| Rating | Park | Link | Notes |
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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park | American Southwest | Sheer black walls of schist and gneiss plummet as much as 2,700 feet along the 53-mile stretch of narrow gorge known as the Black Canyon. The 14 miles that lie within the park are like a raw cut in the Earth's crust, exposing geologic viscera and illuminating millions of years of history. On the canyon floor, the Gunnison River rips through the gorge as it did 30 million years ago, when it began carving a chasm into the hard black rock of the Gunnison Uplift Allow 2-6 hours with no trail time. |
| Canyons of the Ancients National Monument | American Southwest | By Meza Verde. Consists of many wooded, steep-sided canyons containing numerous ancient Anasazi ruins. | |
| Colorado National Monument | American Southwest | Consists of geologic features including: towering red sandstone monoliths, deep, sheer-walled canyons, and a variety of wildlife (bighorn sheep, golden eagles, mule deer and mountain lions). | |
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Dinosaur National Park | Since the entrance is in Utah, I've included it on the Utah page. | |
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Great Sand Dunes National Monument | American Southwest | North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This geologic wonderland, containing 30 square miles of dunes. Allow 4 hours to 1 day. |
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Mesa Verde National Park | National Park Service | Offers an unparalleled opportunity to see and experience a unique cultural and physical landscape of cliff dwellings. Get tickets to the sites when you arrive. Allow 1 to 4 days. |
| Pikes Peak | Pikes Peak Cam | The twenty mile road that climbs to the top of Pikes Peak is one of the most spectacular drives in America. | |
| Raggeds Wilderness Area | Colorado Wilderness | Prominent rocky slopes striking skyward to a serrated ridge give Raggeds Wilderness its well-deserved name. Ragged Mountain in the northern half rises to 12,094 feet, but other wonderfully scenic peaks crest higher. Anthracite Creek passes through the deep Dark Canyon in the heart of a Wilderness that contains numerous other creeks and small lakes. Every fall, you'll see great unbroken expanses of aspens ablaze in shimmering yellow and rock bands of red, gray, and black rising above a patchwork quilt of gold and green. About 50 miles of trail are located in this Wilderness. | |
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Rocky Mountain National Park | American Park Network | A showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. With elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet, a visitor to the park has opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures. Wildlife includes elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, hawks and scores of smaller animals but don't expect to see them all. Lots of trails to hike. Allow 2 to 4 days. |
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San Juan Skyway | Byways | Highway 550 between Durango and Montrose. Travel the "road to the sky" which offers views of the towering 14,000-foot San Juan Mountains to rolling hillsides speckled with ancient Indian pueblo ruins. Victorian towns offer both excitement and relaxation. Soak in hot springs, ride the narrow-gauge railroad, and sleep under the stars or in a cozy lodge. Fantastic mountain views as you drive up and down the mountains. Make sure your brakes are in good working order! Allow 6 to 8 hours for a one way trip. |
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Photographing the Southwest: Volume 3--Colorado/New Mexico by Laurent Martres. This is a great book for anyone planning a trip to southern Utah or Colorado. It's not just for photographers; he covers what to see better than any guide book I've seen. We visited and enjoyed many place that weren't mentioned in other guide books. |
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Roger & Marian's Web Site, last modified
04/05/09