Great news, Colorado: Do you remember a few weeks ago when we mentioned that an elaborate ice castle was coming to Colorado? It is officially open and even more amazing than we could have imagined! However, the cold and glittering fun doesn't end at Dillon's ice castle, but extends to these equally unbelievable Colorado ice caves!
Located within Rifle Falls State Park is that of the stunning Rifle Ice Caves, which begin to form in December and continue to change until February due to a freeze-and-thaw process. Made up of 4 different caves (the Stone Tree, Ice Palace, Soul On Ice, and The Final Curtain), the Rifle Ice Caves come back year-after-year and are a must-see for hikers, photographers, and/or nature enthusiasts.
Ready to get a better look? Check out this short and sweet video from our friends at 9News:
Are you looking for a unique winter experience? Do you love snapping photos of the snowy wonderland that Colorado becomes around this time of the year? Do you have kids or grandkids who are obsessed with the movie Frozen? (Let’s be honest - most of us can sing along to "Let It Go," whether or not we intended to learn it…) If you answered "yes" to any (or all) of the above, you’re going to want to take a look inside this positively surreal frozen ice cave in Colorado.
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People from near and far flock to Rifle Mountain Park to hike, camp, and explore during the summertime, but if you have never visited this pretty place during the winter months, you’re missing out on one of its most amazing attractions.
The ice caves at Rifle Mountain are created each year by a natural freeze-and-thaw process that begins in December, once temperatures routinely drop below freezing.
The Upper and Lower Rifle Ice Caves are not only stunning; they are easy enough for almost anyone to access them. You’ll find them less than a mile from the parking lot!
It should also go without saying that exploring any cave - ice or otherwise - is incredibly dangerous. But in winter, the dangers multiply. Falling ice is always a risk, so helmets are recommended as well.
This natural phenomenon is certainly a must-see for Coloradans, but you should also consider making a return visit in the spring and summer months when the melting ice transforms into a beautiful cascade.
Winter in Colorado is packed with beautiful destinations, but these ice caves are one of our favorite hidden gems! Have you ever visited this park in another season?
For more Colorado ice caves to explore, be sure to check out this one-of-a-kind trail near Aspen, which features an ice cave and a waterfall! To be honest, this whole region is packed with bucket-list sights and gorgeous hikes, so stay in the know with a GPS app to help you scout them all!
Colorado is home to some of the most incredible natural wonders in the country, many of which are widely known and famous and a few that are still relatively unknown. Today, we will be exploring one of the latter via this incredible natural wonder that's hiding in a tiny Colorado town:
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Welcome to the southwest town of Pagosa Springs and its Mother Spring.
While the source of most hot springs can be measured, the Mother Spring is so deep that no one knows its exact length, making it the deepest known hot spring in the world.
(To measure its depth, the Guinness Book of World Records came in with a 1,002-foot-long plumb line, but not even that could reach the bottom of the Spring!)
Though you cannot touch the Mother Spring - which feeds the pools at the Springs Resort and Spa plus other hot springs along the San Juan River - you can still get close to and see what an incredible natural wonder it is.
Do you have a favorite attraction, event, or restaurant that you would like to see featured here on Only in Colorado? Nominate it here! To discover even more to see and do during your visit to Pagosa Springs, you will want to check out Durango Diner Has Been Serving Up Delicious Hashbrowns In Colorado Since 1965.
