The state of Colorado is well-known for its rustic landscapes and natural beauty. Encompassing not only the Southern Rocky Mountains, but also the northeastern Colorado Plateau and the western Great Plains, Colorado has more than 40 state parks to choose from. That can make it difficult to know where to start when planning any fishing, hiking, or mountain-climbing trip.
That’s where I come in. Below, I’ve listed my picks for the very best state parks in the state of Colorado. Trust me; if you can’t have a good time at one of these places, you can’t have a good time anywhere.
Cherry Creek State Park
Any park where the Pope presided over a mass of 500,000 people has to be good, right? More than just the site of Pope John Paul II’s World Youth Day event in 1993, Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora is also one of the most popular nature attractions in the state.
Home to the 800-surface-acre Cherry Creek Reservoir, the park is an ideal destination for boating, jet-skiing, and fishing, giving lake-lovers of all kinds plenty of reasons to start browsing Aurora apartments for rent.
Roxborough State Park
For those more interested in scenic sightseeing than watersports or Roman Catholic street cred, Roxborough State Park in Littleton boasts some truly unique landscapes you’re not likely to ever forget.
Emerging from the earth at a stark 60-degree angle, the Roxborough’s towering red-sandstone rock formations are believed to be more than 300 million years old. And with numerous hiking trails spread out across almost 4,000 acres, there’s no shortage of awe-inspiring views to experience.
State Forest State Park
One good thing about million-year-old rocks? You can count on them always being there. One bad thing about million-year-old rocks? You can count on them always being there.
Those looking for a bit more spontaneity in their outdoor activities might find wildlife-watching more enjoyable. In that case, the somewhat repetitively monikered State Forest State Park is the perfect choice. More than 600 moose live here, along with black bears and elk, so you never know when you might see one.
Eldorado Canyon State Park
Don’t confuse Eldorado Canyon State Park with El Dorado. El Dorado is a mythical city of gold that inspired the underrated 2000 animated movie The Road to El Dorado.
Eldorado Canyon State Park is something way better. At least, if you love mountain-climbing. Located near the city of Boulder, this mountainous park boasts more than 1,000 different climbing routes. As if that wasn’t enough, the park also has its own natural hot-spring pool, a great spot to relax after a long day of adventuring.
