I am continuing my quest to see every national park. I recently went to Colorado and was able to check a few more parks off my bucket list. If you’re looking for a memorable outdoor vacation, Colorado is just for you. With four breathtaking national parks, it offers a variety of exciting sights and activities you can’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re spending a few days or a few weeks in the Centennial State, you’ll want to make time to visit at least one of Colorado’s national parks! Here’s a summary of everything you need to know about each park.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in southwest Colorado is known for its steep canyons, which the Gunnison River has forged. The park was created millions of years ago as the rock was pushed up, large volcanoes erupted along the sides of the rock, and, finally, the Gunnison River carved its way through the uplifted and volcanic rock. Visitors enjoy scenic drives, prime hiking trails, wildlife viewing, fishing, star gazing, and more at the national park. You can find an activity for any comfort level!
Great Sand Dunes National Park
At Great Sand Dunes National Park in south-central Colorado, you’ll find the tallest dunes in North America surrounded by a bustling environment including wetlands, grasslands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. You can enjoy unique activities like sandboarding, sand sledding, horseback riding, and the expected activities like hiking, swimming, and fishing. Great Sand Dunes truly stands out among the nation’s national parks because it offers such a diverse setting for fun and exploration.
Mesa Verde National Park
Once home to the Ancestral Pueblo people, the communities built in and on the cliffs and mesas of Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado are now a remarkable reminder of what life was like long ago. Along with the cliff dwellings, visitors find plenty of wildlife, including some species that only exist within the park. You can tour the cliff dwellings, watch cultural performances, visit a museum dedicated to the park’s ancestral people, and much more. Mesa Verde National Park is an exquisite display of nature and culture, showcasing the ingenuity of its native people.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Although I didn't make it to Rocky Mountain this trip, it's one of my favorites. There’s a reason over 4.5 million people visit Rocky Mountain National Park in north-central Colorado per year. Home to some of the most famous mountains in the world, the national park offers visitors a range of gorgeous scenery, from calm meadows to enormous mountain peaks. With more than 300 miles of trails, it’s a hiker’s paradise. Plus, visitors can take scenic drives or tours, camp, fish, or spot wildlife. As you can see, Colorado’s national parks have plenty to offer visitors of all kinds, whether you want to dive into the state’s cultural roots, embark on an adventure, or watch wildlife.
Contact me for help planning a trip to Colorado’s unforgettable national parks.
Comments