Colorado is well among the best states within the US to expertise the nice outside. The state is residence to amazing hikes, cozy cabin getaways, and a number of the best national parks in the US. Are you beginning to plan your Colorado itinerary? These 12 finest Colorado nationwide parks and monuments are the best locations to start out.
Finest Colorado Nationwide Parks
Colorado has 4 nationwide parks: Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park. These nationwide parks have some large ticket objects, particularly within the Rocky Mountains. In actual fact, they’re among the most visited nationwide parks within the US.
From the nation’s tallest sand dunes to UNESCO World Heritage Website cliff dwellings and exhilarating whitewater rafting, there’s something for everybody. Let’s check out these fab 4 Colorado nationwide parks.
In the event you plan to go to a number of Colorado nationwide parks, buy a Nationwide Parks and Federal Leisure Land Cross. The Nationwide Park Service presents an annual pass to all NPs for $80 a year that can be utilized at greater than 2,000 recreation areas. Get more details here. The easiest way to see these nationwide parks is by driving. Evaluate automotive rental charges at RentalCars.com
1. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
When folks focus on US nationwide parks, Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is often the extra widespread nationwide park to crop up. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is essentially the most visited nationwide park in Colorado. The park covers a staggering 265,461 acres and stretches throughout a number of states – Colorado included.
It’s also one of many nation’s highest nationwide parks, and the Rocky Mountains are famously snow-capped in sections. The whole lot of the Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is stuffed with craggy mountains, alpine tundra, and exquisite forests. It’s supreme for horseback driving holidays, hiking, and mountain climbing. You’ll often spot stray bighorn sheep too.
Getting there: Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from Denver, Colorado. You can rent a car to get there. Download your self-drive audio tour to find the perfect viewpoints, climbing trails, mountain passes, and lakes as you comply with GPS coordinates.
When to go to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is finest visited in early spring, however provided that you don’t need to entry Path Ridge Highway. In March and April, there are fewer crowds than you’ll discover in summer season. Spring is once you’ll see flowers and different plants blooming into motion after winter. There’ll nonetheless be snow in locations, however this can be a peaceable interval to go to the park.
If you wish to entry Path Ridge Highway, we advocate visiting the park in late Could or June. The street (Colorado’s highest steady paved street) may have simply opened, however crowd numbers will nonetheless be low.
Issues to do in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
- Spot bears and elk close to Estes Park.
- Hike round Bear Lake.
- Drive Path Ridge Highway.
- Learn extra: 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
The place to remain in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
Blue Door Inn is 4 miles from the Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park entrance and is ready in opposition to a backdrop of snowcapped peaks. The amenities are ace, too, with a seasonal pool, basketball courts, and barbeques with picnic tables.
Grand Lake Lodge is a gorgeous property with a beautiful pool with views of the encircling surroundings. The lodge is right for giant teams and channeling luxury-loving vitality, with a scorching tub and dramatic-looking firepit.
Rams Horn Village Resort is ideal for a vacation resort vibe. Friends get a two-bedroom vacation residence with a full kitchen and scorching tub entry. There’s additionally a enterprise middle and a health club to take pleasure in once you aren’t exploring Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park – aka Colorado’s most visited nationwide park.
2. Mesa Verde Nationwide Park
Mesa Verde Nationwide Park is one other improbable addition to our Colorado nationwide parks. However whereas the Rocky Mountains are famed for his or her dramatic peaks and alpine lakes, Mesa Verde is famed for its historic websites. Mesa Verde Nationwide Park is the place you’ll discover Cliff Palace – the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
For much more historic websites, you’ll be able to drive Mesa Prime Loop Highway. This street passes some outstanding historic points of interest, together with Petroglyph Level Path. Mesa Verde Nationwide Park actually is the center of tradition within the Colorado nationwide parks. It has over 4,700 archeological websites, and this statistic consists of over 600 cliff dwellings.
Getting there: Mesa Verde Mountain Nationwide Park is a 7-hour from Denver, Colorado. 6 hours from Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, and 4 hours from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The closest metropolis to Mesa Verde is Cortez Colorado. You can rent a car to get there. Get your self-drive audio tour to find the perfect viewpoints, climbing trails, mountain passes, and lakes as you comply with GPS coordinates.
When to go to
So, when must you go to this nationwide park? Both June or early September. Whereas in a perfect world, you might keep away from the crowds within the fall or spring, this isn’t a good suggestion if you wish to see the historic websites.
Sights like Cliff Palace don’t open till late Could and shut in late September. To essentially get essentially the most out of Mesa Verde Nationwide Park, it’s best to go to in June or early September to go to the perfect points of interest with the fewest crowds.
Issues to do in Mesa Verde Nationwide Park
- Go to Cliff Palace.
- Hike Petroglyph Level Path.
- Go to Step Home
- Learn extra: 29 Best Places to Visit in Colorado
The place to remain in Mesa Verde Nationwide Park
Far View Lodge is ready proper inside Mesa Verde and is a wonderful base in case you don’t need to journey out and in of the park entrance every day. You received’t really feel lower off from the motion with three eating places onsite and guided excursions operating from the reception desk.
Retro Inn at Mesa Verde is a extra budget-friendly, city various. The motel is cheery, with snug furnishings and varied room sorts, together with household rooms. And once you’ve visited the close by Colorado nationwide park, you’ll be able to benefit from the city of Cortez.
Grizzly Roadhouse Bed and Breakfast is a straightforward nation retreat. Prepare for easy pleasures – mountain views, air-conditioning, and a espresso machine. This property is cherished for its location and peaceable ambiance.
3. Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nationwide Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nationwide Park is unfortunately missed by many vacationers. Don’t make this error. Black Canyon Nationwide Park is likely one of the finest Colorado nationwide parks. The park’s principal attraction is (clearly) its black canyons. The nationwide park is stuffed with slim and terrifyingly steep canyons lower out of Precambrian metamorphic rock by the Gunnison River over tens of millions of years. You’ll be able to entry numerous viewpoints and trails on each the south rim and the north rim.
Nonetheless, Black Canyon Nationwide Park can be residence to peregrine falcons – the quickest hen on the planet. Deliver a pair of binoculars; you may get fortunate with a sighting. And hold your eyes peeled at evening, too, as Black Canyon is a world darkish sky park with a few of Colorado’s most stunning starry skies.
Getting there: Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nationwide Park is 4 1/2 hours from Denver, Colorado and 4-hours from Colorado Springs. You can rent a car to get there.
When to go to
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nationwide Park is finest visited between mid-April and November when the Nationwide Park Service operates the ranger station and opens roads to the south and north rim. Of this era, late-April and early Could are the nicest occasions to go to.
The crowds are scarce, the temperatures are milder, and flora is beginning to perk up after winter. Close by, Curecanti Nationwide Recreation Space is excellent right now of yr, with a serene assortment of three scenic reservoirs. Equally, the Gunnison River tends to be extra spectacular right now of yr. The melted ice and snow do wonders for elevating rivers and creating dramatic rapids.
Issues to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nationwide Park
- Drive South Rim Highway.
- Hike Chasm View Nature Path.
- Go to the Museum of the Mountain West.
The place to remain in Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nationwide Park
Old School Lodge is a surprising interval property with mountain views, simply exterior one of the crucial famed Colorado nationwide parks in Montrose. The inside is an image of magnificence and a perfect base for anybody looking for luxurious close to Gunnison.
The Blue Bungalow is a beautiful two-bedroom vacation residence with a attribute blue-painted exterior. Friends entry a patio, solar terrace, and homely comforts like a backyard and front room. And located in Montrose, the bungalow is ideal for exploring the improbable close by Colorado nationwide park.
Hotchkiss Inn Motel is finest described as fundamental however snug. This motel is within the city of Hotchkiss and is ideally located to discover the Black Canyon Nationwide Park. It additionally has some further considerate particulars, like a every day continental breakfast and 24-hour reception.
4. Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park
However, Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park doesn’t endure from under-tourism. This weird however utterly encapsulating nationwide park is likely one of the finest Colorado nationwide parks to take pleasure in a dramatic panorama. The park is residence to the tallest sand dunes within the US. And with sharp mountain peaks behind the rolling dunes, the setting is like one thing out of a film.
Greats Sand Dunes Nationwide Park has many individually well-known dunes, together with Star Dune (rumored to be the tallest at 755 toes). Whereas acknowledged as one of many Colorado nationwide parks, the park additionally has dunes accessible wheelchairs that’s free to make use of. Get extra info on the National Park Service here.
You’ll be able to nonetheless stroll freely over all of the sand dunes, plus go sandboarding if you’d like some further pleasure. Simply be aware to keep away from the noon warmth when visiting close to summer season, because the sand turns into scorching. Out of all Colorado’s nationwide parks, Nice Sand Dunes is the one which requires essentially the most cautious planning relating to timing your go to.
Getting there: Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park is a 3-hour from Denver, Colorado. You can rent a car to get there.
When to Go to
Contemplating this, it’s no surprise that the perfect time of yr to go to is exterior of summer season. September and October are optimum months, with cooler climate and fewer crowds. Whereas avoiding the noon warmth when visiting the dunes continues to be advisable, you shouldn’t discover it purple scorching underfoot now.
Issues to do in Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park
- Hike Star Dune.
- Go sandboarding.
- Cease by the Nice Sand Dunes Customer Middle.
The place to remain in Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park
Marriott might be not an unfamiliar title, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Alamosa is a credit score to its chain. In addition to assembly and eating amenities, the resort has an indoor pool and health middle – excellent luxuries after a day on the Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park.
Hampton Inn Alamosa is equally trendy. The resort is ideally located to go to the Nice Sand Dunes and has amenities that embrace an indoor pool and health club. The Hampton Inn Alamosa has a continental breakfast every morning and even presents takeaway breakfast baggage.
The Best Western Movie Manor is beautiful. There are not any two methods about it. The manor has a seasonal drive-in movie show, health club, and enterprise middle. And with a complimentary breakfast every morning, you’ll be well-fed earlier than visiting the Nice Sand Dunes.
Planning Your Journey to Colorado
Are you planning a visit to Colorado? Try our Colorado journey guides to assist plan your itinerary
Finest Colorado Nationwide Monuments
Fancy a extra particular expertise of pure surroundings in Colorado? Overlook the colossal Colorado nationwide parks and see among the finest nationwide monuments as an alternative. A nationwide monument is anyplace the federal government protects due to its pure magnificence and historic or scientific significance.
These Colorado nationwide monuments are among the best places to visit in the state. Try these high 8.
7. Chimney Rock Nationwide Monument
Chimney Rock Nationwide Monument is an enchanting nationwide monument. The 4,726 acre incorporates an unlimited archaeological website that dates again over 1,000 years. Probably the most hanging a part of this website is Chimney Rock, a large rocky mound 7,000 toes above sea degree. The spire of the mound is what provides it its nickname ‘chimney’, and it’s an imposing landmark for these wanting good views in addition to historical past. Chimney Rock Nationwide Monument is a spot to tick off your bucket record. The monument takes not less than just a few hours to totally admire. You’ll be able to head out on guided excursions commonly all through the day through the vacationer season.
Traditionally, Chimney Rock Nationwide Monument was a Pueblo II neighborhood between 900 to 1150 AD. The traditional residences are extremely important to the indigenous inhabitants and are a outstanding testomony to the neighborhood’s ancestral historical past. In fact, its astronomical worth can be price mentioning. The traditional constructions have been devised with astronomy in thoughts – which you’ll be able to be taught extra about on a guided tour.
Chimney Rock Nationwide Monument is in San Juan Nationwide Forest, southwest Colorado. It’s simply mixed with a go to to Mesa Verde, so hold it in thoughts if you’d like a nationwide monument to pair with one of many Colorado nationwide parks.
8. Canyons of the Ancients Nationwide Monument
Canyons of the Ancients Nationwide Monument is a bit of bigger – supreme when you have extra time to discover its 6,000 historical websites. The protected space covers 176,000 acres, linked by a community of climbing trails and dusty roads. The world’s central hub is the Canyons of the Ancients Customer Middle and Museum, which we advocate visiting first. This fashion, you’ll be able to apply all of the participating info and displays to the ruins and archaeological points of interest dotted across the monument. And when you’re finished, there are pictographs, historical dwellings, and scenic desert landscapes galore.
Canyons of the Ancients Nationwide Monument is a improbable monument to go to if you wish to discover a bigger website. Whereas a lot smaller than the Colorado nationwide parks, this monument nonetheless warrants an extended weekend to take pleasure in totally. We love that, although, and it provides an adventurous attraction. The museum can be a superb contact.
When it comes to historic significance, it’s fairly clear that the Canyons of the Ancients Nationwide Monument is likely one of the most important spots in Colorado. The world is likely one of the richest websites of Native American ancestral historical past. The land was inhabited by people for over 10,000 years, so there are many tales to be informed.
This monument is positioned in southern Colorado, subsequent to the Colorado-Utah border. It’s a simple drive from Mesa Verde or San Juan Nationwide Forest. You’ll be able to base your self in one of many important southern Colorado cities like Cortez and discover a blended itinerary of Colorado nationwide parks, forests, and monuments.
9. Florissant Fossil Beds Nationwide Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds Nationwide Monument is one thing a bit of totally different. Not like the opposite two monuments we’ve mentioned, this space is known for pure historical past somewhat than people. For science and geology, look no additional than Florissant Fossil Beds Nationwide Monument. Located in central Colorado, this monument is simply exterior of Colorado Springs. This monument is ideal if you’d like an accessible monument to go to from a metropolis break. You’ll be able to hop on a direct flight to Colorado Springs after which lease a automotive to succeed in Florissant Fossil Beds Nationwide Monument.
So, what pure historical past can you discover on this protected space? Primarily insect and plant fossils. We advocate taking a guided stroll to get essentially the most out of the expertise. In spite of everything, it may be straightforward to overlook one thing actually profound in case you don’t have an professional eye. Along with these fossils, you’ll be able to spot petrified redwood stumps. Florissant Fossil Beds is residence to the world’s solely recognized trio of petrified redwood timber, and you may observe them from a shaded viewing platform.
Time-wise, you’ll be able to shortly admire this monument in just a few hours. The location is round 5,998 acres and is price visiting as a day journey from Colorado Springs. Regardless of being established as a nationwide monument in 1969, the fossils date round 34 million years. The monument’s phenomenon was fashioned by close by volcanic eruptions, which coated natural world in a thick layer of ash – preserving them for eternity.
10. Yucca Home Nationwide Monument
This Colorado nationwide monument homes a single archaeological website south of Cortez in southwestern Colorado. The location was as soon as a large Ancestral Pueblo village and held a major place in Montezuma Valley. At simply 34 acres, it’s one of many smallest monuments in Colorado and may simply be explored on foot on a day journey. One factor to notice is that Yucca Home Nationwide Monument is unexcavated. To the non-archaeologist, this implies ruins that you just in all probability wouldn’t discover in case you didn’t know they have been there.
As a result of Yucca Home Nationwide Monument is unexcavated, it’s fairly a distinct segment place to go to in Colorado. In comparison with the points of interest within the 4 Colorado nationwide parks and among the state’s different monuments, some might not discover Yucca Home Nationwide Monument as participating. Nonetheless, for lovers or extra affected person vacationers, the monument is ideal for escaping the crowds and having fun with a lesser-visited archaeological attraction. And moreover, the community of unmarked gravel and filth roads you’ll use to succeed in it makes visiting Yucca Home an actual journey. What higher solution to journey to an historical farming village? Yucca Home is immersive and untouched, regardless of its monument standing.
Yucca Home was residence to the Historical Puebloan neighborhood between 1150 to 1300 AD. It’s unknown what precipitated the mass migration (or doable evacuation) from the village on the finish of this era. Mysterious and minimally adjusted for vacationers’ eyes, Yucca Home is an enchanting historic attraction in Colorado.
11. Dinosaur Nationwide Monument
To immerse your self within the Jurassic period, neglect Colorado nationwide parks and head to Dinosaur Nationwide Monument. This area consists of over 1,500 preserved dinosaur stays – immortalized in fossils within the monument’s Quarry Exhibit Corridor. The stays date again as way back as 150 million years. And, in case you are fortunate, you’ll be able to even contact just a few dinosaur fossils.
Aside from dinosaur stays, Dinosaur Nationwide Monument can be famend for its petroglyphs and white water rafting. You should use climbing trails to catch glimpses of the petroglyphs up shut, together with at McKee Spring and Deluge Shelter. River rafting is finest skilled on an organized tour. General, although, it’s straightforward to see why Dinosaur Nationwide Monument is so widespread. It’s action-packed and enjoyable, with a novel alternative to get near dinosaur stays.
Dimension-wise, prepare for some driving and lengthy climbing trails. The monument is 210,000 acres and will take between three hours and two days to discover – relying on whether or not you need to see the dinosaurs or not. The quarry itself protects 80 acres of condensed fossils. The discovering was the work of paleontologist Earl Douglass in 1909. By 1915, the realm was formally introduced as a nationwide monument.
12. Browns Canyon Nationwide Monument
Browns Canyon Nationwide Monument is likely one of the latest Colorado monuments, solely incomes its title in 2015. Brown Canyon is lower out by the Arkansas River and has attribute granite cliffs and outcrops. Don’t simply go to the canyon and depart; the protected area round it is stuffed with forests, rivers, and wildlife-spotting hotspots. In summer season, you’ll be able to entry stunning climbing trails and admire beautiful views of hanging hues within the interior canyon. Deliver binoculars, too, as Browns Canyon Nationwide Monument is understood for bobcats, falcons, and black bears.
At 21,536 acres, Browns Canyon Nationwide Monument won’t be the dimensions of the Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. Nonetheless, it nonetheless calls for an honest chunk of time to go to. So, why go to within the first place? Browns Canyon Nationwide Monument is likely one of the most undisturbed riverbank ecosystems alongside the Arkansas River. Due to this, it’s teeming with wildlife and glorious for these wanting a peaceable expertise in nature. You received’t discover the crowds you get at main US points of interest just like the Grand Canyon and even the Colorado nationwide parks. Excellent for a real wilderness expertise.
Colorado Nationwide Parks and Monuments Map
These high 12 Colorado nationwide parks and monuments extremely deserve an itinerary spot. Critically, you’ll love them. Having the tallest dunes within the US and the Rocky Mountains in the identical state is unbelievable. To not point out the gorgeous alpine lakes and historic cliff dwellings.
In the event you can, go to all of them, however in case you actually should slim it down, we hope you’ve discovered your supreme match. As an all-year-round vacation spot, Colorado has plenty of out of doors points of interest no matter whether or not you visit in winter or summer season. In the event you plan to go to in winter, try our best things to do in Aspen information first. In any other case, take pleasure in Colorado.
