
This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
The United States is full of incredible places to go hang gliding, including many you might not know about. Here are the best locations for gliding in Colorado.
If you were to come up with a list of the top states to go hang gliding in the United States, Colorado should be at the top of your list. We all know about the snow-capped mountains and amazing skiing the state has to offer. But for many of the same reasons, it’s also great for going hang gliding! What are the top hang gliding locations in the state?
The best places to go hang gliding in Colorado include Colorado Springs, Denver, Aspen, Silverthorne, Golden, Salida, Durango, Steamboat Springs, and Dinosaur. You’ll get a variety of views, landscapes, and climates in each of these locations. So pick the ones that sound the best to you!
Colorado is a great place for hang gliding because it has a diverse landscape with plenty of mountains and valleys. Some of the best places to go hang gliding are in the central part of the state, where you can find amazing views of the Rocky Mountains. The weather is usually good for hang gliding from spring through fall, but it can get cold in winter so make sure to check the forecast before you go. There are also some great places to go hang gliding near popular cities like Denver and Colorado Springs, so make sure to check out all these locations!
When we created Flight Notch, our goal was to build the best hang gliding site on the web. So when you visit our site, you do so with the confidence that you’re getting the best, most accurate content that you’ll find. By combining our own experience with research and input from other experts, you’ll truly find the best places to go hang gliding in Colorado.
Is Colorado A Good Place To Go Hang Gliding?
Colorado can be one of the best states in the country to visit any time of the year, especially if you’re an avid outdoor adventurer. As you most likely know, the state is typically touted for its winter wonderland and amazing ski resorts and snowtime activities. Ski lodges, snow-covered mountains, incredible landscapes. It’s a winter lovers’ paradise.
But if you visit the state during the warmer months of spring and summer, you can still hit the outdoor adventure hard, and I strongly suggest that you do so! By visiting this state when it’s warmer out, you can take to the skies and see the beautiful landscapes and views that Colorado offers from a perspective that winter sports just never gives you. This is why hang gliding in Colorado is so amazing.
The Rocky Mountains are of course the big draw for hang gliding, since they’re absolutely stunning to look at and also conducive to easy launches thanks to the hills and mountains in all directions. The high altitudes mean that once you get airborne, you’ll be able to stay up there for extended periods of time with greater ease than some other locations. And with how beautiful the state is from up there, you won’t want to come down any time soon.
Best Places To Go Hang Gliding In Colorado
Between the beautiful landscapes and incredible spring and summer weather, Colorado is a fantastic place to go hang gliding. While you can’t really go wrong by gliding over just about any part of this incredible state, there are certainly some places that will give you an even better experience than others. So without further ado, here are the best places to go hang gliding in Colorado.
Colorado Springs
One of the best places in Colorado to go hang gliding is Colorado Springs. This city is located near the Rocky Mountains, so you can get some amazing views while hang gliding. From up in the air, you'll be able to see all of the city's landmarks, including Pikes Peak.
The average weather in Colorado Springs is mild in the spring through fall, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. However, it can get cold in winter, with temperatures below freezing. As you’ll see in this article, freezing temperatures are a common theme during the winter in Colorado, so keep that in mind if you’re planning a hang gliding trip here any time soon.
There are also plenty of other things to do in Colorado Springs, so make sure to check out this city when you're planning a trip to the state. Nearby, you can find Garden of the Gods, a park with beautiful red rocks, and Manitou Springs, a town with natural springs and hiking trails.
Denver
Another great place to go hang gliding in Colorado is Denver. This city is also located near the Rocky Mountains, so you can get some amazing views while hang gliding. As one of the cities with the highest altitudes in the entire country, you'll be able to see for miles in all directions, including all of the city's landmarks such as the state capitol building.
The average weather in Denver is good for hang gliding from spring through fall, but it can get cold in winter. The wind speeds are also usually moderate, so it's a great place to go hang gliding if you're new to the sport.
There are plenty of other things to do in Denver, including hiking, biking, and skiing. If you’re a sports fan, you can catch a Broncos game during the NFL season or a Nuggets fan if you’re into the NBA. There’s also some great nightlife and amazing restaurants in downtown Denver to check out.
Aspen
The views from Aspen are some of the best in Colorado. In fact, they’re some of the best in the entire country, which is why Aspen made our list of the top hang gliding locations in the US as well as this one. You can see the Rocky Mountains in all their glory, as well as the town of Aspen below. As you can expect, the views from high above Aspen are especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing color.
The weather is usually good for hang gliding from spring through fall, but, like much of Colorado, it can get cold in winter so make sure to check the forecast before you go. Weather in the spring and summer is usually mild, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s.
There are also some great places to go hang gliding near popular cities like Denver and Colorado Springs, so make sure to check out all these locations. In Aspen, you can also enjoy other activities like hiking, mountain biking, and skiing in the winter.
Silverthorne
One of the lesser known amazing locations to go hang gliding in Colorado is Silverthorne. It's located in Summit County near the Dillon Reservoir, and it has some of the best views around. You can see all the way to the Continental Divide from here, and there are also plenty of other activities to do nearby if you're looking for a full day trip.
In the spring and summer, the weather is usually nice and warm, perfect for a day of hang gliding. Temperatures usually range from the mid 50s to the low 80s, so make sure to dress appropriately. However, in the fall and winter the weather can get pretty cold like the rest of the state, so it's important to check the forecast before you go.
When you get done hang gliding for the day, there are plenty of other things to do in Silverthorne. There's great hiking and mountain biking trails nearby, and you can also go fishing or rafting on the Dillon Reservoir. The town also has a great selection of restaurants and bars, so you'll have no trouble finding something to eat.
Golden
Not only is Golden one of the best places to go hang gliding in Colorado, it's up there with some of the best places to go hang gliding in the entire country. In fact, it made our list of the top hang gliding locations in the US (like Aspen), so you're in for a real treat if you decide to make a trip to Golden and take to the skies.
While hang gliding in Golden, the views are simply stunning. You'll be able to take in the Rocky Mountains in all their glory, and there's a good chance you'll see some wildlife too. The weather is usually great for hang gliding, with spring and summer offering mostly sunny skies and mild temperatures, while fall and winter are a little colder but still perfect for flying.
There's a lot to do in Golden once you're done hang gliding, too. You can check out the city's historic district, go for a hike, or do one of many other outdoor activities. It’s a great way to check the state out without dealing with the hustle and bustle of a big city like Denver.
Salida
Salida has some of the best hang gliding sites in Colorado. You can find several great locations to take off from near the town, and you'll be able to see some amazing views of the Rockies. Within a two hour radius from Salida, you’ll be able to reach some of the best hang gliding locations in the state, including many of the ones on this list. So it’s a great place to set up your home base on a Colorado hang gliding trip.
Like most of the other gliding locations in Colorado, you'll be better off if you decide to go hang gliding in the spring and summer when the weather is more conducive. The temperatures during this time of year usually range from the 60s to 80s, making it a great time to be outside.
If you're looking for something else to do in Salida, there are plenty of other activities available. The town is located near the Arkansas River, so you can go rafting or fishing if you're feeling adventurous. There's also a variety of shops and restaurants available if you want to take a break from gliding.
Durango
If you want to go hang gliding in Colorado, Durango is one of the best places to do it. You can find some amazing views of the Rocky Mountains while you're up in the air, as well as the rolling hills and amazing landscapes below.
The weather is usually pretty good for hang gliding from spring through fall. Temperatures in Durango during this time typically range from the mid-60s to the low 80s. However, it can get cold in winter. It's usually not too windy in the area, but there is still plenty of air movement and enough thermals to stay afloat for a long time.
The location is also relatively close to other popular cities like Denver and Colorado Springs, so you can easily make a weekend trip out of it. In Durango, you can also find other activities to do like hiking, mountain biking, and skiing.
Steamboat Springs
If you're looking for a place to go hang gliding in Colorado that has great views, Steamboat Springs is definitely worth checking out. The area is known for its amazing Rocky Mountain scenery, and it's one of the best places in the state to go hang gliding.
The weather in Steamboat Springs is usually good from spring through fall. Temperatures during this time typically range from the mid-30s to the mid-80s, so there's something for everyone. However, it can get cold and windy in winter, so make sure to check the forecast before you go.
There are plenty of things to do in Steamboat Springs when you're not hang gliding. You can ski or snowboard in the winter, and mountain bike or hike in the summer. The town is also known for its nightlife and restaurants, so you'll never run out of things to do.
Dinosaur
Another great place to go hang gliding in Colorado is Dinosaur National Monument. This location offers some of the best views of the Rocky Mountains in the state, and it's also a great place to see dinosaur fossils.
The weather is usually good for hang gliding here from spring through fall, but it can get cold in winter (like just about every other place in Colorado). During the warmer months, you can expect the temperatures to be in the 70s and 80s during the day, and in the 50s at night.
Dinosaur National Monument is located in the northwest corner of Colorado, about four hours from Denver. If you're looking for something to do after your hang gliding adventure, you can explore the monument's many hiking trails or go whitewater rafting on the Green River.