From the highest sand dunes in North America to one of the deepest canyons in the Western Hemisphere, Colorado lays claim to many of the nation’s unique natural and human wonders. Let's talk about how to discover them.
National Parks:
Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Why You Should Go
Mesa Verde is home to some of the most unique Ancestral Puebloan dwellings in the world. Well-preserved and well-studied, these dwellings have been inspiring interest in this ancient culture for more than 100 years. Tucked securely into cliff walls, the adobe-constructed homes are a novel sight to visitors who crane their necks skyward to see them. Ladders give guided groups access to the cliff dwellings, and informative park rangers offer educated glimpses into the daily lives of Ancestral Puebloans.
Amenities Offered
After a day viewing ancient dwellings, you'll appreciate a more modern campsite. Some of the best camping within the park is provided at the Morefield Campground, where RV hookups are available. In Morefield’s full-service village, you'll have access to a restaurant (offering pancake breakfasts), gas station, RV dumping station, coin-operated laundry, complimentary showers, a gift shop and a grocery store.
Around the Park
For those itching for an open car window and picture-perfect Colorado photo opportunities, click on your seatbelt, head out on the Trail of the Ancients or San Juan Skyway. On these driving tours, you’ll get a feel for the land on which the Ancestral Puebloans lived.
Related Material
A Century of Colorado Preservation: Mesa Verde National Park Celebrates its Centennial Year in the Centennial State
Events in Southwest Colorado
Top of page
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Why You Should Go
There's nowhere else in the United States where mountains of sand stand higher than in the Rocky Mountains. The tallest dune towers 750 feet high at an elevation of 8,700 feet above sea level. The entire dune field itself encompasses 30 square miles within the 150,000-acre park. Aside from the dunes, you'll find abundant hiking opportunities, as well as a four-wheel-driving trail along the challenging Medano Pass—an off-road route that stretches roughly 25 miles from within the park to the town of Gardner.
What You Can't Miss
Regardless of the season, park visitors on skis, snowboards and sleds carve their way down the dunes much like they would on the famous Colorado ski slopes. If you want to give it a try, just look for the steepest part of any dune, point yourself down it, and let gravity work its magic.
Watchable wildlife is also abundant within the park—keep your camera ready, because you never know when a pronghorn or mule deer will venture close to your campsite.
Amenities Offered
The Pinyon Flats Campground offers 88 campsites in the summer, with half of the sites closed and inaccessible during the winter months. Each campsite provides visitors with fire grates, picnic tables and stunning views of the dunes. Flush toilets and potable water are also available on-site.
Around the Park
To the south is the breath-taking Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway, which takes you over high mountain passes that cut through the San Isabel National Forest. Keep your eye out for wildlife. It's abundant here.
To the west of the park is a drive through history—the Gold Belt Tour. This route follows historic railroad and stagecoach lines that once transported fortunes of gold and other precious deposits to Denver and beyond. Along the way, remains of abandoned gold camps remind the traveler of the boom-and-bust environment that surrounded gold mining in Colorado. You may have to take turns driving—in addition to manmade structures and mineral riches, the natural beauty of profound drop-offs and sheer valley walls continually pass your windows.
Related Material
Exploring the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Events in South Central Colorado
Top of page
Rocky Mountain National Park
Why You Should Go
As a tribute to the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, this park encompasses the pure and natural beauty of the region. With high-mountain lakes and streams, peaks more than 14,000 feet, thick evergreen forests and thousands of acres of wildlife, this park conjures up what most people imagine when they think of the Rockies.
This national park finds its way onto most people’s travel itineraries. And with so much to see and do within its boundaries, there’s no wonder its popularity endures. It would be difficult to find a better place to experience the geographically defining Rocky Mountains than in a park dedicated to them.
What You Can't Miss
Open from Memorial Day to late autumn, Trail Ridge Road—topping out at 12,183 feet—is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Get an unforgettable look at the top of the Rockies while taking this one-of-a-kind drive.
Around the Park
Meandering through the park is Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road. Serving up perfect views of a few of Colorado’s finest 14ers (peaks higher than 14,000 feet), this 50-mile route is the very definition of grandiose. Pristine forested areas, gorges, lakes and rivers are found tucked away among the majestic towering mountains.
Related Material
Trail Ridge Road: Scaling the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park
Events in the Front Range of Colorado
Top of page
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Why You Should Go
Sheer black walls plummet up to 2,700 feet on this 53-mile stretch of narrow gorge, which reveal millions of years of natural history. Since its documented European discovery in the 1700s, the gorge has been renowned for its dramatic scenery and recreational opportunities. Not to mention its history: the Denver and Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad once traversed the mouth of this fissure that plunges into the Rockies. Today, the train is paid homage by an informative railroad museum and ranger talks throughout the park.
What You Can't Miss
Take your pick. This national park provides an array of outdoor activities, which means there is truly something for everyone. Auto touring, wildlife viewing, camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking and stargazing...they're just the beginning of your many options.
Amenities Offered
The national park offers two camping locations, one along the north rim and the other along the south. Both sites offer vault toilets, tables and grills. Water is available during the warmer months of May to October, as are electrical hookups along the south rim’s loop B.
Around the Park
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is surrounded by scenic and historic drives. To the northwest lies the Grand Mesa Historic and Scenic Byway, which features the expanse of Colorado’s fruit-producing Grand Valley. Or head west to the West Elk Loop, an enchanting weave through canyons, mountain passes, aspen groves and cherry orchards.
Related Material
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Events in Southwest Colorado
Top of page
updated: 05/12/08