High Dune

While Rocky Mountain National Park is certainly the most well-known and visited national park in Colorado, that does not mean you should skip the other parks the state has to offer. This budget-friendly guide will walk you through visiting Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde National Parks, as well as Curecanti National Recreation Area and the Million Dollar Highway. Total trip time: 5-7 days Nearest major city: Denver Note: I have a separate guide dedicated entirely to Rocky Mountain National Park

After spending a month and a half exploring Colorado, we've compiled a list of our 15 favorite hikes around the state. From stunning crystal lakes to mesmerizing canyons, Colorado has proved itself to be nothing short of versatile. All trails below can be found on AllTrails. Trails are listed below in order of difficulty from easiest to most strenuous:

Planning a Colorado to Utah road trip means planning a road trip to one of the most captivating regions of the United States. This 10-day Colorado-Utah road trip itinerary will have you going from alpine lakes to Mars-like desert scapes as you adventure from Denver, Colorado to Moab, Utah, and back to Denver, exploring 8 national parks and monuments along the way.