best parks in colorado?

[brianmanahan]

i am probably going to colorado on vacation next month, and wanted to know what some of the best state and national parks are.

any grandiose views that are not to be missed? any cool hikes that don't take too long (maybe 5 miles tops)?

 

[Pocatello]

Rocky Mountain National Park.

 

[Spydermag68]

Rocky Mountain National Park.

I was going to say that. It is about 2hour north west of Denver.

Anther good one is Garden of the gods in Colorado springs. Take I-25 south down to the exit that says garden of the gods road and head west. Turn south on 30th, Verizon blocks the way. It will be on your right

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Gunnison is also awesome.

 

[brianmanahan]

Gunnison is also awesome.

i was thinking about gunnison since its on the way to mesa verde and i wanted to go there. would 1 afternoon/evening do it justice?

 

[IronWing]

Great Sand Dunes is the most fun a person can have alone.

Drive Wolf Creek Pass and the Durango - Silverton - Ouray highway (or take the train).

 

[Pocatello]

Another place to go if you like to walk or bike. http://www.poudretrail.org/

 

[brianmanahan]

Great Sand Dunes is the most fun a person can have alone.

Drive Wolf Creek Pass and the Durango - Silverton - Ouray highway (or take the train).

sweet, im gonna be alone! what can be done at the dunes?

 

[IronWing]

sweet, im gonna be alone! what can be done at the dunes?

You climb up them and roll down. Try not to break your fool neck. But even if you do, it's a fun way to break your neck. Plus it is very scenic.

 

[IronWing]

Are you flying in and renting? If so, where does your flight land?

If driving, from which direction? Colorado is a big state. Fortunately God realized this and decided to leave the eastern third devoid of all distraction.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

i was thinking about gunnison since its on the way to mesa verde and i wanted to go there. would 1 afternoon/evening do it justice?

One afternoon /evening isn't enough time to do any park justice but, if you can't spare anymore...

 

[brianmanahan]

Are you flying in and renting? If so, where does your flight land?

If driving, from which direction? Colorado is a big state. Fortunately God realized this and decided to leave the eastern third devoid of all distraction.

flying into denver in the morning, renting a tiny car, driving around the state of colorado (and maybe utah)

 

[brianmanahan]

One afternoon /evening isn't enough time to do any park justice but, if you can't spare anymore...

well until i retire, i will probably never get enough time to do what i want

i have always been a breadth vacationer instead of a depth vacationer.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

well until i retire, i will probably never get enough time to do what i want

i have always been a breadth vacationer instead of a depth vacationer.

I'm the opposite but, spending even a short time in our National Paris is better than never going at all.

 

[cabri]

flying into denver in the morning, renting a tiny car, driving around the state of colorado (and maybe utah)

Out of Denver, anything will take you 1-6 hours to get tho the location.

Garden of Gods will be an hour south. RMNP or Estes at least two hours North then West.

Dunes are arr at least 4 hrs. Souh then West

One Interstate, I25 goes North/South through center of state
Other Interstate I70 goes East/West..

Secondary roads are speed limited by terrain from 30-60mph in many cases as you head into the Rockies.

Synopsis
Lot of driving needed to get to the good stuff.

Study the maps carefully. This is nothing like the east coast driving unless you look at crossing West Virginia