Rocky Mountain National Park has a magic that's hard to put into words. It covers about 265,000 acres of the Colorado Rockies and rises to 14,259 feet at the summit of Longs Peak. It's not the biggest or busiest national park, but millions of visitors leave every year with a real sense of awe.

Hiking is the main attraction, with more than 350 miles of trails winding through pine and spruce forests, past glittering alpine lakes like Bear Lake, Dream Lake and Emerald Lake, and across meadows full of wildflowers. Drive Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., crossing the Continental Divide with tundra views in every direction. Watch for elk, bighorn sheep and moose, and in fall, hear the elk bugling during the mating season. The thin mountain air and big views have a way of resetting your perspective.

Afterward, head down to Estes Park for homemade ice cream, a ghost tour of the Stanley Hotel and a stroll through town. Boulder and Denver are just a short drive away. Timed-entry reservations are often required in peak season. I'll handle park reservations and lodging and plan your hikes.