Colorado

Boulder - Denver - Golden and Lyons
The Colorado Front Range stretches along communities that include Denver, Golden, Boulder, Lyons and Fort Collins. Some of the state's best hiking trails can be found just minutes away from these metropolitan areas, and offer an exceptional variety of terrain and wildlife viewing opportunities. This section includes trails from White Ranch Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Hall Ranch, Heil Valley Ranch, Eldorado Canyon State Park, Chautauqua Park and more.

Colorado National Monument
Encompassing 32 square miles and rising 2000' from the Grand Valley of the Colorado River exists the colorful red-rock canyons and tree-topped mesas of Colorado National Monument. The monument is located 19 miles from the Utah-Colorado border in western central Colorado. Access is gained via the east entrance through Grand Junction, Colorado or from the west entrance (where the Visitor's Center is located) in Fruita, Colorado. Rim Rock Drive is a 23-mile long scenic road that leads through the monument from Fruita to Grand Junction or vice-versa. Visitors come to hike the colorful canyons, climb the sandstone formations, cycle along Rim Rock Road and horseback ride among the many red-rock monoliths that rise dramatically from the desert floor.

Indian Peaks & James Peak Wilderness
The Indian Peaks area became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1978. Many iconic peaks within were named after American Indian tribes of the west. The 76,586 acre Indian Peaks Wilderness is located within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

Rocky Mountain National Park
Located just over one hour north from metropolitan Denver, this living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains provides visitors with countless opportunities for breathtaking experiences and adventures. 359 miles of trail offer endless opportunities to hikers, backpackers and horseback riders. Anglers, bird-watchers and photographers discover the splendor that they traveled so far to find. During the winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers revel in the white-blanketed tranquility of meadows and forests. Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, hawks and scores of smaller animals delight wildlife-watchers of all ages. Wildflower-lovers are never disappointed in June and July when the meadows and hillsides are splashed with botanical color. Autumn visitors can relax among the golden aspens or enjoy the rowdier antics of the elk rut (mating season). Regardless of season, visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park are equally rewarded with one of America's great natural resources.