{"id":30887,"date":"2019-03-22T10:10:28","date_gmt":"2019-03-22T10:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/?p=30887"},"modified":"2019-03-22T17:22:40","modified_gmt":"2019-03-22T17:22:40","slug":"these-are-colorados-7-most-amazing-natural-attractions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/these-are-colorados-7-most-amazing-natural-attractions\/","title":{"rendered":"These are Colorado’s 7 Most Amazing Natural Attractions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Colorado is the state with the highest elevation in all of North America. It\u2019s also home to the tallest mountains, soaring sand dunes and some of the most plentiful skiing and summer hiking on the continent. Simply put, Colorado is one big playground for the great outdoors. While many people make their first acquaintance with a trip to either Vail<\/a>, Aspen<\/a>, Telluride<\/a> or one of the other 30 world-class ski resorts dotting the state, there\u2019s much more to Colorado<\/a> than just winter mountain sports. When planning your next all-season visit, try exploring one of these near-perfect natural attractions.<\/p>\n

RELATED<\/strong>: How to Catch a Legendary Colorado Fly Fishing Experience<\/a><\/p>\n

Colorado National Monument <\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Colorado

Colorado National Monument<\/p><\/div>\n

If Colorado didn\u2019t already have four existing National Parks, this little red rock gem, perfect for mountain biking and desert hiking, would likely enjoy official \u201cpark\u201d status today. But don\u2019t let the \u201cmonument\u201d designation deter you. Scenic Rim Rock drive, hiking around the monument and mountain biking in nearby Fruita and Grand Junction are totally worth the detour. Colorado National Monument may be small, but the views are massive.<\/p>\n

Rocky Mountain National Park <\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Rocky

Rocky Mountain National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Located an hour and a half\u2019s drive north from Denver<\/a>, Rocky Mountain National Park is arguably the crown jewel of the state\u2019s iconic terrain. Popular checkpoints include the delightful gateway town of Estes Park, Keyhole Route to Longs Peak, Trail Ridge and Old Fall River roads, and Bear Lake trail for its mountain views.<\/p>\n

Garden of the Gods<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Garden

Garden of the Gods<\/p><\/div>\n

This might be the most beautiful public park you\u2019ll ever see. Now an official \u201cNational Landmark,\u201d Garden of the Gods features 300-foot tall sandstone spires and balanced rocks that jet from the green ground and into the blue sky. With over 15 miles of trails (1.5 of which are paved), this postcard-perfect site is popular among hikers, rock climbers, bikers and horseback riders for good reason.<\/p>\n

The Great Sand Dunes <\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Sand

Great Sand Dunes National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Situated in southern Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park<\/a> is home to the tallest sand dunes in America. Not only do they allow for surreal photography of the dunes themselves and their surrounding peaks, you can hike along or sandboard and sand sled down them to your heart\u2019s content. If visiting in summer, be sure to splash around Medano Creek and take in over 9,000 visible stars in the night sky.<\/p>\n

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Colorado,

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness<\/p><\/div>\n

Since they don\u2019t allow motorized vehicles (only horses and hikers), U.S. Wilderness Areas are the most preserved, pristine, and quietest spots in all of the great outdoors. And at Maroon Bells-Snowmass in central Colorado, you\u2019ll find the best of the best. While here, consider driving Castle Creek Road, rafting the Gunnison River, snowmobiling or skiing nearby Aspen, and hiking the demanding but timeless West Maroon Trail. All of it impresses.<\/p>\n

Mesa Verde National Park <\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Mesa

Mesa Verde National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Located near the Four Corners<\/a> area of southwest Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is known for its 1500-year-old cliff dwellings that were once inhabited by ancient Native Americans for more than 700 years. Cliff Palace is the largest and most notable attraction, but Mesa Top Loop Road, Sun Point Overlook, and Petroglyph Point Trail also come highly recommend by history-seeking visitors.<\/p>\n

Black Canyon National Park<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Colorado,

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (as it is officially called) is probably the least visited landmark on this list. But its almost black-looking cliffs\u2014the highest in the whole state\u2014are undeniably worth the effort. Roads and trails along both the north and south rims offer dramatic views of this massive gorge and its distinct painted walls. While there, head to the nearby and well-rated Museum of the Mountain West for classic Americana memorabilia and building restorations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

These natural wonders are sure to “peak” your interest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":153,"featured_media":30894,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[164],"tags":[167,60,1633,836,810,815,1632,86,883,1629],"class_list":["post-30887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","tag-colorado","tag-hiking","tag-mother-nature","tag-mountains","tag-national-park","tag-national-parks","tag-natural-attractions","tag-nature","tag-outdoors","tag-rocky-mountains"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nColorado's 7 Most Amazing Outdoor Attractions | Travelocity<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From the majestic Garden of the Gods to the awe-inspiring Great Sand Dunes, these Colorado natural attractions offer something for everyone.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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