These are Colorado’s natural wonders.
By Molly Martin and Erica Buehler Updated July 16, 2024 at 2:24 pm
Paintmines Interpretive Park | Adam Springer/Shutterstock
You’re probably already familiar with the legends that inspired “America the Beautiful” and how Colorado is so amazing. But the Centennial State is one of those magical, awe-inspiring places that seem too good to be true. How could it be surreal when you can experience snow-capped mountain peaks, lush forests, rich red valleys, and miles of golden plains, all in one day? True to its name, Colorful Colorado offers plenty of sights to feast your eyes on, if you’re willing to explore. From vibrant wildflowers to skylines from the top of 14 peaks, here are some of Colorado’s most beautiful places to visit. So, get out there!
Steamboat Springs | Susan Flewelling/Shutterstock
Distance from Denver: 156 miles, 3 hours
Steamboat Springs comes to life when the temperatures drop, maintaining its status as one of the best places to spend a long weekend skiing. But if you don’t like the winter chill (even when tempered by the surreal magic of Strawberry Park Hot Springs), visiting Steamboat in the warmer months is just as great. Soak up the sweeping views as you drive along US-40 and be sure to stop off along the charming downtown before exploring every nook and cranny of this mountain paradise.
Crested Butte | Photo by Danica Bona, Sweet Tea Studio
Distance from Denver: 190 miles, 4 hours
Uniquely situated in the Rocky Mountains, just a few miles from Aspen, Maroon Bells and Gunnison, Crested Butte is a mountain town with a lot of variety. Winter brings fluffy white snow and some of the best skiing in Colorado. Fall brings waves of yellow to the dense aspen forests. But peak summer is one of the most magical times of the year in Crested Butte, when the meadows and valleys burst with the vibrant colors of a variety of wildflowers. There’s even an annual festival to celebrate this phenomenon. It’s not the easiest town to get to from Denver, but it’s always worth a visit.
Paintmines Interpretive Park
Distance from Denver: 89 miles southeast, 1.5 hour drive
Driving down dirt roads to reach this destination may seem disconcerting at first, but once you arrive (and after a short, easy hike), it all makes sense. These bright ribbons of clay (so named because they were once used by Native Americans to make paint) are the result of various iron oxide compounds creating mesmerizing bands of color. Explore 750 acres of towering, banded geological formations as you walk through the maze of pillars. Don’t be surprised if you feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet.
Bridalveil Falls | Daniel Mullins/Shutterstock
Distance from Denver: 354 miles, 6 hours 45 minutes
Speaking of waterfalls, there’s Bridal Veil Falls. This impressive natural waterfall towers a whopping 365 feet into the air and is the highest free-falling waterfall in Colorado. On the east side of Telluride, there’s a moderate hike to the summit, plus plenty of trails to explore the surrounding forest on foot, bike, quad bike, or in ice climbing boots. In theory, you could take some photos for Instagram, but we highly recommend enjoying the beauty of the falls without any equipment, if possible.
Distance from Denver: 122 miles southwest, 2 hours 15 minutes drive
The fall scenery here is simply unparalleled. The cliché that it’s beautiful any time of the year is very true. One of the beauties of Twin Lakes (after you get past the stunning contrast of the yellow aspens against the deep blue sky) is the many ways you can enjoy it: hiking among the trees, sailing on the water in a boat, balancing on a SUP board, or even riding on a wheel. Oh, and don’t forget the towering 14ers Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive nearby. Once you’ve taken in the views, you can add conquering these mountains to your to-do list.
Distance from Denver: 336 miles southwest, 6 hours drive
One of Colorado’s southernmost and westernmost towns, Durango is picturesque, charming, and a vibrant college town (cheer on the Skyhawks). Stroll down Main Avenue to see Gilded Age architecture and plenty of shops, or venture outside of town for thrilling outdoor adventures (whitewater rafting, Jeep tours, mountain biking, and more). With such a natural backdrop, hiking and snow sports are both a surefire hit in the summer. And don’t worry about coming hungry, as this city of about 18,000 people has more award-winning fine dining restaurants per capita than San Francisco.
Distance from Denver: 364 miles southwest, 6.5 hours drive
One of the most beautiful mountain towns in the state (or even the world), Telluride’s mountain backdrop is sure to give you pause as you arrive in historic downtown. But don’t linger for too long; hop on the free ski gondola (the only public transportation in the USA that runs most of the year) and take in the views as you hop from bar to restaurant between downtown Telluride and Mountain Village, home to the world-class Telluride Ski Resort.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Distance from Denver: 66 miles northwest, 90 minutes by car
With postcard-perfect scenery and 355 miles of hiking trails, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the USA. But if you want to see the scenery without breaking a sweat, drive Trail Ridge Road, the state’s highest paved road, which is usually open from May through October. To reach the park entrance from Denver, pass through the town of Estes Park, where you can check out the local elk herd, as well as the shops and restaurants on Main Street and the historic Stanley Hotel (the real-life location that inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining”).
Distance from Denver: 68 miles south, 90 minutes drive
This national historic site in Colorado Springs is a popular spot for its natural red rock formations, with the snow-capped Pikes Peak as its backdrop. It’s free to visit and features hiking trails and scenic drives with plenty of parking. Be sure to see the famous “Kissing Camels” rock formation along the way. Horseback riding and rock climbing are also popular activities, or drive the 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway to the towering mountain’s summit.
Distance from Denver: 170 miles southwest, 3.5 hour drive
When you think of Colorado, do you picture valleys with large snow-capped peaks towering in the distance, reflected in clear mountain waters? Yes, that’s the Maroon Bells. Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak (both 14ers) in the Elk Mountains are the most photographed peaks in North America. You’re here to appreciate the natural wonders, so don’t rush past them. Even better, if you can camp in the area for a few nights, do so.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Distance from Denver: 238 miles southwest, 4 hours drive
Backed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in southern Colorado, the dunes span 30 square miles, reaching heights of up to 750 feet. They formed naturally over thousands of years as dust blew onto the land from the San Luis Valley. The result is an otherworldly sight. Medano Creek runs along the edge of the dunes, and in summer it’s the perfect place to cool off after a morning’s hike up the dunes (followed by a slide or board ride down). A short drive from the park is Zapata Falls Recreation Area, where an easy one-mile round-trip hike will take you to the base of the 30-foot-tall waterfall.
Colorado National Monument
Distance from Denver: 262 miles southwest, 4.5 hours drive
Much closer to Arches National Park in Utah than Denver, this area of the state has the look and feel of the iconic Wild West. But while you might not see cowboys racing across the landscape these days, you can still experience the land up close. Hike the five-mile Monument Canyon Trail or watch the action along the iconic 23-mile Rim Rock Drive, which traverses the upper rim of the canyon. Keep an eye out for eagles, bighorn sheep, and above all, rattlesnakes. The park also boasts some of the best campgrounds in Colorado.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Distance from Denver: 251 miles southwest, 5 hours drive
The rugged granite walls of Colorado’s deepest canyon are a dramatic sight. And yet, somehow, this national park is also one of the least visited in the state. Carved out by the Gunnison River over millions of years, the cliffs rise more than 2,000 feet and are often shrouded in shadow, hence the dark name. Hike both the north and south ends, camp under starry night skies and enjoy some of the best trout fishing in the state.
Mesa Verde National Park
Distance from Denver: 400 miles southwest, 7.5 hours drive
This part of the state was once home to the Ancestral Pueblo people, whose incredible cliff dwellings are preserved in this protected area. Located near Colorado’s Four Corners region, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to more than 5,000 Ancestral Pueblo ruins, including 600 fascinating cliff dwellings carved into the natural landscape. After exploring ancient ruins such as Cliff Palace and Balcony House, visit the rest of the park via the 6-mile Mesa Top Loop Road.
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Molly Martin is a freelance writer living in Denver, Colorado, always looking for something fun. Follow her mile-high adventures at @mollydbu. twitter And Instagram.
Erica Buehler is a Denver-based freelance writer who’s always running out of cloud storage for the amount of photos she takes. To keep up with all the fun things to do in Colorado and other happenings at Mile High, follow her on Instagram at @e_buehler and on Twitter at @e_buehler_.
