The summer months bring crisp Rocky Mountains air, sunny skies, sunkissed skin, and endless activities. Getting out in nature is unlike anything else. Whether you are staying in Vail or Beaver Creek in summer, two of my favorite activities are horseback riding and ATVing.

I started my day off with a short drive to Sage Outdoor Adventures private land. They also have rafting, fishing, ATV’s and more. I took in the gorgeous scenery while getting ready for the day out.

Horseback Riding in Colorado

The day was perfect when I made my way over to Wolcott for a horseback riding experience; there was not a cloud in the sky. You head down to the stables, and see all the horses getting saddled up and eating some last minute snacks.

You’ll take a few moments to review the trip, learn how to ride and command the horse, and what to expect, then hop on your assigned horse and get ready for the next two hours. You head off through the trees, surrounded by wildflowers, mountains, and even a volcano!

There are some ups and downs, and different types of trails. Each horse has a unique personality, and knows the route very well. You’ll enjoy fun conversation with the other riders and learn about the history of the land and area, as well as how Sage Outdoor Adventures started there.

If you are lucky enough, you’ll see some wildlife, such as birds or deer, like me. We also stopped along the way for some pictures. 

Then, I headed over to the resort for some food and drinks.

Reasons to try horseback riding:

  • Connect with beautiful horses 
  • Experience nature from a new perspective
  • Learn the history of the area 
  • Try out a more relaxing activity

ATVing in Colorado

If you are an adrenaline junkie, love nature, and want to try a new activity, riding ATVs is what you’ve been looking for. Nova Guides will take you to some of the best ATV trails in Colorado.

I started out with the prettiest drive to head to their headquarters at Camp Hale. There is a restaurant here, and they do lots of other activities, such as fishing and Jeep Tours. Whether you’re coming from Beaver Creek or Vail ATV rentals from Nova Guides is such a seamless experience! Then, I got all my gear and headed outside to learn about safety. If you are nervous or haven’t tried before, don’t be! This was my first time, and Nova Guides makes it feel very safe. You can also ride as a passenger too.

Once we went through the safety and how to operate these vehicles, we all hopped on and were off! A fun fact about Camp Hale is that it was an old military base that was part of the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army from World War II. You can see some old bunkers and where they kept weapons from back then, and experience the history of the land. They chose Vail because it most closely resembled the Italian mountains.

After riding around and getting used to the ATV, we made a stop for photos and to take in the gorgeous scenery. The guide I had was very helpful and knowledgeable about the area, which adds to the experience.

Throughout the tour, we stopped a few more times to learn more about the history and nature of the area. We then hiked up a bit to see a waterfall, all made from snowmelt, which was a nice break from riding and it felt great to move my legs.

This 2 hour tour provided adventure, time immersed in nature, and some adrenaline from the speed of the ATV. There is a lot more to learn and see than what I listed here, and you’ll have to try it out to see for yourself.