Top Destinations in Colorado List

Use our realist list of Best Places to Visit in Colorado to plan your next adventure in the “Centennial State”.

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The “Centennial State” is the nation’s eighth largest state by area. Colorado is rich in history and natural wonders. This state is a true gem of the Rocky Mountains region.

“Colorful Colorado” is home to a lot of sights:

• 4 National Parks
• 5 National Monuments
• 11 National Forests
• 42 State Parks

This is on top of multiple scenic drives and museums.

It is hardly a surprise that picking the top places to visit could appear daunting. Yet, planning a journey to this state does not have to be this way.

Take a look at our list of Best Places to Visit in Colorado for ideas for your next trip.

1. Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is an unbeatable destination about an hour from Denver. The park has a sample of almost every sight that Colorado has to offer.

Just see for yourself the places of interest that this park has:

• Mountain trails
• Powerful waterfalls
• Deep lakes
• Scenic drives
• Lava beds
• Wildlife spots

Make sure to get an entry reservation in advance. And do not forget to pack your America the Beautiful annual pass.

A long weekend is the best time to visit this park. If you need one place to visit in Colorado, look no further than Rocky Mountain.

2. Mount Evans Scenic Byway

Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a perfect day trip from Denver in the summer. This scenic drive is by far the easiest way to reach a fourteener. A fourteener is a mountain of over 14,000 ft (4,300+ m). You do not need to even leave your car!

You will experience different landscapes of the Colorado Rockies during this 28-mi (45-km) drive.

The climate zones will change, too. It could be sunny at the foothills. But it could rain at the summit. Make sure to bring a jacket with you on the drive.

US Forest Service manages this scenic drive. An Interagency annual pass will allow you to drive on the highway for free. But you would still need an advance reservation due to the byway’s popularity.

3. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon National Park offers great views that could rival Grand Canyon. This canyon has steep granite slopes and cliffs. They make the drive from Grand Junction, CO, the nearest city, an enjoyable journey.

The scenic drive takes you from the East Portal to the High Point and back. The beauty of the South Rim’s overlooks will leave you captive for a long time. These views are well worth the time to reach Black Canyon.

4. Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument is a park in Western Colorado, just off the Interstate Highway I-70. It has a scenic drive with tunnels, canyons, and red rocks.

The Monument does not have many day hiking trails. But the park’s main sights look breathtaking from the overlooks. Do not miss the Fallen Rock, Coke Ovens, and Independence Monument.

Colorado National Monument is a perfect addition to a road trip through the region. You can stop by this monument on the way to Utah’s wonders: Arches and Canyonlands.

5. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve protects the highest dunes in North America. It gets better: you can walk on these sand dunes! You are still hundreds of miles away from the ocean. It makes the experience even more surreal.

Hiking the High and Star Dunes is a great off-trail experience. Bring sunglasses and long sleeves to minimize your contact with sand.

6. Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park combines canyons and cliff houses. Ancient houses and temples give visitors a unique experience.

You would need to plan ahead to get the most from a visit to Mesa Verde. The park is in a remote part of the state. It is quite far from major interstate highways.

Moreover, you can only visit most cliff houses on a tour. The tours run from mid April to mid October. You might find closed houses if you visit Mesa Verde during winter.

7. Molly Brown House Museum

Molly Brown House Museum concludes the list of the Best Places to Visit in the state of Colorado. This house museum would appeal to history and architecture lovers.

This Victorian era landmark preserves numerous Gilded Age artifacts. Some of them belonged to Molly Brown, former owner of the house. Molly Brown is also a survivor of RMS Titanic sinking.

Amazing stained glass panels are sure to impress museum visitors. This might be the case even if architecture is not your thing. The museum in the heart of Denver is a nice stop before your flight.

Takeaways: Best Places in Colorado

You can choose from national parks, monuments, scenic drives, or architectural landmarks when visiting Colorado.

No matter what places you decide to visit, pack your Interagency annual pass. And make relevant park reservations in advance. This way you could ensure a smooth visit.

Most out-of-state Colorado visitors arrive in Denver International Airport. Denver is in the central part of the state. The Interstate Highways that connect Coloradan sights go north south and east west via Denver. But keep in mind the state’s vast area. And give yourself plenty of time to get used to altitude.

Consider booking places to stay in one of the larger towns close to the sights. For example, look into Fort Collins, CO, Grand Junction, CO, Montrose, CO, Alamosa, CO, and Durango, CO. This way, you can maximize available options and find the best value.

Finally, do not forget about seasons and weather. Colorado is the land of extremes. The same weather will feel different in the mountains than at the plains.

Take a look at our Best Places to Visit in Colorado Video Guide and visit our YouTube channel for the latest videos.

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Safe realist travels!