National and State Parks

National and State Parks in Colorado

Colorado’s abundance of National and State Parks is just one reason why this state is so special. There are 4 National parks and 42 State Parks. All of these parks have been preserved for various reasons; however, you can expect to find an abundance of natural beauty and wildlife. State Parks include RV and tent camping amenities, along with other features unique to each location. Although National Parks allow camping and there are some designated campgrounds, they don’t have the scale of amenities that the State Parks have.

Colorado’s National Parks

Rocky Mountain National Park – One of the most popular National Parks in the United States (located just 65 miles from Denver).
Mesa Verde National Park – located in southwest Colorado. Explore ancient cliff-dwelling civilizations from 600 A.D.
Great Sand Dunes National Park – Located in the San Luis Valley, southcentral Colorado. The Old Spanish Trail skirts the southern region. Try sand sledding, skiing, and sandboarding.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Located on the western slope between Grand Junction and Telluride. The park is known for its amazingly narrow canyons, carved over millions of years.

Colorado State Parks

Home to over 40 State Parks. Colorado’s state parks offer some of the best outdoor recreation in all of the U.S., including Camping, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and water sports. It’s all here and much more, often just a short drive from Denver. Plan your trip with a free visitor’s guide. Take time to check out at least a few of these amazing natural wonders. Check out our State Park’s Guide to find more details about each park.

Colorado’s National Forest and Grasslands

Explore 11 National Forest and 2 National Grasslands. These large public lands span north to south, mainly located in Colorado’s central rocky mountain region. National forests provide an abundance of wildlife and recreation opportunities.

Colorado’s BLM

Colorado has 8.3 million acres of public land and more than 27 million acres of mineral estate. The BLM manages resources and recreational use on these lands.

Visiting Colorado’s National and State Park

Visiting Colorado’s National and State Parks is a must-do for locals and tourists. Visiting all National and State Parks is not feasible unless you make it a mission. If you look around, you will notice that they are in close proximity to popular towns and cities throughout Colorado. Depending on your interests, you can find State and National Parks that will satisfy your outdoorsy self.

What’s Happening Larimer County

Larimer County

In Estes Park, the calming effect of nature embraces you, and there’s always a new adventure waiting to be discovered. This beautiful mountain town, surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, is your gateway to the number one tourist destination in Colorado – Rocky Mountain National Park.

Nestled in the high mountain valley at just above 7,500 feet in elevation, Estes Park is one of Colorado’s year-round natural splendors. This delightful mountain village welcomes visitors of all ages and activity levels with various festivals, cultural experiences, playgrounds, river walks, hiking and biking trails, and much more.

Downtown’s pedestrian-friendly streets invite you to stroll, window shop, or relax along the riverwalk with some homemade ice cream. Grassy parks, Victorian lights, and sidewalk benches add an old-fashioned feel to the array of charming shops and restaurants. More than 300 unique shops and galleries offer a selection of handcrafted art pieces, unique giftware and fine apparel.

There are restaurants galore with everything from fast food to trendy cuisine, casual and fine dining. Take in the relaxed, comfortable atmosphere and you’ll quickly see why Estes is known as a top family destination.

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or love to shop and dine, you’ll find more than enough to keep you entertained. While here, we invite you to try fly fishing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, river rafting and the thrill of viewing mountain wildlife. Enjoy some of our rich historical tours, terrific golf courses, intriguing museum exhibitions, and many local art galleries. You may not be able to do it all in one trip. But, like most visitors to Estes, you’ll likely be back for more!

The Estes Park area offers organized events and a variety of activities to choose from throughout the year. Such offerings include the Estes Park Music Festival, Jazz Fest and Art Walk, Rocky Mountain Brew Fest, Rooftop Rodeo, Heritage Days, the world-famous Scottish Highlands Festival, and so much more.

Estes Park’s beautiful dry climate attracts thousands of visitors each summer. This dry climate makes hot summer days (the average high in July is 85°F) seem cool to those from other areas of the country. And our brisk evenings (which can dip below 50°F at night) are extremely comfortable. Summertime afternoon showers usually dissipate in time for the nightly display of stars. Winters are surprisingly mild, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. Colorado’s 300 days of annual sunshine also softens the winter months.

Avon

Visit Avon, Colorado

The Town of Avon is more than a mountain town or a resort destination. It is a vibrant and diverse year-round, resort community defined by its spectacular surroundings and genuine local character. The small-town setting is inclusive and family-oriented, and also the gateway to world-renowned Beaver Creek Resort. It is a town that connects the shared values of both its residents and visitors, creating a one-of-a-kind place to visit, work, grow a business, raise a family, and play in a spectacular outdoor setting.

Avon’s Pavilion and Parks

Throughout the year, Avon offers events and festivals with an expansive mix of music and cultural events at the Harry A. Nottingham Pavilion and on the Main Street Mall. Nottingham Park and the spectacular Avon Pavilion are prominent gathering centers for both everyday enjoyment and major outdoor events. Avon’s uniquely wonderful lake and beach are consistent draws to the park, where SUP and peddle boat rentals are available daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lacrosse tournaments, Saturday yoga at the Pavilion, the open swim and Dunk-N-Dash series, plus Disc Dogs Competition and triathlon stagings, all bring vibrant participant and spectator occasions to the park.

Concerts and Music festivals

Free concerts, including pop-up performances by string quartets, Spanish guitars and a mixed trio, take place throughout the summer and on various evenings, featuring both classical and contemporary music compositions. The Avon Live! Concert series offers four exceptional evenings of free live music, conversation, food and beverages, in the park during July and August. For more information about Special Events, visit www.avon.org/events.

Avon’s Mountain Community

Fed by the adventure found on the slopes of its neighboring ski resorts, at the edges of its sparkling rivers, and in the boundless open spaces that surround the town, Avon’s residents boast a lifestyle that most only dream of. The Town’s vision is unifying–a focus on strengthening its businesses, retail and service offerings, but it’s also a focus on connecting its neighborhoods with nature–bringing them all together on pathways and in gathering spaces that invite both visitors and residents to celebrate their surroundings. Residents here grow roots that sprout families and mountain lifestyle community pride.

Cripple Creek

Discover Cripple Creek, Colorado

On the back side of Pikes Peak, snugged onto the hillsides of a once-rollicking and wildly rich gold camp, sits today’s Cripple Creek, a limited-stakes gaming town that draws visitors from around the world.

Like many of Colorado’s mountain towns, it was first home to the Ute tribe, which moved through the high country with the seasons, living off the abundance of game and fish.

When settlers discovered gold, the landscape changed dramatically. It was Bob Womack, who had searched in vain along the southwest slope of Pikes Peak for more than a decade before hitting paydirt in 1890. Ironically, his riches were found in a place known as Poverty Gulch, which eventually became Cripple Creek.

Thousands of prospectors and the ancillary businesses of merchants and ladies of the night came to the region, and between the time of Womack’s discovery and 1910, the region was hailed as the “World’s Greatest Gold Camp.” If you were assign a 21st century value to the 22.4 million ounces of gold extracted from more than 500 mines during Cripple Creek’s heyday, you’d have yourselves more than $11 billion.

Gambling Strike in 1991

Although gold production declined dramatically in a relatively short period of time, Cripple Creek hit it big again in 1991 with legalized gambling. Many of the historic buildings became refurbished casinos and hotels, and new edifices were erected where others once stood.

In 1995 an open-pit gold mine was opened at the site of the old Cresson Mine, and it continues to produce today.

Now for many the draw is the glitter of the casino and the sounds of the electric slots and the murmur of gamers at the tables. But for history buffs, the Cripple Creek Historic District, a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service, offers a wonderful glimpse into times gone by.

Many shops maintain the rustic ambience of old-time mining days, and the Cripple Creek Heritage Center offers hands-on displays that bring the past alive. Today, visitors to the area can experience the rich Cripple Creek, Colorado history through its shops, attractions and museums.

You can also tour 1,000 feet underground in the historic Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, and the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad provides another perspective on the area’s past.

Boulder

Things to Do in Boulder, Colorado

If just one word were allowed to describe the Centennial State’s free-spiritedness, we’d choose “Boulder!” for any number of reasons.

University of Colorado Boulder

First, it’s home to the University of Colorado, where academics are lofty, football is passionate, and chillin’ is mandatory. The Hill and Pearl Street Mall are famed for their colorful shops, eateries, and galleries, and people-watching is unparalleled.

Boulder Culture

Culturally, this town is the motherlode. For museum lovers, the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) features contemporary fare, and the Leanin’ Tree Museum & Sculpture Garden of Western Art is a stroll through all things Western. More than just the past comes alive at the Boulder History Museum with exhibits that range from tofu to rock music, and CU itself houses the University of Colorado Heritage Center in its Old Main building. The college also is home to the University of Colorado Natural History Museum.

Shopping and Dining

If you’re a shopper, this is your place. Boutiques, designer names, thrift, and thrills await. And dining is, to say the very least, a culinary adventure. We’re hard-pressed to think of a cuisine not represented in our town, and you’ll even have the opportunity to visit the farm of origin for some of the freshest fare around.

And don’t forget the breweries. Just sayin’…

Mountain Recreation

Outdoor recreation is limitless. In addition to having Eldora Mountain Ski Resort nearby, America’s #1 Sports town also gives you the chance to experience, in no particular order, hot air ballooning, kayaking, rock climbing, tubing, fly fishing, bike riding, golfing, cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing. The beauty is you can do many of these things – yes, even skiing – all in the same day. That’s Boulder for you! Ahhhh!

Carbondale

Explore Carbondale, Colorado

Is Carbondale a big little town or a little big town? We’re not sure, but one thing we do know is that it’s a beautiful setting for outdoor activities and a wonderful peek into the state’s rich history.

Sitting at the base of Mt. Sopris at the confluence of the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers, Carbondale is just 12 miles from Glenwood Springs and 30 miles from Aspen. The sun shines on average 295 days each year, and in addition to abundant vitamin D, this sweet little place also blesses its visitors with access to soothing geothermal pools at nearby Avalanche Ranch.

Fly fishing is a favorite pastime in the Roaring Fork Valley, and when you’re not wetting a line, you can venture off on a bike or hike along the Rio Grande Bike and multi-use trail.

Summertime is rodeo time in Carbondale, with rip-snortin’ thrills every Thursday night, and on the somewhat more refined side of activities, concerts and films are presented during June and July.

Golf? But of course! Scenic drives? Spectacular! Dining? Divine!

In short, historic big/little (or little/big) Carbondale is a not-to-be-missed gem.

Basalt

Find Adventure in Basalt, Colorado

Where is Basalt

Basalt is located in the middle of the Roaring Fork Valley, at the confluence of the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork Rivers. This jewel of a town offers an incredible array of outdoor activities for all seasons, plus a variety of local parks to keep kids of all ages engaged. Learn more about Basalt at the local Chamber of Commerce.

On the Water

Nearby Ruedi Reservoir provides the perfect setting for summertime watersports and fishing, and the rivers’ Gold Medal waters are nirvana for anglers of all abilities.

All Kinds of Activities for All Types

Camping, hiking, hunting, rafting, golfing, four-wheeling, horseback riding – if it’s out of doors and fun, Basalt is where you’ll find it.

Basalt Culture, Art, Concerts, Shopping, and more…

Visitors can also expect a healthy dose of culture, with numerous galleries showcasing Western, Southwestern, contemporary, and primitive art, photography, and artisan wares. Live theater and the town’s renowned summer concert series are also part of the scene.

Shopping options are plentiful, and there is no shortage of dining choices. And lodging is both affordable and plentiful.

Nearby Aspen and Snowmass

Remember that you are within minutes of Aspen and Snowmass (drive times vary according to season, of course).

Parachute

Parachute, Colorado

Located about halfway between Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction in western Colorado, the small town of Parachute and its sister community of unincorporated Battlement Mesa are at the confluence of the Colorado River and Parachute Creek.

Though the town is not a mecca of amenities, it does have an info center.

Things to Do in Parachute:

Fishing at Harvey Gap Reservoir and Rifle Gap Reservoir. These two reservoirs are year-round fishing waterways and produce some of Colorado’s largest bass, perch, crappie, catfish, rainbow trout, and northern pike.
Ice climbing at Rifle Mountain Park. This park features 80-foot canyon walls and is considered the best location in the country for limestone sport climbing.
Skiing and snowboarding at Powderhorn Resort.
Snowmobiling on the Grand Mesa, which has over 500 square miles of winter wonderland to explore.
Hunting and rafting are also popular in the Parachute area, and its proximity to Glenwood Springs and the famed hot springs is a draw. It’s also close to Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction.

Around Parachute, the primary lifestyle is cattle ranching, and some of the working ranches have opened themselves to visitors who want an up-close glimpse Western lifestyle.

There are two lodging choices and two dining options in town.

Montrose

Tour Montrose, Colorado

With a history that encompasses not only bits of the Wild West but also inhabitants that pre-date settlers who came from the East, Montrose is an amazing blend of ancient, old and very, very new.

At the Ute Indian Museum just south of Montrose proper, visitors are given a unique glimpse into Native life in the 1700s and 1800s. The Museum is located on the original homestead site of revered Chief Ouray and his wife, Chipeta. Not only does the complex include a memorial park devoted to Chief Ouray, but it also is the burial place of Chipeta. It has been lovingly restored and maintained with native plants, picnic areas, teepees and walking paths – and there is a memorial to the Spanish Conquistadors who were in the region the year the United States gained its independence – 1776.

There are other museums as well, along with a vibrant shopping area and a number of fine eateries and lodging accommodations. Much of what you’ll find in the shops is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, and the art ranges from Western and Southwestern to edgy and playful.

In fact, there’s so much to do in Montrose that Outdoor Life magazine named it to its “Top 200 Towns for Outdoorsmen” in 2010.

During the warmer weather months from spring through fall, there are three challenging 18-hole golf courses to sample, and as your very good geographical luck would have it, Montrose is an excellent gateway to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, with a seemingly unending range of things to do and see.

Rock climbing is epic, and in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area you’ll find unparalleled rafting and unbeatable fishing in Gold Medal waters. What’s more, the San Juan Mountains are where your camping, hiking and biking memories are waiting to be made – with something great for all levels of outdoor abilities.

Got the need for off-road? Got your cure right here. BLM lands are perfect for badland enthusiasts, but you’ll find a full range of terrain, from forest trails to scree routes.

Make sure your camera batteries are full before you leave for one or all of the six designated scenic or historic byway excursions. You’ll hit elevations of 12,000 lofty feet above sea level as you cross mountain passes – with spectacular vistas all along the way.

Wintertime means more fun, with Telluride and Crested Butte ski areas within driving distance, and snowshoeing even closer in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Yep, there’s snowmobiling as well, along with Nordic and backcountry skiing. All year, all fun.

Grand Junction

Visit Grand Junction, Colorado

Surrounded by some of the most fantastic – and fantastical – landscapes on the continent, Grand Junction is a study in contrasts. Here in far western Colorado, the Colorado River meets up with the Gunnison and flows onto the Gulf of California. Even with the two rivers’ confluence, much of the area is desert-like. But it also boasts abundant fruit tree orchards, vegetable farms and an increasingly fruitful wine industry.

Things to do Places to See – Grand Junction

Off to the west of the city, where the desert gets serious, visitors encounter jutting spires, enormous domes and yawning, mysterious canyons of the awesome Colorado Monument, but just a short drive to the southeastern hem of the city is the much cooler, much higher pine and aspen forested wilderness of Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain in the world.

Oh, and to the north is a moonscape of weathered rock known as the Book Cliffs.

You’ll find much in the way of water sports – there’s plenty of fishing both on the Mesa and the Gunnison; the Colorado is great for guided white water raft trips that can be expanded to include kayaking.

Mountain biking is unparalleled no matter which direction you go; hiking is likewise an adventure waiting while you to lace your boots; horseback riding can take you through lush forests atop the Mesa or into a shadow-filled canyon. Climbing enthusiasts will enjoy mountain climbing, bouldering, canyoneering – the challenges change with the topography.

And don’t forget you can get off the beaten path and go four-wheeling as well.

Grand Junction Business District

Downtown is a charming mix of old and new, Western and college town. There are enough restaurants to give you ample choices in cuisine and appointment; shopping is just as adventurous as you might expect in a town that continues to spread its wings culturally. It’s eclectic but, at the same time, reassuringly peaceful – a mix of culture and outdoor activity flare.

Music at Colorado Mesa University is a series of more than three dozen concerts; the Math & Science Center features more than 150 interactive exhibits geared for kids; Western Colorado Center for the Arts features exhibits and educational programs; and you can cheer on the boys of summer at a Grand Junction Rockies Minor League baseball game!

If that’s not enough, go fly a kite – or, better yet, go for a helicopter tour and get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Grand Junction.

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