Colorado features natural areas and historical sites away from common routes. The locations range from sand formations at Paint Mines Park to Zapata waterfalls. Bishop Castle displays hand-built stone architecture in the forest, while Devil's Causeway presents narrow rock bridges in the wilderness. Fossil discoveries, dinosaur tracks, and abandoned mining towns document the state's history.
Calhan, Colorado, USA
This geological site contains multicolored clay formations with natural columns and spires created through erosion over time.
San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA
The 30-foot waterfall flows through a narrow rock crevice and forms large ice columns during winter.
Rye, Colorado, USA
One man constructed this stone castle over 60 years, featuring towers, bridges, and metal dragons on the roof.
Flat Tops, Colorado, USA
The 50-foot long and 3-foot wide rock bridge connects two mountain peaks at 11,500 feet elevation.
Glenwood Springs, USA
A mountain lake with clear water feeds two waterfalls in Glenwood Canyon. The trail ascends more than 1000 feet.
Cañon City, USA
This area contains fossils from the Jurassic period. Scientists have found several complete dinosaur skeletons here.
Weld County, USA
Two sandstone formations rise 300 feet above the prairie. These landmarks served as navigation points for indigenous peoples.
Clear Creek County, USA
This road reaches an elevation of 14,130 feet and provides views of the Rocky Mountains. It passes through several vegetation zones.
Morrison, USA
Geological site containing over 300 fossilized dinosaur footprints from the Cretaceous period along a mountain ridge.
Redstone, USA
1902 residence with 42 rooms, original furnishings and Tudor architecture, built by industrialist John Cleveland Osgood.
Alamosa County, USA
Nature reserve with 750-foot sand dunes, alpine lakes and pine forests covering 150,000 acres.
Montrose County, USA
Canyon with 2000-foot rock walls of gneiss and schist, carved by the Gunnison River over 2 million years.
Marble, USA
This wooden structure from 1892 stands on a rock outcrop above Crystal River. The former compressor house served silver mining operations.
San Juan Mountains, USA
The mountain path leads through alpine meadows to three lakes at elevations between 10,800 and 11,500 feet. The route provides views of Mount Sneffels peaks.
San Juan County, USA
This abandoned mining settlement from the 19th century sits at 11,200 feet elevation. Several preserved wooden buildings show miners' construction methods.
Southeast Colorado, USA
A natural preserve with 440,000 acres of grassland. Dinosaur tracks, rock carvings and archaeological sites document 12,000 years of human history.
San Juan County, USA
The U.S. Route 550 passes through steep mountain passes and offers views of the San Juan Mountains.
Huerfano County, USA
The valley features hiking trails, historic mining sites and alpine landscapes in the Spanish Peaks.
Telluride, USA
A 365-foot waterfall with a historic power station at the top of Box Canyon.
Mineral County, USA
White volcanic tuff rock formations create columnar structures in the mountain landscape.
Ouray County, USA
A natural area with mountain lakes and steep rock walls suitable for mountaineers and hikers.
Douglas County, USA
A park with red sandstone formations and coniferous forests, suitable for geological observation.
Ouray, USA
An alpine valley with mountain meadows and flowers, accessible only by off-road vehicles.
Fruita, USA
A canyon with hiking trails featuring historical rock art and geological formations.
Chaffee County, USA
This abandoned mining settlement from the 1800s contains 24 historical buildings including a store, church, and schoolhouse.
Flat Tops, USA
A mountain lake at 9,600 feet elevation with brook and golden trout fishing, surrounded by conifer forests.
Rifle, USA
A park featuring three 70-foot waterfalls, limestone caves, and a network of trails through the vegetation.
Chaffee County, USA
A wilderness area with rocky canyons, class III and IV rapids, and trails through pine and juniper forests.
Keenesburg, USA
A 720-acre facility housing lions, tigers, and bears rescued from inadequate conditions across North America.
Nathrop, USA
A thermal complex with multiple pools ranging from 85 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, surrounded by mountain views.
Winter Park, USA
Miocene geological formations spanning 932 acres, featuring angular sandstone rocks rising from the earth.
Ouray, USA
An 80-foot waterfall flowing through a gorge into the Uncompahgre River, visible from US Route 550.