You know what I love? Camping. You know what I don’t love as much? Paying as much as I would for a hotel room for a night! Luckily, there are plenty of free campsites in and around the front range, and we’ve compiled some for you to get you started!   West Magnolia Ridge 602-610 County Highway 132-W Nederland, Colorado GPS: 39.946961, -105.517587 Elevation: 8711′ If you can brave rough camping accessed by a currently washed-out road, you’re in for a treat. This site is near Nederland and many hiking trails with sweeping views of the forests and mountains. Pets are allowed, and... Read More

If you don’t mind a bit of a drive out into the Indian Peaks Wilderness deep in Boulder County, there is a beautiful hidden gem of a trail waiting for you. Blue Lake and Little Blue Lake is a 6.3 mile out-and-back trail near Nederland, and offers one of the most rewarding hiking experiences in the area. Our Ratings: Crowd: 4/5. The Indian Peaks Wilderness area itself is very crowded, especially when it comes to parking. We ended up adding over a mile to our trek because we had to park so far away from the trailhead. But once you get on the trail, many hikers stop at the Little Blue Lake, which... Read More

Happy September everyone! Who’s excited for this months brewery events? I know I am, and there’s quite a list to chose from! Here are a few upcoming beer events in the Boulder area, to get you through this busy month: Taproom Yoga @ Left Hand: Venture up to Longmont this Saturday morning for some free all-levels yoga, which happens to pair perfectly with a complimentary beer. So grab your yoga mat, fill that stomach (before downing a brew), and stop by Left Hand’s taproom at 11:15am this Saturday, September 9th! Also, be sure to check out Left Hand Brewing’s Longmont Oktoberfest... Read More

There isn’t a place Natalie doesn’t go without her dog, Bruno. This past weekend, Natalie and Bruno explored the back country of Nederland and enjoyed the warming weather. “Almost every weekend, we spend our days hiking together. He goes everywhere with me,” said Natalie. Just like her, Bruno was decked out in his own personal hiking gear – jacket, water bottle, snacks, and toys. Natalie is a teacher from Longmont and is a dog trainer on the side. Besides hiking, she enjoys cooking, reading, and curling up by the fire with a good book. Her ideal Saturday is spend... Read More

FDGD is USA Today’s #5 Cultural festival in the country as of 2015. With a Facebook following around 12k and an annual turnout that consumes 50k in merchandise, 100 kegs, 100 cases of beer, and 9k in liquor drinks, things can get wild. We’re here to help you navigate the festival like a pro and get the most bang for any buck you spend. Many of the best events are free anyway! So why should this festival be on your bucket list? We asked a few people at 2016’s FDGD to find out: “I’m from Kansas and my buddies in Colorado said I had to cone this year. They told me... Read More

The Boulder area is known for weirdness, however you choose to define that. To political conservatives, it’s because of our liberal-infused policies. For those interested in culture, it’s because of a “San Francisco of the Rockies” label applied in the 1960s and 70s, or for pre-legalization 4/20 celebrations that left the Norlin Quad blanketed in weed smoke. To others, it’s more a feeling that can’t be quantified, but is nonetheless there. The thing is, much like those defunct 4/20 gatherings, there’s more smoke than fire nowadays. Don’t misunderstand, we still have our claims to... Read More

What on earth are we talking about today? Only the coolest festival in Colorado. Every year thousands gather in Nederland to celebrate our state’s most famous frozen grandpa with games, beer, music, and coffin races! Did we mention most events are free? A little backstory first: Back in 1993 it was discovered that Trygve Bauge and his mother Aud were storing Trygve’s grandfather with dry ice in the shed behind their unfinished house in Nederland. They wanted the body cryonically frozen in the hopes that someday grandpa would be resurrected by future technologies (nanobots, etc.). The... Read More

A good weekend for this Virginia native consists of spending time in the mountains. Mike, an avid outdoorsman from Williamsburg, Virginia, drove across the country to the Colorado Rockies just over two years ago after graduating from Virginia Tech with a Biology degree. He said moving here was the best decision he could have made and he hasn’t looked back. Currently, Mike is living in Firestone with a few of his buddies and his dog, Lucas. You can find him working at the local Boulder brewery and restaurant, BRU Handbuilt Ales & Eats, a great place for delicious, unique beers and gourmet... Read More

Derek and Molly their weekend afternoons in mountains by Nederland. This dynamic couple moved to the Boulder area ten years ago after meeting in Seattle and tying the knot. After meeting in college, these two realized that they loved sharing outdoor adventures together and for them, that created an unbreakable bond. After their wedding, they decided they were ready for some new adventures, so they said goodbye to Seattle and hello to Boulder in 2006. “Nothing can beat the Colorado Rockies,” says Molly, “we see ourselves here for quite some time.” You can see their smiles... Read More

Yup, that’s right its Father’s Day this Sunday, May 21. (That’s also the first official day of summer!) Instead of another fancy tie or shave kit, give Dad some time together on a hike. The hikes listed below are my top Father’s day hikes around Boulder, which means they have mild grades, wider trails, and great trailhead facilities like bathrooms, picnic areas, and ample parking which makes things easier for a family. 1. Betasso preserve Betasso is a boulder favorite for mountain biking, dog walking, and of course family day hikes.  A short drive up the canyon, Betasso... Read More

Mud Lake is a great park to check out after a snow. The Nederland Park is known during the winter for its sweet snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Bicycles, horses, and leashed dogs are permitted also.  Best of all, there is a nice picnic shelter for some lakeside hot cocoa at the park. You can find out more about Mud Lake here.   Other than Mud Lake here are some fun things to do (sort of outside) this weekend: Birds of Prey Driving Tour on 1/24/2015 at 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with Boulder County Parks and Open Space (registration required) Free Newcomer’s Hike: Crash Course in OSMP... Read More

2015 is a new year, full of potential. While there is a collective hope for a more sustainable future not just locally but across the world, it is important to not forget sustainability’s local victories that have already happened.   Boulder county is a region where there has already been notable successful sustainable reform.  According to Boulder county’s website, sustainability means “The use, development and protection of resources in a way that enables Boulder county residents to meet their needs and maintain a high quality of life, without compromising the ability of future... Read More

So it is indeed getting chillier… but SO WHAT. You are a devout outdoorsman or outdoorswoman and nothing less than apocalyptic plague of locust would stop you from racing up mountains, rambling through rivers, or taking Zibeon, your falcon, out for a jaunt. A great place to start is   at the Hessie Trailhead, which leads into the Indian Peaks Wilderness, no matter your level of outdoorsy-ness. I list several hike options below ranging from easy to difficult. Easy Hikes First Waterfalls on Middle Boulder Creek: A very short hike from the actual trailhead, and just over 0.6 mile from parking... Read More

Even though it’s raining today, there’s still plenty of time to go play in the parks before winter hits! October offers all sorts of different activities and events in the parks of Boulder county. If you’re not sure how to get started, this weekend is the perfect opportunity to check out this assortment of events: Friday Oct 10 –Day of the Dead Opening, Longmont This is Longmont’s regular 2nd Friday downtown event but with a Day of the Dead twist, featuring storytelling under the stars, trolley rides, Day of the Dead art at the Muse Gallery, and a tour of the Longmont... Read More

There are few things better than taking a walk through shades of yellow, orange, and red, nestled in your favorite old sweater and hearing the crunch of freshly fallen leaves underfoot. Ahh, it is fall once again. Time for pumpkin spiced hot beverages, football games, and of course leaf-peeping. Fall officially begins tomorrow, Tuesday, September 23, on the Autumnal Equinox.  The days are getting shorter, and if you’re so lucky as to not spend part of your morning commute driving, biking, riding the bus, or walking in the dark, then you might be able to figure it out by looking at the... Read More

Due to Colorado’s recent monsoon season, river levels have begun to rise an extraordinary amount. River levels in the spring are typically much lower, and Boulder has had to make a few adjustments because of this. For example, at Boulder Creek Fest, the normally calm river was turning parts of the creek area into swampland. The annual Boulder Creek Rubber Duck Race was even moved to an inflatable pool due to the river levels being too high. The Creek Fest wasn’t the only thing that was effected, however. The Boulder Creek Path’s underpasses have also been flooded recently, and... Read More