Must See Places in Colorado – A Bucket List
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There are a few states I feel everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Our old town in Alaska is one of them, and Colorado is definitely another!
Colorado is centrally located in the United States and is a major hub for many airlines. That makes traveling to Colorado fairly quick and easy.
There are so many things to do and see in Colorado, it can be a bit overwhelming to sort through them all. Here’s a list of a few of the best things to do in Colorado!
Visit Garden of the Gods
The staggering red rock formations that make up Garden of the Gods is a must-see on any trip to Colorado!
Garden of the Gods feels almost otherworldly with its striking red rock formations and panoramic views of Pikes Peak. When I first set foot in this enchanting park in Colorado Springs, I was instantly captivated by its unique beauty.
It’s hard not to be in awe as you walk among the towering sandstone monoliths, some of which have been standing for millions of years. As you meander through the winding trails, you can’t help but feel a deep connection to the natural world around you. The park is not only a haven for hikers and rock climbers, but it’s also a treasure trove of history and geology, with fascinating stories etched into every rock face.
Named as a place fit for the gods to assemble, it is truly magnificent! My favorite formation is the kissing camels. SO CUTE.
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center provides a great deal of the history and formation of Garden of the Gods.
There’s even a show in the theater every 20 minutes providing an in-depth look at the National Natural Landmark.
Explore Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak, affectionately known as “America’s Mountain,” is a breathtaking natural wonder that has captured the hearts of adventurers and nature lovers alike. With its soaring elevation of 14,115 feet, this iconic Colorado landmark proudly dominates the skyline near Colorado Springs, beckoning visitors to explore its rugged beauty.
The scenic Pikes Peak Highway or the historic cog railway offer a mesmerizing journey to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views that stretch as far as the eye can see.
As you ascend the mountain, you’ll be enchanted by the diverse landscape that transitions from lush forests to alpine tundra, a testament to the incredible variety of ecosystems found in the Colorado Rockies.
Pikes Peak has inspired countless artists and writers over the years, including Katharine Lee Bates, who penned the lyrics to “America the Beautiful” after being awestruck by the mountain’s grandeur.
Whether you’re hiking, driving, or simply soaking in the breathtaking vistas, Pikes Peak is an unforgettable experience that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Colorado’s wild beauty.
Drive & Discover Mount Evans
Have you ever wanted to explore the breathtaking peaks of Colorado? Take a journey up one of my favorite places, Mount Evans! With its towering elevation of 14,271 feet, this awe-inspiring mountain is the 12th highest peak in Colorado and offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you speechless.
One of the most amazing things about Mount Evans is the drive up its slopes. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a winding, 28-mile road that takes you through lush forests and vibrant alpine meadows, all the way to the summit. On a clear day, you can see for hundreds of miles, and it’s a sight that will stay with you forever.
As you explore the surroundings, you’ll be delighted by the array of wildlife that calls Mount Evans home. In the summer, the mountain’s slopes are a canvas of colorful wildflowers, and you might even encounter some of the local residents, like bighorn sheep, mountain goats, marmots, and pikas. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a white-tailed ptarmigan, a bird that’s truly a rare sight.
One of the things I love most about Mount Evans is the variety of outdoor activities available. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a rock climber, or someone who just enjoys seeing animals and being in nature, this mountain has something for everyone.
We live a few hours away, so we regularly load up our two rescue pups and head out for an adventure. We pack a lunch and after a quick hike along Summit Lake, we stop to eat and then make the rest of the drive up to the top! The drive down can be a bit nerve-wracking, but it’s absolutely worth it!
Climb Castle Rock Butte
If you’re near Denver and want to stretch your legs and explore, take a quick hike up Castle Rock, Colorado!
Castle Rock is a castle-shaped butte from which the town of Castle Rock gets the name. The 1.4-mile round trip trek offers fantastic views of the city and the Rocky Mountains. See all the details of the hike here.
Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a must-visit destination for Colorado visitors. Located in southern Colorado, the park offers stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which are home to some of the highest dunes in North America. The dunes cover an area of 30 square miles and reach heights up to 750 feet. Visitors can explore the dunes via foot or sand sledding.
The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and pikas. Bird watchers will be delighted by the presence of golden eagles, kestrels, hummingbirds and more. There are more than 200 bird species in Great Sand Dunes National Park! There are also plenty of opportunities for camping and hiking.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve offers an unforgettable experience for those looking to explore one of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes.
Relax in Westcliffe, Colorado
If you’re planning a trip to Colorado, you should consider adding Westcliffe to your list. Keeping up a steady pace on vacation is great, but sometimes you just need a bit of downtime. Westcliffe is perfect for that!
A sleepy little town surrounded by mountains, Westcliffe and neighboring city Silver Cliff form a Dark Sky community.
The entire town bands together to reduce light pollution, making it one of the most ideal places to relax and stargaze.
Mission: Wolf Rescue and Sanctuary
Mission: Wolf is another absolute must if you’re an animal lover and are staying near Westcliffe.
There are over 20 wolves and wolf dogs they care for, and they do amazing work at giving these rescued pups a healthy, fulfilling life.
The sustainable village is staffed entirely by volunteers and they welcome visitors to come and learn more about the wolves.
The wolves are most active on bi-weekly feeding days, currently on Wednesday and Saturday. You may even get the opportunity to greet the wolves!
The sanctuary doesn’t guarantee any interactions with any of the wolves, as they let them decide how much they would like to interact. Maybe you’ll be lucky and be greeted with a wolf kiss or two!
Learn all about Westcliffe, Mission: Wolf, and other reasons why you should visit Westcliffe here.
Look for All Kinds of Wildlife
Since we lived in Alaska, you’d think we’d be used to seeing wildlife. And while we did see the occasional moose and bear, we’ve never seen as frequent wildlife as we do in Colorado!
From antelope in grassy plains to deer wandering outside our window, wildlife abounds. The boy below was hanging out in front of our house in the shadow of Pikes Peak.
Bring a good pair of binoculars and you may even be able to see mountain goats and sheep!
Explore Cañon City, Colorado
To get a true feel for a town, there’s no better place to visit than a local market and craft fair. Cañon City has one of the best ones in the area.
It has a rustic, chill vibe which is most evident while wandering around their weekly farmer’s market in the summer.
From adorable crafts to delicious food trucks, this market truly has something to offer everyone. Plus, everyone we talked to was so friendly!
Pro tip: Plan to have lunch at World’s End Brewing Company. If you’re a fan of fruity ales like I am, try the Fairy Dust fruit beer! It’s so light and refreshing.
Walk Across The Royal Gorge Bridge
After visiting Cañon City, Royal Gorge is a perfect follow-up since they’re so close. Royal Gorge is quite gorgeous <<see what I did there?!
Trek across the gorge on the bridge located 956 feet above the wild Arkansas River.
There’s also a gondola that travels across the gorge, along with an intense Skycoaster ride and Zipline.
Plan to have a few hours available to spend here as there’s a lot to explore. There are so many fun things to do in Colorado, and this is definitely at the top!
Pro tip: for an easier trip, start with the gondola then walk down to the bridge. Otherwise, you’ll be hiking up to the gondola platform, which can be a bit strenuous, especially if you haven’t adapted to the altitude yet!
Make the Skyline Drive Trip
For an awe-inspiring views on your way back to Cañon City from Royal Gorge, take a drive up Skyline Drive. Be aware, though, it’s not for the faint of heart.
Skyline Drive is a relatively short adventure that gives scenic views of Cañon City and surrounding areas. It was built by inmates back in 1905! It’s a 3-mile road with only one lane. Once you start, you’re committed to finishing the drive!
The road climbs up 800 feet and provides breathtaking vistas. Keep an eye out on top for actual dinosaur footprints! We missed them our first trip so it’s at the top of our list for our next visit.
Go Rock Hunting
While driving back to Cañon City from Royal Gorge, we were amazed to notice the road was kind of…pink and sparkly!
That’s due to mica rocks being ground up for the road! I was obsessed with it, so we started hunting around for shiny rocks.
If you love seeing all different kinds of rocks, make sure you stop in The Gold Mine Rock Shop in Cañon City. We were in awe over how many different varieties of rocks they had from all over the world.
We stopped with the intention of checking it out quickly just to send my mom a few pictures since she collects rocks. When we walked back to the car, we realized we spent almost 2 hours admiring rocks!
There’s also a fantastic gift shop inside so you can pick up a few treasures for friends & family back home.
Explore Bishop Castle
For a true testament to hard work, you must visit Bishop Castle in Rye, Colorado. The castle was built entirely by Jim Bishop and is absolutely breathtaking!
I can’t even imagine the amount of backbreaking labor he put into building the castle. It’s the definition of having a dream and sticking with it no matter what. There’s even a ballroom and a fire-breathing dragon at the castle.
There are so many magical things to see in Colorado, this list barely scratches the surface of it! It’ll give you a great start to exploring Colorado, though.
