Colorado is a picturesque state famous for its world-class ski slopes and jagged mountains. But did you know there’s more to Colorado than luxury ski resorts and Rocky Mountain National Park?
Inside Colorado’s state lines are colorful badlands, roaring waterfalls, towering cliffs, rolling sand dunes, ancient cliff dwellings, vast canyons, and so much more.
In this Colorado road trip guide, I’m sharing the nine best stops for outdoor adventure in the Centennial State.
These nine Colorado recreation areas are loaded with incredible natural features like waterfalls, mountains, cliffs, rivers, badlands, cliff dwellings, and sand dunes. Inside these parks, you can do all kinds of fun outdoorsy things like camp, swim, fish, hike, paddle, bike, and so much more!
So without further ado, here are nine stops you must make on your next Colorado road trip!
Colorado Road Trip: 9 Best Stops For Outdoor Adventure
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1. Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Paint Mines Interpretive Park is a geological paradise. Boasting colorful banded mounds, spires, and hoodoos, this landscape, just an hour from Colorado Springs, is wildly unique.
With varying shades of pink, yellow, and purple splashed all over the white and brown formations, you’ll feel like you’re wandering through giant scoops of Neopolitan ice cream.
While in the park, you must walk the 4-mile trail system that meanders between the colorful mounds, spires, and hoodoos. The entire trail is jaw-droppingly scenic!
PAINT MINES VISITOR INFO
- Hours: Dawn to dusk
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- Pets: Not allowed
- Accommodations Nearby: Garden of the Gods Resort or SCP Colorado Springs Hotel
2. Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is an outdoorsy Utopia tucked inside Colorado Springs. A haven for all types of outdoor adventure enthusiasts, this spectacular park features dramatic 300-foot sandstone rock formations backdropped by jagged, snow-capped peaks.
While in Garden of the Gods, make sure to hike the Perkins Central Garden Trail – it winds through the park’s most distinct rock formations. And if you’re a climber, consider attempting one of the many exhilarating routes that scale the tall red rock!
GARDEN OF THE GODS VISITOR INFO
- Hours: 5:00 am – 9:00 pm (Nov 1 – April 30) & 5:00 am – 10:00 pm (May 1 – October 31)
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- Pets: Leashed pets are allowed
- Accommodations Nearby: Garden of the Gods Resort or SCP Colorado Springs Hotel
3. Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. Featuring the continent’s tallest dunes and an array of diverse landscapes such as grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, tundra, and mountain peaks, Great Sand Dunes is a sanctuary for off-roaders, backpackers, day-trippers, and of course, sandboarders.
While you’re in Great Sand Dunes, you must rent sandboards or sleds from the local outfitter and go sliding down the dunes. Some other great things to do in the park are to swim in the creek (seasonal) and venture into the backcountry for some wild backpacking and off-roading adventures.
Pssst: You can read all about sandboarding in Great Sand Dunes National Park in my full blog post here.
GREAT SAND DUNES VISITOR INFO
- Hours: 24/7
- Entrance Fee: $25/vehicle
- Pets: Leashed pets are allowed in the Preserve (including Mosca Pass Trail) and main use areas of the Park (including Piñon Flats Campground, Dunes Overlook Trail, and along the Medano Pass Primitive Road).
- Accommodations Nearby: Rustic Rook Resort, Zapata Ranch OR camp in the park
4. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the most underrated National Parks in the entire NPS system. Carved by the unusually steep Gunnison River, the sheer rock walls of the canyon rise over 2,700 feet at its deepest and span just 40 feet at its narrowest, making this park an epicenter for wild adventures.
Whether you’re into extreme paddles through steep whitewater, hazardous climbs down unmarked wilderness routes, or leisure strolls with epic views, and whether you want to traverse remote gravel roads with zero services or maintained roads with modern facilities, Black Canyon of the Gunnison has a little something for every type of adventurer.
While you’re in Black Canyon of the Gunnison, take the time to stop at each of the overlooks along the scenic drives, hike the Rim Trail that traverses the canyon rim, and if you’re feeling adventurous, attempt the complex Gunnison Route.
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON VISITOR INFO
- Hours: 24/7. Note that the South Rim Drive is usually open to vehicles from late April to mid-November. In winter, the South Rim Road is open to Gunnison Point at the visitor center. The North Rim is closed to vehicles from late November to late April.
- Entrance Fee: $30/vehicle
- Pets: Leashed pets are permitted in picnic areas, campgrounds, and parking lots, on paths to overlooks, along roads currently open to vehicles, on the Rim Rock Trail, and on the North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail.
- Accommodations Nearby: Camp in the park OR Holiday Inn
5. Mesa Verde National Park
Take a peek into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people by exploring their ancient clifftop community at Mesa Verde. Perched on the mesas and in the cliffs, the dwellings offer visitors a glimpse into the past.
While in the park, take a Cliff Dwelling Tour (or two). These tours are quite adventurous, involving climbing on tall ladders, crawling through tunnels, scrambling rocks, and climbing cliff faces.
MESA VERDE VISITOR INFO
- Hours: 24/7. Ancestral sites, picnic areas, and trails are open from 8 am to sunset.
- Entrance Fee: $20/vehicle from October 23-April 30 and $30/vehicle from May 1-October 22
- Pets: Leashed pets are allowed on paved roads, in parking lots, on campground roads, on some paved trails, and on most Wetherill Mesa trails.
- Accommodations Nearby: Far View Lodge OR Holiday Inn
6. Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument is an incredibly underrated public land. Surrounding the nail-biting scenic drive, towering monoliths rise in the distance while a vast plateau, endless slickrock, and red rock canyons blanket the landscape.
While you’re in Colorado National Monument, cruise the hairpin turns of Rim Rock Drive, hike the exciting Devil’s Kitchen Trail, and, if you’re a climber, attempt one of the many climbing routes!
COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT VISITOR INFO
- Hours: 24/7
- Entrance Fee: $25/vehicle
- Pets: Pets are only allowed in the developed campground area and the paved roads.
- Accommodations Nearby: Hotel Maverick, Springhill Suites Grand Junction OR camp in the park
7. Rifle Falls State Park
Home to the 80-foot triple falls and limestone caves, Rifle Falls is a small but mighty state park. It’s definitely worth the stop on your way to or from other destinations in Colorado!
While you’re in the tiny park, I’d recommend hiking the three trails. These trails take you in front of the three waterfall plumes, to the top of the falls, and provide access to the caves and the creek.
BONUS: On the way to Rifle Falls, you’ll drive by the beautiful turquoise-blue Rifle Gap Reservoir that is backdropped by jagged mountain peaks. This is a picture-perfect spot to launch a paddle board, swim, fish, and/or camp!
RIFLE FALLS VISITOR INFO
- Hours: 6 am – 10 pm
- Entrance Fee: $10/vehicle
- Pets: Leashed pets are allowed
- Accommodations Nearby: Hotel Colorado OR Hotel Glenwood Springs
8. Eldorado Canyon State Park
Eldorado Canyon State Park, a gem in Boulder’s backyard, features towering sandstone cliffs, a boulder-littered creek, world-class climbing routes, and picturesque hiking trails.
While you’re in the park, make sure to hike the Eldorado Canyon Trail, hike or bike the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, climb one of the 500 technical routes, or fly fish in South Boulder Creek.
IMPORTANT: Timed entry reservations may be required in the summer. Check the current status here.
ELDORADO CANYON VISITOR INFO
- Hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Entrance Fee: $10/vehicle
- Pets: Leashed pets are allowed
- Accommodations Nearby: Catbird Hotel OR Halcyon Hotel
9. Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain is one of the most dramatic National Parks in the USA. The park prides itself on its rugged mountains, jewel-colored alpine lakes, sky-high roadways, peaceful meadows that belong in a catalog, and diverse array of wildlife.
While you’re at Rocky Mountain National Park, make sure to hike the Emerald Lake Trail (see multiple alpine lakes on the route!), drive the thrilling Trail Ridge Road (the highest continuous paved road in the United States), and hike to Sky Pond.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN VISITOR INFO
- Hours: 24/7
- Entrance Fee: $30/vehicle
- Pets: Leashed pets are only allowed along established roads or in parking areas and in established campgrounds and picnic areas.
- Accommodations Nearby: Camp in the park OR Stonebrook Resort
Timed-entry reservations may be required to enter parts of Rocky Mountain National Park. Check the current status here!
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Washington National Parks Road Trip
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Death Valley National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
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