Here in Colorful Colorado, every time is the perfect time to get outside and take in all of the glory and majesty that is our incredibly amazing state. Before you start making your must-see list, though, you will want to check out this iconic National Park that combines equal parts sand, scenery, and surprises. It's pure Colorado. Check it out!
Welcome to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve; a southwest Colorado treasure that was originally created as the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in 1932 and changed (by Congress) in 2004 to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Believe it or not, the National Park section of the area is comprised of an unprecedented 44,246 acres of sand while the Preserve houses another whopping 41,686 acres, totaling an estimated 5 billion cubic meters within only 30 square miles. Crazy, right? While you're picking your jaw up off the floor, listen to this: underneath much of the sand is actually water, which is why the area was designated a National Park (to keep the precious resource protected). Keep that in mind the next time you walk along the 140-degree sand during the dead of summer. Oof.
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What else makes this area a must-visit? To give a few examples:
The black sand that you may come across while hiking the dunes is made up of magnetite deposits.
Don't let the desert-like atmosphere fool you; in addition to all the sand and sun, the park is home to several other habitats including wetlands and grasslands.
When you visit the Great Sand Dunes, keep your eyes peeled; the area is home to multiple species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and even fish.
Colorado is one of my favorite states to visit! And if you have ever stepped foot outside here, you know that our landscapes are amazing, making it THE best place for outdoor recreation! All of this said it should come as no surprise that even our state parks are also some of the best in the country, including the small but mighty Rifle Falls State Park.
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Wondering about some of the smallest state parks in Colorado? Welcome to the unforgettable Rifle Falls State Park!
Tucked away near Rifle, Rifle Falls State Park encompasses a mere 48 acres, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with its incredible landscape, the most notable of which is the picturesque triple waterfall.
Standing at an impressive 70 feet tall, the triple waterfall may just be the crown jewel of Western Colorado, thanks to not only the water itself but the travertine dam and nearby limestone caves. That's right, one of the smallest state parks in Colorado is also one of the most majestic.
Like all great Colorado state parks, Rifle Falls State Park also boasts incredible hiking opportunities, plus fishing, wildlife sightings, and camping.
The Coolest Visitor Center In Colorado Is Also The Highest In The United States National Park System
Alpine Visitor Center at Rocky Mountain National Park is the highest visitor center in the U.S. National Park Service System, offering incredible views and educational exhibits.
Are you looking for the coolest visitor center in Colorado? We found it for you! Rocky Mountain National Park has four visitor centers, and they're all fantastic, educational, and informative. However, the best of the best, in my opinion, is this one. Alpine Visitor Center at Rocky Mountain National Park is on the famous Trail Ridge Road and is close to the road's highest point, which is 12,183'. The Alpine Visitor Center's elevation is 11,796', which is pretty close, which makes it the highest visitor center in the US National Park Service System. It has lots of amenities and incredible views. Read on to learn more about it, and take a drive up there as soon as you can!
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Trail Ridge Road is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing and scenic roads in the nation. It's also the highest contiguous road in North America!
Right in the middle of your drive along this road, you'll come to our favorite Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Center. The parking lot is often packed, but you should stop in anyway. This is the coolest visitor center in the state!
Far above the treeline and far from everything else, this visitor center is entirely off the grid. It has no utility lines, no phone lines, and no power other than a diesel generator. There's a dam below the visitor center that collects snow melt for water and sewage from the bathrooms is hauled away daily.
In the winter, Trail Ridge Road closes. With the amount of snow that falls up there, the road is completely impassable for many months. During this time, the Alpine Visitor Center is often completely covered with snow. It's built to withstand it.
In the springtime, snow removal machines are required to uncover the visitor center to get it ready to open for the season. It usually opens after Memorial Day and stays open until October.
Due to the high elevation of this visitor center, some visitors experience altitude sickness upon arrival. There's a medical team on site - which is good because the next closest medical facility is an hour away in Estes Park. They'll help you if you need it.
You'll love the exhibits at this visitor center. You can learn so much about the park here. It's a wonderful place to stop and learn more - at this point, you will have driven up Trail Ridge Road and will likely have some questions. The displays at this visitor center will help you understand this incredible area.
After that, step outside and get up close and personal with the space. Don't be surprised if you encounter some wildlife. They're kind of used to people up there, and the warm season is so short, they don't have much time to be bothered by you anyway.
There are a few short trails outside the Alpine Visitor Center. Give them a shot, but take it easy. The air is so thin. The Alpine Ridge Trail is only .6 miles long, but it's steep - and it's a doozy. Bring water and take breaks as needed.
It's easy to see why I think the Alpine Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park is the coolest one in our great state, so the next time you go to RMNP, be sure to stop by and check it out. The park's other three visitor centers - Beaver Meadows, Fall River, and Kawuneeche - are all worth visiting too! See if you can hit all four in one visit, and have a great trip.
If you're looking for hiking or camping gear for your Rocky Mountain National Park visit, REI and Backcountry.com have everything you'll need.
For more beautiful Colorado scenery, check out this footage of Mesa Verde National Park:
