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
The Paint Mines Interpretive ParkThis geological site contains multicolored clay formations with natural columns and spires created through erosion over time.
San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA
Zapata FallsThe 30-foot waterfall flows through a narrow rock crevice and forms large ice columns during winter.
Rye, Colorado, USA
Bishop CastleOne man constructed this stone castle over 60 years, featuring towers, bridges, and metal dragons on the roof.
Flat Tops, Colorado, USA
Devil's CausewayThe 50-foot long and 3-foot wide rock bridge connects two mountain peaks at 11,500 feet elevation.
Glenwood Springs, USA
Hanging LakeA mountain lake with clear water feeds two waterfalls in Glenwood Canyon. The trail ascends more than 1000 feet.
CaƱon City, USA
Garden Park Fossil AreaThis area contains fossils from the Jurassic period. Scientists have found several complete dinosaur skeletons here.
Weld County, USA
Pawnee ButtesTwo sandstone formations rise 300 feet above the prairie. These landmarks served as navigation points for indigenous peoples.
Clear Creek County, USA
Mount Evans Scenic BywayThis road reaches an elevation of 14,130 feet and provides views of the Rocky Mountains. It passes through several vegetation zones.
Morrison, USA
Dinosaur RidgeGeological site containing over 300 fossilized dinosaur footprints from the Cretaceous period along a mountain ridge.
Redstone, USA
Redstone Castle1902 residence with 42 rooms, original furnishings and Tudor architecture, built by industrialist John Cleveland Osgood.
Alamosa County, USA
Great Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveNature reserve with 750-foot sand dunes, alpine lakes and pine forests covering 150,000 acres.
Montrose County, USA
Black Canyon of the GunnisonCanyon with 2000-foot rock walls of gneiss and schist, carved by the Gunnison River over 2 million years.
Marble, USA
Crystal MillThis wooden structure from 1892 stands on a rock outcrop above Crystal River. The former compressor house served silver mining operations.
San Juan Mountains, USA
Blue Lakes TrailThe 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
Animas ForksThis abandoned mining settlement from the 19th century sits at 11,200 feet elevation. Several preserved wooden buildings show miners' construction methods.
Southeast Colorado, USA
Comanche GrasslandA 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
Million Dollar HighwayThe U.S. Route 550 passes through steep mountain passes and offers views of the San Juan Mountains.
Huerfano County, USA
Cuchara ValleyThe valley features hiking trails, historic mining sites and alpine landscapes in the Spanish Peaks.
Telluride, USA
Bridal Veil FallsA 365-foot waterfall with a historic power station at the top of Box Canyon.
Mineral County, USA
The Wheeler Geologic AreaWhite volcanic tuff rock formations create columnar structures in the mountain landscape.
Ouray County, USA
Mount Sneffels Wilderness AreaA natural area with mountain lakes and steep rock walls suitable for mountaineers and hikers.
Douglas County, USA
Roxborough State ParkA park with red sandstone formations and coniferous forests, suitable for geological observation.
Ouray, USA
Yankee Boy BasinAn alpine valley with mountain meadows and flowers, accessible only by off-road vehicles.
Fruita, USA
Horsethief CanyonA canyon with hiking trails featuring historical rock art and geological formations.
Chaffee County, USA
St. Elmo Ghost TownThis abandoned mining settlement from the 1800s contains 24 historical buildings including a store, church, and schoolhouse.
Flat Tops, USA
Trappers LakeA mountain lake at 9,600 feet elevation with brook and golden trout fishing, surrounded by conifer forests.
Rifle, USA
Rifle Falls State ParkA park featuring three 70-foot waterfalls, limestone caves, and a network of trails through the vegetation.
Chaffee County, USA
Brown's Canyon National MonumentA wilderness area with rocky canyons, class III and IV rapids, and trails through pine and juniper forests.
Keenesburg, USA
The Wild Animal SanctuaryA 720-acre facility housing lions, tigers, and bears rescued from inadequate conditions across North America.
Nathrop, USA
Mount Princeton Hot SpringsA thermal complex with multiple pools ranging from 85 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, surrounded by mountain views.
Winter Park, USA
Vasquez RocksMiocene geological formations spanning 932 acres, featuring angular sandstone rocks rising from the earth.
Ouray, USA
Bear Creek FallsAn 80-foot waterfall flowing through a gorge into the Uncompahgre River, visible from US Route 550.