If you love nature, there is no better place to be than Colorado, which explains why our population keeps growing and why we welcome millions of tourists each year. Whether you are a local or a tourist and want to make sure you see all of the best sights, you have come to the right place, as we present the ultimate bucket list for Coloradans who are obsessed with nature:
- Maroon Bells (Aspen)
Flickr/enjoiskate8 You know we couldn’t begin our list of the ultimate Colorado nature bucket list without the famous Maroon Bells! Tucked away outside of Aspen, the Maroon Bells are one of the most photographed places in Colorado and feature colorful mountains, a crystal-clear lake, and a jaw-dropping landscape.
- Rifle Falls (Rifle)
Flickr/Michael Levine-Clark Do you want to see a waterfall? I give you THREE! Located in Rifle State Park, Rifle Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Centennial State and can be accessed via a short and sweet .25-mile hike.
3. Manitou Incline (Manitou Springs)
Flickr/Mariana Wagner The steps are manmade, but you better believe that the rest of the butt-busting incline is all-natural! Do you have what it takes to climb these 2,744 steps?
- Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)
Flickr/Tee La Rosa Since you are in the area anyway (a la the Manitou Incline), why not also take in one of the most iconic spots in the Centennial State? Created millions of years ago during a geological upheaval, the Garden of the Gods is the perfect place to hike, bike, and enjoy Colorado nature at its finest.
5. Paradise Cove (Florissant)
AllTrails/Joey Slater In the summertime, when the weather is high, there is no better place to be than Paradise Cove: a famous Colorado swimming hole that is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and untouched mountain landscapes.
6. Hanging Lake (Glenwood Springs)
Flickr/W.G. Dayton There is no photoshop needed here, folks; the water in Hanging Lake is INDEED this turquoise, which is caused by the presence of dissolving carbonate minerals. Please note: Hanging Lake’s ecosystem is extremely fragile, so if you go, be sure to clean up after yourself and NEVER touch the water!
7. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (Alamosa County)
Flickr/Nicolas Henderson You know about Colorado’s mountains, Plains, and Slope… but desert? That’s right! Located in southwest Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes features 44,246 acres of soft sand that are a must-see for every Coloradan.
8. Lizard Lake (Carbondale)
Flickr/John Fowler Is this a watercolor painting? While it may look like it at first glance, it is colorful Lizard Lake, which is surrounded by incredible trees, flowers, and other kinds of various foliage.
- Conundrum Hot Springs (Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness)
Flickr/Zach Dischner If you are stressed and want nothing more than to rest and relax, take our advice and head for the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and the incredible Conundrum Hot Springs! Please note: Access to Conundrum is approximately 18-miles round-trip, so plan accordingly.
10. Book Cliffs (Mesa County)
Flickr/Jody Valente Colorado’s Western Slope: Come for the Palisade peaches and local wineries; Stay for the Bookcliffs, and other various plateaus. (Is it just me, or did I miss my calling as a tourism writer?)
11. Pawnee Buttes (Weld County)
Flickr/inivium The Eastern Plains are often thought to be flat and barren. Still, they prove to be anything but, thanks to their rolling hills, extraordinary hiking opportunities, and the pictured Pawnee Buttes! The next time you drive through Weld County, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these 300-foot-tall giants.
12. Wheeler Geologic Area (Creede)
Flickr/John Fowler You know that places like Hawaii and Pompeii have volcanoes, but Colorado? Not only do we have an active volcano but we also have remnants from eruptions past, like that of the Wheeler Geologic Area in Creede and its 25-million-year-old layers of volcanic ash.
What would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments! For even more all-natural fun, check out This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Colorado Like You’ve Never Seen It Before.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Pawnee Buttes, Colorado 80729, USAAddress: Wheeler Geologic Area, Colorado 81130, USAAddress: Grand Junction, CO 81507, USAAddress: Conundrum Hot Springs, Colorado 81611, USAAddress: Lizard Lake, Colorado 81623, USAAddress: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado, USAAddress: Hanging Lake, Colorado 81601, USAAddress: Paradise Cove / Guffey Gorge, 13999 Main St, Guffey, CO 80820, USAAddress: Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USAAddress: Cascade, CO 80809, USAAddress: Maroon Bells, Colorado 81654, USAAddress: Rifle Falls State Park, 5775 Highway 325, 10379 CO-325, Rifle, CO 81650, USA
- Maroon Bells (Aspen)
Flickr/enjoiskate8 You know we couldn’t begin our list of the ultimate Colorado nature bucket list without the famous Maroon Bells! Tucked away outside of Aspen, the Maroon Bells are one of the most photographed places in Colorado and feature colorful mountains, a crystal-clear lake, and a jaw-dropping landscape.
- Rifle Falls (Rifle)
Flickr/Michael Levine-Clark Do you want to see a waterfall? I give you THREE! Located in Rifle State Park, Rifle Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Centennial State and can be accessed via a short and sweet .25-mile hike.
3. Manitou Incline (Manitou Springs)
Flickr/Mariana Wagner The steps are manmade, but you better believe that the rest of the butt-busting incline is all-natural! Do you have what it takes to climb these 2,744 steps?
- Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)
Flickr/Tee La Rosa Since you are in the area anyway (a la the Manitou Incline), why not also take in one of the most iconic spots in the Centennial State? Created millions of years ago during a geological upheaval, the Garden of the Gods is the perfect place to hike, bike, and enjoy Colorado nature at its finest.
5. Paradise Cove (Florissant)
AllTrails/Joey Slater In the summertime, when the weather is high, there is no better place to be than Paradise Cove: a famous Colorado swimming hole that is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and untouched mountain landscapes.
6. Hanging Lake (Glenwood Springs)
Flickr/W.G. Dayton There is no photoshop needed here, folks; the water in Hanging Lake is INDEED this turquoise, which is caused by the presence of dissolving carbonate minerals. Please note: Hanging Lake’s ecosystem is extremely fragile, so if you go, be sure to clean up after yourself and NEVER touch the water!
7. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (Alamosa County)
Flickr/Nicolas Henderson You know about Colorado’s mountains, Plains, and Slope… but desert? That’s right! Located in southwest Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes features 44,246 acres of soft sand that are a must-see for every Coloradan.
8. Lizard Lake (Carbondale)
Flickr/John Fowler Is this a watercolor painting? While it may look like it at first glance, it is colorful Lizard Lake, which is surrounded by incredible trees, flowers, and other kinds of various foliage.
- Conundrum Hot Springs (Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness)
Flickr/Zach Dischner If you are stressed and want nothing more than to rest and relax, take our advice and head for the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and the incredible Conundrum Hot Springs! Please note: Access to Conundrum is approximately 18-miles round-trip, so plan accordingly.
10. Book Cliffs (Mesa County)
Flickr/Jody Valente Colorado’s Western Slope: Come for the Palisade peaches and local wineries; Stay for the Bookcliffs, and other various plateaus. (Is it just me, or did I miss my calling as a tourism writer?)
11. Pawnee Buttes (Weld County)
Flickr/inivium The Eastern Plains are often thought to be flat and barren. Still, they prove to be anything but, thanks to their rolling hills, extraordinary hiking opportunities, and the pictured Pawnee Buttes! The next time you drive through Weld County, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these 300-foot-tall giants.
12. Wheeler Geologic Area (Creede)
Flickr/John Fowler You know that places like Hawaii and Pompeii have volcanoes, but Colorado? Not only do we have an active volcano but we also have remnants from eruptions past, like that of the Wheeler Geologic Area in Creede and its 25-million-year-old layers of volcanic ash.
What would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments! For even more all-natural fun, check out This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Colorado Like You’ve Never Seen It Before.
Flickr/enjoiskate8
You know we couldn’t begin our list of the ultimate Colorado nature bucket list without the famous Maroon Bells! Tucked away outside of Aspen, the Maroon Bells are one of the most photographed places in Colorado and feature colorful mountains, a crystal-clear lake, and a jaw-dropping landscape.
Flickr/Michael Levine-Clark
Do you want to see a waterfall? I give you THREE! Located in Rifle State Park, Rifle Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Centennial State and can be accessed via a short and sweet .25-mile hike.
Flickr/Mariana Wagner
The steps are manmade, but you better believe that the rest of the butt-busting incline is all-natural! Do you have what it takes to climb these 2,744 steps?
Flickr/Tee La Rosa
Since you are in the area anyway (a la the Manitou Incline), why not also take in one of the most iconic spots in the Centennial State? Created millions of years ago during a geological upheaval, the Garden of the Gods is the perfect place to hike, bike, and enjoy Colorado nature at its finest.
AllTrails/Joey Slater
In the summertime, when the weather is high, there is no better place to be than Paradise Cove: a famous Colorado swimming hole that is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and untouched mountain landscapes.
Flickr/W.G. Dayton
There is no photoshop needed here, folks; the water in Hanging Lake is INDEED this turquoise, which is caused by the presence of dissolving carbonate minerals. Please note: Hanging Lake’s ecosystem is extremely fragile, so if you go, be sure to clean up after yourself and NEVER touch the water!
Flickr/Nicolas Henderson
You know about Colorado’s mountains, Plains, and Slope… but desert? That’s right! Located in southwest Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes features 44,246 acres of soft sand that are a must-see for every Coloradan.
Flickr/John Fowler
Is this a watercolor painting? While it may look like it at first glance, it is colorful Lizard Lake, which is surrounded by incredible trees, flowers, and other kinds of various foliage.
Flickr/Zach Dischner
If you are stressed and want nothing more than to rest and relax, take our advice and head for the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and the incredible Conundrum Hot Springs! Please note: Access to Conundrum is approximately 18-miles round-trip, so plan accordingly.
Flickr/Jody Valente
Colorado’s Western Slope: Come for the Palisade peaches and local wineries; Stay for the Bookcliffs, and other various plateaus. (Is it just me, or did I miss my calling as a tourism writer?)
Flickr/inivium
The Eastern Plains are often thought to be flat and barren. Still, they prove to be anything but, thanks to their rolling hills, extraordinary hiking opportunities, and the pictured Pawnee Buttes! The next time you drive through Weld County, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these 300-foot-tall giants.
You know that places like Hawaii and Pompeii have volcanoes, but Colorado? Not only do we have an active volcano but we also have remnants from eruptions past, like that of the Wheeler Geologic Area in Creede and its 25-million-year-old layers of volcanic ash.
