There is something magical about a drive through the state of Colorado. The expansive mountain vistas, towering peaks, and sheer cliffs create a memorable experience for visitors whose journey takes them through the Centennial State.
And it’s not just the views that make Colorado a notable tourist destination. Spend a night camping among the pines, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and you’ll quickly fall in love with this destination.
Colorado offers visitors four national parks, over 40 state parks, and 14.5 million acres of national forests to admire and explore. With so many choices of natural beauty to see, it can be difficult to decide where to start. That’s why we’ve helped you narrow down the list. Be sure to mark your maps with these top RV destinations, each featuring unique experiences in Colorado.
The Million Dollar Highway - Ouray
Ranked one of the most scenic drives in the US, the Million Dollar Highway is part of a 70-mile stretch of road from Durango to Ouray. As you wind your way from Durango to Silverton, tackling steep ascents and descents, it is easy to see why this highway has earned accolades as the most scenic in the nation. The entire drive delivers breathtaking views of stunning peaks, sheer cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and historical sites.
Built in the 1880s, the highway was carved into the side of the mountain to allow ore to be transported more easily from the Victorian-age mining town of Silverton to the railroad in Ouray.
On your drive, be sure to take a break in Silverton to grab a bite to eat. Here, you can immerse yourself in the area's incredible history, envisioning the level of courage and strength it would have taken to first settle in the area.
Leaving Silverton, you’ll begin the 20 miles of road officially dubbed the Million Dollar Highway. Stop along the way to visit the ghost towns of Red Mountain City and Ironton, and finally, descend into the enchanting town of Ouray.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park - Alamosa
As your heart rate returns to normal and you descend from the high peaks, take a break in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Located outside of Alamosa, this national park features one of the most unique sights the state has to offer. Visitors will be stunned as they pull into the park and take note of miles of towering sand dunes tucked up against the snow-capped mountains.
The Great Sand Dunes are the tallest dunes in North America, and their stark Sahara Desert-like contrast against the lush mountains makes for an incredibly unique experience.
Visitors to the dunes can plan for a day of hiking in the sand, sandboarding, and splashing in Medano Creek. Once nighttime falls, enjoy some of the darkest skies the state has to offer.
Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park or Grand Lake
Perhaps one of the most famed national parks in the state, Rocky Mountain National Park spans 265,807 acres, featuring a stunning array of mountain environments. Hike through lush wildflower-lined meadows, ascend to the sparkling lakes of the subalpine zone, and then drive to the top of the world in the alpine zone. Here tundra barely clings to life.
With over 300 miles of trails, be sure to pack your hiking shoes. This park is one that should always be explored on foot. With trails that span difficulty levels, you can find everything from calm meadow strolls to heart-pumping ascents to 14,000-foot peaks. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, as the park is home to numerous herds of elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.
Dinosaur National Monument - Dinosaur
Leave the lush and verdant high country behind with a visit to the Dinosaur National Monument. Walk the trails where dinosaurs once roamed and admire the incredible remains of these giants, still visibly embedded in the rocks of the park today.
A visit to this park is an entirely different experience. Situated on the border of Utah, you’ll be greeted with a remote wilderness with red desert rocks, tumbling mountain rivers, and storied history of outlaws and homesteaders. These trails allow you to experience the fossils of the dinosaurs that once walked the area and also explore the ancient petroglyphs [rock carvings] from the area’s earliest inhabitants.
