Colorado is an annual destination that piqued our imagination and inspired the soul with its dramatic landscape and natural beauty. Mountain towns beckon skiers, hikers hikers, mountain bikers and outdoor fans of all kinds. The state is nothing less than breathtaking, with a diversity from the majestic Rocky Mountain Range to rolling hills, beautiful alpine lakes and rivers and the high desert of the Colorado Plateau. Remnants of cultures and dinosaurs that once visited the region can be seen if one visits some of the national parks and monuments. Colorado is the unbeatable destination that will make you rethink your travel plans. 16 top rated attractions to visit in Colorado.
Royal Gorge
Royal Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in Colorado that is most likely unfamiliar to many who want to visit there. Visitors are also welcome to enjoy food and drink, several rides (including a zipline across the canyon) and others activities and additional purchases. An entry fee is required to walk over the 1,260 ft suspension bridge located more than 3200 ft above the canyon’s floor. If you are afraid of height or simply want a breathtaking experience from a different perspectives it is also possible to see Royal Gorge via a railway. The Royal Gorge Railroad follows the Arkansas River above the high canyon walls with meals and mooring cabs on board.
Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park
Steep canyon walls rising from the Gunnison River create a narrow, dramatic canyon. The depths of the canyon are approximately 3,000 feet Gunnison Point and Chasm View reach more than 1500 feet. The best activities here are simply looking out into the canyon and enjoying the environment. If you think you are adventurous you can walk to the canyon and hiking trails are not maintained or marked – conditions are difficult and you can only take your chances and must accept the costs of rescue should the need arise. Three campgrounds are located inside the park; the north and south river campgrounds were open exclusively for tents and RVs.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountains National Park is the most popular national park in the United States. The park is home to about 100 summits over 10,000 feet. Longs Peak is the highest in the park with 14259 feet. The most popular activities are hiking, wildlife watching, camping, fishing, horseback riding and rock climbs. The summer is the busiest season in the national park. During the winter people often come into the park at this time of the year to snowshoe or cross country ski and there are ranger guided tours in both of these sports. Many roads are open year-round, though closings can occur due to weather conditions, which happens often during the winter months.
Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur remains found hidden under exposed rock walls reveal remnants of giant animals living in them that roamed these area. Petroglyphs provide an overview of the many cultures and peoples living here long ago.
Other popular attractions in Dinosaur National Monument range from simple driving tours through the monument to hiking, fishing, rafting and camping. A number of scenic drives in the park are available either on pavement or on four-wheel drive.
Campgrounds are open for both tents and RVs but others just for tents, and hotels can be purchased in nearby Vernal CO where accommodation can be located among hotel rooms.
Great Sand Dunes
The Great Sand Dunes are the highest dunes on the continent reaching heights over 755 feet. The park offers opportunities for camping, hiking, sandboarding and floating in a seasonal river at the base of the dunes.
A fee is required to enter the park that is designated an international Dark Sky Park. Plus the unique ecosystem opens up opportunities for interesting wildlife activities, such as kayaking, hiking and boating on seasonal rivers at the base of the park.
The area was designated a National Monument in 1932 that was later converted to a National Park in 2004.
Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek is most known for historic mining and gambling towns. Explore the trail network of Gold camp trail. Walking and cycling through the gold camp’s historic sites. White water rafting, boating, hiking rock climbing, mountain bike riding and off the beaten track are some of the activities available here.
No visit would be complete without exploring the depth of the gold mine or trying your luck at the casino’s.
Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road is the highest elevation continuous asphalt route all over the nation. The travel along Trail Ridge Rd offers panoramic views of the Great Continental Divide. The road is within Rocky Mountains National Park a fee or park-pass is required and reservation may also be required. The car access at the Park is available from late May to October in some cases. The drive is one of the best means to discover Colorado’s natural mountain beauty in the park’s beautiful alpine terrain.
Garden of Gods
A 300 feet wide National Nature Trail is home to a unique landscape of jagged limestone towers and fins that hang 300 to 100 feet higher. The park is a popular area for rock climbing but other activities in the park include road biking in designated biking lanes, mountain biking and horseback riding. There is an in-house café with massive windows is a good location to enjoy a snack or drink. Jeep tours thru the foothills or gardens of the god are also a favorite. Garden of Gods Park’s visitor & park center serves as museum with exhibits. Stay and witch a 20-minute film about the geology of the park.
Hanging Lake
Glenwood Springs, Colorado is one of the best places to visit in Colorado. A large number of visitors head out on the trails each day so it can be a little crowded at times but definitely worth seeing if you are visiting this part of the state. Hanging lake got its name because there is a smaller waterfall hanging off of cliffside above Hanging Lake. Hanging lake is still hanging off of the cliffside even though there are no longer waterfalls hanging below it. Hanging lake has to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado that hikers must see while out trekking on the trails.
Hanging lake’s unique turquoise color is an interesting phenomenon to see. The color comes from the limestone that has dissolved in the water.
Hanging lake has two trails, one is lower and shorter and the other leads to upper hanging lake.
San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and Million Dollar Highway
The Million Dollar Highway is a 300 mile two-lane highway that traverses the mountain side occasionally. The Million dollar highway got it’s name, because it cost so much to construct, the amount of gold ore that remained in the road’s fill dirt earned it its name.
The San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway stretches from the old mining town of Silverton to the town of Ouray. Telluride is one of the most beautiful mountain towns in America with a traditional main street and beautiful mountain scenery. The Skyway is a 4-day trip you can do at good times although this could be done in winter and in summer. If you have fewer minutes or only plan on going straight forward you can do the Silverton to Ouray section from Durango to Silverton.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway
One of the best places to visit in Colorado is Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway. It was built during 1888-1889 by the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad company.
The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway runs through Colorado, following old rail tracks that were part of the Denver & Rio Grand Western Railroad. It is a fun ride from Durango to Silverton and a great way to spend a day out with kids or for a romantic date.
The tracks follow the Animas River through the valley between the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Passengers can ride on this narrow-gauge train from May to October, going along the scenic route through the Rockies.
The train consists of a locomotive and four open-air cars with benches for passengers to sit on the 5-mile journey from Durango to Silverton. There is a steam engine as well as oil-fired engines, so there are different trips available depending on how environmentally friendly you want your day out to be.
The railroad’s friendly staff will explain the different features of the train to you, from its history and operation to helping you spot various species of birds and animals in the surrounding area.
There is a vintage rail car with a kitchen for serving food on board during summer months, but you can also have snacks at time of departure before boarding.
Durango is also the end of the Colorado Trail which leads from Denver up to Durango. In winter the Town is a ski town fully supported by the nearby Purgatory Ski Resort. In the summer the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gage Railway is one of the main tourism attractions of the place. More hiking and mountain biking paths are located right here in Durango and in surrounding mountains.
Aspen Colorado
Aspen is located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The city, named after aspen trees that grow abundantly in the area, was first discovered by trappers and hunters in the 1800s. As one of Aspen’s earliest settlements, it has become a tourist destination for outdoor activities like horseback riding, hiking, fishing and skiing.
Aspen is known as a brilliant year-round destination for adventurers, festivals and arts enthusiasts. Besides downhill skiing, you can try cross-country skiing snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating and dog sledding. Foodies shouldn’t miss a yearly Food and Wine Classic in June.
In summer you can ride the Aspen Mountain Gondola go skiing whitewater rafting horseback riding hiking hot air ballooning or fly fishing or add cultural experiences at the Art Museum.
Molly Brown House
One of Denver’s première historic sites, the Molly Brown House is a must-see stop for tourists and locals alike. From her humble beginnings as “the Unsinkable” to her role in history at the RMS Titanic, Margaret Tobin Brown was not only an influential figure in the suffragist movement and women’s rights, but also a colorful historical character that stayed true to her roots.
The Denver house where she lived out the last decades of her life blends history with modern living, preserved as it would have been during Margaret’s stay there. Visitors can explore the rooms, including the kitchen and dining room, learn about the family’s income sources (in this case, rental properties), and admire the stunning architectural renovation that blended modern facilities while keeping with the historical significance of each room.
Silverton
The one place that needs to be on the top of your list of places to visit is Silverton. This small city in Colorado has beauty, history , culture and fun all rolled into one. The best part about this small town is that you can go hiking, fishing or white water rafting anytime you want to.
If you are feeling a little more adventurous the hills are yours to climb. The beauty of this town is not only in what you can do but also in the people who live there.
Silverton is a national historical site. The city can be seen by stopping in the San Juan Skyway. Souvenir shops or take hiking trips, take Jeep excursions or try to rent an ATV. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train is the destination of the narrow gauge train from Durango to Silverton, and is also the stopper for passengers on New Mexico Skyway route.
Snowmass Village
Snowmass is a village in Pitkin County, Colorado. The population was 70 at the 2010 census. It is situated fifteen miles southwest of Aspen on the Roaring Fork River in the Rocky Mountains. Snowmass is one of three small ski villages comprising Snowmass Village, which sits midway between Basalt and Carbondale, straddling the Maroon Creek Road about 1.5 miles west of U.S. Route 82 and is 33 miles northwest of Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Kids will also enjoy activities such as an alpine coaster, a trail for trees and a climbing wall. Snowmass is a popular ski resort, of course but it is also possible to hike bike paths in summer or hike or fish in the summer activities of the town. The town is located in Colorado’s largest state park. It is also near three wilderness areas.
To get a taste of Snowmass, visitors can enjoy some local food. There are a number of restaurants to choose from in the town that offers a variety of cuisine styles for all tastes.
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is a United States National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Montezuma County, Colorado. The park’s main attraction is about 4,700 archaeological sites of the Ancestral Pueblo People who built their houses under overhanging cliffs.
The reason for the cliff dwells, according to some archeologists, by dwelling in the canyons rather than on the mesas, the Cliff Dwellers more land to be cultivated in a century that saw two severe droughts. Others think cliff dwellings were erected as a defense against an unknown adversary.
The park is located in the southwest of Colorado near the Four Corners area which borders Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Colorado is a beautiful state filled with amazing monuments and outdoor recreation. Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Molly Brown House are just three of the many sites you can visit in Colorado to experience its natural beauty. If you’re looking for places to go when visiting this region of America, we hope that our list will provide some inspiration!
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