Are you ready to get in the car and drive? While one could cruise aimlessly and still find something new to see or do, we happen to think there are must-visit landmarks in Colorado that should be prioritized, which is why we have put together this epic road trip that leads to 6 of the state’s most iconic landmarks:
A link to the original map can be found here.
- Castlewood Canyon State Park (Franktown)
TripAdvisor/David B There is no better way/place to begin our road trip than Castlewood Canyon State Park, a 2,621-acre oasis located just south of Denver. What makes this state park so unique? It houses the Castlewood Canyon Dam, a once working dam that burst in 1933 and sent a damaging 15-foot wave of water up to Denver.
- Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)
Dicklyon/Wikimedia Commons When most people think of gardens, they think of tons of flowers and shrubs. When Coloradans think of gardens, they think of dramatic rock formations created millions of years ago, a la the Garden of the Gods! Tucked away in Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods is one of the best places in the state for hiking, photography, and so much more!
- Pikes Peak (Colorado Springs)
Hogs555/Wikimedia Commons When it comes to iconic mountains in Colorado, it is hard to beat Pikes Peak! Also located near Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak stands at 14,115 feet tall and houses the unique Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which offers an up-close look at this famous mountain.
- Royal Gorge Bridge (Canon City)
Bkthomson/Wikimedia Commons After all of that hiking around, it is time to relax in the car a bit before walking along the Royal Gorge Bridge, the country’s highest suspension bridge. Standing at a whopping 1,201 feet tall, the Royal Gorge Bridge offers jaw-dropping views of the canyon below, as well as the must-ride Royal Gorge Route Railroad.
- Great Sand Dunes (Mosca)
Lionello DelPiccolo liodp/Wikimedia Commons Now that we have visited more “standard” Colorado landscapes, it is time to explore one of our more surprising features - the desert! Welcome to the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, an incredible 232.9 square miles of hike-able hills of super soft sand. (Psst… When you go, be sure to rent a sled or surfboard. You will thank us later!)
- Paint Mines (Calhan)
TripAdvisor/CindyLou2262 While we are sad that our trip is coming to a close, we are excited about this final stop! Located near the small town of Calhan, the Paint Mines are the state’s most colorful badlands, as early Native Americans from 9,000+ years ago painted the chalky spires with pigments from colorful clay.
So, tell us, what is your favorite iconic Colorado landmark?
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Address: Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 CO-83, Franktown, CO 80116, USAAddress: Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, 4218 Co Rd 3A, Cañon City, CO 81212, USAAddress: Paint Mines Interpretive Park, 29950 Paint Mine Rd, Calhan, CO 80808, USAAddress: Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USAAddress: Pikes Peak, Colorado 80809, USAAddress: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado, USA
A link to the original map can be found here.
- Castlewood Canyon State Park (Franktown)
TripAdvisor/David B There is no better way/place to begin our road trip than Castlewood Canyon State Park, a 2,621-acre oasis located just south of Denver. What makes this state park so unique? It houses the Castlewood Canyon Dam, a once working dam that burst in 1933 and sent a damaging 15-foot wave of water up to Denver.
- Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)
Dicklyon/Wikimedia Commons When most people think of gardens, they think of tons of flowers and shrubs. When Coloradans think of gardens, they think of dramatic rock formations created millions of years ago, a la the Garden of the Gods! Tucked away in Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods is one of the best places in the state for hiking, photography, and so much more!
- Pikes Peak (Colorado Springs)
Hogs555/Wikimedia Commons When it comes to iconic mountains in Colorado, it is hard to beat Pikes Peak! Also located near Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak stands at 14,115 feet tall and houses the unique Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which offers an up-close look at this famous mountain.
- Royal Gorge Bridge (Canon City)
Bkthomson/Wikimedia Commons After all of that hiking around, it is time to relax in the car a bit before walking along the Royal Gorge Bridge, the country’s highest suspension bridge. Standing at a whopping 1,201 feet tall, the Royal Gorge Bridge offers jaw-dropping views of the canyon below, as well as the must-ride Royal Gorge Route Railroad.
- Great Sand Dunes (Mosca)
Lionello DelPiccolo liodp/Wikimedia Commons Now that we have visited more “standard” Colorado landscapes, it is time to explore one of our more surprising features - the desert! Welcome to the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, an incredible 232.9 square miles of hike-able hills of super soft sand. (Psst… When you go, be sure to rent a sled or surfboard. You will thank us later!)
- Paint Mines (Calhan)
TripAdvisor/CindyLou2262 While we are sad that our trip is coming to a close, we are excited about this final stop! Located near the small town of Calhan, the Paint Mines are the state’s most colorful badlands, as early Native Americans from 9,000+ years ago painted the chalky spires with pigments from colorful clay.
So, tell us, what is your favorite iconic Colorado landmark?
TripAdvisor/David B
There is no better way/place to begin our road trip than Castlewood Canyon State Park, a 2,621-acre oasis located just south of Denver. What makes this state park so unique? It houses the Castlewood Canyon Dam, a once working dam that burst in 1933 and sent a damaging 15-foot wave of water up to Denver.
Dicklyon/Wikimedia Commons
When most people think of gardens, they think of tons of flowers and shrubs. When Coloradans think of gardens, they think of dramatic rock formations created millions of years ago, a la the Garden of the Gods! Tucked away in Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods is one of the best places in the state for hiking, photography, and so much more!
Hogs555/Wikimedia Commons
When it comes to iconic mountains in Colorado, it is hard to beat Pikes Peak! Also located near Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak stands at 14,115 feet tall and houses the unique Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which offers an up-close look at this famous mountain.
Bkthomson/Wikimedia Commons
After all of that hiking around, it is time to relax in the car a bit before walking along the Royal Gorge Bridge, the country’s highest suspension bridge. Standing at a whopping 1,201 feet tall, the Royal Gorge Bridge offers jaw-dropping views of the canyon below, as well as the must-ride Royal Gorge Route Railroad.
Lionello DelPiccolo liodp/Wikimedia Commons
Now that we have visited more “standard” Colorado landscapes, it is time to explore one of our more surprising features - the desert! Welcome to the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, an incredible 232.9 square miles of hike-able hills of super soft sand. (Psst… When you go, be sure to rent a sled or surfboard. You will thank us later!)
TripAdvisor/CindyLou2262
While we are sad that our trip is coming to a close, we are excited about this final stop! Located near the small town of Calhan, the Paint Mines are the state’s most colorful badlands, as early Native Americans from 9,000+ years ago painted the chalky spires with pigments from colorful clay.
