Best Colorado National Parks + Map: 4 Spectacular Places To Visit Now
Best Colorado National Parks
Colorado National Parks are some of the best national parks in America!
Welcome to the beautiful state of Colorado, where adventure and natural beauty go hand in hand. Colorado national parks offer you breathtaking views, diverse wildlife, and endless recreational opportunities.
Each park boasts its unique features, from the towering peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park to the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, making Colorado national parks a must-visit destination for nature lovers.
Compared to other national parks in America, Colorado national parks offer a unique blend of natural wonders and cultural heritage.
Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its towering peaks, pristine lakes, and diverse wildlife, while Mesa Verde National Park is famous for its well-preserved cliff dwellings and ancient ruins.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is renowned for its steep cliffs and rugged terrain.
Whether you’re a hiker, photographer, or history buff, Colorado national parks offer something for everyone. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at each park’s unique features, activities, and tips to help you plan your next adventure in Colorado’s national parks.
Table of Contents
Map of Colorado National Parks
The map of Colorado National Parks below shows the locations of the 4 national parks in Colorado.
List of Colorado National Parks
The list of Colorado national parks with detailed maps of each national park and the best things to see and do in the park is below:
- Rocky Mountain National Park (with map of attractions)
- Great Sand Dunes National Park (with map of attractions)
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (with map of attractions)
- Mesa Verde National Park (with map of attractions)
Best Colorado National Parks: Spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the country. With over 415 square miles of pristine wilderness, the park is home to some of the most iconic mountain scenery in the world.
Rocky Mountain National Park is located close to Denver (see Colorado national parks map above).
What makes Rocky Mountain National Park unique is its incredible elevation range, which spans from 7,500 feet to over 14,000 feet above sea level. You can expect to see a diverse range of landscapes, from alpine meadows and deep forests to cascading waterfalls and clear blue lakes.
This unique geology creates a diverse range of habitats, which in turn support a diverse range of flora and fauna. The park is home to over 60 species of mammals, including elk, bighorn sheep, and black bears, as well as over 280 species of birds.
One of the best ways to experience the park’s natural beauty is through a scenic drive, and Trail Ridge Road is the ultimate route to take. This 48-mile stretch takes visitors up and over the Continental Divide, offering breathtaking views of the park’s mountain peaks, alpine tundra, and expansive meadows.
For those who prefer to explore on foot, Rocky Mountain National Park has no shortage of scenic hikes that lead to beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and peaks. One of the most popular hikes is the Emerald Lake Trail, which takes visitors through aspen groves, past glacier-carved valleys, and to the stunning Emerald Lake.
Other notable hikes include the Bear Lake Trail, Sky Pond Trail, and Chasm Lake Trail, all of which offer stunning views and unique experiences.
Beyond the stunning scenery, the park is also home to an incredible array of wildlife. Visitors may spot majestic elk, bighorn sheep, moose, or even a black bear. Keep an eye out for the park’s namesake, the Rocky Mountain goat, which can often be spotted scaling the park’s steep cliffs.
Rocky Mountain National Park offers a range of activities for visitors of all ages and interests. From fishing in the park’s many streams and lakes to horseback riding, camping, and even snowshoeing in the winter, there is always something to do in this incredible park.
In summary, Rocky Mountain National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves nature and adventure. With its stunning natural beauty and diverse range of recreational opportunities, it’s no wonder why this park is a favorite among visitors (see Colorado national parks map above).
Check here for our detailed guide on the Rocky Mountain National Park and the 13 best things to do!
Learn more about the 19 best lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park and the 7 best waterfalls in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Best Colorado National Parks: Exploring the Majestic Sand Dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park is a unique and breathtaking destination located in southern Colorado (see Colorado national parks map above).
Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, towering at over 700 feet high.
The dunes were formed by the accumulation of sand from the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges, creating a surreal and otherworldly landscape.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most unusual parks in the National Park System. It features a diverse range of ecosystems, including wetlands, grasslands, and forests, all surrounding the magnificent sand dunes.
The park also boasts a rich cultural history, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 11,000 years.
One of the unique features of Great Sand Dunes National Park is the ability to sled or sandboard down the dunes. You can rent sandboards and sleds from nearby shops or bring your own equipment. The sandboarding and sledding experience is thrilling and provides an adrenaline rush for visitors of all ages.
Another must-see attraction in the park is the Medano Creek, which flows along the base of the sand dunes. During the spring and summer months, the creek provides a refreshing respite from the heat, and visitors can enjoy wading, swimming, and playing in the water. The creek is also a great place for nature walks and bird watching.
The park has many hiking trails that offer stunning views of the dunes and surrounding landscapes. The Mosca Pass Trail is a popular option, offering a moderate hike with beautiful views of the sand dunes and the San Luis Valley. The High Dune Trail is a more challenging hike, but it provides unparalleled panoramic views of the park.
Visitors to Great Sand Dunes National Park should also take the time to explore the park’s diverse wildlife. The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including bighorn sheep, black bears, and the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. Sandhill cranes annually migrate in spring from nearby Monte Vista.
The park’s night sky is another unique feature that visitors should not miss. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the best places in Colorado to stargaze, with little light pollution and clear night skies. The park offers ranger-led stargazing programs that allow visitors to see the Milky Way and other celestial bodies.
Finally, you can learn about the park’s rich cultural history. The park’s Visitor Center features exhibits on the history of the park, including the indigenous people who have lived in the area for thousands of years.
Check here for our detailed guide on the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the 7 best things to do!
Best Colorado National Parks: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park – Nature’s Masterpiece
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a hidden gem in the state of Colorado (see Colorado national parks map above). This park is known for its stunning and unique geology, with steep and narrow canyon walls that plunge down into the Gunnison River.
The park covers over 30,000 acres and has a depth of 2,700 feet at its deepest point, making it one of the deepest canyons in North America. The park’s natural beauty is truly breathtaking, and its rugged wilderness attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.
One interesting fact about Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is that the rock formations here are some of the oldest in the United States, dating back over two billion years. Additionally, the canyon walls are so steep and narrow that in some areas, sunlight only reaches the canyon floor for a few minutes a day.
Visitors to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park have plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking is a popular activity, with trails ranging from easy to strenuous. The South Rim Drive is also a must-see, as it offers some of the most spectacular views of the canyon.
Here are 7 popular items that visitors should not miss:
Gunnison Point and Tomichi Point: These are two of the best overlooks in the park, offering stunning views of the canyon and the Gunnison River.
The Painted Wall: This is the tallest cliff in the park, reaching over 2,250 feet high. The cliff face is made up of colorful rock layers that are over a billion years old.
Chasm View Nature Trail: This trail offers a close-up view of the canyon and its unique rock formations, including the narrowest point in the park.
Rim Rock Nature Trail: This trail is an easy, paved trail that offers stunning views of the canyon and its surroundings.
East Portal Road: This scenic drive takes visitors down to the Gunnison River and offers unique views of the canyon from below.
Stargazing: The Milky Way is often visible in its full glory, and during certain times of the year, visitors may even catch a glimpse of shooting stars or the Northern Lights.
Wildlife Viewing: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. Visitors can often spot these animals along the park’s hiking trails and scenic drives.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a truly unique destination that should not be missed by anyone visiting Colorado (see map of Colorado National Parks above). Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or simply a lover of natural beauty, this park has something to offer for everyone.
Best Colorado National Parks: Mesa Verde National Park – A Window into the Past
Mesa Verde National Park, located in the southwestern corner of Colorado (see Colorado national parks map above), is one of the most unique national parks in the United States. It is the only park in America dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people, who inhabited the area for over 700 years.
The park is home to over 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, making it one of the largest archaeological preserves in the country. You can explore the ancient ruins and learn about the rich history and culture of the Ancestral Pueblo people.
The natural beauty of Mesa Verde National Park is also something to behold. The park is located on a high plateau and offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The park’s diverse landscapes range from high desert mesas to deep canyons and lush forests, providing a unique and breathtaking backdrop for visitors.
One of the main attractions in Mesa Verde National Park is the cliff dwellings, which are the most well-known and preserved archaeological sites in the park. You can take guided tours to explore these ancient dwellings, which were built into the cliffs by the Ancestral Pueblo people over 700 years ago.
Some of the most popular cliff dwellings include Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Spruce Tree House.
In addition to the cliff dwellings, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Mesa Verde National Park. You can take scenic drives through the park, go hiking on one of the many trails, or attend ranger-led programs to learn more about the history and culture of the area.
Other popular activities include wildlife watching, birding, and stargazing.
The Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum is another must-visit attraction, with exhibits showcasing the history and culture of the Ancestral Pueblo people.
Other top things to see and do in Mesa Verde National Park include the Far View Sites Complex, which features five Ancestral Pueblo villages, and the Petroglyph Point Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and ancient rock art.
The park also offers a range of ranger-led tours and programs, including sunset tours of Cliff Palace, backcountry hiking tours, and cultural demonstrations.
Overall, Mesa Verde National Park is a fascinating and unique destination that offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the Ancestral Pueblo people, as well as stunning natural beauty and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration.
Check here for our detailed guide on the Mesa Verde National Park and the 7 best things to do!
Best Colorado National Parks: Memories That Last a Lifetime
Colorado national parks offer a diverse range of natural beauty and cultural significance that make them a must-visit destination for any nature lover or history enthusiast.
From the towering peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park to the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, each park offers a unique and unforgettable experience that showcases the best of what Colorado has to offer.
Whether you’re looking to hike through breathtaking landscapes, explore ancient ruins and artifacts, or simply relax and take in the beauty of nature, Colorado national parks have something for everyone. And with a variety of activities, from wildlife watching to stargazing, visitors can customize their trip to suit their interests and preferences.
In addition to the stunning natural scenery and historical significance of the parks, visitors can also enjoy a variety of amenities and services, including campgrounds, lodges, and visitor centers, as well as ranger-led tours and educational programs.
Overall, Colorado national parks offer a truly unforgettable experience that combines the best of natural beauty, history, and recreation. Whether you’re a local resident or a first-time visitor, a trip to one of these national parks is sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
So don’t hesitate – plan your visit today and discover the wonder and beauty of Colorado national parks for yourself!
