Summertime, a fully loaded vehicle and mountain towns with hiking, biking, climbing, paddling and après all add up to make the formula for the great American road trip. But what about all the Americana along the way? Roadside attractions are an essential part of any journey. Here, we follow the numbers to fun, kitchy, soothing and unique destinations—all within striking distance of Colorado’s Front Range.
SEVEN
Soaking pools (plus one glorious mud pit) at the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. ojocaliente.ojospa.com
1 1/2
Inches that the ice cream in the shakes tower above the lip of their cups at Stan’s Burger Shack in Hanksville, Utah. Choose from 36 flavors of these overfilled treats. stansburgershak.com
2
Years it took to collect the 13 massive Ponderosa Pine perimeter logs that frame the Kiva Koffeehouse perched in a red-rock canyon oxbow on Utah route 12 near Escalante. kivakoffeehouse.com
102
Number of years the Tiny Town Railroad has been operating just west of Denver. tinytownrailroad.com
400
Length, in feet, of the ziplines riders can hire to soar over the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs. Take the No Name exit off I-70. zippingcolorado.com
THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY
Number of fossilized tracks of three different species of dinosaurs (as well as some from ancient crocodiles) at the Dinosaur Ridge quarry in Morrison, Colorado. dinoridge.org
3.5 Million
Number, in gallons, of water pumping out of the ground per day from The Big Spring hot springs in Thermopolis, Wyoming. Soak in the public or private hot springs near the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. travelwyoming.com
ONE
Number of people it took to build Bishop Castle near Rye, Colorado. Jim Bishop has spent 60 years singlehandedly stacking the stone walls in the castle that towers 160 feet and includes bridges as well as a grand ballroom. Entrance is free. bishopcastle.org
186 feet, 7 inches
The record for tossing a solid piece of bison poop at the World Championship Buffalo Chip Throw, held every summer during Fur Trade Days in Chadron, Nebraska. furtradedays.com
190
Number of electric car charging stations located in Colorado. Most of them lie between Denver and Ft. Collins but there are also stations in Colorado Springs, Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, Frisco, Vail, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Aspen, Telluride, Ouray, Durango and Trinidad. chargeaheadcolorado.com
956
Height in feet of the Royal Gorge Bridge above the Arkansas River near Canon City, Colorado, where you’ll also find rides and concerts. royalgorgebridge.com
