Cradled at 7,220 feet in the Rockies and past snaking mountain roads, Evergreen offers its visitors a bevy of activities to take part in, both in the winter and summer months. With a number of activities ranging from those found indoors to those enjoyed outdoors, visitors to the town will find physically challenging endeavors as well as those that are intellectually stimulating.
For the fervent angler, this town serves as an excellent location to branch out from, due to the many surrounding natural parks, rivers, and lakes. This mountain town also caters to those who enjoy live theater, appreciate locally and nationally recognized artists, and some of the finer things in life.
For the Outdoorsmen and Women
While it may sound redundant when it comes to Colorado mountain destinations, Evergreen finds itself situated in the perfect spot for outdoor thrill seekers and enthusiasts. With thousands of acres of nature reserves and parks, the town provides a bounty of places to go and see.
Within shouting distance of the O’Fallon, Elephant Butte, Alderfer/Three Sisters, Cub Creek, and Bell parks, the town acts as the ideal launching point for many of the Denver Mountain and Jefferson County Open Space park systems.
A number of lakes and rivers in the town act as a focal point for anglers looking to enjoy a relaxing day of fly fishing. One of the more well known hot spots for this sort of sport is Evergreen Lake. The lake offers its frequenters fishing all year round with fly, bait, and boat fishing in the warmer spring and summer months, and ice fishing during the winter months. The lake provides anglers a chance to hook brown and rainbow trout and a chance to battle the more recently introduced Tiger Muskie, for those looking for a challenge.
Trout anglers will also find Bear Creek and Clear Creek in and around Evergreen. At these locations, anglers will find Brook, Brown, Cutbow, Cutthroat, and Rainbow trout aplenty. For those taking their Colorado vacation during the winter, visitors will find that Evergreen Lake is not just a hot spot for ice fishing, but also for ice skating and pick-up hockey games.
A Place of Culture
Evergreen is certainly the perfect locale for the center point of your Colorado vacation if you are looking to explore the surrounding natural beauty, but it has more to offer than just parks and wilderness. The town presents an eclectic range of events and performances for vacationers and residents alike. For those who enjoy and appreciate live theater, the town is home to the award-winning theater group, the Evergreen Players.
What began as a small group of friends in the 1950s, the Evergreen Players have grown over the decades into an established non-profit performing arts organization. Producing six performances each year, in addition to a number of smaller performances and improv shows, the group has attained a number of accolades that range from the local to national level. In fact, in 2010, the Players were praised for their production of “Parallel Lives” which won awards for Best Play, Best Director, Best Actress, and All-State Actress.
Another cultural source found in this mountain town is the Center for the Arts Evergreen. With yearly events, which include both the Winterfest and Summerfest art festivals, the Center for the Arts prides itself on cultivating quality artists. The center not only showcases local and regional artists, but is also fortunate enough to provide Colorado vacationers and Evergreen visitors with exhibits such as Dali on Tour, an exhibit on loan from the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL. This exhibit presents works that span over 60 years of Salvador Dali’s career, and opens on January 27th, running through March 1st.
For those looking to unwind afterwards, there is the town’s local winery, Creekside Cellars, which serves up locally produced wine and Italian inspired cuisine. Creekside offers patrons a selection of white and red wines in addition to a small collection of dessert wines.
To complement their wine selection, Creekside has a number of different Italian-style appetizers and sandwiches to enjoy on their outside deck which, as the winery name implies, is situated right next to a creek.
For those willing to test their intestinal fortitude, I recommend the “whole” Guido sandwich, a monster of a sandwich constructed of capicola, sopressata, genoa, and pepperoni stacked to the brim between focaccia bread, lettuce, tomato, and basil pesto. But, be prepared: it is not for those with dainty stomachs.
If You Go
For more information on the Center for the Arts Evergreen and the Salvador Dali exhibit visit their site or call (303) 674-0056: http://www.evergreenarts.org/index.html
For more information and performance schedules for the Evergreen Players visit their site: http://www.evergreenplayers.org/index.php
For wine listings, menus, and information on Creekside Cellars visit: http://www.creeksidecellars.net
For more information on Evergreen’s recreational areas, Lake, and events visit: http://www.evergreenrecreation.com/index.php
Evan Witt is an Illinois native with a degree in English Literature from Lake Forest College, and as a frequent visitor to Colorado, he enjoys fishing, camping, hiking, and photography.