The John Denver Sanctuary (Song Boulders), Whitewater Rafting & Gold-Medal Fly-Fishing

Singer-songwriter John Denver (1943 to 1997) moved to Aspen in the early 1970s, and while camping at 3,200 metres beside Williams Lake above town during the August Perseid meteor shower he wrote his anthem 'Rocky Mountain High' (now one of Colorado's two official state songs). Following his plane crash in 1997, his friends and the City of Aspen created a riverfront memorial in the heart of town.

1. Walk Through the Free John Denver Sanctuary (470 Rio Grande Place)

Three blocks north of the Cooper Avenue Mall along the banks of the Roaring Fork River (inside Rio Grande Park, where the Rio Grande Trail begins) lies the 4.5-acre John Denver Sanctuary, which is 100% free to visit daily:

• The 'Song Garden' Circle of Engraved Granite Boulders: follow winding stone paths across streams and water-lily ponds to a circular meadow ringed by massive native Colorado river boulders, each sandblasted with the complete lyrics to John Denver's songs, including 'Rocky Mountain High', 'Annie's Song' (written in 10 minutes on Aspen Mountain's Bell Mountain chairlift), 'Sunshine on My Shoulders', 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' and 'Perhaps Love'.

2. Roaring Fork River Whitewater Rafting & Gold-Medal Fly-Fishing

1. Half-Day Whitewater Rafting (May to August): local outfitters like Blazing Adventures, Aspen Whitewater Rafting and Elk Mountain Expeditions pick you up in Downtown Aspen or Snowmass (providing wetsuits, booties and splash jackets; check current trip rates online) for three river sections:
   • Family Float (Class I to II, Ages 4+): a gentle float past bald eagle nests and riverside ranches.
   • Upper Woody Creek / Toothache Rapid (Class III): bouncy waves through red-rock canyons.
   • Slaughterhouse Falls (Class IV): drops over a 6-metre (20-foot) waterfall ledge just below Aspen.
2. Gold-Medal Trout Fly-Fishing (Roaring Fork & Fryingpan Rivers): both rivers hold official Colorado Gold-Medal Water status, teeming with wild Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat Trout. Book a guided walk-and-wade or drift-boat trip with Taylor Creek Fly Shops or Aspen Outfitting Company.