It's easily recognizable by the lake that sits at the base of both Maroon and North Maroon Peaks, which shows their perfect mountain reflections, creating somewhat of an illusion when seen on a clear, sunny day. According to Thrillist , these are the most photographed mountains in the country. These snowcapped mountains are also two more of the state's 14ers, so visitors take the view from the bottom and the top.
As we start to include more of Colorado's most iconic destinations, the drive spans a bit longer - it is the country's eighth-largest state, after all. A long drive shouldn't deter anyone, though, considering how scenic the time spent on the road will be.
That's the case with the Colorado National Monument, which also borders Utah, another state that's iconic with its landscape. It's the most popular spot for campers but it's also great for avid hikers, and those who don't enjoy any of the above can take in the view from the drive at the upper rim of the canyon. For those wishing to avoid crowds at all costs, Black Canyon of the Gunnison is worth the five-hour drive it takes to get there.
It's the least visited park in all of the state, which is really quite surprising considering the tremendous views that visitors have upon getting there. The Gunnison River is responsible for carving out these incredible cliffs, with the river running steadily far, far down below. The height reaches roughly 2, feet on either side, making for a humbling sight, especially for those who choose to hike on either rim.
No Colorado trip is ever complete without visiting at least one of Mother Nature's most dramatic landscapes and Telluride, according to Thrillist , is the most beautiful mountain town in the world, let alone in the U.
Driving into this town is awe-inspiring, and so is having the chance to experience its mountain views from the ski gondola, which runs year-round. If there's anything in the country worth driving six hours for, it's the trip from Denver to Telluride.
Even Budweiser has a brewery tour here. Like Boulder, Fort Collins is also surrounded by a great deal of natural beauty, making it a prime spot to embrace the outdoors from. Horsetooth Reservoir is known for its excellent fishing and offers boat and kayak rentals at its marina.
For families with young kids, Pine Valley Ranch Park offers a small pond with manageable fishing conditions, hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty, and loads of mountainous space to roam in. This highly reviewed spot offers craft beer and home-grown produce. Legendary trout are said to roam the waters of the South Platte River and Cheesman Lake, the former flows past town, while the latter is only 15 minutes outside of it.
The Deckers area also offers incredible mountain biking, hiking, and bird-watching options on its various trails. Depending on traffic, you can generally get to these resorts in under two hours from Denver. Places like Breckenridge and Frisco are fun, walkable destinations that provide plenty of opportunities to take in culture and friendly alpine town charm.
Declared a historic landmark in , the Gold Pan Saloon was established in and is still slinging tasty libations to patrons from its home in Breckenridge.
It has the honor of having the longest continuous liquor license of any establishment west of the Mississippi River. Breck is also home to multiple nationally recognized art galleries. From affordable boat, canoe and kayak rentals on Dillon Reservoir to mountain hikes ideal for viewing fall foliage and summer wildflowers, Summit County provides more neat natural recreational opportunities than you can shake a stick at.
The town of Evergreen is a minute drive from Denver and is a great option for busy Denverties wanting to experience a fun mountain atmosphere without taking a long drive. Evergreen has a lot to offer, including live music, a surprising amount of spas, paved and natural biking and hiking trails, and a big, gorgeous lake that hosts an incredible ice skating rink over the winter months.
Solid conventional and ice fishing conditions are typically reported at Lake Evergreen. On your way to or from Mount Evans, make sure to check out Echo Lake , which offers solid fishing, camping, and hiking trails. At a mere 30 minutes away from the Mile High City, Golden is the perfect gateway to Colorado mountain recreation. Since Golden is so close to the capital, you might as well take the extra short drive up to Lookout Mountain for its excellent hiking opportunities and sublime views of Denver, the eastern plains, and beyond.
Lookout Mountain is also home to the historical Buffalo Bill Museum and gravesite. Although it gets really busy on summer weekends, so reconsider a brewery tour during peak times. Located just outside of Keenesburg, the Wild Animal Sanctuary saves lions, tigers, bears, wolves, and other animals from egregious captive situations. Much more than a zoo, the sanctuary gives visitors unique views of its saved animal population from a 1.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary is phenomenal for families searching for an unconventional way to enjoy and support animals in need. Paint Mines Interpretive Park showcases acres of astounding natural and human historical sites. The park is brimming with otherworldly rock formations featuring stunning natural colors, shapes and evidence of human activity dating back 9, years. Ancient Native Americans are said to have mined materials from the area for pottery and ceremonial painting purposes.
Mount Evans is, among other things, the highest paved road in North America. Look for mountain goats and deer. Also, around the parking lot, it is common to see, and hear, marmots, which look a lot like beavers, without the special tail. They make a squeaking sound a little bit higher and squeakier than you would expect for their size.
The drive from Denver takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours depending upon traffic and weather. As you might expect, at 14, feet, the road closes in the winter once the snow buries it too much to bother plowing out. It usually reopens near the beginning of July.
Check the CDOT Colorado Department of Transportation road conditions webpage to make sure the road is open if you plan to go in early summer. In the summer, afternoon thunderstorms are common. Such storms can be dangerous and the clouds will restrict your views, so a morning start is best for this trip. Another great way to see the mountains is a ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Back during the gold rush days, they built a railroad connecting the towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume.
This is a lot easier said than done thanks to steep mountainsides.
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