Colorado is an amazing place to visit with so much to do. Some of the best attractions that the state has to offer are its state parks, where you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the environment.
There is a seemingly endless number of state parks in Colorado, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to where to visit first.
That being said, below are nine of the best state parks you must absolutely visit in Colorado.
1. Get The Best View At The Golden Gate Canyon State Park
The Golden Gate is one of the most famous landmarks to visit in Colorado, but it also has a stunning state park that will have visitors similarly awed.
It is a quarter-mile amphitheater park with an incredible view of the canyon if you hike right to the top. And with 12,000 acres of scenery to admire, you’ll take some great photos on the way to document your visit.
There are several hiking trails, allowing visitors to choose between easy and difficult trails. This means that absolutely everyone can go hiking and take in the views.
You can see a lot of exciting wildlife there, including deer, moose, black bears and elk. But if you’d prefer a tamer animal experience, you’ll love the horse-riding opportunities available at some of the campsites.
Some trails will allow you to partake in more intense activities, such as rock climbing, mountain biking, ice skating and sledding.
Every trail has different activities on offer so you should always consult with a ranger for information. And you’ll have plenty of space to relax too with 135 designated picnic areas.
The Golden Gate Canyon State Park will keep you busy from morning to night.
2. Walk For Hours In The State Forest State Park
Being able to escape from the noise and vibrancy of Colorado city society for a day will feel like a dream in the State Forest State Park.
This is one of the larger Colorado state parks, with 71,000 acres of forest and 158 campsites. It has an endless landscape of beautiful green trees, mountain peaks and alpine lakes.
You’ll be able to enjoy State Forest State Park in summer and winter as well because there are activities to suit every season.
You can go fishing, biking, hiking, hunting and boating. And just when you think you’ve covered an entire area of the park, there’ll be even more to explore.
One great feature of this park is its amphitheater, which will guarantee you a wonderful view.
And you don’t even have to camp if you would prefer because this park also offers cottages, lodges and RV sites.
There is a visitor center within the park and a retail shop, so it really covers all bases and offers an activity-filled, busy trip.
With so much to do and see, you really can walk for hours in the State Forest, but you’ll have plenty of time to wind down afterward as well.
3. Appreciate The Beauty Of The Rifle Falls State Park
A visit to this Colorado state park will certainly keep you captivated.
The Rifle Falls is 70 feet tall and really spectacular to behold. Three waterfalls pour down into a wide pool where visitors can go swimming, and it is a 1.5-mile round trip to hike through this state park and see the falls.
There are 13 drive-in sites for camping and RV camping, as well as 7 walk-in campsites.
Though smaller than some of the others on this list, Rifle Falls State Park is just as worthy of a mention.
As well as hiking and camping, you can also go fishing at the Rifle Falls State Hatchery, which is one mile away from the waterfalls.
The White River National Forest is adjacent to the state park and you can go big game hunting there.
So even though the state park is on the smaller side when it comes to facilities, you’ll have plenty of trails to explore and you can spend hours by the waterfalls with a picnic too.
4. Go Fishing At The Eleven Mile State Park
If you are looking for a bigger state park to spend time in then Eleven Mile is perfect.
It has 325 campsites spread across 9 different campgrounds (all of which are dog-friendly), allowing you to choose your preferred style of camping.
There are also endless activities for you to get involved in. Water-contact activities, like swimming, are prohibited, but you can hire a boat to sail out on the reservoir and go cross-country skiing or ice skating on the surface during winter when it’s frozen.
You can get really involved in the preservation of wildlife in this state park too.
Go hiking and see what animals you can spot, keeping an eye out especially for this park’s rare bird species: the bald eagle, the American peregrine falcon and the white pelican.
Children can also get involved by taking part in the education programs run by the Great Outdoors Colorado Interpreters every summer.
And to relax, take advantage of the park’s 15 picnic sites, go fishing, or have a barbeque. You certainly won’t be bored on a visit to Eleven Mile State Park.
5. Admire Every Inch Of The Roxborough State Park
Roxborough State Park and its massive red-rock formations are well known in Colorado.
With almost 4000 acres of park to explore and an elevation level of 1813 meters, you can hike for days and admire all of the scenery.
There are plenty of wildflowers and plant communities to explore which will bring out the nature lover in all of us.
Unfortunately, you cannot go camping, rock climbing, or mountain biking in this park as you can in others, but this is to preserve the natural beauty of the park.
You are, however, perfectly fine to go hiking through the park and take plenty of pictures.
As there are no camping facilities, Roxborough is a great choice if you would like to go for a day trip and get away from city life for a bit.
Two overlook rentals can be used for weddings or other celebrations.
And with such a beautiful landscape of dramatic red peaks, it is no wonder that Roxborough State Park is such a popular venue for these events.
6. Enjoy Hiking At The Flagstaff Mountain State Park
If you have extra energy reserves and love checking out new natural landmarks then you should go for a long hike at the Flagstaff Mountain State Park.
From the summit, you’ll be able to see for miles and have the best vantage point in the whole park.
You can choose between different trails to see which route suits you best and make your way to the top.
There are also no camping facilities at the Flagstaff Mountain State Park, but it won’t take too long to do the hike so there is no need to camp.
And if you do want to spend the night in a tent then the Golden Gate Canyon State Park is just a few miles away.
You can celebrate your hike up Flagstaff Mountain by heading to the nearby Pearl Street Mall to get some food and have a look around.
Flagstaff Mountain’s main trail is a lot easier than the hiking trails in other state parks, so it is perfect for casual hikers and beginners as well as pros.
7. Soak In The Scenery At Cherry Creek State Park
With a name like Cherry Creek, you’d expect this state park to be filled with natural beauty, and you certainly won’t be disappointed.
With a landscape of beach, water and trees, you’ll have lots to do and see. With 12 miles of paved trails, Cherry Creek is perfect for hiking and biking.
You can also take advantage of the massive stretch of water (880 surface acres) by hiring a boat. You can choose from canoes, jet skis, sailboats and powerboats.
This state park also has over 100 campsites, so you can turn your day trip into a longer visit. Pitch a tent on any of these sites and then enjoy as many activities as possible.
You can also go fishing or visit the state park’s beach area, so there really is something for all the family.
And for those animal lovers among us, the 12 Mile Stables offer horse rentals and riding lessons at Cherry Creek too.
It is no wonder that this park is such an established and popular attraction in Colorado.
8. Take Great Pictures At The Mueller State Park
For spectacular views that go on for ever and ever, Mueller State Park is one of the best places to visit.
With over 5000 acres of spring meadows, forest, ponds and massive rocks, the landscape really is beautiful and you’ll be able to admire it from all angles by following different walking trails.
There are lots of opportunities to watch wildlife, including elk, deer, hawks and black bears.
Visitors are encouraged to learn about the natural scenery and animal habitats of the park without disturbing them. They can also partake in fishing, picnicking, hiking and camping.
Though stunning in the summer, Mueller State Park is also vibrant and bustling in the winter, allowing visitors to go sledding, cross country skiing and snowboarding.
You’ll be able to take wonderful pictures of the summery meadows and then some great shots in the winter snow too.
All interests are sure to be catered for, and this park is pet friendly as well, though pets are not to be taken on the hiking trails as part of preserving the wildlife.
Even more, there is a Watchable Wildlife Kiosk that will teach you about the park and a Visitor Center filled with exhibits highlighting the importance of the nature reserves in the park.
With the help of a handy trail map, you’ll want to explore every inch of this beautiful state park.
9. Relax By The Water At The Highline Lake State Park
With so many state parks focused on incredible but tiring hiking experiences, it can be nice to visit an alternative that allows you to spend more time relaxing. And the Highline Lake State Park is the perfect place to do just that.
The eponymous Highline Lake is a stunning centerpiece for the park. You can relax for hours by the water and be close to all the activities on offer.
There are lots to do on the lake itself, including boating, swimming, paddle boarding and canoeing.
And you can reserve campsite spaces in advance, so you won’t have to worry about finding somewhere to stay.
The Grand Valley surrounds Highline Lake and has plenty of walking opportunities for casual walkers and those who want to do a harder hike.
You’ll be surrounded by lakes, grass, trees and other greenery no matter which trail you choose, and you can also access miles and miles of other hiking trails from the Highline State Park.
The green areas of the park are perfect for those who enjoy identifying different plants and flowers, as well as those who enjoy bird watching.
This park is a beautiful escape from the city and offers fun and relaxation for all the family.
Conclusion
The state parks mentioned in this article are just nine of the stunning natural attractions that should be on every nature lover’s travel bucket list.
On your visit to the state, you’ll be kept plenty busy by Colorado’s bustling city life, so a visit to a state park will allow you to ground yourself again and enjoy some peace and quiet.
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