Colorado, crossed by the imposing Rocky Mountains, is the state of great heights, with the highest concentration of peaks that exceed 14000 feet, but if you think that this state can offer interesting things only to lovers of mountain trekking and ski slopes, you can think again. This state, like its neighbors in the Southwest and the Great American West, is ideal for road trips, thanks to a large number of scenic roads and unexpected natural wonders that don’t require much effort to enjoy.
So what are the best natural attractions in Colorado? Here is my personal Top 10 list of the most fascinating natural attractions in the state, strictly… in no particular order!
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Garden of the Gods
Characterized by imposing towers of red rock that stand amidst the vegetation, the Garden of the Gods is a unique place in the world. It is no coincidence that the ancient native tribes attributed a supernatural power to it, able to give life to improbable rock formations that seem to defy the laws of physics, such as the “Balanced Rock” (an imposing boulder in constant precarious balance) and the “Three Graces” (3 thin rock walls of unusual shape).
But in the Garden of the Gods you will not only find beautiful landscapes and improbably shaped rocks, but also a series of ancient rock carvings that attest to the activity of the ancient peoples of the region. The park boasts no fewer than 19 noteworthy rock formations, which you can explore on your own by following the directions on this map. Alternatively, you can contact the visitor center for ranger-led nature and history tours, or refer to the many hikes and guided tours found at the link below:
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Great Sand Dunes National Park
Speaking of improbable and unique places in the world, this national park, unjustly little known, surely deserves a special place: 88 square miles of imposing sand dunes (they reach over 650 feet high) framed by a memorable background, the majestic peaks (over 12000 feet) of the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountains.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park offers many hiking trails but what you should not miss here is trying sandboarding: basically it is a lot of fun sliding over the dunes on a board (an activity that you can also do in White Sands Park in New Mexico). In the video below, the park rangers explain the technique, which is nothing supernatural. The boards can be rented at the entrance to the park (Oasis Store) or in the nearby town of Alamosa (Kristi Mt. Sports).
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Colorado National Monument
The towering natural red rock spectacle of the Colorado National Monument is one of those mysteriously little-known and unfairly underrated wonders. Those looking for typical views of the American West, like Monument Valley, should seriously consider this destination.
To fully enjoy it you can take the Historic Rim Rock Drive, one of the most scenic roads in the United States. The route is 23 miles long and is a wonderful succession of views consisting of countless red rock canyons interspersed with juniper-rich vegetation. Be careful while driving because the road is quite challenging in some sections.
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Please note: Did you know that about an hour away there is another fascinating scenic road amidst red rock canyons? It’s the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway. You can find all the directions on how to get there and drive along it in our article on Highway 141 in Colorado.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
If the immense chasm of the Grand Canyon impresses you for its size, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison arouses the same effect for its dizzying depth. It is the narrowest and steepest canyon in the States, with it imposing rock walls carved out by millions of years of erosion by the Gunnison River.
Both sides of the canyon (South and North Rim) are lined with beautiful scenic roads with observation points to get a closer look at the chasm (in some cases you’ll have to walk along short trails to reach them). The side that offers the most impressive views of the canyon is the North Rim, and in particular I would suggest you stop at the following overlooks:
- Chasm View
- Narrows View
- Kneeling Camel View
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Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde Park is the most important evidence of the ancestral culture of the pueblo, an ancient tribe that founded their villages in rocky niches (cliff dwellings); if you add to these archaeological wonders the beautiful views offered by the wood-filled plateaus (“mesa”) in the park, you can easily understand how Mesa Verde is one of the most fascinating attractions in the entire state.
You’ll need a ranger guide to visit the cave villages, while other areas can be explored freely. You can find all the details in our article dedicated to Mesa Verde National Park.
Rocky Mountain National Park
For lovers of alpine landscapes, the Rocky Mountain National Park is a wonder not to be missed: over 620 square miles of snow-capped peaks, mountain lakes and expanses of wildflowers. This is one of the most visited parks in the States, so if you’re looking for a little privacy, I suggest you go hiking (there are almost 300 miles of trails waiting for you).
If you want to admire the wonders of the park from the comfort of your car, you can take the Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in America: viewpoints such as Forest Canyon, Fairview Curve, Alpine Visitor Center, Gore Range and Lava Cliff offer beautiful views of the mountains.
PS: If you still haven’t had enough, the park also offers another scenic drive, the Old Fall River Road.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
In the middle of a beautiful natural esplanade, on a red rock outcrop, stands one of the most spectacular amphitheaters in the world. From here it is possible not only to admire a landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see, but also listen to live music, as the Red Rocks Amphitheatre hosts many concerts.
But that’s not all: the famous amphitheater is set within the Red Rocks Park, where there are numerous hiking trails, the best known being the one leading to the Geologic Overlook. For more information on how to visit the amphitheater take a look at our article about the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Paint Mines Interpretive Park is one of the many surprises that Colorado reveals, a protected area dotted with rocky pinnacles of the most imaginative shapes and varied colors, which change constantly according to the light of day. These bizarre rock formations are made of clay and sand and for a long time the native Indians used them to make artifacts and to decorate their bodies for war purposes.
This is a very delicate ecosystem, therefore visitors are asked not to touch the rocks, and to always keep to the approximately 3-mile trail that ventures into the park. The area has parking lots and bathrooms but don’t expect any other amenities in the area.
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Canyons of the Ancients
The large number of archaeological remains (over 6000) make Canyon of the Ancients a priceless treasure, one of the places, along with the Mesa Verde Park, where you can come into contact with the ancestral culture of the Anasazi people. At the same time, you can also admire a series of plateaus, rocky conformations and canyons that make it very interesting from a natural point of view.
The Canyon of the Ancients is crossed by some paved roads, but most of them are dirt tracks; almost all the most interesting canyons and mesa are not accessible by car, but only by hikes. The most visited archaeological sites are Lowry Pueblo, Painted Hand Pueblo, and Sand Canyon Pueblo, but if you are willing to venture beyond the more traveled trails you will soon discover that this ancestral site has much more to offer.
McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area
Near Grand Junction, northwest of Colorado National Monument, there is another unknown yet noteworthy gem: McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, which includes the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, the area with the second highest concentration of natural arches in the U.S. after Arches National Park, and numerous fossils, pictographs and petroglyphs unearthed by archaeological excavations.
To organize your visit to this park you should consult the interactive map available online, where you will also find directions for parking.
