Quick Trips

While Laramie does have a few nice places to take your kids swimming, with the Recreation Center hands down being the best option in town, there is not a major water park in the immediate area. Fortunately Water World in Denver is only two hours away and can make for a great getaway to entertain kids and adults alike.

Escaping to the mountains has long been a pastime for Laramie residents. The public land surrounding Laramie is filled with campsites awaiting visitors with fires and s’mores. Camping provides an affordable and fun way to get out of town and enjoy the scenery.

With summer around the corner, it’s time to start planning weekend trips to the lake. There are several lakes in the area, each providing different opportunities, such as boating, fishing, water-skiing, and even windsurfing.

With the weather warming up, backpacking season is on its way. While the mountains will not be open for another month or two, now is the time to begin planning a few summer backpacking trips, since backpacking takes more planning then a short, spontaneous day hike.

Wyoming has a lot of uncharted territory to explore, but if you're unfamiliar with an area, it can be pretty intimidating to head out into the middle of nowhere. The Biodiversity Conservation Alliance is offering some free guided tours of the Red Desert in May and June as a way to show off some of the wildest country Wyoming has to offer.

If St. Patty's Day has you feeling some Irish pride, then you may want to consider purchasing tickets to see Celtic Thunder at the Budweiser Events Center on Nov. 20. Yes, that seems like a long ways off, but you don't want to chance an event like this one selling out before you get the chance to secure your seat.

Up in the Snowy Mountains, the Forest Service maintains two cabins and one old fire lookout that are available for rent. These cabins provide a great alternative to winter camping for skiers, snow shoers, and snowmobilers, and they provide more comfortable accommodations in the summer for hikers, backpackers, and families.

Looking for an unusual quick trip? The Abby of St. Walburga provides visitors with a rare glimpse into the life of a cloistered nun, while letting visitors get in touch with their spiritual side. The Abbey invites the public to join them during their daily services.

Shambhala Mountian Center, located about 65 miles south of Laramie off Highway 287, is a Buddhist retreat center that is located on 600 acres of beautiful Colorado landscape. The small, but rough looking peaks give way to a gentle valley where the retreat center rests.

Since there are many fabulous cross-country ski trails surrounding Laramie, choosing a “top five” was difficult, especially considering the different needs of skate skiers and traditional cross-country skiers. Therefore, instead of necessarily choosing a “top five” ski trails, I have highlighted a variety of trails within three main cross-county ski areas: Happy Jack/Tie City Trailhead, Chimney Park Trailhead, and the Green Rock Trailhead in the upper Snowies.