From the highest sand dunes in North America to one of the deepest canyons in the Western Hemisphere, Colorado’s four national parks encompass some of the most outstanding natural and cultural attractions in North America. At the Great Sand Dunes National Park you can hike your way to the top of the dunes then snowboard or slide down, or build a gigantic sand castle and do some birding. Hike the trails along the rim at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, then plunge into the wilderness 2,722 feet below for some great wildlife viewing and trout fishing. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the nation’s quintessential parks, thanks to its breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. And, Mesa Verde National Park offers a look at Colorado’s beginnings with ancient cliff dwellings that chronicle more than 700 years of Ancestral Puebloan history.
