11 Best Places To Visit in Colorado, USA

Colorado is an awesome place to go. Colorado tops the list of thousands to millions of tourists and travelers who visit the United States every year. Its internationally-acclaimed Grand Canyon remains one of the country's most popular and top-rated attractions. Such dramatic and stunning landscapes formed millions of years ago, continues to hit television, documentaries, and social media shows, thus, its skyrocketing popularity.

However, Colorado is much more to its famed Grand Canyon. Beyond the remote and less known outskirts of this state, you can find other natural spectacles. If you are not fond of touristy destinations, fret not, Colorado offers destinations, away from the hustle and bustle of the masses. You can do any form of tourism-adventure related activities here without the need to contend with queues.

The good thing about it? You can visit Colorado's not-so-touristy destinations on a do-it-yourself. Sure, you will have a complete immersion with nature and get reconnected with your inner self. For all you outdoor enthusiasts out there, definitely visit Colorado. It’s arguably the most beautiful in the lower 48. Such attractions include ice skating and skiing (the ski train is a nice touch) in the winter and hiking and camping in the summer.

Spring in the lower elevations means greener grass, birds, etc. In most places in Colorado spring means longer days, high snowpack, lots of skiing, and melting/mud slowly working it's way up the peaks. The drive along route 70 is worth it itself. You can also spot Elk, Moose, bighorn sheep to name a few. Colorado makes the perfect winter getaway especially if you like skiing or snowboarding.

Words can’t describe what a beauty Colorado is. During late spring or early fall, Colorado has the most perfect weather (sunny most of the times, but showers still occur to disrupt the boredom of a perpetual sunny day). Seeing the place where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains is a surreal feeling.



Without further ado, here are some of Colorado's off the beaten path destinations.

1. Denver

World class entertainment: symphony, perfromance halls, comedy clubs, museums, and one franchise for every major sport. Walk along the cherry creek path and cruise 16th street for food trucks and outdoor music, or ask locals for the best locally owned Mexican restaurant. It's a city with decent highways, good walking and bike paths, and very limited mass transit.

Denver is a growing, young city. It has beautiful, historic homes and a fantastic restaurant scene. It’s close to the mountains, and has many outdoor activities. The city has developed nicely in the past few years, and public transit has increased in reach making the city more connected.

Denver is well known as an outdoor adventurer's paradise — from bike paths to hiking trails, there's so much here to do for people who prefer to spend their vacation outdoors. But if you like to sit and sip a beer or savor an upscale Italian dinner, you better believe Denver has much to offer. Yes, it's okay to put down the hiking boots for one day.

Take a self-guided tour of the best craft beer breweries, then explore the city's culinary scene, from a modern, sophisticated take on American cuisine, to ramen, to seasonal meals sourced from Colorado's farmers. If you want to experience every side of this dynamic city, spend time in nature — but don't forget to spend a little time indoors too, preferably with a beer in hand.

2. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Did you know Colorado is home to some really large sand dunes? That's right! Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in Southern Colorado. It is the perfect road trip destination to add to your trip! Check out everything you need to know, it may just inspire your next trip! The journey from the city of Denver takes about 4 hours because the dunes are about 384 km from this city.

The Great Sand Dune Park and Reserve is located in the south of the state of Colorado in the San Luis Valley. The largest dune rises to more than 750 feet. While atop the massive dunes, you can catch an entrancing view of the desert which stretches beyond what your eyes can see. You can also gaze on snow-capped mountains from here. The little cloudiness makes the days sunny and the nights full of stars.

If you visit this place near the new moon, we recommend you to stay and see the stars. The lack of clouds, the little light pollution (there are no big cities nearby) and the beautiful landscape will make this one of the best nights you can see in your life. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit.

Colorado is a state known for its mountains and ski resorts such as Aspen, Vail and Telluride. But to the south of the state you can also find one of the places with the most impressive landscapes that have known in the world, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Reserve.

Deserts cover much of Colorado. But these are also potential come-ons, and fantastic dunes dot the area. The Great Sand Dunes National Park covers more than 44,000 acres. Despite the arid condition, you may be surprised to find out that streams run outside the dunes. Among the many activities you can do here are sand sledding, horseback riding, and camping.

The main reason why you have to visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park are its landscapes. The combination of sand dunes, valley (San Luis Valley) and snowy mountains gives you a landscape like few others in the world. Snowy peaks, colorful trees, sand and wild animals make this place a unique destination in the United States.

The state of Colorado is known for its sunny days almost all year round. The area of sand dunes is no exception. You can also walk, sandboard and do other activities in this incredible park. One of the activities that is most practiced in this park is sandboarding and sand sledding. The change in temperature throughout the year makes the experience and the landscapes in the park different.

You can bring your own camping equipment or stay at a nearby hotel. Oh, you could imagine how wonderful it is to camp here at night while looking at the bright stars or the milky way. Staying at night to see the stars is one of the best activities you can do in the park.

The city of Alamosa is located about 40 minutes from the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Reserve. There you can find many services such as gas stations, supermarkets and places to rent sandboards. In the dunes you can do activities such as sandboarding and sand sledding.

3. Salida

Hot springs in Salida, or by Mt Princeton, or further west up 50 near Monarch pass (ski area at Monarch). There's royal gorge east on 50, and you can see the mostly snow free Arkansas River! Depending on how far you want to drive you can snowshoe parts of the rainbow trail, or enjoy the great sand dunes and the slowly seperating San Luis Valley.

If you need a soothing mode after strenuous outdoor activities, then you may proceed to Antero Hot Spring Cabins. Each of these cabin ages more than a hundred years old. Each contains a private hot spring pool just outside the front door. Oh, what a wonderful feeling soaking on the thermal waters while sipping wine or gazing at the 1-500 foot cliffs.

These cabins lie on the right spot because from here; you can glimpse of Colorado's natural beauty such as its canyons, deserts, and snow-capped mountains. The best thing about it? You did not take a single step.

4. Breckenridge

Trek to the high mountains of Alma town, you'll discover one of the most astonishing parts of Colorado called Bristlecone Pines. This remote destination homes some of the oldest living trees on earth, some even dating back before Christ was born. It might seem like a creepy experience coming here, but there's just nothing like it feeling like you traveled back in time.

Imagine facing a woman who is a hundred years old or more. It's a superb encounter. But what more if you get face to face with a tree aged 2000 years old to 4000 years old or more. The trees are not the usual species you see with straight trunks. The pines here are twisted with seemingly sinister shapes. Each tree comes out at different and strange angles that will surely leave you in awe and wonder.

If you want the best view of the trees plus the beautiful landscapes around, do a hike to the Windy Ridge Scenic Area. The forest service built this outlook in 1964 to protect these ancient trees. Thus, travelers have glimpsed of these for centuries. As you go to the Windy Ridge, expect to soak in Colorado’s untouched forests and mountains. If you are a nature photographer, the ancient trees are perfect and winning materials.

5. Silverton

Tucked within San Juan National Forest, you can explore the Island Lake, one of Colorado's best off-beaten destinations you should not miss. And there's not one lake. There are several lakes surrounded by imposing mountains and rolling hills of emerald grass and fields of colorful flowers. The lakes blue waters alone are enough to blow you away.

But look at the surrounding landscapes, and you'll feel profound amazement and might make you wonder how all these came to scene at perfect harmony. Hiking to these lakes come in varying degrees. Fortunately, there are different packages which you can select from. Of course, most of the hikes require harsher conditions, but if you are an adventurer or a thrill-seeker, these are challenges worth conquering.

One climb will take you to more than 1,600 feet before you can glimpse of the first lake. Oh, the wildflowers complementing the lake’s beauty are genuinely breathtaking.

6. Grand Junction

Grand Mesa ranks as the most massive mesa in the world. As a backgrounder, a mesa is a flat-topped mountain surrounded by sheer, dramatic cliffs. Familiar with the mesa where Angel Falls cascades? That's how it is. Unlike the mesas of South America, however, vegetation barely covers the Grand Mesa although there are some patches of forests. Visible rock formations can be seen, and the sparse layers reflect the area's dry climate.

If you love to go outdoors or to hike, you should visit the Grand Mesa. You can trek around here for a day or days, and there are different packages to choose from. One of the sights you should not miss here is the spectacular sunset over a beautiful lake. Because tourists do not frequent large parts of the mesa, you'll experience rustic trails and may even discover something new.

If you are not into hiking, however, you can drive to the top so you can capture panoramic views. Grand Mesa’s warm and welcoming atmosphere will surely gratify you for a lifetime, especially if you are a nature lover.

7. Leadville

Enjoy the peaks of the Sawatch range, fishing along the Arkansas River, and some great mining history. In the late 1800s Leadville was the most populous town in the state, you could pay your week's take home - if you struck pay dirt - on a bear vs tiger fight at the opera house, booze from the silver dollar saloon, and “fancy ladies.” Both buildings are still standing.

8. Walden

Tiny town near the WY border. Lots of National Forest land and hunting, fishing, ATVs, moose watching, or you can try to get a tag for one, or deer, elk, mountain goat, big horn sheep, etc! State forest state park (not a typo) and the Medicine Bow - Routt national forests are all around.

9. Creede

Small town with a ton of mining history but no ski resorts for 50+ miles. It's quite slow in the winter, and you may want to stock up on groceries from somewhere a bit more well traveled before venturing to this tiny hamlet. Some of the roads are closed for the season, but you can still tour some of the mining ruins by car, or get adventurous and snowshoe! (Please don't venture near old mine shafts). Not all animals hibernate or migrate.

10. Grand Lake

Back side of RMNP. It will be busy with tourists, but not as bad as the eastern side! Swimming in the lake, a drive up the park road, US 34, or some backpacking or day trips in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Winters are great here because you may get snow one day, but you can almost guarantee that the sun will be out the next day. You can ski, snowboard, cross country ski, horseback ride, toast marshmallows and just sit in the hot tub. You could go for a walk or hike. it's fun to go exploring and see the old houses, you can go on a ghost town tour. Photography is great here.

You can go Explorer the graveyard in the old towns too. It's interesting to read the old graves of cowboys and miners. You can go snowmobiling, go for a hayride or horse drawn carriage ride in the snow at sunset. Theres so much to do here. And if you've never been, it's definitely worth it. Look online to see what all the little towns look like and see what they have to offer. Look up dude ranches too! Theres a place called C Lazy U ranch that is so much fun! Check them out online!

11. Glenwood Springs

Located near Denver on the Colorado Hot Springs Loop, Glenwood Springs is relaxation and adventure in equal measure with a touch of family fun and Old West history. Many visitors seek a relaxing bath in the many hot springs that will leave them refreshed, including the world's largest mineral pool at a glamping resort.

Skiing, whitewater rafting, parachuting and paragliding are popular seasonal activities, which makes it very attractive for outdoor enthusiasts. Meanwhile, families love the affordable attractions that captivate people of different ages. The magnificent summer climate is synonymous with a busy tourist season, while autumn and winter attract travelers who are looking for offers.

Walk to the waterfalls and turquoise lake Hanging Lake or cycle through Glenwood Canyon in USA. Cycle the Glenwood Canyon Bike Path or Rio Grande Trail. Both offers a gentle ride, fabulous views and historic sights to explore while travelling in USA.