Best 6 Places You Can Make a Plan To Visit in Colorado, USA
Colorado is a great place to visit year-round. Its dramatic landscapes and natural beauty make it a destination that will captivate the imagination. Colorado is nothing short of spectacular, boasting stunning scenery that includes the Rocky Mountains, rolling hills, beautiful lakes, rivers, and waterfalls as well as the Colorado Plateau high desert.
Skiers, climbers, and mountain bikers love mountain towns. But they are also great places for relaxation and enjoying the mountain atmosphere.
The scenic drives through state parks and along state highways offer the best way to see all that the state has for sightseers.
You can see and learn more about the remnants of the ancient cultures and the dinosaurs that lived in the region by visiting the monuments and national parks.
Colorado is a great place to visit that will change your mind about future travel plans. Our Colorado list contains the top places to visit. Check your current location pin code.
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is located just a few minutes from Estes Park in Colorado. It is one of America’s most visited national parks.
Nature at its best is displayed in the majestic mountain peaks, meadows, and alpine lakes, forests, and abundance of wildlife. There are more than 100 peaks above 10,000 feet in the park, including Longs Peak at 14,259ft.
It reaches more than 12,000ft above sea level and provides easy access to the incredible terrain. You can view the park from your car, or you can stop along the route for a walk or hike. Find what is my zip code in order to find the zip code of area you want.
There are many hiking trails in the park, from short walks of less than half a mile to long multi-day treks. You may be able to see bighorn sheep, elk, and other wildlife if you are lucky.
The summer season is busy in Rocky Mountain National Park. Popular activities include hiking, climbing, bouldering, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing.
2. Vail and Nearby Mountain Towns
Vail, Colorado’s ski resort, is a great place to visit in winter. However, it’s also a nice place to go any time of the year. This is Colorado’s top ski resort, offering seemingly endless runs for all levels.
The charming town at the foot of the ski hill has chalet-style shops, restaurants, and hotels that will make you feel as though you’re in the middle of the Alps. This resort is high-end and features luxury hotels, fine dining, designer shops, and other amenities.
Vail is not always affordable, especially if you are looking to stay a few nights during the high season. There are many small villages and towns in the area that are less known but are more affordable and well worth a visit.
Frisco, although not a ski area, is a charming mountain community and one of the top places in the region. If you’re looking for a base to explore the I-70 Corridor between Vail and Beaver Creek, this is it. There are many quirky shops, restaurants, cafes, and other amenities in the town. It has a real mountain vibe.
3. Denver
Denver is one of America’s most populated and fastest-growing cities. Denver is one of the most beautiful outdoor cities in America, with 300+ days of sunshine per year and a moderate climate.
The city’s young residents can enjoy the vast playground of the Rocky Mountains right outside their door. Here, you can enjoy your favorite pastimes: go skiing in winter, hike in spring, and ride mountain bikes in summer.
Denverites can be found enjoying the vibrant art scene at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater, or creative cuisine at Latimer Square’s top restaurants. It is worth visiting the city’s many parks, as well as it’s interesting downtown.
4. Mesa Verde National Park
No matter if you’ve ever seen cliff dwellings, Mesa Verde will blow you away and give you access to the actual ruin.
Cliff Palace, the park’s main attraction, is one of the most striking dwellings in the Southwest. It has a stunning setting and incredibly preserved ruins. Ranger-led tours are available during the high season. They allow you to climb up ladders into the heart of this dwelling. Pre-booking Cliff Palace visitor tickets are highly recommended. There are very few spaces and high demand, especially during the summer. You can book tickets up to 14 days before your scheduled arrival date.
You can still see the entire site from another overlook if you’re not up for it.
Mesa Verde was the home of the Ancestral Pueblo, who lived in the dwellings between 600 and 1300 AD. There are thousands of archeological sites within the park. However, the most impressive is the cliff dwellings. Many sites are accessible via roads, most of which are located on top of the mesa. There are many hiking trails that lead to interesting sites and lookouts, some of which don’t require ranger tours.
The town of Cortez and Mancos is close to Mesa Verde. It is accessible via a long road that rises high above the surrounding landscape. It takes approximately 45 minutes to drive up from the highway to the site.
5. Pikes Peak, Pike National Forest
Pikes Peak is located in Pike National Forest at 14,115 feet elevation. This mountain is one of the Southwest’s most famous “fourteeners,” which refers to mountains above 14,000 feet. From Colorado Springs, the snow-capped peak can be easily recognized.
This mountain is second only to Mt. Fuji. Pikes Peak is accessible by car, unlike many other mountain peaks which are difficult to access. The travel time takes approximately 1.5 hours. You can also take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which covers 8.9 miles and takes just over three hours round trip.
The new Pike’s Peak Summit Visitors’ Center is located at the summit. This stunning glass-and-wood structure, which was built in 2018, is almost complete. It offers amazing views and interactive displays. There are also a variety of dining options. People who make the pilgrimage up to Pike’s Peak specifically for their famous donuts will be delighted. These delicious, fluffy treats are still readily available.
The area offers many recreational opportunities, as well as the chance to enjoy the stunning views from the top. You can also fish in lakes.
6. Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is also located near Colorado Springs. This National Natural Landmark is home to a unique landscape consisting of jagged stone towers, fins, and sandstone towers that rise 300 feet above the ground. The scene is completed by giant boulders balanced on their sides and rock piles.
There are 15 miles of trails that allow you to walk through stunning scenery and get close to rock formations.
It is known for its rock climbing. However, other activities include mountain biking, road biking, and horseback riding.
Garden of the Gods Park Visitor & Nature Center is a museum that features exhibits and a video of 20 minutes on the geology of the Park. Daily guided nature walks are also offered. The cafe on the site, which has large windows, is a wonderful place to enjoy a snack or a beverage.
