10 Breathtaking Colorado Natural Sites You Have to See

1. (Colorado Springs)

• Dramatic red sandstone spires and balanced rocks with Pikes Peak in the background; easy paved paths plus dirt trails make it great for all abilities and photo shoots.​

• The park is free, open year‑round, and is consistently ranked as one of Colorado’s top nature attractions.​

2. Pikes Peak (near Colorado Springs)

• One of Colorado’s famous “Fourteeners,” Pikes Peak offers sweeping views over Colorado Springs and the Front Range from its 14,115‑foot summit.​

• Visitors can drive the Pikes Peak Highway, ride the cog railway in season, or hike very challenging trails for a full‑day mountain adventure.​

3. Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre (near Denver)

• Natural sandstone monoliths form an open‑air amphitheater surrounded by foothills trails and panoramic views west of Denver.​

• Even without a concert, visitors can hike, climb stairs for a workout, and photograph the unique rock formations that glow red at sunrise and sunset.​

4. Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes Park area)

• Classic high‑alpine scenery with jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and wildlife like elk and bighorn sheep, easily reached from Denver and the Front Range.​

• Highlights include drives along Trail Ridge Road in season and hikes to lakes such as Bear Lake and Emerald Lake.​

5. Great Sand Dunes National Park (San Luis Valley)

• Home to the tallest

  dunes in North America, set dramatically against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.​

• Visitors can sand‑sled, explore Medano Creek in late spring, and photograph incredible sunrise, sunset, and night‑sky scenes.​

6. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

• A steep, narrow gorge carved by the Gunnison River, with some of the sheerest cliffs and oldest exposed rock in North America.​

• Scenic drives along the rim and short hikes to overlooks give easy access to dramatic viewpoints without long hikes.​

7. Maroon Bells (near Aspen)

• Twin snow‑capped peaks reflected in Maroon Lake, often called one of the most photographed mountain scenes in Colorado.​

• Access is managed by shuttles and reservations in peak season, making it ideal for planned sunrise or fall‑color photo trips.​

8. Hanging Lake (near Glenwood Springs)

• A turquoise, travertine lake perched above a canyon with delicate waterfalls and lush mossy ledges.​​

• The short but steep trail is regulated by a permit system, which helps protect the fragile ecosystem and keeps the experience more serene.​

9. Mesa Verde National Park (Southwest Colorado)

• High mesas and canyons shelter hundreds of ancient cliff dwellings built by Ancestral Puebloan people, blending cultural history with dramatic natural scenery.​

• Scenic drives, viewpoints, and ranger‑led tours let visitors explore both the landscape and the archeological sites.​

10. Crystal Mill

• Crystal Mill (near Marble): A historic wooden powerhouse perched on a rocky outcrop above a turquoise river, surrounded by forested mountains; requires an off‑road vehicle or long hike, so it feels remote and wild.​