The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Colorado

You likely already know the lore regarding the inspiration for “America the Beautiful,” which speaks volumes about Colorado’s splendor. But the Centennial State is one of those magical, awe-inspiring places that often doesn’t seem real. How could it, when you can experience snowcapped mountain peaks, lush forests, rich, red canyons, and golden plains for miles all in the same day? Aptly dubbed Colorful Colorado, this state offers plenty of sights for sore eyes, so long as you’re willing to adventure. Whether you crave the vivid petals of wildflowers or the horizon line from the top of a 14er, here are the most beautiful places in Colorado—get going.

Distance from Denver: 156 miles, 3 hours
Steamboat Springs really comes alive when the temps drop, maintaining its place as one of the best places to spend a long weekend skiing. But if the winter chill (even eased by the unreal magic of Strawberry Park Hot Springs) simply isn’t for you, a visit to Steamboat in warmer weather is still just as gorgeous. Soak up the expansive views as you ride in on US-40 and be sure to stop along the charming downtown strip before exploring every part of this mountain paradise.

Distance from Denver: 190 miles, 4 hours
Crested Butte, situated in its own spot of the Rockies a few miles shy of Aspen, Maroon Bells, and Gunnison, is a transformative mountain town. Fluffy, white snow piles up in the winter for some of Colorado’s best skiing, and autumn brings waves of yellow across forests filled with aspens. But peak summertime is one of the most magical times of year for Crested Butte, because that’s when the meadows and valleys explode with the bright colors of various wildflowers. There’s even an annual festival dedicated to celebrating the phenomenon. While not the easiest town to get to from Denver, it’s always a worthwhile trek.

Distance from Denver: 89 miles southeast, 1.5 hour-drive
Driving up the unpaved road to get to this destination may have you second-guessing, but once you arrive (and after a quick, easy hike), it’ll all make sense. This bright, ribboned clay formation (once used by American Indians to make paint, hence the name) is the result of various oxidized iron compounds creating the mesmerizing bands of color. Explore 750 acres of towering, striped geological formations while wandering the maze of columns, and don’t be surprised if you feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet.

Distance from Denver: 354 miles, 6 hours, 45 minutes
There are waterfalls, and then there’s Bridal Veil Falls. Rising to a whopping 365 feet high, these impressive, natural water features are the tallest free-falling falls in Colorado. Just east of Telluride, there’s a moderate hike waiting to get to the top, plus a ton of trails to explore the surrounding forest, whether by foot, bike, four-wheeler, or ice-climbing boots. You could, in theory, take some photos for the gram, but we highly recommend taking in the beauty of the falls sans-device, if you can.
 

Distance from Denver: 122 miles southwest, 2 hour, 15 minute-drive
The autumn landscapes here are simply unparalleled, though the cliché that it’s beautiful every time of year is, well, true. Part of the beauty of Twin Lakes (after you get past the striking contrast of yellow aspens against deep blue sky), is that you can appreciate it in a variety of ways—on foot hiking through the trees, on the water in a boat or balancing on a SUP board, or on a few wheels. Oh, and don’t mind 14ers Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive casually towering nearby; you can add conquering them to your to-do list after you’ve taken in the sights.

Distance from Denver: 336 miles southwest, 6-hour drive
One of the most southern and western towns in Colorado, Durango also happens to be simultaneously picturesque, charming, and a vibrant college town (go Skyhawks). Stroll Main Ave for Gilded Age architecture and plenty of shops, or head outside of town for some of the most thrilling outdoor escapades available (whitewater rafting, Jeep tours, and mountain biking, to name a few). And with natural backdrops like these, summer hiking and snow sports are both total givens. Oh, and this town of about 18,000 residents has more award-winning and high-quality restaurants per capita than San Francisco, so don’t worry about visiting hungry.

Distance from Denver: 364 miles southwest, 6.5-hour drive
One of the most stunning mountain towns in the state (and honestly, the world), Telluride’s mountain backdrops greeting you upon arrival to its historic downtown will have you stopped in your tracks. But don’t idle for too long; board the free ski gondola (which runs most months of the year as the only public transportation service of its kind in America) to check out the sights as you bar and restaurant-hop between downtown Telluride and Mountain Village, where the world-class Telluride Ski Resort is located.

Distance from Denver: 66 miles northwest, 90-minute drive
With postcard-like vistas and 355 miles of hiking trails, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular National Parks in the country. But if you’d rather see the views without breaking a sweat, drive Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the state, which is generally open May through October. To get to the park’s entrance from Denver, you’ll go through the town of Estes Park where along with lots of local elk herds, you can also check out the shops and restaurants on main street and the historic Stanley Hotel (aka the real life place that inspired Stephen King’s The Shining).

Distance from Denver: 68 miles south, 90-minute drive
This National Registered Landmark in Colorado Springs is another favorite for natural red rock formations, backed by the snowcapped Pikes Peak. It’s free to visit, with hiking trails and a loop to drive that offers plenty of scenic pull-offs, and be sure to look out for the famous “kissing camels” formation along the way. Horseback riding and rock climbing are other popular activities, along with a drive up the 19 mile Pikes Peak Highway, which will take you to the summit of the towering mountain.

Distance from Denver: 170 miles southwest, 3.5-hour drive
When you think of Colorado, do you envision a valley with large, snow-capped peaks towering in the distance, reflecting on pristine mountain water? Yeah, that’s the Maroon Bells. Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak in the Elk Mountains (both 14ers) are the most photographed peaks in North America. You’re here for the natural wonder, so don’t rush through. Better yet, if you can swing a few nights camping in the area, do it.

Distance from Denver: 238 miles southwest, 4-hour drive
Backed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Southern Colorado lies 30 square miles of sand dunes that reach 750 feet in height. The dunes were formed naturally thanks to thousands of years of wind sweeping dust across the San Luis Valley into this pocket of land. The result looks almost otherworldly. Medano Creek runs along the edge of the dune field, and in the summer, it’s the perfect place to cool off after a morning hiking (then sliding, or boarding back down) the dunes. A short drive outside of the park is The Zapata Falls Recreational Area where an easy 1 mile round trip hike will lead you to the base of the 30-foot-tall waterfall.

Distance from Denver: 262 miles southwest, 4.5-hour drive
Far closer to Arches National Park in Utah than it is to Denver, this area of the state looks like the iconic Wild West. But while you might not spot any cowboys racing along the landscape these days, you can get up close and personal with the land. Hike the 5-mile Monument Canyon trail or observe the action along the iconic 23-mile Rim Rock Drive traversing the upper rim of the canyon. Watch out for eagles, bighorn sheep, and, most of all, rattlesnakes. The park also boasts some of the best camping in Colorado.

Distance from Denver: 251 miles southwest, 5-hour drive
The steep granite walls of Colorado’s deepest canyon is a dramatic sight. But it’s also somehow the state’s least visited National Park. Carved over millions of years by the Gunnison River, the cliffs reach over 2,000 feet and are often bathed in shadow, hence the dark name. You can hike both the north and south rim, camp under the star-filled night sky, and find some of the best trout fishing in the state.

Distance from Denver: 400 miles southwest, 7.5-hour drive
The Ancestral Pueblo people once called this area of the state home, and their remarkable cliff dwellings have been preserved in this protected area. This UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Colorado’s Four Corners region is home to more than 5,000 archeological sites of the Ancestral Puebloan people, including 600 fascinating cliff dwellings carved into the natural landscape. Explore ancient ruins such as Cliff Palace and Balcony House before taking in the rest of the park via the 6-mile Mesa Top Loop Road.

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