How to Use
The Colorado Vacation Directory
Web Site

Exchange Links | Definition of Terms | Definition of Icons
Additional Definitions for Types of Accommodations | Rates
Reservations, Facilities and Fun Things to Do
State of Colorado Fun Facts

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Click on the tabs at the top of each page to go to different departments. Each department has its own buttons or menu which appears at the left edge of the page.

The "Places To Stay" and "Fun Things To Do" departments have search engines and lists. You can do a search for a town, an area, or a specific type of business. Searches can be started from anywhere in the department by clicking on a button. You do not have to go back to the Home Page to begin a new search.

When you click on one of the buttons along the left side of the screen it will take you to a screen where you have the option of doing a search by area & amenities, etc., or you can go straight to the A-Z list of businesses and search that way. Each business page lists contact information for that particular place. So you can email them, if that is an option, or contact them by phone or mail. You can contact them about open dates, amenities you may have questions about, pricing, reservations, or just to get some more general information about the facility.

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

This web site describes a variety of cabins, lodges, country B&Bs, campgrounds, RV parks, licensed outfitters, and fun things to do. Our web site is organized into sections. Each section covers a particular area. Searches can be done on the type of lodging or activity that you are looking for, or by what part of Colorado you would like to visit.

You can use the List of Towns & Areas to locate the town or area which interests you. Most towns are grouped together into a common geographic area. Map coordinates are also shown on the property and town pages. Use these to help you locate the town on our map pages.

On many of our town pages you'll notice we have "Display Advertisers" at the top of the list. These are businesses that have purchased a display ad in our printed Colorado Directory. In exchange, we have decided to give them a little preferential treatment. The businesses are listed in order from largest ad purchased to smallest.

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Definition of Icons

Places to Stay Indexes

Cabins & Cottages	Colorado Cabins Provide Unique Experiences Cabins in Colorado provide the ideal setting for your Colorado Vacation. You will find secluded cabins away from everyday life, rustic cabins for adventure and simplicity, or a modern cabin with all the comforts of home. Colorado cabins are available with your favorite amenities including high-speed Internet, hot tubs, fireplaces and activities for a unique vacation experience. Cabin Variations Suit Preferences Colorado vacation cabins come in a variety of settings to suite your needs. Cabins, cabin-ettes, and cabin-suites offer full-featured vacation experiences. A Colorado cabin stands independent from other units, sometimes clustered together or in seclusion. A Cabin-ette refers to a multi-unit variant similar to a duplex, triplex or multiplex single story cabin building. Cabin-suites are part of a multi-unit structure featuring new, modern, condo-style, luxury accommodations. The inside of a cabin resembles home, including a living room and sleeping area, but may or may not have cooking facilities. Camper Cabins Enhance Camping Experience Colorado Camper Cabins are usually located at a campground or RV park. They are inexpensive, non-housekeeping, rustic and sometimes primitive cabins. You'll likely be heading to the bathhouse and cooking outside. Camper cabins are usually not heated - think of them as a "wooden tent." Bring your own sleeping bags or blankets. Yurts and Platform Tents are also a type of Camper Cabin common in Colorado.
Motels & Hotels	When you vacation in a Hotel or Motel in Colorado you will have a unique experience! Most of the accommodations listed on www.coloradodirectory.com are more than your typical chain (cookie cutter) Hotels & Motels that have the same look and feel no matter where you travel in the United States.Colorado's Hotels & Motels usually have rooms that allow you to bring your pet on vacation. Colorado's Motels & Hotels often have homey features like fireplaces, microwaves and mini-fridges. You can expect free WI-FI Internet service at least in the main lobby area if not your private room. What to Expect at a Colorado Hotel The Dictionary defines a Hotel: A commercial establishment offering lodging to travelers. Hotels often have restaurants, meeting rooms, and stores that are available to the general public. In addition to the above, Colorado's Hotels tend to have a main entrance opening up to a lobby with a registration area. You will reach your room through interior hallways. Most, if not all, of the amenities are within the main building. Some Hotels in Colorado offer fun activities on-site such as swimming pools, horseback riding, river fishing and hiking trails. While other Hotels focus on Colorado's Mountains and provide Ski in/ski out access, snowmobile trails that start on-site, and heated underground parking. What to Expect at a Colorado Motel The Dictionary defines a Motel: A commercial establishment, which is roadside (a highway or throughway) with accommodation for motorists usually having direct access to each room from a parking space or garage. A Motel in Colorado can be along one of Colorado's National and State Designated Scenic Byways that meander across our great plains and through our Rocky Mountains. In addition to the above, Colorado's Motels are often Mom & Pop operations, the person who checks you in is usually the same person who cleans your room and answers the phone. An advantage is that your owner host knows the area and can direct you to the best hiking, biking, and 4-wheeling trails in the area. Colorado Motels tend to have picnic areas with BBQ grills and playgrounds for families. You will find Motels in Colorado often have Campgrounds & RV Parks on-site to accommodate families traveling in caravans and family reunions. Often a Colorado Motel will have a Kitchenette and small eating area. Family activities can also be found at Motels across Colorado, and many have Free WI-FI. Enhance your Colorado Hotel and Motel Experience Colorado Motel Suites are typically two adjacent rooms; often one of the rooms will have bunk beds. Colorado Hotel Suites are typically larger rooms with a sitting area in front of a fireplace, have an upgraded bathroom and a separate bed room. Colorado's Old Style Motels were built during the gold and railroad booms, these buildings are a row of units connected together that have classic knotty pine interiors with full kitchens or kitchenettes; in Colorado we refer to these unique accommodations as Cabin-ettes. Instead of being a stand-alone cabin on the outside, it is part of a multi-unit structure. These Cabin-ettes style motels have inspired modern versions that have additional amenities like large soaking tubs in master suites with private balconies that reach out into the Mountains of Colorado and brings them to your doorstep. Colorado Hotels and Motels Have unique Stay and Play Packages: the possibilities start with narrow gauge train rides, hot springs soaking pools, spa services, rafting trips and wine tasting tours.
Mountain Lodges	Often called a historic hotel room, includes linens and a bathroom in the room or a shared bath down the hall. Rooms in a lodge are usually entered from inside the building. Some lodge rooms are more akin to a small apartment or suite of rooms, which may include a kitchen.
Vacation Homes	Generally describes an accommodation unit with three or more bedrooms, separate living areas (kitchen, living room, dining room) and more modern amenities than a cabin. This is truly a "home away from home." Often these homes are used for multi-family getaways or small retreats.
Suites & Condos	Suites may be in a lodge or B&B. These include a bedroom, fancy bath & sitting area. A motel suite is two adjoining rooms. Condos, which can also be called townhouses, include a bedroom, living room & cooking facilities.
Bed & Breakfast Inns	Room may be in a lodge, inn, or owner's home and always includes breakfast.
Tent Camping	Campsites are suitable for overnight camping for a family, usually have a fire ring or grill, picnic table, accessible to nearby drinking water, modern restrooms and hot showers. Tent Sites are for a tent, pickup, van, or car.
RV Parks	Colorado RV Camping Offers Comfort, Flexibility Recreational Vehicle (RV) Camping in Colorado combines mobility and comfort for vacationing in the Centennial State. Colorado RV Campgrounds afford suitable overnight camping for families with desirable features such as a fire ring or grill, picnic table, accessible drinking water, modern restrooms and hot showers. Finding RV campsites near rivers, lakes or any of your favorite activities is just a click away. Colorado RV Parks Accommodate Many Recreational Vehicles RV’s come in a variety of forms including motorhome, camping trailer (pop-up), 5th wheel, travel trailer, pickup camper or van. RV parks in Colorado usually include utility hookups to keep your vehicle functioning smoothly. For a complete description of RV types visit our RV Information page. Colorado RV Sites Offer Utility Hookups A Full Hookup RV site has its own electrical, water & sewer connections. Most sites offer 20, 30 or 50 amp electrical service. Other amenities include: cable hookups, WI-FI, patios/decks, and shade canopy/pergola. Luxury RV Campsites have water, sewer and 50 amp electric hookups, PLUS they are 45+ feet long, have room for slideouts on two sides and have a patio/deck in addition to a picnic table and fire ring/grill.

Additional Indexes

RV Information	Businesses listed offer RV sales, service and/or rentals.
Romance Packages	Businesses listed offer special romance packages for honeymooners or anytime.
Weddings & Elopements	Businesses listed can accomodate weddings and may offer wedding planning.
Family Activities	Businesses listed offer Family Activities on site.
Dogs OK	Businesses listed welcome dogs. Please contact each place in advance to learn their specific pet policies.
By Water	List of properties with water on the property or some of the property is at the water's edge.
Swimming Pool	List of properties with an indoor or outdoor swimming pool on site.
Guest Horses	Businesses listed can accommodate your horse while you stay at their property. Please contact each place to learn their specific horse policies.
Groups, Reunions & Conferences	Businesses listed can accomodate large groups with either an indoor meeting room and/or an outdoor picnic area. Many businesses offer catering.
Winter Lodging	Businesses listed are open in winter and offer winter activities such as snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing on site or within a short distance.

Fun Things to Do Indexes

Attractions	Businesses listed are a stand alone business with an attraction that usually requires an entrance fee.
Seasonal Attractions	Businesses listed are a stand alone business with an attraction that usually requires an entrance fee.
More Fun Stuff	Businesses listed offer a wide variety of fun, family oriented things to do such as train rides, cave tours, mine tours, western chuckwagon suppers, casino gambling...
National Parks & Monuments	Businesses listed nearby a National Historic Site or Landmark.
Fishing	Businesses listed have fishing in a lake, reservoir, pond, river, stream or creek on site or within a short distance. They may also have guided fishing trips or hourly lessons.
Hot Springs	Businesses listed may have a hot springs on site or may have a public hot springs within a short distance.
Horse Rides	Businesses listed may have horseback riding on site or within a short distance.
ATV	Businesses listed may offer ATV rentals and/or tours on site or within a short distance.
Jeep	Businesses listed may offer Jeep rentals and/or tours on site or within a short distance.
Rafting & Kayaking	Businesses listed may have rafting/kayaking on site or within a short distance.
Golfing	Businesses listed may be a public golf course or have a public golf course nearby.
Restaurants	List of properties that have a restaurant on site.
Hunting	Businesses listed may have hunting, guided or unguided, on site or within a short distance.
Snowmobile	Businesses that offer snowmobiling on site or within a short distance. Some businesses may offer snowmobile rentals or tours.
Downhill Skiing	Lodging and accommodations near your favorite Colorado ski resorts. Get the facts on terrain, annual snowfall, lifts, parks and pipes.
Snowshoeing	Businesses listed may have snowshoeing on site or within a short distance. Some businesses may offer snowshoe rentals as well.
Cross-Country Skiing	Businesses listed may have cross-country skiing on site or within a short distance. Some businesses may offer cross-country ski rentals as well.
Scenic Byways	Businesses listed near a Scenic Driving tour.
Local Area Maps	Local Area including towns and activities

Activity Listings

National Parks & Monuments	Businesses listed nearby a National Park or Monument.
Scenic Byway Maps	Businesses listed nearby a Scenic Byway.
Rafting & Kayaking	Businesses listed offer rafting/kayaking on specified river

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Email Icon	You can e-mail businesses directly that have this icon next to their name.
Camera Icon	You can see photos of businesses that have this icon next to their name.
New Icon	Businesses are a new addition to our site if they have this icon next to their name.
Link Icon	Businesses have a link to their personal Web site if they have this icon next to their name.
Link Icon	Businesses have a link to their personal Web site if they have this icon next to their name.
Reservation Icon	Businesses who have a link to a separate reservation page off our site.
Location Map Icon	Businesses who have a personalized business location map showing where their business is specifically.
Rates Page Icon	Businesses who have a separate rates page if they have this icon next to their name.
Virtual Tour Icon	You can see 360 degree virtual tours of businesses that have this icon next to their name.
Specials Icon	Businesses offer vacation specials, packages and/or discounts.

ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS

Modern means a bathroom (toilet and hot shower or tub) are inside the cabin.

Rustic either describes atmosphere or style, or means a bathroom is not inside the cabin, but usually in another building.

Primitive or Pioneer means no electricity.

Camper Cabin usually located at a campground, means an inexpensive, non-housekeeping, rustic and sometimes primitive cabin. Bring your own sleeping bags or blankets. Camper cabins are usually not heated - think of them as a "wooden tent." They are also Yurts and Platform Tents. A brand of camper cabin is a Kamping Kabin, which is a trademark of Kampgrounds of America, Inc.

Full Hookup means an RV site has its own electrical, water & sewer connections.

Efficiency Studios are one room units with a microwave and refrigerator.

Lodge Suites are units in a lodge with a bedroom, fancy bath & sitting area.

Motel Suites are two adjacent rooms in a motel.

B&B Suites are units in a B&B with a bedroom, fancy bath & sitting area.

Cabin-ettes are a cabin on the inside, but instead of being a stand-alone cabin on the outside, it is part of a mulit-unit structure. Think of it as a duplex, triplex or multiplex single-story cabin building. Sometimes the building is an old style motel with rooms in a row that have classic style knotty pine interiors with full kitchens or kitchenettes.

Cabin-suites are also part of aðmulit-unit structure. Theyðare new, modern, usually single-story, condo-style, luxury units with full kitchens and often indoor hot tubs. While the cabin-suitesðthemselvesðare single-story, they may be part of a two story building. However, they are not multi-story units in high-rise buildings as found at ski resorts.

Cooking Facilities includes at a minimum a stovetop & refrigerator, plus either an oven or microwave, pots, pans, dishes & utensils.

Secluded cabin or vacation home is an individual structure which is isolated from other homes or businesses.

Remote is a business which is located far away from a community convenience store & restaurant.

Ranch Setting refers to a business which is located on open range, fields, praries or plains.

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RATES:

Cabin and room prices constantly change, both seasonally and annually, therefore, in most cases, we provide a price range. The rates for two people per night are indicated. Please note the rates listed may change at any time, so be sure to verify them and other important items and features when making your reservations.

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RESERVATIONS, FACILITIES, and FUN THINGS TO DO:

Be aware that reservations are recommended, sometimes months in advance for holiday weekends and during peak summer and winter seasons of June 15th to August 20th, and the week between Christmas and New Years. Depending on location, other busy times include the fall hunting seasons of mid-September to mid-November. In winter, properties near a ski area, President's Day weekend, Easter weekend, and spring vacation should also be reserved well in advance.

Consider a fall, winter or spring vacation when rates can be lower, reservations easier, fewer people are around and the scenery even more spectacular.

When selecting accommodations for your vacation, phone or e-mail the owner/operator to check what they have to offer: price, facilities, reservation deposit/refund policy, non-smoking units available, pet policy, and so on. Season opening dates may change, depending on weather.

Facilities at commercial campgrounds, cabin resorts and lodges often include a store with some groceries, ice, firewood, and camping and fishing supplies. They may also offer a game room, recreation hall, gifts and souvenirs, pool, hot tub, playground, basketball, volleyball, miniature golf and a snack bar or restaurant. Best of all the owner/operator lives on site - they should care about you and can serve as your personal hosts providing for your safety and security.

Activities in which you can participate may include fishing, guides and outfitters, nature walks, hiking, climbing, hay rides, water sports, barbecue cookouts, water raft trips and kayaking, four wheeling, square dancing, sightseeing, tours, gold panning, rockhounding and horseback riding. In the fall, viewing the aspen colors and small and big game hunting are popular pursuits. Winter brings snowmobiling, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, sleigh and snow-cat rides and snuggling up by a cozy fire. Inquire about rental equipment and instructions for activities when you talk with the owner/operator.