Top 10 Places to Visit in Colorado

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#1 Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks. The park is known for tall mountains, alpine lakes and wildlife. Rocky Mountain National Park can be accessed through the eastern entrances near Estes Park or via the western entrance at Grand Lake. The park has a total of five visitor centers. The 14,259 ft Longs Peak is the highest peak in the park. Bear Lake at an elevation of 9,450 feet is a one of scenic trailhead and destination in Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road that traverses Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west is the most visited and famous Scenic Byway.

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#2 Vail Ski Resort

With 5,317 acres of skiable terrain, Vail Ski Resort is the third largest mountain ski resort in the United States. The resort is popular for family-friendly adventure zone like Chaos Canyon and Porcupine Alley. Vail Ski Resort has seven bowls: Golden Peak, Northwoods Bowl, Game Creek Bowl, China Bowl, Sun Up & Sun Down Bowl, Siberia & Mongolia Bowl, and Blue Sky Basin. Most of the resort is wide open terrain with all types of trails.

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#3 Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak is one of the highest summit mountains in Colorado with 14,115-foot peak's soaring heights. Located 15 miles west of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak area offers many attractions. There are many ways to explore Pikes Peak and reach the summit. The 19-mile toll road Pikes Peak Highway is most popular and offers spectacular views.

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#4 Aspen

Aspen is a popular tourist destination with four ski areas and outdoor recreation in the White River National Forest. The four ski areas are: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass, and Buttermilk. Snowmass is the most popular and biggest of four mountains known for its wide cruiser runs, family-friendly atmosphere, and extensive lodging options.

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#5 Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park was established to preserve Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites. The park protects more than 5,000 sites archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. Most visited structure of the park includes Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Long House, Step House, and Spruce Tree House.

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#6 Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is a most visited scenic park of Colorado Springs known for towering sandstone rock formations. The park is popular place for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center has Natural history exhibits that include minerals, geology, plants and local wildlife, as well as Native Americans.

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#7 Denver

Denver is a popular city and capital of Colorado state located east of Rocky Mountains. Many named mountain peaks visible from Denver. Places to visit in and around Denver includes: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Museums, Botanic Gardens, Denver Zoo, and Washington Park. Other attractions are Winter Park Ski Resort about a 90-minute drive from Denver.

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#8 Colorado Springs

Located near the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is a popular tourist destination. The city offers many near by scenery attractions including Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods Park, The Broadmoor Seven Falls, and Cave Of The Winds Mountain Park. With over 55 area attractions, Colorado Springs has something for every explorer.

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#9 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. The park has two entrances: the south rim located east of Montrose, while the north rim located south of Crawford. The main attraction of the park is the scenic drive along US Highway 50 and Colorado Highway 92. The Gunnison River within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is well known for fishing.

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#10 Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve conserves an area of large sand dunes that are up to 750 feet tall. The park contains the tallest sand dunes in North America. The dunes cover an area of about 30 sq miles. The park also preserves alpine lakes, mountains and tundra. Accessing the dunes requires walking across the wide and shallow Medano Creek. The park is popular for hiking, sandboards and sand sleds.