion National Park (Aug 4-8)
  • Lake Powell (August 9-12)
  • Colorado location (located between Lake Powell and Boulder) TBD (August 13-15)

FAQ’s

  • Can I invite friends? Yes! As long as they don’t mind being on camera. We will require that everyone signs a photo release. 
  • Can I use the images on social media? We will put together a packet of photos that can be shared on social media as long as @huckadventures and @nicdaughtry is tagged on the photo and in the post. 
  • What will Huck provide? One meal a day, water, and some new gear for us to test and shoot. For the Lake Powell shoot, we will be covering the cost of the campgrounds.
  • Am I qualified to participate? We are looking for a fun crew of people with various ability levels. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and participate with other Huckers. Please apply online at the link below. You’ll be notified by July 19 if you’ve been selected for the campaign shoot. 
  • Will I be tagged in the photos on social? That is an obvious yes to us. Please share the content we post. Everyone picked will fill out a form with your social handles to tag you.

Signup now

https://huckadventures.wufoo.com/forms/huck-adventures-commercial-summerfall/

10 Must See Red Rocks Shows to See Before Winter

Red Rocks

Due to Red Rocks Amphitheater being in my backyard, I have developed a profound love for finding and sharing music. This has spiked my interest to travel to other outdoor music festivals, in order for me to get a feel of what other venues are like. Red Rocks Amphitheater is my all time favorite. Below is a list of 10 must-see shows before this Winter.

Louis The Child: July 11, 2019

This Chicago-based DJ and production duo are making their way into the electronic music genre. They are one of the newer bands to the EDM scene and are known for their hit singles:

  • Better Not
  • Weekend
  • Fire
  • It’s Strange
  • Love is Alive
  • Slow Down Love

Yoga on The Rocks: August 3, 2019 

Take a break from the bass and enjoy your morning with sunrise yoga on August 3, 2019. Practice your flow and get in the zone with a class that is instructed on the rocks overlooking Denver. 

Flume: August 6-7, 2019 

Flume August 6-7th, 2019 

Harley Streten, also known as Flume, is an Australian music programmer, record producer and DJ. Above all, he is known for being the pioneer of future bass. Influencing the electronic dance genre by his talent and original beats, Flume has won too many awards to list off including:

  • Best Independent Artist
  • Best Independent Album
  •  Best Male Artist
  •  Producer of the Year
  •  Engineer of the Year
  •  Album of the Year 

Touring a majority of the time internationally, his appearance in Colorado is a blessing to the Red Rocks community. I can assure you, from experience, that this is a show you do not want to miss. 

Red Rocks Yoga, Alison Wonderland: August 10

Start your day with a morning of stretching at Yoga on the rocks and end it with a night of dancing to Alison Wonderland. Alison Wonderland is an Australian singer, DJ, and electronic dance music producer. Most noteworthy, she is certified gold by ARIA and also made the top charts being debuted at No.1 on Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums. She also received titles such as: 

  • Artist of the Year
  • New Artist of the Year
  • Breakout Artist

Alison is the highest billed female DJ in Coachella history. Catch her at Red Rocks this season for a show full of beautiful vocals and electronic dance music.

GRiZ: August 30-31, 2019

Grant Richard Kwieciński, also known as GRiZ, is an electronic producer and American DJ recognized for playing the saxophone and producing music in the electro-soul and funk genre. Because of his groovy and old school Motown soul vibe, he attracts listeners from all over. Get to the rocks for some new disco, future funk, advanced electronica, and anything that screams new sound. 

Rüfüs Du Sol: October 2-3 2019 

Yet another iconic Australian dance group consisting of Tyrone Lindqvist, James Hunt and Jon George that goes by the name of Rüfüs Du Sol. Receiving dozens of awards worldwide, this band is a must-see live.

  • Debut album Atlas, peaked at No. 1 in Australia for Best Independent Dance
  • Best Electronica Album
  • Best Dance Release
  • Record of the Year 
  • Live Act of the Year 

It will not be difficult to get down with this talented group of artists at one of the most amazing venues in the world.

Mac Demarco: October 6, 2019

McBriare Samuel Lanyon, also known as Mac DeMarco, is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer. Generating a mix of indie-rock, jangle pop and psychedelic rock, DeMarco never fails to stun the rock community with his “jiizz jazz” style of music.  

Tyler the Creator: October 7, 2019

The very talented Tyler Gregory Okonma, also known by his stage name Tyler the Creator, is an artist whose expertise in music is far beyond measure. Specializing in rapping, songwriting, signing, recording, fashion designing, graphic designing, and music video directing, Tyler is a performer to say the least. Tyler excels at the piano, keyboard, drums, vocals, and synthesizer, making him one of the most interesting performers to watch today. Tyler has won Best New Artist, Rookie of the Year and Must Follow Artist, attracting Red Rocks fanatics from all over. 

Vampire Weekend: October 8, 2019 

Ranging from a mixture of indie pop, indie rock, art pop and baroque pop, Vampire Weekend is an American rock band originating from New York City. The band’s first album Vampire Weekend was praised by critics for its worldwide music influence, leading the band to fame immediately. Come rock out with one of the most influential bands, at one of the most attractive scenes in the World. 

TroyBoi: October 18, 2019 

Troy Henry, also known as TroyBoi, is an up and coming British DJ in the Dance/Electronic music genre. He is headlining his first Red Rocks show mid October. Bringing colorful vibes with no restrictions, TroyBoi is ready to throw down in Morrison, and you should be there for it. 

Check out the full Red Rocks Calendar to see all of the events happening this summer.


 

Scarpa’s Ribelle Tech OD and the Future of Light Alpinism

Scarpa Ribelle Tech OD
Scarpa Ribelle Tech OD

Scarpa’s Ribelle range of boots represents the future of fast & light alpinism. It is part of a growing industry trend towards fast and light alpinism, where we’ve seen a lot of new products, such as Petzl’s Irvis Hybrid Crampons, Patagonia’s Hybrid Sleeping Bags, and Edelrid’s Skimmer Pro Dry 7.1MM rope

Alpinism is certainly cutting grams, and enabling safety through speed. 

Scarpa sent us the Ribelle Tech OD Boot to review. It’s a three-season alpine boot that is a hybrid between an approach shoe and mountaineering boot. 

For this review we decided to attempt Mount Massive in Lake County, Colo., in mid-May when it had record snowpack. Unfortunately, we didn’t summit, but we did put in 11 miles on snowshoes, crampons, and microspikes. 

Customization. 

Scarpa’s standard liners are quality. However, after a 4 mile test hike, I realized these were closer to my Scarpa Phantom Techs than my running shoes, and replaced the standard liners with my custom orthotics from Bent Gate Mountaineering in Golden, CO

Once the orthotics were in place, these boots were comfortable enough to wear all day. In fact, I wore them for an entire day preparing for the trip. They were comfortable enough to drive in, run errands, and set up our camp. My goal was to make sure they had a full-day of sweat in them before bivving for the night. 

Warmth: Don’t Stop Moving 

We got to the campsite late around 8 p.m., and decided to start at 2 a.m. the next morning. As soon as my fiancé and I climbed into our bivvies, it started to snow. Perfect! In addition to sweat from the day before, now my boots had snow covering them. 

Thankfully these boots are warm. After knocking the snow out, and breaking the ice off the boots they warmed up quickly. As long as I was moving, I stayed warm in the 15 degree morning air. 

Stability: Like a Tennis Shoe 

Lacing up the boots reminded me of a tennis shoe. There is one set of holes around the ankle, but it doesn’t provide much support. That last set of lace holes appears to function solely as a way to snitch the gaiter “sock” down further. You will need good, flexible, and strong ankles for this boot, and I don’t recommend spending much time in Grade V climbs: your calves will get pumped.  

Traction

The sole on these boots are very soft and grippy. It took me by surprise when after a mile of hiking on snow ice, I realized how confident I was without extra traction. Plus, the rubber seems to be held up well. Hopefully, they hold up well over the next year of climbing. 

Running 

You can run in these. However, being able to run in a mountaineering boot, doesn’t mean you should. On a “test” hike, I put in two miles on this boot, and I was done. The soles are really stiff and unforgiving, so while you can trail run in them, don’t plan on putting in a ton of miles.

Gaiter: Holy Gaiter Batman! 

This year’s historic snowpack in Colorado combined with mid-May snow rot made for a lot of deep post-holing. The Ribelle’s Sock-Fit Plus Gaiter held up to nearly three hours of postholing. The Sock-Fit Gaiter was simple and effective, and I would recommend it for all except the dryest powder days. 

Crampons, Snowshoes, and Mircospikes. 

Sticking with the fast and light approach, I decided to use the Petzl Irvis Hybrid crampons. While these boots have some flex, they were stiff enough for the Dyneema cord and held the semi-automatic crampons on securely.  

Their stiffness also made snowshoes a dream. I could crank down the straps on my MSR Snowshoes and never experienced any wiggle. 

I would recommend sizing up on Microspikes for the Ribelle Tech’s. While not as bulky as a full mountaineering boot, they are higher volume, and I had trouble getting my size L Kahtoola Microspikes to fit my 44.5 boots. I should have used XL Microspikes. 

Summary

At 1220 grams, this boot has me excited for more four-season fast and light 14ers, and further stoked about the future of fast & light alpinism. I will continue to use this boot all year round. 

Similar boots are the: 

Please note that Scarpa is an affiliate to Huck Adventures, and at no additional cost to you, Huck earns a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the links above. We appreciate your support!

Beginner’s Guide: How to Select a Good Campsite

Selecting a good campsite can make or break your camping trip. Flooded tents, falling trees, and noisy neighbors can spoil a trip, but can be avoided with some preparation and planning. Whether you’re glamping in an RV, pitching a tent, or cowboy camping under the stars, there are some things to consider when selecting a good campsite.

good campsite

1. Look for Level Ground

While this may not be important for folks in a hammock, everyone else is going to want to find an area that is mostly level to set their shelter. If you can’t find a spot that is perfectly level, start to think about how you’d like to sleep while sloping. For some, after a long day of hiking having feet elevated to allow for any swelling to go down can help. For others (especially if allergies are kicking in), having your head elevated can help with night time stuffiness.

2. Check Your Campsite’s Drainage

If you’re in a vehicle or hammock this may not be as critical, but if you’re in a tent or cowboy camping be sure you pay attention to drainage. Is the surrounding area sloping towards your campsite? If there is precipitation in the middle of the night, the last thing you are going to want to do is get out of your warm, cozy sleeping bag and move your tent because of flooding. This can be tricky if you are on a tent pad. If there is precipitation in the forecast, digging a moat or canal away from your tent can help.

3. Choose Your Door Orientation.

Whatever your shelter type, if you’re in an area near other campers it makes sense to pay attention to the direction your doors face. When we are tent camping with just the kids, we usually have our tent door face the kids’ tent door, so we can check in on them and see what they’re up to. When we are in our campervan in a dispersed campsite where there’s other campers, we try to have our campervan door face away from their campsite, or use the shelter of a tree for privacy. This allows the kids get in and out to use the bathroom in the middle of the night without having to hide.  

4. Make the Most of Sun and Shade

During the shoulder seasons, we usually pay attention to where the sun will rise and try to orient out tent to get hit by the sun as early as possible to help warm us up in the morning. In the height of summer, we look for more trees and rock outcroppings that will provide shade and shadows earlier from the sun setting.

good campsite

5. Check Your Proximity High Traffic Areas

Especially in established campgrounds, be aware of the location of high-traffic areas, such as bathrooms and water sites. The last thing you want is to hear the door to the bathrooms opening and closing all night long.

6. Fun things For Kids to Do at the Campsite

Be sure to choose a campsite that has direct access for fun features such as rocks, trees, and creeks. Many established campsites have photos or reviews online that can help guide you., Or, look at the sites’ maps to see if there is any water flowing nearby that could be an added bonus to your stay.

7. Check for Unhealthy Trees

Pay close attention to the health of trees around the site. We learned this during a backpacking trip to Yellowstone. As we were setting up our tents in a grove of trees during a huge windstorm, three of the trees crashed down as we were driving in the final stakes. We pulled up all the stakes and relocated away from the dead trees! Also, for my hammock lovers out there. You’ll want healthy trees, or something else that’s sturdy, to hang your hammock from.

good campsite

8. Watch for Sharp Objects

Clear sharp debris (rocks, pinecones, etc.) from under your tent footprint prior to setting up your tent to decrease the chance for discomfort or punctures of sleep pads.

9. Remember the 200 Foot Rule for Campsites

If you’re at a dispersed site (not an established campground), be sure to follow the 200 foot rules. Set up camp more than 200 feet away from the water’s edge (lakes, ponds, rivers, etc.) to prevent any ecological impacts on the area), as well as 200 feet from any trail to prevent hikers from wandering into your campsite at night. It’s also a good rule of thumb to have your tent 200 feet from where you do your dishes, use the toilet, and store your food.

good campsite

10. Remember to Leave No Trace

Minimize your impact and leave no trace to protect the outdoors. Choose an existing camp location whenever possible, and at the minimum camp on a durable surface instead of fragile areas. Don’t forget to clean up your trash, don’t cut the vegetation, and leave what you find.  If you aren’t familiar with all the Leave No Trace Seven Principles, check them out here before you head out.

These 10 tips should help you pick a good campsite to call home in the great outdoors. Also remember to always follow the advice of the local rangers and area experts on wildlife precautions. Get out there and have fun!