Come To Roaring Fork Valley For Glenwood Springs Golfing Excitement
Beyond the Rockies, Glenwood Springs Golfing Has Far More to Offer
When you think of a trip to Colorado what comes to mind? The Rocky Mountains are likely a first idea. Maybe it is skiing and snowboarding, or maybe setting up camp near a stream at high altitude amidst the magnificence of unrestricted wildlife and pristine vistas. To be sure, the Centennial State is recognized for these things, but a Colorado golf vacation encompasses so much more.
A unique aspect of golfing in Colorado that is nearly impossible to find elsewhere is world-class lodgings at reasonable prices. As most people know, Colorado boasts some of the most exclusive resorts in the world. Even the more affordable resorts boast excellent cuisine and accommodation opportunities. Well, before and after ski season, those same resorts drastically reduce the cost of rooms and food. This means that exclusive resorts in Aspen in the Roaring Fork Valley are open to practically all budgets.
The Roaring Fork Valley has some of the finest golf opportunities in the state, and the area golf community shows pride in their array of courses. Cut out of the native habitat, courses in the valley boast designs from award-winning course designer jim Engh and Jack Nicklaus. Many local golf clubs have been recognized in the Top 10 by numerous golf magazines and associations. The Ranch at the Roaring Fork near Carbondale offers a very casual setting with an nine-hole, par-three course that is family-friendly and very affordable.
Studies show that golfers tend to be enthusiastic bike riders too, and the Roaring Fork Valley has many opportunities to add a scenic ride to your Colorado golf vacation. Set along the banks of the Roaring Fork River, the Rio Grande bike trail starts in the middle of world-famous Aspen and comes to an end just outside Glenwood Springs, nearly 50 miles upstream. The trail has numerous spots to exit so nobody gets left behind if they tucker out. Just disembark from the trail and find one of the Roaring Fork Transportation Association’s buses to take you back to where you started. RFTA buses are equipped to carry numerous bicycles, as well as their riders.
Just outside Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, several mountain trails are easy to access. These trails offer the novice as well as the veteran rider all the variety they could ask for. The 14-mile Porcupine Loop is a wonderful trek for those looking for a leisurely ride, or test yourself at the Red Hill Recreation area and take in the scenic views of the Elk Mountains.
The people of Colorado are some of the most environmentally conscious in the country , and the golf courses are operated in a very environmentally-conscious manner. Caring for and sustaining habitat for the state’s diverse bird animal population is a primary focus. It is very common to see a porcupine or fox scurrying into the brush just yards from where you hit your drive.
The golf community in Colorado is progressively taking up water conservation policies and enhancing wildlife habitat, and leaving over 30 percent of the land unspoiled for the state’s animals and birds. On average, Colorado golf courses actually use three gallons less per acre than is required to keep the normal suburban lawn green. So, your Colorado golf vacation can be eco-friendly. As a matter of fact, the Aspen Golf Club is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
