Get Out and Recreate
Silt is surrounded by fun places to go and amazing things to see. From a quick golf outing to a visit to a ghost town, there are a lot of options for day trips and adventures.
Harvey Gap
Let's start close to home! Harvey Gap is just a view miles out of town. This is a 160-acre lake stocked with a variety of cold- and warm-water fish, including rainbow trout, crappie, catfish and smallmouth bass. Known for its premier windsurfing, Harvey Gap also offers hiking, boating and picnicking. For more information visit Colorado State Parks - Harvey Gap.
Silt Historical Park
A trip back in time with authentic historical buildings that are sure to please people of all ages. The Silt Historical Park is just a few blocks from downtown across from the school. Here guests can walk through seven buildings that have been relocated and restored to reflect what life was like in Silt around the turn of the century. In the summer months, tour guides lead visitors through log cabins, a cow camp, country store, tool shop, and old school house. For more information, call 970-876-5801 or email silthist@rof.net.
Rifle Gap State Park
At an elevation of 6000 feet,this 350 acre reservoir affords some of the best scuba diving, boating, swimming, water-skiing and windsurfing in Colorado. Camping, hiking and picnicking opportunities at this 1,305-acre park also await the Rifle Gap State Park visitor. Camping is available. For more information visit Colorado State Parks - Rifle Gap State Park.
Rifle Falls State Park
The falls is a lush area of trees and greenery kept moist by the spray of the cascading triple waterfall. Limestone caves beneath the falls entice spelunkers and other curious visitors to explore their dark depths. Camping is available. For more information visit Colorado State Parks - Rifle Falls State Park.
Colorado National Monument
Established May 24, 1911, and on 20,453.93 acres, Colorado National Monument consists of geologic features including: towering red sandstone monoliths, deep, sheer-walled canyons, and a variety of wildlife (bighorn sheep, golden eagles, mule deer and mountain lions). For more information see National Park Services.
Colorado Yule Mine Marble Quarry
The original Colorado Yule Marble Company operated the Yule quarry from 1905 until 1941Sierra Minerals Corporation acquired a new lease on the quarry and reopened it in August of 1999. The Marble for the Tomb of the Unknowns was quarried here. The Yule Quarry is world renowned in its ability to yield very large blocks. In the mid-1980's, the State of Colorado declared the mill area a National Historic Site. Using a walking trail, you can view portions of the quarry from on of the old entries. It continues to be a favorite day hike for visitors to the Crystal River Valley. Quarry tours are offered on weekends during the summer months by Crystal River 4X4 Tours.
Their telephone number is 970-963-1991. On Memorial Day weekend only quarry tours are offered by the Marble Historical Society to benefit the Tomb of the Unknowns and other Marble Historical Society projects. Their telephone number is 970-704-0260.
Crystal Mill
A popular destination for photographers, the Crystal Mill can be found 0.2 miles before Crystal, CO a deserted mining town. The "Old Mill at Crystal" was actually not a mill but a power generating station. It used a water turbine to drive an air compressor. The compressed air was then used to power other machinery and tools. The road is designated for 4WD only and is a favorite spot in the summer for a day trip. Having journeyed on the road myself, it is very rocky. Speeds will slow to about 5 miles per hour in many places on the road from Marble. There are some parts that are made up of large gravel but some parts have large rocks that you must navigate. There are some parts that are fairly narrow and there are no guardrails. We did not have a problem making the trip in our Jeep Wrangler but low clearance cars would definitely not work. The scenery is beautiful, with two waterfalls along the way. For more information visit Marble Colorado.
Doc Holliday's Grave
Some say that Doc Holliday does not actually lay in rest here but maybe a little further down the hill. But the official resting place of Doc Holliday based on his tombstone is Pioneer Cemetery in Glenwood Springs, CO. The trail head to Pioneer Cemetery is located at 13th and Bennett Streets and is a moderate 1/4 mile trek. Take the brisk walk up the hill to view his grave. Be sure to bring your camera to record the great view of town from there! For more information about Doc Holliday and his association to Glenwood Springs see Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Glenwood Canyon
Glenwood Canyon, where a sensitive highway design helps I-70 slice magically through its tight corridor and has won the nation's top environmental architecture awards, is an excellent place to spend the day. Bike, walk, or inline skate the 16-mile paved trail through the canyon, or float the Colorado River (under the raised highway) in the shadow of 1,800-foot sheer rock walls.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Take a ride to the top of Iron Mountain on the Iron Mountain Tram and see a spectacular view of the valley below, Mount Sopris and Glenwood Springs. Take an underground tour of the living dripping Glenwood Caverns and Historic Fairy Caves or enjoy a 3-hour on-your-belly and walking experience that allows the visitor to see awesome cave formations that few people have ever seen. Enjoy a relaxing meal while viewing the entire mountainous terrain at Exclamation Point Restaurant. Visit the Glenwood Caverns Website for more information.
Hanging Lake
It is a good 1.5 mile hike that rises an estimated 1020 feet to reach Hanging Lake. The trail is very rugged. But the end result is one of the most scenic areas of Colorado with crystal clear water and views of the sheer granite walls of the canyon and a mountain range off in the distance. For more information see Hiking in Colorado.
Hot Springs and Vapor Caves
The Ute called the springs in Hot Sulphur Springs Spiq-uet Pah, or Smoking Water, and bathed in the steaming pools for their healing effects. It is said they led their animals in as well.
Hot Springs Lodge & Pool
The Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, more than 100 years old, is the world's largest. Choose from two pools, one at 90 degrees and the other at 104. The four most abundant minerals in the pool are: Sodium Chloride; Potassium Sulfate; Calcium Sulfate; and Calcium Bicarbonate. The Yampah Spring, located at the eastern most end of the property, is the source of water for the pool. This water is percolated through fractures in the bedrock formation and into the Leadville aquifer. As this occurs the water is heated by the geothermal gradient in the area. The Yampah Spring gets its water from Colorado River in the Lookout Mountain and Grand Hogback areas.
Yampah Spa & Salon, Hot Springs Vapor Caves
The Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves are natural underground steam baths located in the historic hot springs mountain retreat of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Hot mineral waters flow through the cave floors at 125 degrees F. to create our natural geothermal steam baths. In addition to the Vapor Caves, it now offer a full range of contemporary health and beauty treatments: massage, facials, herbal body treatments, private hot mineral baths and salon services. Yampah Spa Vapor Caves are easily accessible from Interstate 70, Colorado's major east-west thoroughfare. It is located just east of the Hot Springs Lodge and Pool complex. Glenwood Springs is a scenic 3 hour drive from Denver and Boulder along all-weather highways. Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves is only 1 hour from Aspen or Vail and 1 1/2 hours from Grand Junction.
Independence Pass
Climbing to 12,095 feet at the summit, Independence Pass is a must do when visiting this area. Mount Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado at 14,433 feet, serves as a backdrop for the drive. Named for the mining town of Independence on the west side of the pass, it is closed during the winter and not reopened until around July 4th of each year because it is too steep and dangerous to remain open year round. It connects Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley with Leadville and Buena Vista and the Arkansas Valley. For more information visit Independence Pass Foundation and Aspen Historical Society.
Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials
The Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials held annually in September offers five days of sheepdog herding competition. Associated events include a daily crafts fair, food booths, weekend pancake breakfasts, and a Sunday noon lamb barbeque. Entertainment also includes dog exhibitions and bagpipe music. It's a must see for dog enthusiasts. For more information visit the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials website.
The Painted Canyon
The "Painted Canyon" of the Ute and Fremont Native American tribes is an overlooked gem of Colorado's landscape, a region of American Indian pictographs & petroglyphs. Colorado Highway 139 traverses 70 miles between Fruita (near Grand Junction) and Rangely, and is the usual route to reach the better-known Dinosaur National Monument. Many who travel this highway are unaware of the wonders of Canyon Pintado. This is a great day Trip from Silt.
National Register of Historic Places
Garfield County sites listed with the National Register of Historic Places includes:
- Battlement Mesa Schoolhouse
- Cardiff Coke Ovens
- Citizens National Bank Building
- Earnest Ranch
- Glenwood Springs Hydroelectric Plant
- Havemeyer-Willcox Canal Pumphouse and Forebay
- Hotel Colorado
- Missouri Heights School
- Rifle Bridge
- Satank Bridge
- South Canon Bridge
- Starr Manor
- Sumers Lodge
- Taylor, Edward T., House
- US Post Office--Rifle Main
For more information go to the National Register of History Places.
Redstone Castle
The town of Redstone was founded by John Cleveland Osgood, an ambitious turn-of-the-century entrepreneur. Starting the coal, he merged with an iron and steel manufacturing company in Pueblo to form the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company in 1892. He constructed a 84 Swiss chalet style homes in Redstone to house miners with families and an elegant 20 room inn (now known as the Redstone Inn). Osgood also constructed his private residence, the lavish Cleveholm Manor, a 42 room Tudor-style structure complete with servants quarters, guard and carriage houses completed in 1902 at a cost of $2,500,000. Tours are conducted through reservations secured at the Redstone Inn.
The Ryden Ranch Maize Maze
A thrilling educational and entertaining experience. Walk through a puzzle within a corn field. For more information, call (970) 984-2190
Sunlight Mountain
Sunlight Mountain ski area has one of the longest cruisers in Colorado that is over 2 miles long to one of the steepest extreme runs boasting a 52% pitch. Avid cross country skier can enjoy 29 kilometers of groomed trails in the Nordic Center. The Snowmobiling Center has some of the best terrain and equipment in the valley. The Day Lodge with a heated Sundeck, restaurant, lounge and outdoor fireplace provide a perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine while you take a break from it all.
- Base Elevation - 7885 feet
- Top Elevation - 9895 feet
- Vertical Rise - 2010 feet
- Total Acreage - 2501 acres (includes Williams Peak)
- Skiing Acreage - 470 acres
- Number of Trails - 67
- Trail Mixture Novice - 20%
- Intermediate - 55%
- Advanced - 20%
- Expert - 5%
For more information visit Sunlight Mountain website.
Colorado Rocky Mountain Golf Course Guide
Rifle Creek Golf Club - Rifle
970-625-1093
www.riflecreekgc.com
Lakota Canyon - New Castlev
970-984-9700
www.lakotacanyonranch.com
Battlement Mesa Golf Club - Battlement Mesa
970-285-7274
www.battlementmesagolf.com
River Valley Ranch Golf Club - Carbondale
970-963-3625
http://www.rvrgolf.com/
Aspen Glen Golf Club - Carbondale
970-704-1988
www.aspen-glen.com
Breckenridge Golf Club - Breckenridge
970-453-9104
www.breckenridgegolfclub.com
Deer Creek Village Golf Club - Cedaredge
970-856-7781
www.deercreekvillage-golf.com
Club at Crested Butte - Crested Butte
970-349-6131
www.theclubatcrestedbutte.com
Devil's Thumb Golf Course - Delta
970-874-6262
www.deltagolf.org
Eagle Ranch Golf Club - Eagle
970-328-2882 or 866-328-3232
www.eagleranchgolf.com
Eagle-Vail Golf Club - Eagle-Vail
949-5267 or 800-341-8051
www.eaglevail.org
Adobe Creek National Golf Course - Fruita
970-858-0521
www.adobecreekgolf.com
Glenwood Springs Golf Club - Glenwood Springs
970-945-7086
www.glenwoodgolf.com
Ironbridge - Glenwood Springs
970-384-0630
www.ironbridgeclub.com
Bookcliff Country Club - Grand Junction
970-242-9053
http://www.golfcourseclubhouse.com/Colorado/BookcliffCountryClub/2175
Chipeta Golf Course - Grand Junction
970-245-7177
www.chipetagolf.com
The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa - Grand Junction
970-263-9270
www.redlandsmesa.com
Lincoln Park Golf Course - Grand Junction
970-242-6394
www.gjcity.org
Tiara Rado Golf Course - Grand Junction
970-254-3830
www.gjcity.org
Dos Rios Golf Club - Gunnison
641-1482
www.dosriosgolf.net
Cotton Ranch - Gypsum
970-524-6200
www.cottonranchclub.com
Meeker Golf Course - Meeker
970-878-5642
Black Canyon Golf Club - Montrose
970-249-4653
www.blackcanyongolfclub.com
The Bridges Golf and Country Club - Montrose
970-252-8899
www.montrosebridges.com
Links at Cobble Creek - Montrose
970-240-9542
www.cobblecreek.com
Cedar Ridges Golf Course - Rangely
970-675-8403
www.westernrioblanco.org
Divide Ranch and Club - Ridgeway
970-626-5284
www.divideranchandclub.com
Eagle Springs Golf Club - Wolcott
970-926-4044
www.eagleranchgolf.com
