Explore Colorado’s Wild Side

W

hile Colorado is famous for its world-class downhill skiing, locals know the best-kept secret is its warm-weather activities. The balmy days and cool nights of spring, summer, and early fall unlock an abundance of outdoor pursuits—whether you’re seeking thrills, family time, or a serene escape into nature.

Boasting four national parks, 42 state parks, and 15 fish hatcheries, Coloradoans need not travel far to enjoy the state’s diverse landscapes, which include high deserts, river canyons, and snow-capped mountains. Traveling through these spectacular parks provides an opportunity to see natural wonders without ever leaving the state. In the following pages, we’ve highlighted several destinations for vacationing in-state this summer.

Rocky Mountain National Park

The most visited park in Colorado beckons more than a million vacationers each summer and offers 300 miles of hiking trails within 415 square miles of protected mountain wilderness. Often called “the land of extremes” for its diverse environments—which include flowering meadows, subalpine lakes, and towering peaks—Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is a naturalist’s paradise. Visitors can enter from Grand Lake, Estes Park, or Wild Basin. Opportunities for day hikes, backpacking, camping, and horseback riding abound, and stunning vistas will be found at spots like the Coyote Valley Trail, Alberta Falls, and the Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lake Hikes. For a scenic drive, Trail Ridge Road will take your breath away. Because of RMNP’s increased popularity amid the pandemic, there is currently a timed entry system in place, so be sure to visit the park’s website for information and reservations.

Before heading into Colorado’s national parks, remember to check each park’s website and www.recreation.gov for road closures, weather and fire maps, and COVID-19 protocols.

Women standing in the Rocky Mountain National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Located on the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve contains the tallest sand dunes in North America, measuring in at 750 feet high. In the spring and early summer, visitors must walk across the shallow Medano Creek to reach the dunes, where hiking, sandboarding, and sand sledding are popular activities (equipment can be rented just outside the park entrance). The main dune field spans four by six miles, and the entire preserve encompasses more than 107,000 miles. The area’s ecosystem contains not only sand dunes, but alpine lakes, tundra, mountain peaks, conifer forests, wetlands, and grasslands. The park stays open 24/7, 365 days a year and does not require reservations to visit. Visit the park’s website for more information.

People walking in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

For millions of years, 14 miles of the Gunnison River sculpted a narrow, steep gorge through the Precambrian metamorphic rock in western Colorado that resulted in the creation of Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Roads and hiking trails wind along the two rims of the canyon to provide visitors with jaw-dropping views. The striated Painted Wall cliff is a not-to-be-missed feature in the park (visible best from the South Rim, which also offers the most amenities). As Black Canyon is the least-visited national park in Colorado, crowds are usually small, offering guests a delightfully intimate journey into the canyon’s history and beauty. The national park, established in 1933, contains five miles of roadway and five overlooks as well as a variety of flora, fauna, and wildlife. Hiking permits are free but required to explore the vertical, rugged trails and are only available on the day of your visit. Discover more information about the Black Canyon of the Gunnison on the park’s website.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

At Mesa Verde National Park in the southwest corner of the state, visitors learn about the Ancestral Pueblo people who made these cliffs their home for over 700 years. Explore ancient cliff dwellings and hike the Petroglyph Point Trail to view amazing rock carvings. Drive Mesa Top Loop Road past archeological sites or take a ranger-guided tour to see how native Americans lived 1,400 years ago. While it’s wise to check hours of operation for museums and tours, the park itself closes only for emergencies. Sites, trails, and picnic areas are open year-round from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. In the summer, camping is available at Morefield Campground four miles inside the park, and its 267 sites rarely fill up. Find more information on Mesa Verde’s official website.

Colorado’s 42 state parks offer more than 4,000 campsites for people who enjoy sleeping under the stars.

People gathering at Mesa Verde National Park

Someone climbing a ladder at Mesa Verde National Park

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA), located on the Arkansas River near Leadville, is one of the most popular destinations in the nation for whitewater rafting and kayaking. This fast-flowing river slices through a narrow valley, offering incomparable thrills and beauty. Camping, hiking, mountain biking, gold-panning, and other activities are also available—plus the park boasts a world-class fish hatchery! For more information on AHRA amenities, visit its website.

Roxborough State Park

Known for its dramatic red sandstone rock formations, Roxborough State Park is easily accessible for most Coloradoans—located only 20 miles south of Denver near Littleton. The park offers views of geological wonders across its nearly 4,000 acres near Pike National Forest. Visitors can hike or run the 14 miles of trails, view wildlife, or participate in a nature program. In order to preserve resources, camping, biking, and pets are not permitted. A daily pass or annual permit must be purchased to access Roxborough State Park. More information can be found on the park’s website.

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