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Blue Sky Adventures

Colorado Ultimate Adventure
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Explore Colorado on the Ultimate Adventure Tour!

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Dive into an action-packed, four-day journey through Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes and legendary landmarks. With Blue Sky Adventures as your guide, this tour brings together epic hikes, historic explorations, exhilarating climbs, and thrilling rafting—all designed to prep you physically and mentally for Philmont. From Red Rocks and Garden of the Gods to the summit of Pikes Peak and the roaring Arkansas River, every stop blends fun, challenge, and camaraderie. Unwind at the Great Wolf Lodge each night and forge unforgettable memories along the way.

Overview

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Overview

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Map

1. Denver International Airport

8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249, USA

2. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465, USA

3. United States Air Force Academy

2354 Fairchild Dr Suite 3A15, Air Force Academy, CO 80840, USA

4. Great Wolf Lodge

9494 Federal Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80921, USA

5. Garden of the Gods

Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USA

6. Pikes Peak Cog Railway

14110 Pikes Peak Hwy, Manitou Springs, CO 80829, USA

7. Red Rock Canyon Open Space

3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USA

8. Echo Canyon River Expeditions

45000 W U.S. 50, Cañon City, CO 81212, USA

9. Philmont Scout Ranch

Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico 87714, USA

Arrival Day

Acclimation
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Begin your adventure with a hike at Red Rocks, a tour of the Air Force Academy, and evening fun at the Great Wolf Lodge.

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Flight

  • Arrive in Denver by 11:00 AM and rendezvous with your Blue Sky Adventures tour guide. We will be waiting for you and will get you underway as soon as possible. With your Blue Sky Adventures water bottle in hand, it’s time to get acclimated!

  • Your guide will be with you all day to make sure everything is fun and happens as planned. The guide will bring Colorado “alive” with stories of local legends, history and culture. This is the difference maker on a Blue Sky Adventure.

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Lunch

  • Lunch – A Scout is Hungry! We will have a bag lunch waiting for you on the vehicle. This gives you the flexibility to overcome potential travel delays and helps ensure ample time for sightseeing on your arrival day.

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Red Rock Amphitheatre

  • We are on our way to Morrison, Colorado just west of Denver to visit the world-famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.

  • If you think Red Rocks Park is just a beautiful place to see a concert, think again! Around you are 868 acres of deer, fossils, pines and prairie, geological wonders and spectacular vistas. At 6,450 feet above sea level, Red Rocks Park is a terrific place to begin your acclimation!

  • We will hike the 1.5 loop trail and explore the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This is a geological phenomenon! The only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world. From Sting and The Beatles, to opera stars and U2, every artist aspires to play on this magical, spiritual and emotional stage.

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United States Air Force Academy

  • We'll make a stop at the United States Air Force Academy Visitor Center for about 45 minutes. You'll have time to explore the exhibits, learn about cadet life, and take in views of the iconic Cadet Chapel from afar. It’s a quick but meaningful glimpse into one of the country’s premier military institutions.

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Great Wolf Lodge

  • Check in to the beautiful Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs where there’s lots to do. Indoor pools, water park, arcades, mini golf, bowling alley, climbing wall, a ropes course and much more!

  • Spend the afternoon poolside or play in the arcade with your crew and other Scouts from all over the country--this is some Scout trip!

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Dinner

  • Dinner at the hotel is good food and lots of it! An “all you can eat”, Scout friendly buffet!

Explore Colorado

Day 2
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Explore Garden of the Gods, discover Manitou Springs, and ride the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak.

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Breakfast

  • Hot, all you can eat full breakfast buffet - eggs, sausage, fresh fruit and more!

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Garden of the Gods

  • Experience one of nature’s true wonders, the Garden of the Gods!

  • First, see the exciting 15-minute film at the Visitor Center. Then, we will do a terrific hike from Kissing Camels to Balanced Rock! See Gateway Rock, the spectacular Central Garden, Scotsman Rock, Siamese Twins, and more!!

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Lunch

  • Lunch and a visit to the charming town of Manitou Springs.

  • After you eat, enjoy 45 minutes of free time to explore the shops, mineral springs, and tourist attractions in this historic western town.

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Pikes Peak Cog Railway

  • All aboard the Cog Railway! Relax and watch in wonder as you climb to 14,115 feet above sea level to the summit of America’s favorite mountain – Pikes Peak. Your trip will take you through four life zones from lush high plains to fragile alpine tundra. You’ll pass cascading streams as you wind through a steep canyon of gigantic boulders and tall pines towards your destination well above tree line. It’s possible to see four states, the snow-covered peaks of the Continental Divide, the cities of Denver, Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs and the historic gold camps of Cripple Creek and Victor. You’ll enjoy fantastic rock formations, spectacular vistas and breathtaking cliffs!

  • At the summit, participate in an optional 20-minute hike on the Barr Trail at over 14,000 feet. Not only will you see tremendous views, but also this is a great way to help your body get acclimated for Philmont!

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Dinner

  • Enjoy a delicious dinner!

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Great Wolf Lodge

  • Evening spent enjoying the hot tub and pool at the Great Wolf Lodge!

Explore Colorado (Part II)

Day 3
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Scale real rock faces at Garden of the Gods and raft the thrilling whitewater of the Royal Gorge.

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Breakfast

  • Hot, all you can eat full breakfast buffet - eggs, sausage, fresh fruit and more!

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Rock Climbing

  • Ready to CLIMB?! We go rock climbing at one of nature’s true wonders, the Garden of the Gods!

  • The four hour "Vertical Limit" climbing trip offers lots of climbing, and the opportunity to master climbing techniques. Learn basic rock-climbing skills, including equipment, knots, belaying, descending, and climbing movement. Climb four to six routes around the Garden and cap your day off with an exciting rappel. Not only will you see tremendous views, but this is a great way to help your body get acclimated for Philmont!

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Lunch

  • Enjoy a delicious lunch!

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White Water Rafting

  • Hold on tight for whitewater rafting on the “Royal Gorge” section of the Arkansas River, the premier whitewater rafting experience in the Southwest. It doesn’t get any better than this!

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Dinner

  • Western style cookout dinner at our rafting

    outfitter. Laughter and great food…What a way to end the day!

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Great Wolf Lodge

  • Evening spent enjoying the hot tub and pool at the Great Wolf Lodge!

Off to Philmont

Day 4
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Refuel with a hearty breakfast and travel to Philmont aboard the Blue Sky Express.

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Breakfast

  • Hot, all you can eat full breakfast buffet - eggs, sausage, fresh fruit and more!

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Before You Go

  • Review your homebound departure day pick up procedures and get your Blue Sky Adventures “give-a-ways and advisor tips” to make your trek even better.

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Scout Me In

  • All aboard the Blue Sky Express! You will be at Philmont by 10:00 AM.

Departure Day

Back Home
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Easy departure from Philmont and a flight home after 2:30 PM.

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Scout Me Out

  • Depart Philmont on the 7:30 AM Blue Sky Express. Exact departure time may change based on our transportation schedule.

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Flight

  • Arrive DIA by 12:30 PM. Departure flight must leave after 2:30 PM.

Note 1: The full day one itinerary is based on arrival in Denver before 11 AM. Arrivals after 11 AM will visit the Air Force Academy in lieu of Red Rocks. Arrivals after 2 PM will skip the Air Force Academy.

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