Stunning vistas, beautiful waterfalls, glacier lakes, quaint mountains towns…what’s not to love about Colorado? Colorado is by far one of the most beautiful states in the US! I visited Colorado for the first time in 2020, and have revisited it several times in the span of two years due to its beauty. If you’ve never visited Colorado then I highly recommend you to visit. There are so many hidden gems and natural beauty in this state that deciding where to visit could be overwhelming! But I’ve put together this guide on the best places to visit in Colorado to help you with your travel planning. Check out the best places to visit in Colorado!
Map of the Best Places to Visit in Colorado
Best Places to Visit in Colorado
Part 1: Attractions
Piney River Ranch
If you’re looking for a relaxing mountain getaway, look no further than a stay at Piney River Ranch! Piney River Ranch is a private mountain retreat that is set on the edge of Piney Lake and nestled at the foot of the majestic Gore Range. It offers both cabins and glamping tents plus a variety of outdoor activities. Even if you are not staying at Piney River Ranch, you can still make reservations for horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
This charming mountain retreat is only open part of the year, typically from June through September, and reservations go fast! If you want to visit, I suggest making plans in advance and booking online.
The ranch is also a popular wedding destination and there’s a good reason why! If you’re looking for a wedding venue, Piney River Ranch is also a great option. Also, Piney River Ranch is only 12 miles from Vail so you could combine a visit to the ranch with a trip to Vail.
Red Rocks Park and Amphiteatre
Located less than half an hour from Denver, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater is an iconic concert venue set against famed red rocks. Attending a concert here is still on my bucket list, but Red Rocks is also a great place for hiking. It is free to visit and I highly recommend you to go for a hike, especially if you’re near Denver.
My favorite trail is the Trading Post Trail which is an easy 1.5-mile loop trail that takes you through scenic rock formations and beautiful meadows. The trail is good for all levels and ages so it’s a great family hike as well. If you visit in the early morning, you can even see wildlife!
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
Did you know that the highest suspension bridge in America is in Colorado? Take in scenic beauty while standing 956 feet in the air. Royal Gorge Bridge near Cañon City, Colorado is a popular attraction as there is also a park at the edge of the bridge. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, then it is certainly a place for you to visit! Attractions at the park include zip-lining, climbing, a sky coaster, and more!
Unfortunately, you can’t just cross the bridge. To be able to cross the bridge on foot, you have to have tickets to the park. Book your tickets online in advance here.
Crystal Mill
Isn’t this site just stunning? Built in 1892, Crystal Mill was never a working mill, but it is one of Colorado’s most photographed spots today. Crystal Mill is located near the town of Marble and about an hour and a half from Aspen. The mill is only accessible in the summer and fall when there is no snow.
To visit Crystal Mill, you can either drive, hike, or bike. To go there by car, you either need to go on a group tour or have a four-wheel-drive vehicle for the rough terrain. The road leading to the site is a 4-mile long dirt road with challenging terrain. To go there on foot, it is a 9-mile roundtrip hike so be sure to be prepared for the long hike and bring plenty of water and snacks. Once you get there, it is a $10 per person fee to see the mill from the water but you can also view it from the road.
Part 2: Parks
Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument is a treasure! Located in western Colorado, Colorado National Monument is more than just a monument. The vast landscape there is incredible! It is near the city of Grand Junction and offers stunning canyon views and rock formations. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking, but you can also drive through the park. The 23-mile Rim Rock Drive takes you through Colorado National Monument and you can easily pull over to admire the landscape.
It is $20 per vehicle to enter the park and I highly recommend getting America the Beautiful Pass if you plan on visiting more than two US National Parks in a year. The America the Beautiful Pass grants you access to more than 2,000 federal sites and covers entrance fees at all US national parks, wildlife refuges, forests, and more. The pass is only $80 a year so it’ll pay for itself if you visit multiple sites.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite US National Parks! I think it is severely underrated. You can easily spend several days here exploring this vast area. Here are some spots you cannot miss in this park:
- Sprague Lake
- Bear Lake
- Emerald Lake
- Sky Pond
- Trail Ridge Road
The entrance fee is $25 but you can use the America the Beautiful Pass here! You need to obtain a timed permit to visit in the summer (typically from May through October) so make sure to check the reservation system on the NPS website.
I also visited in the winter once and it was a winter wonderland! If you do plan on visiting in the winter, check out the best winter hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Can you believe this is in Colorado? Great Sand Dunes National Park is known for its towering sand dunes but it also offers a diverse landscape of grasslands, forests, lakes, and wetlands. It is open year-round and there are no reservations required to visit!
There are plenty of things to do in this US National Park including hiking and backpacking, sandboarding and sand sledding, fishing, and camping. This is a great place to experience the night sky as well! With little light pollution, high elevation, and dry air, it is a great place to go stargazing. You may even see the Milky Way!
Garden of the Gods
Located in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is an incredible geological wonder! I cannot believe this beautiful park is free to visit. It is a popular spot for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and photography. Some spots you cannot miss include Balanced Rock, Siamese Twins, and Kissing Camels. I would also recommend the Perkins Garden Trail, which takes you through the park’s iconic formations, and the Palmer Trail which gives you great vantage points of the park and Pikes Peak.
Mesa Verde National Park
You can explore thousands of archeological sites and cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park! It is known for its preserved Puebloan dwellings and petroglyphs. The park protects the rich history and culture of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived in this area for over 700 years. Some points of interest within the park include:
- Park Point: Short walk to the highest point in the park (8,572 feet) with spectacular views
- Spruce Tree House: Offers views of the park’s best preserved cliff dwelling
- Far View Sites: Easy walk (less than a mile) through a forest that connects a community of farming villages and an ancient reservoir
- Mesa Top Loop Road: Six mile drive with cliff dwelling overlooks
- Cliff Palace: Largest cliff dwelling in North America
Dinosaur National Monument
Can you imagine stumbling across a fossil on a hike? Dinosaur National Monument marks a place where you can see the fantastic remains of dinosaurs who once roamed here embedded in the rocks. This is a great place to visit and take a step back in time. There are over 210,000 acres for you to explore! You could raft through remote canyons, camp in any of its six campgrounds, see petroglyphs embedded on the walls, and hike through miles and miles of trails. The options are endless here!
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Aren’t the colors incredible here at Paint Mines Interpretive Park? This park is free to visit and it is one of Colorado’s most colorful places. It has evidence of human life dating as far back as 9,000 years! Take the Paint Mines Trail, which is a 3.4-mile loop, to see great views of the hoodoos and colorful geological formations.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is Colorado’s own version of the Grand Canyon! It’s called the Black Canyon because the walls are often cast by the shadows, making them appear black. This is a great spot for scenic drives to see the Gunnison River below. There are numerous scenic overlooks and plenty of trails as well. If you’re an experienced rock climber, this is a great spot to climb as well. Come see the dramatic canyon for yourself!
Part 3: Mountain Towns
Vail
Vail looks straight out of a fairytale! This spot is known as one of the best places to ski in the US, but be sure to check out the town as well. There are two charming towns at the base of Vail Mountain: Lionshead Village and Vail Village. You’ll find delicious restaurants, boutique shops, and so much more! Some of my favorite places to eat include Alpenrose, Vintage, and Rimini Gelato and Chocolate.
For me, I really enjoyed just walking around town and admiring the European-styled architecture. If you want to see other fairytale places in the US, check out these hidden gems.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge is located less than an hour from Vail, and is another renowned ski resort! The downtown area is super charming, but what I found extra special about Breckenridge is one of its residents.
Pictured above, I want you to meet Isak, the Breckenridge Troll. You can meet Isak on a very short walk in the woods and he is quite popular. Trolls are actually very popular in Scandinavian countries and he is one of many wooden trolls scattered around the world created by Mr. Thomas Dambo.
Be sure to pay Isak a visit when you visit Breckenridge!
Telluride
If you want to take a step back in time, be sure to visit Telluride! This former Victorian mining town preserves much of its building and history from the past. This beautiful mountain town is also a renowned ski resort, but you would be remiss to not learn about the history of the place. The downtown area is very scenic with historic buildings juxtaposed against majestic mountain peaks.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte is a charming ski town in the rocky mountains of Colorado. It truly is a great place to visit year-round! Visit in winter for its renowned ski resort and vacation in the summer for mountain biking and its scenic meadows full of vibrant wildflowers. Come in fall and witness the aspen trees turn color. Crested Butte is never a bad idea!
Ouray
Known as Switzerland of America, Ouray is located in southwest Colorado, in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. It is a great base to explore the town and its scenic surrounding areas. This town is full of wonderful surprises and there’s something for everyone here from outdoor adventure to shopping. Don’t miss out on the hot springs in town!
Part 4: Natural Wonders
Pikes Peak
You have to visit one of America’s most famous mountains when you’re in Colorado! Sitting at 14,115Â feet, Pikes Peak is one of the best places to visit. Enjoy Pikes Peak by taking a scenic drive on Pikes Peak Highway and passing through a variety of terrains as you reach the summit.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you could also hike or bike Pike’s Peak as well!
Maroon Bells
The Maroon Bells are one of the most photogenic places in the US! They are actually two mountain peaks (Maroon Peak and Elk Peak) in the Elk Mountains. It is near the town of Aspen, and you can visit in summer and fall.
Hiking is the best way to experience the Maroon Bells! You can take a shuttle to Maroon Bells and there are plenty of hiking trails at the base. Some of the more popular trails include:
- Maroon Lake Scenic Trail: 1 mile loop that takes you around Maroon Lake
- Maroon Creek Trail: 6.9 mile out and back trail that takes you through alpine meadows, aspen forests, and rocky slopes; great trail to spot wildlife
- Crater Lake Trail: 3.5 mile out and back trail that offers closer looks at the Maroon Bells; be sure to look out for mountain goats!
Note: Dogs are welcomed on the shuttle and on the trails.
Hanging Lake
Hiking Hanging Lake should be on every nature lover’s bucket list! Hanging Lake is located in the heart of Glenwood Canyon and you reach it by a 1.2 mile hiking trail. The Hanging Lake Trail is steep and rigourous, but you’ll be rewarded by a stunning view of waterfalls into the lake.
Note: Dogs are not allowed on trail.
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is the tallest free-falling falls in Colorado! It is a 365 foot waterfall at the end of a box canyon near Telluride. You can hike to the top of the falls through a series of switchbacks. The hike starts at the parking lot and is 4 miles round trip.
Dallas Divide
The Dallas Divide is a scenic drive just west of Rideway, Colorado. It is a great way to experience Colorado’s fall colors! If you’re planning on driving through Colorado, this is a scenic highway you cannot miss.
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