17 Best Vacation Spots in Colorado

There are cliff dwellings, and then there is the Mesa Verde National Park. It remains one of the most magnificent collections of dwellings in the entire Southwest.

Mesa Verde National Park was home to the Ancestral Pueblo, who lived here from approximately 600 AD to 1300 AD. Today, you can experience their prehistoric way of life with well-preserved ruins. Cliff Palace is the national park’s main attraction, offering a trip back in time.

During the summer, ranger-led tours take visitors right into the heart of the dwellings. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, a nearby overlook will give you a full view of the site.

Mesa Verda’s cliff dwellings are the star attraction, but there are thousands of archeological sites within the park. You can access these sites with hiking trails that lead to lookouts and interesting sites such as petroglyphs.

Mesa Verde is located near the towns of Cortez and Mancos. The park is accessible via a long road that leads high up above the surrounding landscape. The drive from the neighboring highway to the site takes about 45 minutes. One of the many visitor centers is located near the highway. You can get all the information about the park and the road conditions. You can also book a ranger-led tour of Cliff Palace from the visitor center.

Garden of the Gods: the name says it all.

Located near Colorado Springs, the national landmark boasts a stunning landscape of jagged stone towers and fins jutting 300 feet from the ground. There you can see the fins, giant balanced boulders, and rock piles.

You can get up on the dramatic rock formations and wander through the surreal scenery. There are fifteen miles of walking trails, most of which are short and easy for you to explore. The park is popular for rock climbing. Other popular activities include road biking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

The Garden of the Gods Park Visitor Center functions as a museum. Visitors can immerse themselves in unique exhibits and a 20-minute video on the geology of the park. The museum also offers guided nature walks.

When you visit Black Canyon for the first time, it feels like you have discovered a virgin landscape. The rugged canyon opens up to the steep cliff walls that rise up from the Gunnison River. The dramatic setting creates an immediate impression on you.

All you need to do at the canyon is take in the sights and wander along the walking paths and short hiking trails on the canyon's edge. You also can hike into the canyon. The trails, however, are not maintained or marked. You are basically on your own.

There are three campgrounds in the park. Black Canyon is located 75 miles southeast of Grand Junction. If you are in Grand Junction or Fruita, you can visit both the canyon and Colorado National Monument on a day trip. Black Canyon remains a visual experience that stays with you for a long time. Maybe even a lifetime.

The Great Sand Dunes National Park will surprise you. The reason is that most visitors do not expect to find the tallest sand dunes in North America in Colorado.

The 750-foot Star Dune is eye-catching high, especially if you plan to reach its peak. You can also slide down the dunes with a sandboard. On hot days, you can enjoy a cool dip in the Medano Creek that runs along the base of the dunes. There are also hiking trails run through the forest on the edge of the dunes.

The four-wheel-drive Medano Pass Primitive Road opens up some unique terrain for you to explore. There are car camping sites located along the roadside. Regular camping is also available at the Pinon Flats campground, which offers both tent and RV campsites.

Aspen’s reputation is built on its popularity as a premier winter sports destination. It might surprise you to know that the little town in the heart of the White River National Forest is also a brilliant year-round destination.

In the winter, you can try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and dog sledding before rounding off your day with Après-Ski cocktails, local craft beers, or a delicious local meal. But nothing beats the pure thrill of downhill skiing on the snow-draped slopes.

Come summer; there are activities galore for everyone. You can ride the Aspen Mountain Gondola, go white water rafting, horseback riding, hiking, hot air ballooning, or fly fishing. For culture enthusiasts, there is the Aspen Art Museum, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and Theatre Aspen. If you are a foodie, do not miss the annual FOOD & WINE Classic in June.

Estes Park is one of the definitive destinations for outdoor adventure activities. The park remains a gateway to the mesmerizing attractions of the Rocky Mountains National Park. There are an impressive 26 museums and galleries, as well as three relaxing spas housed in the park.

The Estes Park Visitors Centre provides all the information you need, and it acts as a terminal for free shuttles to most main attractions.

For the Intrepid adventurer, an almost endless list of outdoor activities awaits Mountaineering on Longs Peak, thrilling white water rafting, hiking, biking, backpacking, skiing, and snowshoeing. If you want something less adventurous, take a scenic drive, enjoy the River Walk, or play a round of golf.

Grand Junction is like its name: A grand junction where the outdoors meet culture and art. For nature lovers, there is a diverse landscape to explore and experience. You can start with hiking and biking trails. Then try an off-road adventure, climb the marvelous red rock formations, or take to the rivers for rafting, kayaking, and paddling.

The Western Colorado Centre for the Arts is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. There are also many public art installations and the monthly First Friday Art Tour.

Culture lovers can soak in the entertainment at the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, the High Desert Opera, the Mesa State College Theatre, and the Avalon Theatre. Don’t miss to taste your way around the 22 wineries and tasting rooms that dot the town.

Steeped in history, Georgetown is a major crowd puller. Most visitors come to experience the history and pioneering spirit of this 1875 mining town.

You can travel back in time with museums like the Hamill House Museum, the Georgetown Heritage Centre, and the Hotel de Paris. There is also an opportunity to learn all about silver mining when you will take a ride to Silver Plume on the Georgetown Loop Railway. On route lies the Lebanon Silver Mine.

For the more adventure inclined, there is a hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing along the many inviting trails. Also, there are white water rafting, ATV tours, and fishing. Located just 45 minutes west of Denver, Georgetown is surrounded by some stunning Rocky Mountain landscapes. The Guanella Pass Scenic Byway provides a stinging view of the landscape.

Ouray was once a historic Colorado mining town. It has now reinvented itself as an outdoor playground for adventure sports fanatics.

You can try hiking over 70 spectacular trails, have fun on a Jeep, snow-mobile, or OHV tour, bike the Ridgeway Area Trail System, or go rock climbing, canyoneering, fishing, skiing, and hot air ballooning. If you look for the most relaxing activity, visit any one of the natural thermal pools.

While outdoor activities have taken center stage, the town’s history can be explored explore at the Ouray County Historical Museum, the Ouray Alchemist Pharmaceutical Museum, or on a tour of the Old Hundred Mine.

Ouray also has a lively arts and culture scene, reflected by several galleries and a busy live theatre schedule.

Keep reading for more Colorado points of interest.

Pagosa Springs is small-town America at its very best. Located in southwest Colorado, the town offers year-round activities for kids and adults alike. Try swimming, boating, and fishing in the Navajo State Park. You can go hiking or backpacking in the San Juan National Forest. Then take a scenic drive up Wolf Creek Pass for sensational views of the Treasure Falls. And there's more.

Don't miss guided tours of Chimney Rock National Monument, hot air balloon adventures, paddling, and tubing. Or rafting along the San Juan River.

During winter, you can go dog-sledding, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, and more at the Wolf Creek Ski Area. Come evening, enjoy some brewery-hopping, or simply relax in the natural Pagosa Hot Springs.

Breckinridge was at the heartbeat of the gold rush during the 19th century. Today, the town retains the same Victorian-era charm with a down-to-earth and friendly atmosphere.

Breck, as it's popularly called by locals, has become one of the most beloved skiing destinations in the country. It's also a popular departure point for many of the best Colorado snowmobile tours.
You can reach Breck with a quick drive from other popular destinations. Vail lies 40 miles northwest, and Denver sits 80 miles northeast.

Winter in Breck is defined by ski sports and by runs on the Tenmile Range. At nighttime, the town boasts of an exciting scene with downtown restaurants and bars throbbing with energy. You can also explore the thriving arts and culture scene or learn some Breckenridge history on tour with a local expert. Popular choices include the Historical Tour, the Haunted Tour, and the Gold Mining Tour.

Summertime opens up hiking trails, biking, fishing, paddling, and rafting. There are also a collection of breweries and a distillery you can explore in the evenings. Whether it is summer or winter, the majesty of a Breckenridge sunset and star-studded night sky is a wonder to behold. And worth coming back to experience year after year.

Colorados’ capital is a perfect reflection of the state’s diversity. Denver offers visitors virtually unlimited attractions to suit all interests.

You can choose from several art museums, including the Denver Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. There are also several art districts filled with galleries to thrill and delight art lovers. For history buffs, the Golden Triangle Museum District boasts eight of the city’s museums. The Denver Performing Arts Complex provides ample entertainment choices.

Adventure junkies can indulge in outdoor activities such as biking along the historic Greenway Trail. For a more relaxed time, visitors can play a round of golf, stroll through lovely parks and gardens, or visit the Denver Zoo.

The drive to Colorado National Monument takes you through some outstanding scenery: A landscape filled with huge rock spires, cliff walls, canyons, small trees, and scrubby bushes.

Most visitors drive along Rim Rock Drive. At the lookouts that peer over the landscape below, you can stop and take the best photos. The road is also popular for biking, with the more adventurous racing their way up to the lookouts.

Located outside Grand Junction and nearby Fruita, there are various day hikes that take you to the scenic areas of the monument.

The wild truly comes alive at the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.

Located near the town of Aspen, the park showcases some of Colorado's most spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery. There can be no better invitation to trek into the very heart of nature. The area has six mountains over 14,000 feet, along with forests, alpine lakes, and meadows. You can explore the terrain along 175 miles of trails.

Apart from the stunning wild nature, recreational activities draw most people to Maroon Bells. The hikes are incredible, with different kinds of day hikes. There are mountain biking trails that cover hundreds of miles. Fishing is popular in summer. In winter, people come here to ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile, making it a year-round outdoor playground.

You also can enjoy the gorgeous views along with the scenic drives.

The picturesque town of Durango in southern Colorado is nestled at the base of surrounding mountains. Come summer, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gage Railway is one of the town's main tourist attractions. The historic train runs day trips from Durango to the old mining town of Silverton, high in the mountains.

Durango is also the start point of the Colorado Trail: a 500-mile-long backcountry trail that runs from Denver to Durango. An exciting day hike awaits you on the trail that follows the scenic Junction Creek and then climbs up to Gudy's Rest. Here, visitors enjoy lunch and then head back. Adrenaline junkies can ride along the trail with a mountain bike.

Apart from the stunning scenery, Durango also serves up a downtown steeped in history. The area has some well-restored, grand old buildings that function as hotels and restaurants. Some are done in southwestern décor, with an Old West feel.

In the winter, Durango transforms into a ski town. The Purgatory Ski Resort, located 15 minutes from the town, attracts both locals and skiers from around the Southwest. Some visitors base themselves in Durango, which has reasonably-priced hotels, and skis at Telluride which is two hours away.

Pikes Peak is the most visited mountain destination in the Western Hemisphere. Towering over 14,000 feet, the peak is one of the Southwest's famous "fourteeners."

Located in the Pike National Forest, the Pikes Peak is easily recognizable with its snow-capped peak from neighboring Colorado Springs. Visitors can easily access the peak's summit through the Pikes Peak Highway, off-highway 24, west of Colorado Springs. The road trip can take you around 90 minutes. If you are looking for a more scenic ride, take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The nearly 9-mile-long line passes through some mesmerizing scenery.

The Pike National Forest serves up more than a glorious snow-covered mountain peak. There are also numerous hiking trails, mountain biking areas, and fishing that you can indulge in. Pikes Peak remains the second most visited mountain destination in the world, second only to Mt Fuji in Japan.

Soaring mountain peaks, clear alpine lakes, and lush forests; the Rocky Mountain National Park showcases nature at its magnificent best. Located near the mountain town of Estes Park, the Rocky has more than 100 peaks over 10,000 feet. The Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the highest peak.

The standout feature of the Rocky is its incredible terrain. And you can easily access it with the Trail Ridge Road, which provides the main driving route at an impressive altitude of 12,000 feet. The best part is that you can experience Rocky’s terrain from the snug comfort of your car or with an easy hike.

The park is a dream for hiking enthusiasts. Extensive hiking trails ranging from a half-mile to full-day and multi-day hikes sweep around the Rocky. Expect the company of elks, bighorn sheep, and deers on the trails.

Summer is the season that the Rocky Mountain National Park truly comes alive. You can indulge in popular activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and bouldering.