The Shambhala Mountain Center (4921 County Rd. Ste. 68-C, 970/881-2184, www.shambhalamountain.org) is not just for Buddhists or followers of the Dalai Lama, but anyone curious about religious architecture. The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya is one of the largest examples of sacred Buddhist architecture in North America, and is open to the public.

There are programs offered year-round here, including yoga and massage and access to recreational activities in nearby wilderness areas.

The greater Poudre Canyon and Red Feather Lakes area offers a huge variety of outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, canoeing, river rafting, and fishing, or an opportunity to relax and watch the sunset while the abundant wildlife wander by.

Getting to the Shambhala Mountain Center

The Shambhala Mountain Center is a little more than a two-hour drive northwest from Denver. If you are flying in to Denver International Airport, shuttle service is available but advance reservations are required on Shamrock Airport Express (970/482-0505, www.rideshamrock.com), which drops you off at the Fort Collins Hilton where the Shambhala Shuttle will pick you up.

The Shambhala Shuttle (970/881-2184, ext. 298, smcshuttle [at] shambhalamountain [dot] org) costs $80 (round-trip) and requires minimum two weeks’ advance reservation and careful timing for arrival and departure.

The center provides maps and written directions for people driving from Denver or Boulder.

Once you have parked in the main lot, you are pretty much on foot at the center. There are no dogs allowed so that the native wildlife is not disturbed.