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10 memorable experiences at Colorado’s parks

By March 5, 2021 | updated 5 years ago

1. Slide Down Sandy Slopes at Great Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveHit the sandy slopes at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Choose between a sand sled or sandboard to either send it straight down the slope or carve through the sand.Author’s Note: Be sure to rent the boards and sleds before entering the park. The park does not allow for cardboard, snow sleds, skis, or snowboards to be used on the sand dunes. It’s also worth noting that the sand sleds are much easier to use and that the sand boards do require a bit of skill.Photo Credit: Chancey Bush, The Gazette.

Colorado has four national parks and 42 state parks within its borders. Here are 10 memorable experiences that Colorado Adventurers should add to their bucket list.

1. Slide Down Sandy Slopes at Great Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveHit the sandy slopes at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Choose between a sand sled or sandboard to either send it straight down the slope or carve through the sand.Author’s Note: Be sure to rent the boards and sleds before entering the park. The park does not allow for cardboard, snow sleds, skis, or snowboards to be used on the sand dunes. It’s also worth noting that the sand sleds are much easier to use and that the sand boards do require a bit of skill.Photo Credit: Chancey Bush, The Gazette.
1. Slide Down Sandy Slopes at Great Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveHit the sandy slopes at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Choose between a sand sled or sandboard to either send it straight down the slope or carve through the sand.Author’s Note: Be sure to rent the boards and sleds before entering the park. The park does not allow for cardboard, snow sleds, skis, or snowboards to be used on the sand dunes. It’s also worth noting that the sand sleds are much easier to use and that the sand boards do require a bit of skill.Photo Credit: Chancey Bush, The Gazette.
2. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (cont.)There’s access for all at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Those who need a wheelchair can use the park’s unique sand wheelchair. It’s equipped with balloon-like tires that make it easier to cross the sandy landscape.Photo Credit: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA (via National Park Service).
2. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (cont.)There’s access for all at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Those who need a wheelchair can use the park’s unique sand wheelchair. It’s equipped with balloon-like tires that make it easier to cross the sandy landscape.Photo Credit: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA (via National Park Service).
3. Hike To an Aircraft Wreckage Site at Cheyenne Mountain State ParkA hike through Cheyenne Mountain State Park with strenuous elevation gain and rugged terrain reveals the site of a plane crash that killed two on board. Near the end of Dixon Trail are scraps of metal and informational signs that tell the story of the T-33 military training plane that crashed the night of October 12th, 1957. Treat this area with the utmost respect and do not touch or remove any of the metal fragments.Photo Credit: Seth Boster, The Gazette.
3. Hike To an Aircraft Wreckage Site at Cheyenne Mountain State ParkA hike through Cheyenne Mountain State Park with strenuous elevation gain and rugged terrain reveals the site of a plane crash that killed two on board. Near the end of Dixon Trail are scraps of metal and informational signs that tell the story of the T-33 military training plane that crashed the night of October 12th, 1957. Treat this area with the utmost respect and do not touch or remove any of the metal fragments.Photo Credit: Seth Boster, The Gazette.
4. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon at Chatfield State ParkChatfield State Park is popular for hot air balloon rides. Companies such as Rocky Mountain Hot Air offer flights over the park’s blue waters and vibrant wooded areas with views of the Front Range peaks.Photo Credit: Steve Harbula (flickr).
4. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon at Chatfield State ParkChatfield State Park is popular for hot air balloon rides. Companies such as Rocky Mountain Hot Air offer flights over the park’s blue waters and vibrant wooded areas with views of the Front Range peaks.Photo Credit: Steve Harbula (flickr).
5. Hike Through the Prehistoric Past at Roxborough State ParkThe sandstone rock formations at Roxborough State Park are around 300-million-years-old. The slanting rock formations are geological masterpieces that protrude at a 60-degree angle from the ground. Choose from eight hiking trails through these archaeological wonders.Photo Credit: Adam-Springer (iStock).
5. Hike Through the Prehistoric Past at Roxborough State ParkThe sandstone rock formations at Roxborough State Park are around 300-million-years-old. The slanting rock formations are geological masterpieces that protrude at a 60-degree angle from the ground. Choose from eight hiking trails through these archaeological wonders.Photo Credit: Adam-Springer (iStock).
6. Drive North America’s Highest Continuous Paved Road at Rocky Mountain National ParkThis unique experience, as intense as it sounds, is a must-do when in Colorado. Winding through Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road is a 48-mile-long paved continuous highway, making it North America’s highest as it crosses the Continental Divide. At a peak elevation of 12,183 feet above sea level, drivers will see incredible views of iconic Rocky Mountain peaks, diverse wildlife thriving in the pristine environment, and colorful fields of wildflowers and other plant life throughout the green alpine tundra.Photo Credit: vermontalm (iStock).
6. Drive North America’s Highest Continuous Paved Road at Rocky Mountain National ParkThis unique experience, as intense as it sounds, is a must-do when in Colorado. Winding through Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road is a 48-mile-long paved continuous highway, making it North America’s highest as it crosses the Continental Divide. At a peak elevation of 12,183 feet above sea level, drivers will see incredible views of iconic Rocky Mountain peaks, diverse wildlife thriving in the pristine environment, and colorful fields of wildflowers and other plant life throughout the green alpine tundra.Photo Credit: vermontalm (iStock).
7. Cruise on a Segway Through Garden of the GodsThe hilly, windy paved road through Garden of the Gods is perfect for a segway cruise. The guided tour takes visitors to geological spots to learn about the environment’s plant and animal life, along with the history of the park.Photo Credit: Carol Lawrence, The Gazette.
7. Cruise on a Segway Through Garden of the GodsThe hilly, windy paved road through Garden of the Gods is perfect for a segway cruise. The guided tour takes visitors to geological spots to learn about the environment’s plant and animal life, along with the history of the park.Photo Credit: Carol Lawrence, The Gazette.
8. Walk in Dinosaur Tracks at Comanche National GrasslandsFollow the massive footprints of dinosaurs in Picketwire Canyonlands located within the Comanche National Grasslands. The prehistoric trail of preserved 150 million-year-old dinosaur footprints is the longest in North America. There are more than 1,900 prints in 130 separate trackways that extend across a quarter mile of bedrock along the banks of the Purgatoire River.Author’s Note: To reach the dinosaur tracksuits, hikers must cross through rugged terrain over long distances. Hikers, bikers, and equestrians can use the trail systems, but must plan to deal with extreme heat. The forest service recommends each trail user carries at least a gallon of water per person.File Photo.
8. Walk in Dinosaur Tracks at Comanche National GrasslandsFollow the massive footprints of dinosaurs in Picketwire Canyonlands located within the Comanche National Grasslands. The prehistoric trail of preserved 150 million-year-old dinosaur footprints is the longest in North America. There are more than 1,900 prints in 130 separate trackways that extend across a quarter mile of bedrock along the banks of the Purgatoire River.Author’s Note: To reach the dinosaur tracksuits, hikers must cross through rugged terrain over long distances. Hikers, bikers, and equestrians can use the trail systems, but must plan to deal with extreme heat. The forest service recommends each trail user carries at least a gallon of water per person.File Photo.
9. Try Your Aim in Archery at Trinidad Lake State ParkTake a shot at archery at Trinidad Lake State Park. The shooting range offers ​a shooter’s shelter with six lanes. Five lanes have targets that range between 10 and 50 yards and the sixth lane is open for 3D targets.Photo Credit: BremecR (iStock).
9. Try Your Aim in Archery at Trinidad Lake State ParkTake a shot at archery at Trinidad Lake State Park. The shooting range offers ​a shooter’s shelter with six lanes. Five lanes have targets that range between 10 and 50 yards and the sixth lane is open for 3D targets.Photo Credit: BremecR (iStock).
10. Decipher Petroglyphs (at least try) at Mesa Verde National ParkMesa Verde National Park is also a popular place to see petroglyphs. One site is the Step House, which is accessible via a 100-foot descent and ascent along a winding path to see the petroglyphs, a cliff dwelling, and a pithouse. The path is 1-mile round trip and begins near the Wetherill Mesa Kiosk.Another area to see petroglyphs at the park is the Pipe Shrine House at the Far View Sites complex. The rugged Petroglyph Point Trail offers views of Spruce and Navajo Canyons and takes hikers to a large petroglyph panel about 1.4 miles from the trailhead.Photo Credit: Adam Baker (flickr).
10. Decipher Petroglyphs (at least try) at Mesa Verde National ParkMesa Verde National Park is also a popular place to see petroglyphs. One site is the Step House, which is accessible via a 100-foot descent and ascent along a winding path to see the petroglyphs, a cliff dwelling, and a pithouse. The path is 1-mile round trip and begins near the Wetherill Mesa Kiosk.Another area to see petroglyphs at the park is the Pipe Shrine House at the Far View Sites complex. The rugged Petroglyph Point Trail offers views of Spruce and Navajo Canyons and takes hikers to a large petroglyph panel about 1.4 miles from the trailhead.Photo Credit: Adam Baker (flickr).
BONUSLooking for more unique experiences in Colorado? Find activities like wrestling alligators, driving America’s mountain, swinging over a canyon, and more here.Photo Credit: Stephen Martin.
BONUSLooking for more unique experiences in Colorado? Find activities like wrestling alligators, driving America’s mountain, swinging over a canyon, and more here.Photo Credit: Stephen Martin.
Leslie James

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