COLORADO · FIELD GUIDE
Four national parks, alpine lakes, sculpted dunes, and mountain roads. Follow our Colorado journey through the places we’ve visited.
Explore Colorado ↓A STATE OF CONTRASTING LANDSCAPES
Colorado’s national parks move from alpine peaks to wind-shaped dunes and the deep, dramatic walls of Black Canyon. This guide brings together our firsthand photographs and a few favorite mountain destinations.
Firsthand perspective: We’ve visited three of Colorado’s four national parks—Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Explore Colorado with the National Park Service ↗THE NATIONAL PARKS
Three visited and photographed.
One still on our list.
Alpine lakes, high peaks, forests, and expansive mountain views.
Official park information ↗ VISITED · 02Wind-shaped dunes beneath the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Official park information ↗ VISITED · 03Steep, shadowed canyon walls cut by the Gunnison River.
Official park information ↗ STILL TO EXPLORE · 04Cliff dwellings and ancestral Puebloan cultural landscapes in southwest Colorado.
Official park information ↗Colorado’s four national parks are distinct destinations spread across the state. Check current alerts, access, and seasonal conditions with the National Park Service before traveling.
FROM OUR COLORADO JOURNEY
Original photographs
from parks and mountain stops.
Rocky Mountain National Park protects a broad range of mountain environments, from forested valleys to exposed alpine terrain. This view captures the stark contrast of snow, rock, and open sky. Higher elevation weather can shift quickly, so check conditions and current entry guidance before your visit.
Check Rocky Mountain visit information ↗
Here, a vast dunefield rises against a mountain backdrop. Visitors can walk the open dunes and, when water is flowing, explore Medano Creek at their base. Sand temperatures, creek flow, and weather vary through the season, so plan around current conditions.
Plan a Great Sand Dunes visit ↗
Black Canyon’s steep walls and narrow river corridor create a powerful sense of depth. The South and North Rims have separate road access, and there is no road connecting them through the park; allow time to plan your route between overlooks.
Check Black Canyon access details ↗
The Maroon Bells rise above a reflective alpine lake in one of Colorado’s best-known mountain settings. This scenic area is outside the national parks. Parking and shuttle access may require reservations during the busy season, so check current arrangements before heading out.
Check Maroon Bells access and reservations ↗
At the summit, the mountain opens to high-altitude views across the Front Range and plains. Visitors can reach the summit by the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway or the Pikes Peak Highway. Weather and operations can change, so check conditions and reserve ahead when needed.
Check Pikes Peak visitor information ↗ Plan a Cog Railway ride ↗PLAN WITH FIRSTHAND PERSPECTIVE
Send a question about parks, routes, timing, or places featured on this page. Your request is for travel information only; it does not include bookings or reservations.
jprailexplores@gmail.com
Avoid sharing sensitive personal information. Park access, road conditions, and services can change; confirm details with official sources before traveling.
THERE'S ALWAYS ANOTHER MILE