If you enjoy admiring epic natural scenery , you will want to visit Colorado and experience everything this beautiful state has to offer. You will learn in this post about Top 5 epic Locations in Colorado. It is home of the Rocky mountains and with more than 1000 peaks that are least 10,000 feet tall, it is not surprise to know that Colorado has the highest elevation of any state across the US. I have been visiting Colorado for many years and highly recommend that this beautiful state should be on everyones itinerary. Follow on to these top 5 scenic locations.
1. Rocky Mountain
Rocky mountain national park is located approximately 76 miles northwest of Denver airport, in north central colorado. The eastern and western slopes of the continental divide runs directly through the park
Rocky Mountain National Park had over 4.5 million visitors last year —more than only three other national parks. Rocky is busiest throughout the summer and on fall weekends. You can expect long lines at the park entrance, full parking lots and bus trails. Trailhead parking lots fill early during the day. Weather can change at short notice so check the forecast for your elevation before your visit.
Estes Park is a small town chock full of hotels and inns that is where people visiting RMNP generally stay. In my opinion, it’s not fun to spend much time in the town itself. RMNP really doesn’t have any lodging within the park. Some people drive through it for the day, some linger longer, hiking and exploring. If that’s your thing, stay longer at Estes Park. Estes park is about a 2 hour drive from Denver International airport.
If you plan to hike the Bear Lake road corridor but plan to reach after 10 am, then take the Hikers shuttle from the Estes Park visitor centre – at the intersection of Highway 34 and 36.
Map of Estes park entrance from Beaver meadows visitor centre:
2. Bear Lake, Estes Park
Bear Lake is a scenic trailhead and destination in Rocky mountain national park . Sitting at an elevation of 9,450 feet (2,880 m), the alpine lake rests beneath the sheer flanks of Hallett peak and the Continental divide. Several trails, from easy strolls to strenuous hikes, start from the lake. The Bear Lake Road is open year-round, though it may temporarily close due to adverse weather conditions. The Bear Lake Road is approximately 10 miles long and starts close to the Beaver Meadows Entrance station of the Rocky Mountains National Park.
3. Sprague Lake, Estes park
Sprague Lake is a scenic lake in Rocky mountain national park, located on the “south side of Glacier Creek, about two miles south of the Hollowell turnoff.” The half-mile walk around the lake is wheelchair accessible and features boardwalks and bridges with views of Flattop mountain and Hallet Peak. The lake provides a pleasant area for brookie fishing.
4. Maroon Bells
The Maroon Bells, surrounded by pristine National Forest lands, are the most photographed peaks in all of North America. Here you can explore the glacial valley while surrounded by 14,000 – foot peaks. The Maroon Bells are two peaks in the Elk Mountains , Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak, separated by about a third of a mile.
Maroon Bells has limited accessibility by car but there are bus tours running throughout the day for the summer season. The road is open to all Non-Motorized forms of transportation at no charge. (bicycles, skateboarders, hikers, rollerbladers, etc…). The road up to the Maroon Bells is closed in the winter. You can hike on this road in the winter but it is a 12 mile round trip to make it to the lake.
Aspen is about a 4 hours drive from the Estes National park along 70 East. Stay is Aspen, which is a quaint little town, but the hotels can be pricey. Head out in the morning to catch Maroon Bells by sunrise and then do the crater lake trail. Visit during the fall time is pure magic with awesome golden hued aspen colors all around. Before 8 am and after 5 pm you can drive the scenic route with a $10 vehicle fee. From June to early october you have to use the public bus operated by RFTA between 8 am and 5 pm.
5. Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
The Garden of the Gods’ is a public park in Colorado Springs, about 2 hours south of Denver airport – take the 470 S and 25 S . The red rock formations were created during a geological upheaval along a natural fault line millions of years ago. Archaeological evidence shows that prehistoric people visited Garden of the Gods about 1330 BC. At about 250 BC, Native American people camped in the park, Many native peoples have reported a connection to Garden of the Gods.
Interested in more such fascinating travel locations ? Check out our Antelope Canyon Travel Guide