7 Things to Take on your Colorado National Park Vacation

After many trips to Colorado’s four national parks, we’ve created the ultimate packing list. Use it to spend more time outside and less time shopping for items you forgot.

Also see our suggested packing list.

EcoVessel 20 oz. Insulated Bottle

Stay hydrated with our favorite water bottle. It keeps cold drinks frigid and hot drinks toasty for 12 hours, plus it comes with a strainer for your tea leaves. $26.95; ecovessel.com

MAKER SPOTLIGHT: Discover how EcoVessel based in Boulder, Colo., got its start.

Colorado All Parks Map Tee

Celebrate Colorado’s four national parks in style. A portion of the profits support the National Park Foundation’s Open Outdoors for Kids Program. $18; parksproject.us

Lowa Locarno GTX Lo

These comfortable dayhikers can be worn on Rocky Mountain’s Gem Lake trail and to dinner at Mesa Verde’s Metate Cafe. They are available in several colors. $195; lowaboots.com

Water Filter 

Weighing just 3 oz., the Squeeze Water Filter ensures you have access to clean water during any hike. Fill up your pouch at a lake, stream, or river, screw the filter onto the pouch and squeeze the bag to filter water into a bottle. $34.95; sawyer.com

Patagonia R1 Fleece pullover

This midweight layer treated with odor-reducing Polygiene is great for huge temperature swings. Light and warm, it proved to be an essential layer for our testers in six national parks. $129; patagonia.com

Park Maps

Avoid getting lost by purchasing beautiful NatGeo maps that cover Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Rocky Mountain, and Colorado NM national park sites and more. $14.95; Check out the Colorado map collection on REI.com

Klymit Insulated Static V Lite 

Calling all car campers and backpackers. Sleep more comfortably with Klymit’s v-shaped insulated pad. It’s one of the lightest and warmest sleeping pads on the market for under $100. $94.95; www.klymit.com