The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals. Sign up today!
Leave the iStuff at home this spring. These eight Colorado retreats give you a good excuse to go dark for the weekend.
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort
An unpretentious lodge and spa located on Chalk Creek between Buena Vista and Salida, Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort provides a safe test run for those hoping to kick their digital addiction. There’s no Wi-Fi in the main spa area, where you can erase those computer-induced knots with a deep-tissue massage. If you’re suffering from digital withdrawal symptoms you can find access in the main lodge, along with a bar serving local microbrews and spirits. From $124 per night, mtprinceton.com
Tennessee Pass Cookhouse and Sleep Yurts
Hike, snowshoe, or ski a one-mile trail through the San Isabel National Forest to the cookhouse, perched at 11,000 feet. Inside the cozy yurt, which seats 40, a wood stove blasts away any remaining chill while you settle in for gourmet cuisine such as grilled elk tenderloin. Trek another third of a mile to reach the private sleep yurts, each with space for up to six people (reservations required). The yurts are tastefully appointed with wood furniture, linens, down comforters, and kitchenettes. From $225 per night, tennesseepass.com
Shambhala Mountain Center
The Shambhala Mountain Center transcends digital distractions—as you might expect of a contemplative retreat nestled at 8,000 feet near the Wyoming border. With a diverse menu of stress-reducing classes— from meditation to yoga—the only reason you’ll need to power up here is to capture the beauty and tranquility of the center’s wilderness trails and the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, a rare example of sacred Buddhist architecture outside of Asia. From $79 per night, shambhalamountain.org
Broome Hut
Broome Hut sits on the west side of Berthoud Pass at nearly 11,500 feet. Despite its location, the 16-person hut remains a highly civilized affair, with indoor composting toilets, propane stoves, kitchen utensils, solar-panel-run lighting, and two private bedrooms that sleep two each—in case you’re not in the mood to share your space after the short (one mile) but steep trek from the parking area. From $35 per night, huts.org
Lower Lake Ranch
Tie flies—or maybe the knot!—at Colorado’s oldest guest ranch, where romantic B&B-style lodges and cabins, mountain views, and three lakes attract couples and fishermen alike. Situated next to the newly opened Staunton State Park and its 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, Lower Lake Ranch feels like a world away from the city—a pretty neat trick for a spot that’s just 40 minutes from Denver. From $135 per night, lowerlakeranch.com
Piney River Ranch
You’ll have to wait until the snow melts (typically June) to access this rustic lakeside gem, a Vail Valley favorite dotted with tepees, yurts, cabins, and campsites. But it’s worth the wait: Drop a line in Piney Lake from your canoe, lace up your boots for more than 14 miles of hiking on nearby trails, or simply indulge in some savory home-cooked barbecue and majestic views of the Gore Range’s granite teeth chomping at the clear blue sky. From $89 per night, pineyriverranch.com
San Juan Hut Systems
For mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, snowshoers, and skiers, San Juan Hut Systems—extending from the mountains around Ouray and Telluride—offers the ultimate secluded getaway. You won’t find much connectivity in these parts. In fact, you’ll barely find another human. Choose a single hut as a home base for outdoor adventures, or make it a hut-to-hut expedition. From $30 per night, sanjuanhuts.com
Gunnison River Farms
Located on the Gunnison River at the base of Black Canyon, this 1,000-acre organic and bio-dynamic orchard lets you soak up life on the farm, sans distractions, from one of the property’s historic cabins. Amp up your stay with world-class white-water rafting and fly-fishing at the nearby Gunny Gorge with the help of Black Canyon Anglers, a company based on the farm. From $70 per night, gunnisonriverfarms.com