Rockin’ the Rockies – Colorado

Located about 65 miles northwest of Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of America’s most visited national parks, with 4.4 million visitors annually. The 415-acre playground is also one of the highest in elevation, with heights ranging from 7,860 to 14,259 feet above sea level, so bring those layers and take some time to adjust to the thinner air! Towering landscapes will make you feel as though you’re on top of the world. A maze of evergreens surrounds rugged peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and the Montane ecosystem with its richly diverse plant and animal life. Immerse yourself in a few of the park’s 355 miles of hiking trails, along with fishing, rock climbing, and stunning photographic opportunities. The main entrance to the park is near Estes Park, which provides other outdoor recreation opportunities as well. Summer is the high season here, and the park can get crowded. It is mostly open in the winter and receives lots of snow. Spring and fall are also great seasons to visit – temperatures are less predictable then. Whenever you visit, you will enjoy this beautiful park.

Frequently left off the radar of many outdoor adventurers, Colorado National Monument is actually a park that deserves more attention. Located in western Colorado close to the Utah state line and near Grand Junction, Colorado, magical panoramic landscapes await. The park covers a 32-square-mile area (20,000 acres) and encompasses six stunning canyons, each having its own distinctive sandstone monoliths. The park boasts canyons as deep as 500 feet and rock monoliths as tall as 450 feet. People come from far and wide to appreciate the towering plateaus, deep canyons, and red rock landscapes. 

Deep and steep is the order of the day. With sheer cliffs in striking black colors that make you question whether you’re still on planet Earth, Black Canyon is in many ways more dramatic than the Grand Canyon. The park is aptly named because the Gunnison River carved out walls that are often shrouded in shadows, making them appear black. This area has some of the world’s oldest exposed rock – Precambrian or “basement” rock – nearly 2 billion years old. Scenic drives and overlooks, hiking trails and plenty of other outdoor activities abound in this 30,000-acre park.

Explore preserved ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park. Since 1906, the park has protected nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites including 600 cliff dwellings. This 52,000-acre park is so special that it has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in recognition of its exceptional relevance to the archaeological world. Get a glimpse into the lives of America’s First Peoples with engaging hikes, extraordinary scenic drives, and ancient petroglyphs.

At the foot of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, what better national park to bring your kids to than one that can be likened to a giant sand box? Sure, there are hiking, ranger programs, and amazing sunsets, but Great Sand Dunes National Park has a much different feel than other national parks. You can actually sled down the sand dunes! At 750 feet, Star Dune is the tallest sand dune in North America. It is intensely picturesque and fabulously fun all at once – geology and biology create awe-inspiring conditions that differentiate it from more traditional parks.