Top 7 National Parks and Monuments to Explore in Colorado

Home to 58 peaks soaring over 14,000 feet—more than any other place in North America—Colorado truly embodies its Rocky Mountain High reputation. The state's four national parks (Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, and Black Canyon) and nine national monuments offer a stunning variety of landscapes, from golden sand dunes to roaring river canyons and ancient human-made marvels that have stood the test of time.

Whether you're gearing up for a Colorado road trip or seeking exciting activities for a weeklong escape, here are seven of the top national parks and monuments in Colorado that you shouldn't miss during your visit.

1. Rocky Mountain National Park

• Why visit: Famous for its breathtaking peaks and valleys
• Closest town: Estes Park is nearest to the eastern entrances, while Grand Lake is closest to the western entrance.
• Accommodation options: The park features five campgrounds along with numerous hotels and vacation rentals in Estes Park, including the historic Stanley Hotel (the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining) and the contemporary Estes Park Resort.

Among all the national parks in Colorado, Rocky Mountain is undoubtedly the most renowned. Here, moose roam through valleys, elk leap over streams, and trails wind up rugged granite peaks (most reaching heights over 12,000 feet, many formed more than 130 million years ago) before descending into glacial basins filled with lakes. It's no surprise that RMNP (as locals affectionately call it) attracted 4.3 million visitors in 2022, making it the fourth most visited national park in the nation, surpassing even Yosemite and Yellowstone (behind only Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, and Zion).

Most visitors kick off their adventures in the central regions of Beaver Meadows and Moraine Park, while the west side of the park (Grand Lake entrance) offers a more tranquil experience. Stay in the rustic charm of Grand Lake to catch sight of elk in Coyote Valley, conquer Longs Peak (one of Colorado’s 14ers), enjoy horseback riding, or challenge yourself with rock climbing on the 12,100-foot Mount Ida. A highlight is the scenic drive along Trail Ridge Road, which traverses the continental divide, featuring sightings of moose, marmots, birch trees, and beautiful alpine lakes along the route.

Keep in mind that RMNP is among several parks implementing a reservation system. Reservations become available on recreation.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Time on the first day of each month for dates in the following month (for instance, reservations for October can be booked starting September 1).

2. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

• Why visit: Experience dune sledding and sandboarding
• Nearest cities: The closest major cities are Colorado Springs (to the north), Durango (to the west), and Santa Fe, New Mexico (to the south), each about three hours away. Alamosa, with a population of 9,800, is just a 30-minute drive from the park.
• Accommodation options: One of the best choices near the park is Zapata Ranch, a working dude ranch and nature conservancy. You can also camp at Piñon Flats Campground within the park or at various hike-in backpacking campgrounds. (Note: advanced reservations are required for Piñon Flats sites and permits for backcountry camping.)

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is one of the nation’s more overlooked national parks. However, for those who take the time to visit, it’s a breathtaking sight: The Great Sand Dunes lie against the backdrop of the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo range, formed by a prehistoric lake over a million years ago.

Indeed, you can hike the dunes—High Dune and Star Dune are two popular choices—and then sand sled or sandboard down them. Beginners should start near the visitor center parking lot, while enthusiasts can venture to the tallest dunes at the Point of No Return parking lot.

Beginning with the spring snowmelt, seasonal Medano Creek flows from the mountains, meandering between the dunes and creating a beach where families can build sandcastles and swimmers can bask in the sun until the late summer sun dries up the creek.

In the summer, the NPS provides guided tours starting from the visitor center, so make sure to check for available programs on your visit day.

3. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

• Why visit: Impressive gorges that rival the Grand Canyon
• Nearest cities: Montrose is just 30 minutes from the South Rim, while Crawford is 30 minutes from the North Rim entrance.
• Where to stay: Black Canyon of the Gunnison features several campgrounds within the park, along with basic hotel accommodations in Montrose and Crawford. If you're willing to drive a bit further, you’ll find great options an hour away in Ouray, including Beaumont Hotel & Spa and St. Elmo Hotel.

Carving its way through veined rock walls, the Gunnison River has created a canyon so profound that, at its narrowest spot, sunlight touches the bottom for only thirty minutes each day. Most visitors to this region of western Colorado come to peer into the abyss from Dragon Point, Devil’s Lookout, and other scenic overlooks along South Rim Drive, or to walk the Chasm View nature trail on the north rim. While there are no established hiking trails leading into the canyon, seasoned hikers with wilderness permits may explore unmarked paths.

Recognized as an International Dark Sky Park in 2015, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park hosts star-gazing events during the summer months. If you can, reserve a campsite and plan to spend a night under the stars in the park.

4. Mesa Verde National Park

• Why visit: Discover the history of the Ancestral Puebloans of Mesa Verde
• Nearest cities: Mancos and Cortez are located just 10 and 15 minutes from the park, respectively, while Durango, 40 minutes away, offers more lodging options.
• Where to stay: Mesa Verde features one campground and a lodge (Far View Lodge) within the park. Alternatively, consider staying in a cabin at Majestic Dude Ranch in Mancos. If you prefer to stay in Durango, both the General Palmer Hotel and the Rochester Hotel are excellent choices.

The Ancestral Puebloans of Mesa Verde, similar to other Native American groups residing in Canyon de Chelly and various Arizona locations, constructed their homes in the protective embrace of cliffs, building intricate, multi-level communities high above the canyon floor.

Mesa Verde National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserves over 4,000 ancient ruins dating back to around 650 C.E. While the most stunning dwellings can be seen from viewpoints along Mesa Loop Road, access to Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House is available only through ranger-led tours. The Petroglyph Point Trail provides great hiking, breathtaking views of red rock canyons, and opportunities to appreciate some of the park’s finest Indigenous art.

5. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

• Why visit: Home to the highest number of archaeological sites in any U.S. park
• Nearest towns: Dolores and Cortez are the closest, while Mancos is an excellent base if you plan to visit this park along with Mesa Verde. Durango is about an hour away.
• Where to stay: There isn’t an official campground, but you can camp in the monument’s backcountry. In Durango, consider staying at the General Palmer Hotel or the Rochester Hotel.

Visitors are often amazed to learn that Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, located 12 miles from Mesa Verde, boasts more archaeological sites filled with Native American artifacts than any other park in the U.S.—6,300 sites spread over its rugged 176,000 acres. Explore the site’s main attraction, the 40-room Lowry Pueblo, featuring an astonishingly well-preserved great kiva ceremonial room, and engage in activities like weaving, corn grinding, and artifact identification at the interactive Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum.

6. Dinosaur National Monument

• Why visit: To explore prehistoric fossils and enjoy water activities
• Nearest towns: Vernal and Jensen, Utah, are closest to the main western entrance (which is on the Utah side of the monument). Steamboat Springs is about 90 minutes away from the eastern entrance in Colorado.
• Where to stay: There are various developed campgrounds within Dinosaur National Monument, along with options for backcountry camping available by permit. For those seeking more comfort, consider a vacation rental in Vernal.

If you've ever dreamed of seeing—and even touching—massive dinosaur bones protruding from the rocks where they were discovered, then this national monument in western Colorado is the place to be. Dinosaur National Monument, which straddles the Colorado-Utah border, also offers opportunities to swim, kayak, and explore Echo Park, where the Yampa and Green rivers converge and create a near-perfect horseshoe bend around Steamboat Rock.

If you're planning to camp overnight, you're in for a treat. Dinosaur National Monument has been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, and those who remain after sunset will be treated to some amazing stargazing.

7. Browns Canyon National Monument

• Why visit: Experience exhilarating whitewater rafting and observe local wildlife
• Nearest towns: The vibrant communities of Buena Vista and Salida—also key stops on one of our favorite Colorado road trips—are the closest to the monument.
• Where to stay: While camping is an option, there are remarkable accommodations nearby, including the European-style Surf Hotel in Buena Vista and the retro-chic Amigo Motor Lodge in Salida.

Designated in 2015, Browns Canyon is famed for its whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, featuring Class IV and V rapids with intriguing names like Pinball and Seidel’s Suckhole. The rugged 22,000-acre area also provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities: Hike the Turret Trail to see black bears fishing in the river, bighorn sheep sparring on rocky ledges, and falcons and eagles soaring on the canyon's updrafts.

This article was first published in 2019 and updated in July 2021 and April 2023 with additional information. Contributions to this report were made by Jessie Beck and Bailey Berg.