There’s no shortage of things to do when you visit Colorado, but with so many great sights and activities to choose from, deciding what to see is half the fun. While it’s important to see all that this state has to offer, we’ve also made sure that you don’t miss out on some of the best experiences in Coloradoland. From scenic drives through the mountains and valleys of our beautiful state to exploring unique natural wonders like Dinosaur National Monument and Grand Mesa; even if you’re not much of an outdoors person there’s something here for everyone. Let’s dive right into our list!
Drive the San Juan Skyway and Million Dollar Highway
The San Juan Skyway and Million Dollar Highway are two scenic routes that connect Durango to Ouray. They’re both popular routes for tourists, but also have a strong local following as well. The San Juan Skyway (SJSH) is a 156-mile stretch of road that runs from Durango to Ouray through the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. If you’re looking for something scenic and adventurous, this route offers amazing views of the local scenery at every turn!
The SJSH also serves as an essential artery for people traveling between cities in western Colorado—it connects many small towns with each other as well as major cities like Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs.
Visit Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument is located near Glen Canyon Dam, and it’s the most visited national park in the United States. It was created in 1969 with the aim of protecting fossils from prehistoric times.
The visitor center has plenty of information about dinosaurs and their habitat, as well as how they lived and died thousands of years ago. You can also find out more about how humans have affected their environment by seeing how we’ve impacted our surroundings on a larger scale than ever before—and what happens next if we continue down this path! You’ll also get a chance to see some fossils up close—if you’re lucky enough to catch them when they’re outside (they won’t be inside).
Sit and stare at Grand Mesa
Grand Mesa is a flat-topped mountain in the southwest corner of Colorado. It’s surrounded by national forests, and it’s a popular destination for hiking, camping and skiing. The summit of Grand Mesa is 10,000 feet above sea level—the highest point between Mount Whitney (14,505 feet) and Mount Logan (12,842 feet).
The views from this lofty perch are impressive: you’ll see everything from the Great Sand Dunes to Pikes Peak to Loveland Pass. If you’re lucky enough to make it up there before 2022 ends, be sure to snap some photos!
Take a hike on Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument is located in the Four Corners region of Colorado and is a great place to hike, camp and explore. The monument offers plenty of hiking trails that are accessible from nearby towns. There are also camping opportunities at the park if you’d like to spend your time there with family or friends.
Catch a glimpse of the El Dorado hot spring
If you’re in the area, it’s worth checking out. The El Dorado hot spring is a natural hot spring located in Colorado. It can be found in the San Juan Mountains and is a great place to go if you want to relax and unwind.
Take a dip in Colorado’s hot springs
Hot springs are a great way to relax, see Colorado’s natural beauty and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
In fact, you can go swimming at hot springs all over Colorado—and even in your own backyard! If there’s one thing that everyone loves doing when they’re on vacation, it’s soaking in some hot water. It feels so good on tired muscles and invigorates the body while taking some stress out of your shoulders. Plus, it’s nice not having to fight crowds or deal with traffic on your way home at night (that’s right: sometimes those things happen even when we have plenty of time).
Do not miss out on these amazing things in Colorado
If you are short on time and want to get the most out of your trip, we recommend focusing on only one or two things per day. However, if you have more time in Colorado, feel free to add more activities to your list!