The 6 National Parks In Colorado That Every True Coloradan Should Visit At Least Once

You know we couldn't begin this list of the best National Parks in Colorado without mentioning THE Rocky Mountain National Park! Encompassing a gorgeous 415 square miles, RMNP is the epitome of the Centennial State, thanks to its amazing landscape, 350 miles of trails, and downright spectacular drives. Need another reason to visit? Rocky Mountain National Park is also home to ample fishing, boating, biking, and 4-wheeling.

When most people think of National Parks, they think of wide-open spaces and vast landscapes, which makes Mesa Verde even more of a pleasant surprise. Tucked away in southwest Colorado, Mesa Verde is an incredible 52,485-acre oasis that is home to Ancestral Puebloan dwellings and ancient artifacts from 800+ years ago! During your visit, you can explore some of these dwellings for yourself as well as learn about the fascinating people who once called them home.

Massive amounts of sand in a desert-like environment may not sound like something you would find in Colorado, but it indeed is! Welcome to the Great Sand Dunes: A surprising 232.9 square miles of Sangre de Cristo Range that features a whopping 5 BILLION cubic meters of soft sand. (Seriously, if you think this picture looks amazing, you have got to see this place with your own eyes!)

If you thought that the Grand Canyon was the only ravine in the country, think again! Located in Western Colorado, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a 48-mile-long gorge that runs along the Gunnison River and - like the Grand Canyon - houses dramatic cliffs and crags.

Okay, so technically it isn't a National Park (as Colorado is home to only 4 official National Parks), but we find this Monument worth mentioning for several reasons. Running along the Colorado/Utah border, Dinosaur National Monument is a fascinating area that is not only pretty to look at but houses a whopping 800 paleontological sites. Need we mention that the area also boasts jaw-dropping views? 

Last but certainly not least on our list of Colorado National Parks (with a few National Monuments sprinkled in!) is Hovenweep National Monument, which, like Mesa Verde National Park, is home to intriguing dwellings from hundreds of years ago. When you visit this 784-acre monument, be sure to hike along one (or all) of its many trails, which will take you past 6 different villages that were once inhabited by some 2,500 Ancestral Puebloans.