Published on October 24, 2020
A Fantastical Adventure in Colorado
From the towering mountain peaks to pristine high mountain lakes and ancient Pueblo ruins, the Colorado national parks have it all. Whether you’re looking for the towering sand dunes of the Mesa Verde sand dunes, the Black Canyon Rocky or the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park, you’ll find all of this and more. Exploring Colorado’s national parks is a fantastic excuse for a summer road trip that rivals any fantasy.h
Exploring Colorado’s Nationally Designated Sites
In Colorado, there are several nationally designated sites, including the Great Sand Dunes of Mesa Verde, Black Canyon Rocky and Rocky Mountain National Park. The Rocky Mountains in the north are home to 124 famous peaks, the western Black Canyon of Gunnison is a national park with more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails and trails, Colorado is dotted with some of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the world and the ancient ruins of Pueblo. Large sand dunes in the south house the highest dune in the country and the Mesa Verde in the southwest are like a step back in time.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Gunnison National Park’s Black Canyon is one of the largest national parks in Colorado with more than 1,000 miles of trails. It’s also home to the Echo Basin, where the mesas meet the mountains, and it offers many hiking trails, including one that leads you to a 2,500-foot canyon at the bottom of the river. The Echo Basin is the second largest river basin in the United States and the third largest in North America.
Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park
I cannot more strongly recommend stopping at the Great Sand Dunes National Park if you’re taking a road trip. With its constantly blowing winds, sand dunes and other natural features, it exemplifies life in a national park. You can hike and backpack, sand-board or sands sled, or even splash in the Medano Creek. Many visitors wait for nightfall to experience the crystal clear night sky. This is the largest sand dune system in the United States and the second largest in North America! It’s not shocking that it’s home to one of the most popular tourist attractions in all Colorado national parks.
Colorado’s Famous Rocky Mountain National Park
The next stop on our list is Rocky Mountain National Park, where you can expect wildlife and incredible hikes. You have the opportunity to drive through the narrow, beautiful gorge and cross it yourself. This national park has over 300 miles of hiking trails! Rocky Mountain National Park is the largest national park in the United States, attracting over 4.5 million visitors in 2108. That was 1.2 million more than the previous year. This makes it one of the most popular national parks in North America and the second most visited in America.
Get Out there and Visit Colorado’s National Parks
From rolling dunes to historic cliff houses, Colorado’s national parks have something out of the ordinary to see. Colorado prides itself on its protected areas, which feature some of the most iconic Western landscapes. Exploring Colorado’s National Parks are a one of a kind adventure, enjoy it!
