Colorado, a state that is divided by the Rocky Mountains and crammed with wilderness areas and national parks, is a great place to go for outdoor activities in any season. Outdoor activities are part of the Centennial State’s daily life, including whitewater rafting, skiing, and biking, as well as camping.
Visitors looking for a relaxed vacation will love Colorado’s fun-loving culture. Colorado is home to the highest concentration of beer in the Union and one of two states that have legalized recreational marijuana use.
The top places to visit in Colorado are rich in historic and cultural attractions, as well as natural beauty. They have something for everyone.
Boulder
Boulder, a college town located just a few minutes north of Denver, is nestled in the Rocky Mountains’ foothills. The Boulder is known for its healthy lifestyle and many outdoor activities.
The Boulder Creek runs through the city and is lined by walking and biking trails. The pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street Mall is four blocks long and features outdoor performers for all weather conditions.
Black Canyon of Gunnison
The Gunnison National Park, located in Southwestern Colorado is most well-known for its narrow canyon known as the Black Canyon. The canyon has a depth of 2,700 feet (820m) and was formed by thousands of years’ worth of erosion by Gunnison River.
The canyon can be seen from scenic overlooks along the South Rim Road, which runs for 6 miles (10 km). Easy-to-follow hiking trails that include signs about the plants of the area are available on Cedar Point Nature Trail, located off South Rim. The Painted Wall is the highest cliff in California, at 2,250 feet high.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is located at the foot of Pikes Peak. It attracts visitors to enjoy the views from the mountain that inspired the song “America, the Beautiful.”
The Garden of the Gods, with its sculptured sandstone formations as well as balancing stones, is another favorite natural attraction. The city is rich in culture and has many museums to explore, such as the Pioneer Museum, Fine Arts Center, and Rock Ledge Historic Site. These open-air museums feature costumed docents who show the history of Colorado Springs.
Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde, located in southwest Colorado, is the home of the famed cliff dwellings belonging to the Anasazi people. It is one the most important archeological sites of Native American culture in America. The Anasazi began building homes in caves, and then under rocks overhangs on canyon walls. Cliff Palace is the most well-known of these.
It was constructed by Ancient Puebloans using sandstone bricks and mortar made of ash, clay, and water. It had 150 rooms and 76 open spaces. The communities were under pressure from climatic change and increasing population. In the 1270s, Ancestral Puebloan populations began to migrate to Arizona and New Mexico.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
The Great Sand Dunes National Park, located in Southern Colorado is an amazing sight. The dunes are formed by winds blowing against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. They reach heights of more than 750 feet (230 m), making them North America’s tallest dunes.
The park’s most sought-after activities include sandboarding, skiing, and sledding down the dunes. There are also medium-sized slopes nearby for you to slide on. The north side of the park has a steeper climb that takes you to a slope at 300 feet (90 meters) which leads to Medano Creek.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is located at the Continental Divide and contains some of the most stunning mountains in the world. The park contains 77 mountains, whose elevations range from 7,500 feet to more than 12,000 feet (2.200 to 3.600 meters).
The park has more than 3,000,000 visitors each year. Most spend at least one night in the campgrounds. Visitors can hike more than 350 miles to see the wildlife of the park, including hundreds of bighorn sheep, deer, and elk. The Trail Ridge Road is a specially constructed scenic road that leads to the highest point in any National Park in the United States.
Aspen
Aspen has a reputation for being a popular ski resort and attracting celebrities. It is also one of the most desirable places to visit in Colorado. The hype is real.
There are four resorts that offer excellent skiing, from the buttermilk mountain’s gentle slopes to Aspen Mountain’s rough terrain. In warm weather, you can fish for trout in the Roaring Fork River, or take shuttles to nearby 14,000-foot (4300 meter) Maroon Bells peaks to enjoy leisurely hikes through Colorado’s most photographed mountains.
Denver
Denver, Colorado’s capital and biggest city, is often called the “Mile High City”, because it lies exactly one mile above sea level. Located east of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is a popular destination for winter sports. It celebrates its mining heritage and cowboy heritage.
Furthermore, Denver is also home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, including the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Performing Arts Complex. These are two of the country’s most important performing art centers.