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SIGHTSEEING
We constantly wonder what makes a sight a must-see, but after traveling through Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, and neighboring states the answer has become painfully obvious: must-see sights are the places that stay with you for a lifetime and find a way into every story you tell.
To make things easier on you, we’ve broken down the best scenic and historic byways, which turnout to stop at for the best panorama views of Rocky Mountain National Park, the perfect peak to photograph at sunset, and which other National Parks you should visit during your journey.
Just dig into these pages at MyRockyMountainPark.com, and save yourself the time we’ve already put in. Because if you’re anything like us, then we know all you want to do is hit the road and start traveling.
The options are endless: Majestic mountain ranges, emerald alpine lakes, long verdant valleys, wildflower drenched meadows, and tumbling rivers. Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the surrounding states have it all. Traveling inside Rocky Mountain National Park, make sure to check out Trail Ridge Road, Longs Peak, and Moraine Park. Outside the Park boundary’s it’s imperative to visit Crested Butte, Summit County, Telluride and Kenosha Pass. (Just a thought: hit up Kenosha Pass in the fall when the aspens start turning.) And if you’re planning on driving in, make sure to include the Red Rocks of Moab, humongous ditch that has become known as the Grand Canyon, and the Grand Teton Range in Wyoming. All are amazing and unique in their own way.
> See MoreTrust us when we suggest finding a way into the passenger seat when traveling across Colorado. The jagged peaks, rushing rivers, and verdant farmland is best enjoyed when no attention to the road is needed. Main arteries throughout the state include I-70 and US-40, but it’s really the smaller arteries—the ones that run through the states mountain towns—that are the real gem. Home to 25 scenic and historic byways, some of the best routes include Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway, Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, and Top of the Rockies Byway. Once you’re inside Rocky Mountain National Park, drive some or all of Trail Ridge Road. The road is home to the highest paved pass in North America (12,183 feet) and crosses the Continental Divide.
> See MoreThe beauty about Colorado (as if we haven’t said enough already) is there are three other national parks within the state. If you’re a photographer or geologist head to Great Sand Dunes National Park, where America’s largest sand dune is trapped between the Rockies. If you’re a history buff or archeologist stop by Mesa Verde National Park just a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from Four Corners Monument. If climbing and seeking adventure is more your thing you’ll find more than enough to do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, a spectacular Park featuring an impossibly narrow opening and towering sheer walls. And if you’re planning on heading to Colorado’s bordering states, then make sure to check out Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Zion National Park in Utah, and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
> See MoreIf four national parks, 15 national grasslands and forests weren’t enough, then check out one of Colorado’s six national monuments. One of our favorites is Colorado National Monument located on the Colorado, Utah border. Most people just drive by on I-70 and miss some of the most spectacular high desert hiking in Colorado. Other great monuments to check out are Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument near Woodland Park, and Dinosaur National Monument in northwestern Colorado. Home to a high concentration of dinosaur bones, children and archeologists alike will enjoy this desolate piece of landscape.
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