Colorado is an outdoor enthusiast’s haven. With hiking, mountain biking, fishing, rock climbing and more, you’ll find plenty of activities to keep you busy, no matter how long you travel. Across the state of Colorado, you’ll find four national parks, several national forests, and even more outdoor recreation areas.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison | Great Sand Dunes | Mesa Verde | Rocky Mountain | Colorado Springs | Scenic Drives | Top Experiences | Itineraries | When to Visit | Extend Your Trip

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

East Portal Road at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

5 Fun Things to Do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the deepest canyon in the United States. Drive the scenic drive, go on a hike, or drive to the bottom of the canyon.

Exclamation Point at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison North Rim – Hikes & The Best Views

While many travelers just stick to the south rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the lesser visited north rim is a great addition to any visit. There’s hiking, scenic overlooks, and the best view of Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Best Things to Do With One Day at Great Sand Dunes National Park

One of the best things about visiting Great Sand Dunes is riding the dunes on a sand board. Beyond that, hike the dunes, have a picnic, and take in the largest sand dune in the United States.

Mesa Verde National Park

Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park

Best Things to Do at Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park strikes a balance between nature and history. There’s fantastic views and some good hikes, but you can also tour some ancient cliff dwellings.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Sky Pond at Rocky Mountain National Park

Sky Pond – What Not to Do on Your Hike

One of my favorite hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park is Sky Pond. This is a difficult hike, but with proper planning and plenty of care, you can have a successful hike.

Entrance to Bear Lake Road

Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entries – What to Know

As a response to overcrowding, reservations are now required at Rocky Mountain National Park. This guide covers everything you need to know so you can have a successful visit.

View from the Alpine Visitor Center at Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park for Non-Hikers – What to Do

While Rocky Mountain National Park is a hiker’s paradise, not everyone enjoys hiking. This guide covers some options for non-hikers so that they can enjoy this beautiful park.

Colorado Springs

A Different View of Garden of the Gods

What to Do at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods is a free park in Colorado Springs. With it’s incredible rock formations, this park looks like it belongs in Utah. On your visit, you can hike, rock climb, and drive through some amazing scenery.

The Road up to Pike's Peak

How to Drive to Pike’s Peak in Colorado Springs

Pike’s Peak is one of the most accessible “fourteeners” in the United States. Visitors can drive all the way to the top for fantastic views. Yes, you’ll have great views at the top, but also all along the way.

Scenic Drives

Highway 60 from Cañon City to Salida

11 Amazing Scenic Drives in Colorado

One of the best things about roadtripping through Colorado is scenic drives you’ll find everywhere. Whether you add one of these routes or all of these routes, you’re sure to have a beautiful drive.

Top Experiences

Rocky Mountain National Park – With some of the best mountain views in the state, a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is a must. Plus, if you love hiking, you’ll be in paradise with its hundreds of miles of hiking trails crisscrossing the park.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park – The deepest canyon in the United States is Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Both rims of the canyon have fantastic views and some great hiking opportunities. No matter which rim you pick, you’ll be sure to have a good time.

Great Sand Dunes National Park – Great Sand Dunes National Park feels different. Yes you can hike and take in the views, but you can also have some fun. For the ultimate adventure, rent a sandboard and ride down the dunes.

Mesa Verde National Park – For the perfect balance between nature and history, add Mesa Verde National Park to your list. Hike to beautiful look out points and drive the scenic loops, but don’t for get to learn some history by touring a cliff dwelling.

Scenic Drives – No matter where you travel in Colorado, you’ll find yourself on some scenic drives. From Rocky Mountains’s Trail Ridge Road to Skyline Drive outside of Cañon City and everything in between, there’s no shortage of beautiful routes in Colorado.

Colorado Springs – From great hikes around stunning formations at Garden of the Gods to a spectacular mountain drive at Pike’s Peak, there’s plenty in Colorado Springs to keep travelers busy for days.

Boulder – For a small break from nature, consider visiting this fun city. It’s located near Rocky Mountain National Park and has plenty to offer travelers.

Itineraries

Fairview Curve Viewpoint at Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado in 10 Days

Start: Denver, CO
End: Denver, CO
Length: 10 Days (with options to shorten it)

This is one of my favorite road trips ever. You’ll visit all four of Colorado’s National Parks and do loads of scenic driving. If you’re interested in epic views and hikes, this is the itinerary for you.

Viewpoint at Fall River Road at Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado in 5 Days

For those with limited time, try a bite sized trip to Colorado. In this guide, find three different 5 day itineraries, each featuring a different area of Colorado. Whether you focus your time at Rocky Mountain National Park, southwestern Colorado, or elsewhere, you’re sure to have a great time in Colorado.

When to Visit Colorado

Colorado is a year round destination, but the seasons will dictate what you do. For those wanting to hike, backpack, bike, or camp, look to visit in summer. Temperatures can get high, but you’ll be clear of snow.

For skiers and snowboarders, visit Colorado in the winter for optimal snow conditions.

Extend Your Trip

Want to keep traveling around the United States? Consider adding on nearby Utah or Arizona.