Some of the national parks in Colorado are the most popular in the country. Others are hidden gems that few know about. No matter which adventure you’re seeking, the national parks in Colorado have something to offer you.
The list below includes all 12 of the Colorado sites managed by the National Park Service. This includes national parks, national monuments, national recreation areas, and more.
Last updated on July 16, 2021. This post contains affiliate links.
Table of Contents
Map of National Parks in Colorado
National Parks in Colorado Road Trip Itinerary
Fly in/out: Denver
Day 1: Drive from Denver to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (2 hours)
Day 2: Drive to Sand Creek Massacre (3 hours) and Bent’s Old Fort (1.5 hours; 4.5 hours total drive time)
Day 3: Head to Great Sand Dunes (3 hours)
Day 4: Spend the day exploring Great Sand Dunes
Day 5: Drive to Mesa Verde (4.5 hours)
Day 6: Spend a day or two exploring Mesa Verde, Yucca House, and Hovenweep (all within 2 hours of each other)
Day 7: Head north to Curecanti (4 hours)
Day 8: Spend the day at Curecanti and Black Canyon of the Gunnison (an hour from each other)
Day 9: Drive to Colorado National Monument (1.5 hours) and spend the day
Day 10: Head for Dinosaur and spend the day (2.5 hours)
Day 11: Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park (3.5 hours) and take your time exploring
Day 12: Spend a day or two in Rocky Mountain National Park to end your trip in the most popular Colorado national park
Day 13: Return to Denver (1.5-hour drive from Estes Park)
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
Now a reconstructed fort, Bent’s Old Fort was once the hub for trade.
Located on the Santa Fe Trail, Bent’s Old Fort was where traders, trappers, travelers, and members of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes came together, mostly to trade. When visiting today, you’ll see historical re-enactors telling the stories of real travelers.
Bent’s Old Fort recreates the feel of the 1840s during their guided tours, demonstrations, and special events. Self-guided tours are also available.
How to Get There: Get directions
Map: Download here
Things to Do: Guided tours, self-guided tours, special events, hiking, film viewing
Park Entrance Fee: No entrance fee, however, there may be a living history fee ($3/adult, $2/child) or special event fee ($5/person)
Where to Stay: Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Midtown Motel, Stagecoach Motel, La Junta Inn, Colorado Cabins
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (719) 383-5010
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Believe it or not, Black Canyon of the Gunnison is deeper than the Grand Canyon. It’s also incredibly narrow, causing any peek over the cliff edges to give anyone vertigo. This leads to some challenges when it comes to exploration.
Adventurers crave the difficulty of scaling the vertical canyon walls or navigating the Gunnison River by kayak. Even hiking can be a heart-pumping experience.
The Gunnison Route down to the river includes chains in the rocks, not unlike the Precipice Trail or Angel’s Landing in Acadia and Zion, and you need them to reach the bottom.
Most spectacular is the park’s night sky with incredible views besting most national parks in Colorado on clear nights.
How to Get There: Click here for directions
Map: Click here for National Park Service maps.
Things to Do: Camping, hiking, canyoneering, stargazing, fishing, wildlife watching, scenic drives
Park Entrance Fee: $20 per vehicle or $10 per individual, valid for 7 days
Where to Stay: Stay Wise, Super 8, Stone House Inn, Quality Inn, The Gunnison Inn, Wanderlust Hostel
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (970) 641-2337 x205
Fodor’s Guide to the 63 National Parks
Women’s National Parks Checklist T-Shirt
Women’s National Parks Checklist T-Shirt
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Sticker
63 National Parks Water Bottle
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Sticker
Colorado National Monument
If you ask avid national parks travelers which national monuments they’d like to see elevated to national park status, Colorado National Monument is frequently one of their responses.
That may be because Colorado National Monument has about as much to offer as any of the other national parks in Colorado: canyons, monoliths, wildlife, and history.
During your visit, drive the famous Rim Rock Drive for breathtaking views or go on a hike to see the beauty of this place.
How to Get There: Click here
Map: Download here
Things to Do: Camping, hiking, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, cycling, rock climbing
Park Entrance Fee: $20/vehicle, $15/motorcycle, or $15/individual; valid for 7 days
Where to Stay: Comfort Inn, La Quinta, Super 8, Balanced Rock Inn
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (970) 858-2800
Curecanti National Recreation Area
A series of three reservoirs on the Gunnison River make up Curecanti National Recreation Area. These reservoirs create a thriving hub for outdoor recreation.
Of the three reservoirs, Blue Mesa is the largest. In fact, it’s the largest body of water in the state of Colorado. The other two, Morrow Point and Crystal, are equally stunning with deep blue water against a mountainous backdrop. These reservoirs also serve the important purpose of storing water for residents in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah.
In the summer season, boat tours are offered on Morrow Point. These ranger-led tours last 1.5-hours and provide a great overview.
How to Get There: Click here
Map: Download here
Things to Do: Boating, fishing, hiking, camping, rock climbing, bird watching, ranger programs, scenic drives
Park Entrance Fee: None!
Where to Stay: Stay Wise, Super 8, Stone House Inn, Quality Inn, The Gunnison Inn, Wanderlust Hostel
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (970) 641-2337 x205
Dinosaur National Monument
Roam in the ancient footsteps of dinosaurs at Dinosaur National Monument.
Straddling the border of Utah and Colorado, this incredible National Monument is a favorite for many. Most attractions are on the Utah side, including the visitor center’s Quarry Exhibit Hall, where you can see 1,500 dinosaur fossils!
But Dinosaur National Monument isn’t all about dinosaurs. There are also stunning canyons popular for rafting, petroglyphs left by the indigenous groups, and beautiful hiking trails. All of this (and more!) make Dinosaur one of the most popular national parks in Colorado.
How to Get There: Click here for directions.
Map: download here
Things to Do: Scenic drives, fossil-viewing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, stargazing, wildlife viewing
Park Entrance Fee: $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per individual; valid for 7 days
Where to Stay: Dinosaur Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Antlers Inn, Comfort Inn, Horizon Hotel
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (435) 781-7700
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds is one of my favorite national parks in Colorado. I visited during winter and had a wonderful time hiking and viewing the fossils of ancient redwoods.
This national monument protects one of the most diverse fossil beds on Earth. In addition to 14-foot wide redwood stumps, archaeologists and paleontologists have also found fossils of many other plants and insects. Combined, these fossils tell visitors the story of prehistoric Colorado.
How to Get There: Click here for directions
Map: Download here
Things to Do: Stargazing, ranger programs, hiking, horseback riding, outdoor exhibits, winter activities, guided tours
Park Entrance Fee: $10 per adult (16+); valid for 7 days
Where to Stay: Mohawk Heights, Clark Homestead, Little Bear Retreat, Blue Sky Lodge
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (719) 748-3253
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
You might be thinking, “what’s so cool about big piles of sand?” and I get it. When driving to Great Sand Dunes for my first visit in 2014, I wondered what the appeal was.
My questions were quickly answered. This ecological gem combines the tallest sand dunes in North America, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and grassy wetlands to create a fascinating ecosystem.
How to Get There: Click here
Map: Download here
Things to Do: Hiking, sandboarding, sledding, ranger programs, stargazing, fishing, hunting
Park Entrance Fee: $25 per vehicle or $15 per individual, valid for 7 days
Where to Stay: Great Sand Dunes Lodge, Dunes Inn, Comfort Inn, Fairfield Inn
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (719) 378-6395
Great Sand Dunes National Park Phone Case
Great Sand Dunes National Park Pennant
Fodor’s Guide to the 63 National Parks
Women’s National Parks Checklist T-Shirt
Women’s National Parks Checklist T-Shirt
Map of National Parks T-Shirt
Great Sand Dunes National Park Sticker
63 National Parks Water Bottle
Great Sand Dunes National Park Sticker
Hovenweep National Monument
Like Dinosaur, Hovenweep National Monument is also located in both Utah and Colorado. On the Colorado side, you’ll find some of the famous structures, including Cutthroat Castle, Horseshoe, Hackberry, and Holly.
Between 1200 and 1300 AD, there were about 2,500 people living in six villages here. Many structures still remain.
These structures are impressive and were intricately built with amazing attention to detail. In this sweeping desert, the towers of Hovenweep provide a window into the history of Puebloan peoples and their dedicated masons.
How to Get There: Don’t rely on your GPS! Click here for directions.
Map: download here
Things to Do: Hiking, stargazing, birdwatching, historic structures
Park Entrance Fee: None!
Where to Stay: White Eagle Inn, Hampton Inn, Grizzly Roadhouse B&B, Desert Rose Resort, La Posada Pintada
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (970) 562-4282 x5
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is one of the few national parks in Colorado that visitors don’t flock to for rare plants, immense wild animals, or stunning landscapes. Here, history is the draw.
Etched into the stunning landscapes the park does have are ancient homes. These cliff dwellings and 5,000 surrounding archaeological sites are some of the best-preserved in America. Some of these housing complexes are available to walk through on your own. Read more about Mesa Verde tours, both self-guided and with a park ranger.
Some more remote areas require a park ranger. In some cases, you can walk and see the beauty. In others, you’ll have to scale ladders and utilize railings. It will garner a true appreciation for how the Ancestral Puebloans lived.
How to Get There: Click here for detailed directions
Map: Download here
Things to Do: Guided tours, self-guided tours, hiking, ranger programs, scenic drives
Park Entrance Fee: In summer, it costs $30 per vehicle or $15 per individual, valid for 7 days. Winter is $20 per vehicle and $10 per person.
Where to Stay: Far View, Mesa Verde Farm and Studio, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (435) 692-1234 x616
Mesa Verde National Park Pennant
Fodor’s Guide to the 63 National Parks
Women’s National Parks Checklist T-Shirt
Women’s National Parks Checklist T-Shirt
Map of National Parks T-Shirt
Mesa Verde National Park Sticker
Mesa Verde National Park Patch
63 National Parks Water Bottle
Mesa Verde National Park Sticker
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park continues to climb when it comes to popularity. It seems this park is becoming more and more crowded each year, and there’s no longer a period of time to go and avoid the crowds.
Be prepared for long lines, congested roads, and crowded parking areas no matter when you visit. Trails and campgrounds are also busy. If you come prepared, you’ll get to enjoy the best of what this fabulous national park has to offer.
Rocky Mountain National Park now has a timed entry reservation system. Learn more on the official website.
How to Get There: Click here
Map: Download here
Things to Do: Hiking, camping, driving Trail Ridge Road, ranger programs, climbing, cycling, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife viewing
Park Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle or $20 per individual, valid for 7 days
Where to Stay: Stanley Hotel, Crags Lodge, Lookout Cabin, Adventure Hostel
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (928) 608-6200
Rocky Mountain National Park Pennant
Fodor’s Guide to the 63 National Parks
Women’s National Parks Checklist T-Shirt
Women’s National Parks Checklist T-Shirt
Map of National Parks T-Shirt
Rocky Mountain National Park Sticker
Rocky Mountain National Park Pin
Rocky Mountain National Park Patch
Rocky Mountain National Park Earrings
63 National Parks Water Bottle
Hiking Rocky Mountain Guidebook
Rocky Mountain Ornament
Rocky Mountain National Park Sticker
Rocky Mountain Cross Stitch Kit
Rocky Mountain National Park Map Puzzle
Rocky Mountain National Park Map
Plan Your Rocky Mountain National Park Trip: 26 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
Sand Creek Massacre is the most somber of the Colorado national parks. Here, as the name suggests, a terrible massacre took place.
In November 1864, 675 cavalrymen came across a village of about 750 Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples. In just eight hours, the cavalrymen killed 230 Native Americans. Most of the deceased were women, children, and the elderly.
Visit to learn more about one of the most tragic, controversial, and emotionally charged events in American history.
How to Get There: Click here
Map: Download here
Things to Do: Walking, birdwatching, reflecting on history, honoring the dead
Park Entrance Fee: None
Where to Stay: Cobblestone Inn, Travelers Lodge
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (719) 438-5916
Yucca House National Monument
There are three national parks in Colorado that focus on telling the story of the Ancient Puebloan people, and Yucca House is one of them. It’s also one of the largest archaeological sites in Colorado.
History, Yucca House was a community center. The village here was constructed around a central spring, common among dwellings like these. It was also surrounded by farmland with crops of corn, beans, and squash.
The site remains unexcavated, so you cannot explore as freely as you can in other national parks in Colorado, such as Mesa Verde. This visitor guide will help you plan your trip.
How to Get There: Follow these directions carefully. The monument is surrounded by private land, and there are no signs to guide you down the dirt roads.
Map: Download here
Things to Do: Visit the visitor center, scenic drive
Park Entrance Fee: None!
Where to Stay: Far View, Mesa Verde Farm and Studio, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (970) 529-4465
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What to Pack for a Colorado National Parks Trip
Packing for a trip can be tricky. Depending on the time of year, temperatures can range from over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day to 50 degrees once the sun goes down. If you’re visiting in the winter, it will likely snow. Here’s a list of things you may need, with some items varying based on the season you decide to visit.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Literally the most important thing to have in the national parks.
- Moisture-wicking Layers: You’ll want short- and long-sleeve shirts to wear underneath your jacket. In the summer, you may also want a tank top. Choose polyester over cotton.
- Jacket: I always have a packable down with me on trips. I also love this new jacket I got a few months ago, as it’s very light yet warm. Synthetic is a good alternative to down if you’re worried about rain or snow.
- Hiking Pants or Shorts: My favorite hiking pants can be found here. As a taller woman, I also love Columbia’s pants because they offer long sizes.
- Hat: Depending on the season, you’ll need a winter hat or summer hat.
- Gloves or Mittens: Gloves are critical if you’re visiting in the winter.
- Wool Socks: Smartwool is my favorite brand for wool socks. Make sure to get wool so your feet stay warm and dry.
- Grippers, Spikes, or Crampons: If you plan to hike in the winter, I strongly recommend grippers for potentially icy trails. Come prepared and avoid the fall!
- Camera: I had my trusty Canon Rebel T5i, my Canon Powershot SX620, and a GoPro with me on my most recent trip to Colorado.
- Tripod: If you’re hoping to take decent photos of the slot canyons, sunsets, or wildlife, I’d strongly recommend carrying a tripod with you.
- Boots: I love my Keens, and will never choose another brand for my everyday boots. In winter, I choose a much warmer pair of Solomon boots.
- Backpack: I brought my North Face pack, but a friend of mine had a water-resistant Patagonia pack I was extremely jealous of.
- Packing Cubes: Never find yourself unorganized or frantically searching for missing items ever again with these. Plus, it’ll help you squeeze more into your bag!
- Travel Scarf: I love the ones with hidden pockets!
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