Just a few hours from Carbondale you can be in some fantastic public lands, like White River National Forest and Grand Mesa National Forest. Carbondale has way too many outdoor destinations and trails, but here are of ones that come highly recommended. At White River National Forest you can try hiking the easy Trappers Lake Trail, which is 4.2 miles in length with 360 feet of elevation gain. This trail is for the whole family, and not too hard to tackle. While hiking is what it is best for, you can also mountain bike, or bring your fishing rods to catch your supper. This trail is best during the summertime, and your dog is welcome to join in on the fun. You can also visit the Penny Hot Springs where the water is relaxing, and it is said to be an excellent spot to stargaze. This location does get pretty busy, and can be lots of fun if you don’t mind a crowd. The Crag Crest Trail at Grand Mesa National Forest is a much harder trail, but people seem to love it. At 10 miles and 1,500 feet of elevation gain, this trail is physically demanding, but it offers breathtaking vistas of the area. The path is best in between the spring and summer months, though there are lots of bugs, so bring some insect repellent to have a great time. The trail is primarily for hiking, but it is suitable for mountain biking as well. You can bring your dog if you want, or hike it solo, but as always, be safe and let people know where you are going beforehand. During the winter, Colorado becomes a skiing and snowboarding destination, and there are tons of mountain resorts to visit. Shredding powder should be in your itinerary, and there is no better place to do it than Aspen . Breckenridge is another popular destination for snowsports. These two cities have mountain resorts that will spoil you with cold beer and hot chocolate, and of course, amazing runs. Whether you prefer skiing or snowboard, visiting a mountain resort is the best way to have fun during a wintertime trip in Colorado with the Carbondale rental RV.