Father’s Day Fun: On the Links, Out for a Hike, Or on a Bike
Sunday, June 15th, is Father’s Day, and we’ve rounded up some fun activities to do with Dad. From golfing on beautiful courses across Colorado to hitting the hiking or biking trails, we’ve done the research so you can get outside and enjoy a great day.
Photo Courtesy of Boulder Flatirons Golf Course
Boulder’s Flatirons Golf Course provides stunning views of the iconic Flatirons from its 125 acres. After 18 holes, enjoy lunch at The Buff, a Boulder staple open since 1995. Favorites include the Diego burger and the Buffaquiles.
In Summit County, Breckenridge Golf Club offers three different nine-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature options: the Bear Nine, Beaver Nine, and Elk Nine, all on the site of a former mining camp. Keep your eyes peeled for beaver, deer, elk, or moose and snap some photos with Dad and the stunning views of the Ten Mile Range.
After working up an appetite golfing at 9,300 feet, treat Dad to dinner at Rootstalk, where James Beard Award-winning chef Matt Vawter has inspired dishes ranging from Citrus Salad to Blue Crab Toast to Colorado Lamb Loin or Pan Roasted Duck Breast.
In a beautiful alpine setting on the other side of Vail Pass, the Vail Golf Club is an 18-hole public course set at 8,200 feet, with a driving range and big mountain views. Bordered by the White River National Forest, with Gore Creek running alongside it, and the Gore Range in the distance, breathtaking views are at every turn.
Fun fact: this area becomes the Vail Nordic Center in the winter months, with daily-groomed skate and classic track, snowshoe, and fat tire bike trails. Mountain Standard is a longtime favorite for dinner in Vail. Don’t miss the pimento cheese and beef carpaccio appetizers, or the wedge salad and pork chop.
If Dad prefers hiking, Colorado boasts endless miles of scenic trails overlooking lakes, mountains, and waterfalls. The Rainbow Lake trail near Frisco is an easy option with younger family members along for the outing. It’s a 1.6-mile out-and-back trail with lovely views of the lake and wildflowers in the summer. Dogs are welcome on this trail but must be kept on leash. After the hike, enjoy a picnic or stroll down Frisco’s charming Main Street for lunch.
Near Colorado Springs, the Manitou Incline is an extremely tough hike for Dads who are up for a challenge. Its 2,768 steps have over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile. Olympic athletes have been known to train here, and some areas have a 68% grade, so take your time and bring plenty of water. After completing this accomplishment, relax in the small town of Manitou Springs for lunch and browsing in local shops.
Telluride’s Bear Creek Trail begins in town at the trailhead on South Pine and ends at Bear Creek Falls, an 80-foot waterfall worth the moderately difficult hike to arrive there. It’s a 4.5-mile out-and-back route that winds through the Uncompahgre National Forest.
Located in the Gunnison National Forest, the Snodgrass Mountain trail is a 5.8-mile out-and-back option that starts from the Snodgrass Trailhead parking lot on Gothic Road. It’s a moderately challenging option, and you might see other hikers, mountain bikers, and even horses. Views range from the surrounding aspen grove to wildflowers in meadows to photo-worthy vistas of Mount Crested Butte from the top.
Photo Courtesy of Trestle Bike Park
If your Dad’s idea of a stellar day is single track, there are abundant options for trails across the Centennial State. Winter Park, known as Mountain Bike Capital USA, with over 600 miles of trails. The Trestle Bike Park provides over 40 miles of freeride, technical, and cross-country trails for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders.
After the snow melts, the 401 Trail is a favorite for good reason: riding over Schofield Pass and views of the Elk mountains, lakes, and aspens. This 14-mile trek ranges in elevation from 9,584 feet to 11,335 feet, which will put even the most fit riders to the test.
With views of old mining sites and the ruins of an old mill, the 2.5 mile B&B and Turks Trail loop is a moderately challenging route near Breckenridge. It’s part of the Golden Horseshoe Trail system, and portions of the trail are covered by trees to provide shade
Whether you and your father spend the day hiking, biking, or golfing, he’s sure to enjoy a beautiful day outside in Colorado’s scenic surroundings.
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