Home to four National Parks and several National Monuments, Colorado provides visitors with an extreme variety of awe-inspiring sights and gorgeous natural beauty—all while being steeped in an incredibly rich fossil and geologic history dating back thousands of years.

From the high Rockies to cliffs at Mesa Verde,

Colorado

has an absolutely stunning diversity of rock formations, biomes, and outdoor activities—but with such a variety of options, where do you even begin?

Here to help guide you through and plan your trip to Colorado’s national parks is none other than

Jerry

, the licensed

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—keep reading for a breakdown of each park’s history, their available activities, and the best time of year to explore the Centennial State.

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Rocky Mountain National Park

Location: Estes Park, Colorado

Hours of operation: Open year-round, 24 hours a day (including holidays)

Admission price: $35 per vehicle (good for 7 days) / $30 per motorcycle (good for 7 days) / $15 per pedestrian or bicycle (good for 1 day)

What makes Rocky Mountain National Park special

Located in the heart of northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park straddles the Continental Divide and is home to some of the United States’ tallest mountains—the park itself is actually one of the highest locations managed by the NPS.

As one of the most visited National Parks, Rocky Mountain lives up to the hype—snowy peaks in every direction, lush valleys filled with a diversity of wildlife, hidden alpine lakes… Rocky Mountain has it all.

What to do at Rocky Mountain National Park

Climbing: With its diversity of rock formations and mountain peaks, Rocky Mountain National Park is a hotspot for local climbers of all varieties—just be sure to brush up on the park’s climbing regulations and practice proper climbing ethics

Wilderness camping: As one of the park’s most popular activities, wilderness camping requires a reservation and ample planning before making the trip,

Hiking: With over 300 miles of hiking trails, Rocky Mountain National Park is best explored on foot—difficulties range from fairly flat grasslands to strenuous and steep mountain trails

Visit the Holzwarth Historic Site: Built in 1917 by German immigrants John and Sophia Holzwarth, the

Holzwarth Historic Site

offers a snapshot of rural mountain life in the picturesque Kawuneeche Valley

When to visit Rocky Mountain National Park

Overall, the best time of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is between the months of June and September when most of the snow has melted and all the park’s attractions, trails, and facilities are open.

Due to the park’s—and state’s—higher elevation, summer temperatures rarely exceed 75℉ and lows hover between 40℉ and 45℉.

Pro Tip If you don’t mind the cold and want to avoid crowds, visit Rocky Mountain National Park between November and April when park attendance is at its lowest—just expect temperatures to remain almost exclusively below 40℉, with lows dipping into the teens.

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Mesa Verde National Park

Location: Montezuma County, Colorado

Hours of operation: Open year round, 24 hours a day (including holidays)

Admission price: $30 per vehicle (summer), $20 per vehicle (spring/fall/winter) / $25 per motorcycle (summer), $15 per motorcycle (spring/fall/winter) / $15 per pedestrian or bicycle (summer), $10 per pedestrian or bicycle (spring/fall/winter)

What makes Mesa Verde National Park

While all National Parks are built on the ancestral and current homelands of various Indigenous nations, Mesa Verde National Park actively preserves the cliffside dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo, who inhabited the area for over 700 years.

Today, the entirety of Mesa Verde is considered the ancestral homelands of 26 tribes, all of whom treat—and expect visitors to treat—the land with respect, making it extremely important to follow all park guidelines regarding trail usage and the preservation of cultural and natural resources.

What to do at Mesa Verde National Park

Attend a talk: If you visit during the summer, be sure to stop by the Morefield Amphitheater and listen in on one of the many ranger-led programs to learn about local Indigenous cultures, archaeology, ecology, and other interesting topics

Hiking: Home to nearly 30 miles of hiking trails of varying difficulties, Mesa Verde is best experienced on foot, giving visitors the opportunity to walk the same paths that so many have walked for thousands of years prior

Tour the cliff dwellings: As both an important cultural site and the park’s most popular attraction, Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings are an incredible feat of architecture and ingenuity

Stargazing: As the 100th certified International Dark Sky Park, Mesa Verde is a spectacular place to view the night sky without interference from urban light pollution

When to visit Mesa Verde National Park

If you want to experience a guided tour of Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings, you’ll have to visit between May and October when tour tickets are available—expect temperatures to average between 60℉ and 85℉.

You can still visit during the off-season and explore the park during late autumn when the leaves begin to change or in winter for skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.

Pro Tip Mesa Verde is home to many petroglyphs and ancient rock carvings—recognize that they are both sacred and culturally significant works of art that should not be disturbed, defaced, or altered in any way.

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Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Location: Mosca, Colorado

Hours of operation: Open year-round, 24 hours a day (including holidays)

Admission price: $25 per vehicle (good for 7 days) / $20 per motorcycle (good for 7 days) / $15 per passenger in oversized vehicle or bus (good for 7 days)

What makes Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve special

Home to the tallest dunes in North America,

Great Sand Dunes National Park

encompasses 230 miles of wildly diverse terrain, boasting everything from dry deserts to frozen tundras. Visitors are allowed to explore every inch of the park’s 30-square-mile dune field, including the 755-foot tall Star Dune.

And speaking of stars—Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to some of the darkest skies in the United States, making it one of the best places in the country to stargaze.

What to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Sandboarding: As perhaps one of the most interesting things you can do at any National Park, sandboarding and sand sledding are some of the Great Sand Dunes’ most popular activities, and boards can be rented at the nearby Oasis Store

Fishing: As long as you have a Colorado fishing license and follow

park regulations

, fishing is allowed in the Medano and Sand Creek drainages

Attend an educational talk: Throughout the year, rangers at Great Sand Dune National Park give educational talks on a variety of topics, including local ecology, archaeology, history, and more

When to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Though you might not expect it, temperatures at Great Sand Dunes National Park rarely rise above 85℉, meaning you can visit during the summer without worrying too much about excessive heat. If you want to experience Great Sand Dunes at its best, however, visit during May and September when daytime temperatures average between 65℉ and 75℉.

Pro Tip Between the months of May and June, the Medano River is at its peak, drawing in large crowds—if possible, visit on a weekday or push your visit later into the season to avoid long lines and high traffic.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Location: Florissant, Colorado

Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (March 14th - November 5th)

Admission price: $10.00 per person aged 16 or older

What makes Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument special

Offering a glimpse into Colorado’s prehistoric past, the

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

sits atop one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world, let alone the United States.

Home to countless fossilized insects, plants, and petrified trees, Florissant transports visitors hundreds of thousands of years into the past, giving insight into past climates, environments, and geologic history.

What to do at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Join a guided tour: During the summer, Florissant Fossil Beds offers many ranger-guided tours and programs detailing the site’s history and even offers the chance to search for fossils yourself

Attend a night sky program: Held once a month, Florissant’s

night sky programs

are put on by the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society and offer visitors the opportunity to learn about and observe the night sky without interference from urban light pollution

Check out the outdoor exhibits: View petrified redwoods and learn about Florissant’s geologic history, the types of fossils the area is known for, and what those fossils tell us about the region

When to visit Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

In order to avoid freezing temperatures and the rainy season, visit Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument during spring and autumn, with the best months being May and September.

Expect daytime temperatures to fall between 65℉ F and 70℉, but pack warmer clothes if you plan on doing any night-time exploration as temperatures can dip into the 30s.

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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Location: Montrose, Colorado

Hours of operation: Open year-round, 24 hours a day (including holidays)

Admission price: $30.00 per vehicle (good for 7 days) / $25 per motorcycle (good for 7 days) / $15 per pedestrian or bicycle (good for 7 days)

What makes Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park special

Carved out over the course of two million years,

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

is home to some of the oldest geologic features in North America as well as some of the steepest cliffs—both of which make the park a sought-after destination for rock climbers around the world.

What to do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Go for a scenic drive: Driving Black Canyon is a great way to see the park—take the South Rim, North Rim, or East Portal roads for access to scenic overlooks

Rock climbing: With almost 145 known routes and the entire canyon open for climbing, avid and expert

rock climbers

will find Black Canyon to their liking—most climbing takes place around the North and South Chasm walls

Fishing: As long as you have a valid Colorado fishing license, fishing in the Gunnison River is allowed; artificial lures or flies are required and all Rainbow trout must be released if caught—for all fishing guidelines, click

here

When to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

If you want to see Black Canyon when temperatures are most mild, visit from April to May or September to October—daytime averages tend to fall between 65℉ and 80℉, with very low humidity and low chances for precipitation.

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How to prepare to visit Colorado’s National Parks

Before you hit the road, make sure you and your vehicle are adequately prepared for the trip by following these tips:

If you plan to visit more than one National Park, or plan to visit the same park more than once, consider purchasing an

America the Beautiful

annual pass

Make sure your vehicle meets all park clearance requirements

Check that your car’s maintenance is up to date

Update your car insurance policy

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