Colorado: Mountain Landscapes, Trails and Culture

In Rocky Mountain National Park, the mountain landscape spans 415 square miles, from montane meadows and subalpine forests to alpine tundra. More than 350 miles of hiking trails cross the park. Trail Ridge Road is also a key part of trip planning: in summer, the 48-mile one-way route connects Grand Lake and Estes Park. Road conditions and closures can change; check the latest conditions before you set out.

Mountains, trails and varied landscapes

A very different landscape awaits at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. It is home to the tallest dunes in North America, surrounded by grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes and tundra. The contrast between these landscapes adds a distinctive element alongside the mountain regions. For road-trip planning, Colorado also offers 26 Scenic & Historic Byways. Thirteen of them have been designated America’s Byways® by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

The trail network can also be considered in terms of the distance you want to cover. Garden of the Gods has more than 22 miles of trails for beginners through advanced hikers, including paved and unpaved sections. One specific loop is the Perkins Central Garden Trail: it is 1.5 miles long, easy, and has less than 30 feet of elevation gain. The distance, difficulty and elevation-gain details help distinguish this route from the longer trails in the park.

Activities in the State Parks and at Pikes Peak

Colorado’s State Parks offer hiking opportunities for hikers, joggers, cyclists, horseback riders, campers and motorized travelers. On rivers, lakes, reservoirs and ponds, possible activities include boating, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, rafting and swimming. Water conditions and facility availability vary by park and season. An entrance pass is required for all State Parks. It is available online, at park visitor centers, at CPW offices and from authorized retailers; check pass requirements and where to obtain one before your trip.

State Parks offer accessible trails and all-terrain TrackChairs for visitors with disabilities. Check with each park in advance to find out which options it provides. This lets you tailor your plans to the individual park rather than assume the same offerings are available throughout the state.

The Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center is accessible via a fully paved road, a cog railway, shuttle tours and an extensive network of hiking and biking trails. Reservations are required from May 26 through September 30 for trips to the summit in your own vehicle. Access options and operating conditions can change; check the current requirements before your trip.

Cultural heritage and iconic structures

Mesa Verde National Park protects the cultural heritage of 27 pueblos and Indigenous tribes. Among its best-known sites is Cliff Palace, the largest known cliff dwelling in North America. These destinations add a cultural dimension to your trip that is distinct from trails and landscape experiences.

At the Royal Gorge, dramatic scenery meets engineering and visitor experiences. The Royal Gorge Bridge hangs 956 feet above the Arkansas River. It was built in seven months and opened in 1929. The Aerial Gondola travels 1,200 feet up, crosses the Royal Gorge and offers views of the gorge, the mountains and the Arkansas River below. The Cloudscraper Zip Line crosses the gorge back to the visitor center on the north side of the park. Attraction operations and routes can change; check the latest conditions before your visit.

More reasons to visit

Hot springs are another possible experience in Colorado and are generally an option year-round. However, individual facilities have different operating rules and seasonal conditions. When planning your trip, you can weigh whether mountain landscapes and hikes, cultural sites, water activities or hot springs are your main priority.

These different interests offer a starting point for choosing destinations in Colorado and tailoring your hotel search to your trip plans.

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