View It
Visit It
Colorado
United States
Visit Colorado
Colorado, a state known for its stunning natural landscapes and outdoor recreational activities, offers a unique blend of adventure and tranquility that attracts visitors from all over the world. From the majestic Rocky Mountains to the rolling hills, lush forests, and scenic rivers, Colorado is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Whether you're looking to ski down world-class slopes, hike through expansive trails, or simply soak in the natural beauty, Colorado provides an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable vacation.
The state's diverse geography allows for a wide range of activities throughout the year. In the winter, towns like Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge come alive with skiers and snowboarders eager to tackle the powdery slopes. These ski resorts are renowned not only for their thrilling runs but also for their high-end amenities and vibrant nightlife. When the snow melts, the focus shifts to summer sports such as hiking, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting. Colorado's numerous state parks and national parks, including Rocky Mountain National Park and Mesa Verde National Park, offer miles of hiking trails and opportunities to witness diverse wildlife and breathtaking vistas.
Beyond the natural attractions, Colorado boasts a rich cultural heritage and a thriving arts scene. Denver, the state capital, is home to a dynamic array of museums, galleries, and theaters. The Denver Art Museum and the Colorado History Museum provide insights into the artistic and historical significance of the region. Meanwhile, smaller towns like Boulder and Fort Collins charm visitors with their eclectic shops, craft breweries, and local eateries, each offering a taste of Colorado's local flavors and craftsmanship.
Visiting Colorado means immersing yourself in an environment where the spirit of adventure is matched by the beauty of the surroundings. Whether you're scaling the heights of the Rockies, exploring the depths of ancient cliff dwellings, or enjoying a sunset over the Denver skyline, Colorado offers a powerful reminder of the wonders that await when you venture outdoors.
Find your Next Adventure in Colorado
Explore Colorado
Iconic Landmarks
Garden of the Gods
- This National Natural Landmark features stunning red rock formations and offers opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and photography.
Pikes Peak
- Known as "America's Mountain," Pikes Peak is one of the most visited mountains in the world and can be accessed via the Pikes Peak Highway, the Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway, or by hiking.
Mesa Verde National Park
- This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, notably the large Cliff Palace.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- An open-air amphitheatre built into a rock structure, this venue is renowned for its natural acoustics and breathtaking views, hosting various concerts and events.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- This park features the tallest sand dunes in North America, offering activities like sand sledding, hiking, and stargazing in a unique desert landscape.
Royal Gorge Bridge
- Suspended over the Arkansas River, this is one of the highest suspension bridges in the world, offering spectacular views and thrilling attractions like a zip line and aerial gondola.
Cultural Experiences
Denver Art Museum
- Explore a vast collection of Native American art and contemporary masterpieces in this architecturally stunning facility.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
- Revel in four days of folk, jazz, and bluegrass music set against the scenic backdrop of the San Juan Mountains every June.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Experience the unique landscape and cultural history of North America's tallest sand dunes, which have been a site of human activity for over 11,000 years.
Mesa Verde National Park
- Discover the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans, preserved for centuries in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
National Western Stock Show
- Attend this annual livestock show and rodeo in Denver to celebrate the region's rich ranching history and enjoy a variety of Western-themed activities.
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
- Enjoy tea and international cuisine in a beautifully handcrafted teahouse, a gift from Boulder's sister city, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Outdoor Adventures
Rock Climbing in Eldorado Canyon State Park
- This park offers more than 500 technical rock climbing routes that challenge climbers of all skill levels amidst stunning scenery.
Whitewater Rafting on the Arkansas River
- Experience thrilling rapids and breathtaking views as you navigate through one of the most popular rafting destinations in the country.
Hiking the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
- Explore some of Colorado's most iconic landscapes, including the famous Maroon Bells, through extensive trails suitable for various hiking levels.
Mountain Biking in Crested Butte
- Known as the birthplace of mountain biking, Crested Butte offers endless trails ranging from beginner to expert, set against a backdrop of wildflower-filled meadows and rugged peaks.
Skiing and Snowboarding in Vail
- Hit the slopes at one of the largest and most famous ski resorts in the world, known for its vast terrain, back bowls, and upscale amenities.
Backpacking the Colorado Trail
- Traverse this 486-mile trail that stretches from Denver to Durango, featuring diverse ecosystems, alpine forests, and high mountain passes.
Off the Beaten Path
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Explore the tallest sand dunes in North America, offering unique landscapes and activities like sand sledding.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Known for its steep, dramatic cliffs and some of the steepest drops in North America, this park offers spectacular views and challenging hikes.
Bishop Castle
- An eccentric, hand-built stone and iron fortress in the San Isabel National Forest, offering visitors a whimsical, architectural adventure.
Zapata Falls
- Located near the Great Sand Dunes, this hidden gem offers a short hike to a beautiful cascading waterfall tucked away in a rocky crevasse.
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
- Annually celebrating the lush, vibrant wildflowers that blanket the Gunnison Valley, perfect for those who love nature and photography.
The Paint Mines Interpretive Park
- Features fantastic geological formations and a spectrum of colorful clays used by Native Americans, providing a unique hiking and educational experience.
Colorado Fun Facts
- Highest Altitude: Colorado has the highest average elevation of any U.S. state, and Mount Elbert is the highest peak in the Rockies.
- Continental Divide: The Continental Divide runs through Colorado, determining whether water flows to the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean.
- Colfax Avenue: Denver’s Colfax Avenue is the longest continuous street in America.
- Dinosaur Fossils: Colorado is a hotspot for dinosaur fossils, and the first Stegosaurus skeleton was discovered near Morrison in 1877.
- Cheeseburger Origin: The trademark for the name "cheeseburger" was awarded to Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver in 1935.
- Major Rivers Source: Colorado is the source of major rivers like the Colorado River, Rio Grande, and Arkansas River.
- Amendment 64: In 2012, Colorado became one of the first two states to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
- Deep Roots in Brewing: Colorado is known as the "Napa Valley of Beer," it has one of the highest number of breweries per capita in the U.S.
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre: This naturally formed, world-famous outdoor venue is the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world.
- Leadville Boomtown: Once a booming mining town, Leadville is situated at over 10,000 feet making it the highest incorporated city in the United States.
Featured Picture Gallery
Experience the Sunrise at Maroon Bells Lake
Hiking is a Common Activity for Those Who Visit the Rocky Mountains
Skiing is One of the Most Common Activities of Those who Visit Vail