Colorado is known for its amazing landscape of mountains, forests, rivers, mesas, canyons, and desert lands. From the highest sand dunes in North America to mountain peaks that rise over 14,000 feet Colorado has the most unique landscapes.
Colorado has four National Parks: Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. A road trip to Colorado should be on your bucket list. You get to cross through dramatic mountains, peaks fly into the bright blue skies.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in northeast Colorado. The park covers over 415 square miles with a spectacular mountain range. The park offers plenty of outdoor activities from wildlife watching to mountain climbing. If you like to visit Rocky Mountain, June to September is the best time to visit, when the snow has melted and most of the hiking trails are accessible.
The park is open year-round and some paths will be closed due to harsh weather. The park has activities and sports throughout the summer, fall and winter, spring seasons. Even if you don’t like adventurous activities you can go for scenic drives or watch wildlife.
Places to Visit in Rocky Mountain National Park
- Chasm Lake Trail
- Scenic Drive on Trail Ridge Road
- Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
- Alberta Falls
- Emerald Lake Trail
- Bear Lake
- Old Fall River Road
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is located in Montezuma County, Colorado. The park is the largest archaeological preserve in the United States. The best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is in the spring and fall. When the park has pleasant weather to explore the park. During spring and fall, the park gets fewer visitors than in the summer season.
If you like to visit Mesa Verda you need two days with an overnight stay in the park. The park Mesa Verde provides wonderful opportunities for stargazing. With less pollution, you get to see clear night skies and full of stars.
Places to Visit in Mesa Verde National Park
- Cliff Palace
- Petroglyph Point Hike
- Balcony House
- Long House
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in southern Colorado. The park has the tallest sand dunes in North America towering at 755 feet. The entire dune field encompasses 30 square miles. The park offers plenty of activities scenic drive on Medano Pass, horseback-riding trails, and more. The park receives many visitors every year for its sand dunes and activities like sandboarding and sand sledding.
Places to Visit in Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Mosca Pass Trail
- High Dune Trail
- Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center
- Sand Sheet Loop Trail
- Little Medano Creek
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in western Colorado. The park gets its name from its black-stained, lichen-covered walls. Black Canyon is not as big as the Grand Canyon, but the stunning landscape is not less than Grand canyon.
The park is loved by photographers and climbers for its canyon peaks. Black Canyon offers plenty of opportunities for rock climbers. The canyon is extremely deep, narrow, and challenging. You can even go hiking, the park has many challenging trails. Many trails pass by steep dropoffs you even get to spot bears.
Places to Visit in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Rim Rock Trail
- Black Canyon Visitor Center
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
- South Rim Road
- East Portal Road