Many ask why Colorado is so popular. To those people, this is because the state is endowed with so many things people love to see. Colorado has mountains, rivers, museums, forests, wildlife, and many more interesting things. But besides all these, the state also has some pretty unique landmarks most of which are historic, scenic, and adventurous. For those visiting Colorado next, here are 10 of the most unique landmarks in the state you should make out time to visit.
11 Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most sought-after archaeological sites in the US. Located in Southwestern Colorado, this park preserves the ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings most of which date to over 700 years ago. The park contains up to 600 of these cliff dwellings and is one of the best places in the world to see how these native American people lived.
10 Garden Of The Gods
Colorado is known for being a land of unique rock formations and one of the places to see this stunning landscape of the Garden of the Gods. Located in Colorado Springs, this park is made up of stunning red rock formations some of which have gained popularity all over the world for their uniqueness. The park covers an area of about 1,341 acres and it invites visitors to come to see the otherworldly landscape while engaging in some of the park’s exciting activities.
9 Breckenridge Troll
Colorado is also an artistic state and one of the state’s most fascinating art creations is the 15-foot wooden troll sculpture known as Isak Heartstone. It was made from recycled materials, and it has a cheerful face that feels heart-warming. An easy hike leads to the Breckenridge Troll and the hike itself is scenic which is one more reason this unique landmark is worth visiting when in Breckenridge.
8 Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaurs were believed to have walked this earth and Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado is one of the few places in the world that has evidence of this natural history. Up to 1500 dinosaur bones are located here, and the park is also incredibly scenic.
Dinosaur National Monument is not just located in Colorado but also has a part of it in Utah. In fact, the majority of the dinosaur fossils are located on the Utah side but the park is still worth referring to as one of Colorado’s unique landmarks.
7 The Colorado River
The mighty Colorado River which is the sixth-longest river in the United States is one of the world’s most beloved gems. Although it originates in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the achievements of this river go beyond the state. Many of the country’s most stunning magnificent creations such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona and the Marble Canyon in Utah were cut by the Colorado River for millions of years.
6 Royal Gorge Bridge And Park
This park is home to many stunning things from impressive gorges rock to an amazing hiking trail, but it’s the suspension bridge that makes it known all over the world as one of Colorado’s unique landmarks. In this 360-acre park sits the Royal Gorge Bridge, which at a deck height of 955 feet is one of the highest suspension bridges in the world.
The bridge was once the highest in the world, but several other bridges have claimed that title, leaving the Royal Gorge Bridge far behind. Despite not currently benign among the top ten highest bridges in the world, this bridge remains one of the most stunning and no doubt one of Colorado’s finest attractions.
Besides being home to stunning rock formations and an impressive bridge, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is also home to some of the most thrilling adventures in the country. Some of the thrilling adventures one can experience in this park include - hiking, gondola rides, and zipline rides.
5 Pikes Peak
In the world of mountains, Colorado’s Pike’s peak is one of the highest-ranking members. It is the most famous mountain in America due to its incredible height and the breathtaking scenery it offers. At a height of 14,115 feet, it is the highest mountain in the country and this has made it one of the most sought-after mountains for mountain climbing.
4 Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument is a 20,533-acre area near Grand Junction, Colorado, that protects one of the most stunning otherworldly landscapes in America. Within this monument is an abundance of sandstone formations, monoliths, and canyons of all shapes and sizes. The monument offers trails for hiking and biking, and it also has a paved road where one can drive through on a vehicle. The area is also home to a few wildlife like deer, bighorn sheep, and coyotes.
3 Red Rocks Amphitheatre
The Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of the most unique places in the world to experience an open-air concert. Located near the town of Morrison, this landmark was made by a combination of manmade and natural efforts. The amphitheater was creatively carved into several rock structures, which have remained the most stunning feature of the amphitheater to date.
The Red Rocks Amphitheater is a performance venue, and throughout its existence, it has hosted some of the most epic performances. Top musicians like the Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix, have performed in this amphitheater, making it incredibly iconic. While the epic music events are exciting, what makes a concert at this amphitheater unique is its impressive rock scenery which makes people feel like they’re attending a concert in ancient times.
2 The Manitou Incline
Colorado is home to a plethora of hikes, but there’s something about Manitou Incline that makes it stand out. This hike in Colorado Springs is one that challenges hikers to a steep walk that leads to a 2000 feet elevation gain. The trail itself is about 0.88 miles long and while that may seem like a small task, it’s the elevation gain that makes it extremely challenging. Although the hike can be challenging, the views it offers are incredibly scenic and worth the difficulty.
1 Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is perhaps the signature landmark of Colorado. The park is popular not just in Colorado but across the country and the world. Covering a 265,461-acre area in the state, this park host so many unique natural gems, from wildlife to mountains, lakes, streams, waterfalls, and an abundance of forests. This makes it a haven for all kinds of outdoor adventures one can ever think of.