11 Hidden Gems You Have To See In Colorado Before You Die
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Annie
Author
If you are a longtime “Only in Colorado” reader, you know that we love our hidden gems! From the Eastern Plains to the Front Range to the Western Slope, Colorado is chock full of little-known treasures, and we have some of the best hidden gems in Colorado for you to explore:
1. Bishop Castle (Rye)
12705 CO-165, Rye, CO 81069, USA
We’re really impressed by the fact that this intricate 70-foot-tall stone castle was single-handedly built and set (with over 1,000 tons of rock) by one man! What a creative achievement!
Get an in-depth look at Bishop Castle:
Get an in-depth look at Bishop Castle:
2. Cano's Castle (Antonio)
285 E 10th Ave, Antonito, CO 81120, USA
To be completely honest, Cano's Castle isn't nearly as wholesome as Bishop's, but equally magical for reasons all of its own (like the fact that it was built with beer cans, a love of Jesus, and a whole lot of “enhanced” creativity).
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3. Castlewood Canyon Ruins (Franktown)
2989 CO-83, Franktown, CO 80116, USA
In 1933 the Castlewood Canyon Dam burst, sending a 15-foot wave of water all the way up to Denver, which resulted in a large flood. You can see the remains of this history-making dam by visiting the beautiful Castlewood Canyon State Park.
Get a closer look at these intriguing ruins:
Get a closer look at these intriguing ruins:
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4. Lizard Lake (Marble)
Lizard Lake, Colorado 81623, USA
Believe it or not, Lizard Lake is not a painting... it is indeed a real place with unbelievably vivid colors and views.
5. Fifty-Two 80's (Denver)
1874 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210, USA
Alright, 80's kids; this one is for you! Fifty-Two 80's is a legit place to get your kicks with their rad selection of 80's merchandise, working Atari system, hip jams, and a whole lot more!
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6. Pawnee Buttes (Weld County)
Pawnee Buttes, Colorado 80729, USA
Are you ready to be shocked? Contrary to popular belief, the Eastern Plains aren't completely flat and boring, as beautifully demonstrated by these large, 300-foot-tall buttes.
See some more of the magnificent Pawnee Buttes:
See some more of the magnificent Pawnee Buttes:
7. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (Cortez)
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Montezuma and Dolores counties, CO, USA
Believe it or not, Mesa Verde isn't the only place in Colorado with extravagant Ancestral Puebloan ruins! In fact, there are many places to find these historic structures, including the colorful Canyons of the Ancients (featuring a whopping 6,000 archaeological sites)...
8. Hovenweep National Monument (Cortez)
Hovenweep National Monument, Montezuma Creek, UT 84534, USA
...nearby Hovenweep National Monument (which is thought to have been occupied between 6000 BC to approximately 200 AD)...
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9. Lowry Pueblo (Pleasant View)
County Road 7.25, County Rd 7.25, Pleasant View, CO 81331, USA
...and Lowry Pueblo (a 40-room, multiple kiva dwelling located within the Canyons of the Ancients)!
10. Picket Wire Canyon (La Junta)
La Junta, CO 81050, USA
Tucked away in southeast Colorado just so happens to be one of the largest dinosaur track sites in America, which is made up of an unbelievable 100 trackways and more than 1,500 individual footprints! Speaking of the prehistoric...
11. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (Florissant)
15807 Co Rd 1, Florissant, CO 80816, USA
...the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is home to the fossils of million-year-old insects and plants! Pretty cool, huh?
Have you been to any of these hidden gems in Colorado? Which are your favorites? Let us know in the comments. If you’re looking for more things to do in Colorado, take a road trip and see these other wonderful Colorado hidden gems.
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More to Explore
Intriguing Attractions In Colorado
What are some hidden-gem natural wonders in Colorado?
Some hidden-gem natural wonders in Colorado include:
- Mount Evans. Take a drive up the highest-elevation paved toad to some of the most amazing views that you’ll ever see.
- Last Dollar Road. When you want a scenic drive, it’s hard to beat this one, especially in the fall when you’ll view a sea of color.
- Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. You can find insect and leaf fossils here that date back 34 million years!
- Dinosaur National Monument. With over 800 paleontological sites, this is a wonderful place to explore. You might even find a new fossil!
Discover more about these and other hidden-gem natural wonders in Colorado.
What are some little-known attractions in Colorado?
Little-known attractions in Eastern Colorado include:
- Limon Heritage Museum in Limon. This complex spans several acres and has several exhibits, trains, and events like the Limon Heritage Festival.
- Deer Trail Rodeo in Deer Trail. This is the location where the first-ever rodeos took place and they are still happening every year.
- Kit Carson County Carousel in Burlington. This carousel was built in 1905 and most of the animals are hand-carved originals.
- Picketwire Canyon in La Junta. You’ll find preserved dinosaur tracks here with over 1,500 footprints left millions of years ago.
Find out more about little-known attractions in Eastern Colorado.
What are the best museums in Colorado?
The best museums in Colorado include:
- Wings Over The Rockies Air and Space Museum. Your budding astronaut will love the exhibits and being able to explore all the planes.
- Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Dinosaur skeletons and a children’s discovery zone await you here.
- Denver Firefighters Museum. There are interactive exhibits and activities for all ages at this fun museum.
- Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys. There are over 10,000 toys here to thrill your little ones.
Discover more about the best museums in Colorado.