Colorado has no shortage of natural beauty and definitely has some truly spectacular (and memorable!) natural wonders to its name. Fortunately, for those living in the city, some of Colorado’s most beautiful country is in and around Denver. This natural wonders road trip in Denver features three national forests, multiple “14-ers,” caves, waterfalls, lakes, and more…all in or a stone’s throw away from Colorado’s capital city! You’ll start and end in the capital, and along the way, you’ll be reminded why you’re so in love with Colorado.

Start planning your adventure using this Google map.

Google Maps

  1. Cave of the Winds

Cave of the Winds/Facebook This cave was discovered just 147 years ago, but Native American legends existed over a thousand years ago. Now you can explore Cave of the Winds for yourself during Colorado’s warmer months. Cave of the Winds Road, Cave of the Winds Rd, West Colorado Springs, CO, USA

  1. Pikes Peak

Ronda Kimbrow Photography/Getty Just one of Colorado’s 53 fourteeners, Pikes Peak is definitely worth the trip. This 14,115-foot peak is surrounded by the stunning Pike National Forest, which is the first of three national forests we’ll visit on this trip.
Pikes Peak, Colorado 80809, USA

  1. Rainbow Falls

KPHutch/TripAdvisor

Daniela Gaudino/GoogleMaps Rainbow Falls, a.k.a “Graffiti Falls,” is an interesting mix of natural beauty and manmade “art.” While it’s not for everyone, it does pose interesting questions about man’s place in nature, and how our presence impacts this beautiful land. Rainbow Drive, Rainbow Dr, Colorado 80135, USA

  1. Arapaho National Forest

Cristin C./flickr As you drive north along U.S. 40, you’ll pass through a portion of the Arapaho National Forest. Consider little side trips to several of Colorado’s peaks including Mount Evans, Mount Flora and Mount Evans. You can also stop at Winter Park for recreation - the hiking and views are gorgeous. Arapaho National Forest, Colorado 80468, USA

  1. Rocky Mountain National Park

Andrew E. Russel/flickr

Brad McGinley Photography/Getty This might just be my favorite national park in Colorado. It’s hard to dispute the beauty of this wild place. From sweeping vistas, to the towering Rockies, the scenery at Rocky Mountain National Park is just unparalleled. Plan on spending as much time as you can in this incredible place - you’ll find plenty of hiking, fishing and scenic driving here.
Estes Park, CO 80517, USA

  1. The Flatirons

David Stillman/flickr

Cavan Images/Getty Ahhh…the Flatirons. Is there a more easily-recognizable natural wonder in Colorado? The five flatirons rose and tilted between 35 and 80 million years ago - erosion further shaped their flat, distinctive surface between then and now. Take a hike to see some killer views of Boulder.
Flatirons, Colorado 80302, USA

  1. White Ranch Open Space Park

David Walker/flickr One of many open space parks in the Denver area, White Ranch offers 20 miles of really beautiful hiking trails. White Ranch Open Space Park lower parking lot, Golden, CO 80403, USA

  1. Red Rocks Amphitheater

David Fulmer/flickr We can’t have a natural wonders road trip around Denver without a huge shout-out to Red Rocks. Our beloved amphitheater draws the best bands in the world with its amazing acoustics and unbeatable scenery. Stop by during the day to run the steps and get some exercise, or see a concert in a venue that you’ll never forget. Red Rocks Amphitheater, 303-319 CO-8, Morrison, CO 80465, USA

If you were to just drive through each of these natural wonders in Denver, Colorado, you’d travel 421 miles over just under 11 hours. But why in the world would you do that? Instead, take as much time as you possibly can (is it ok to call in sick for three weeks in a row??). These incredible Denver wonders deserve as many days as you can give them!

Google Maps

Cave of the Winds/Facebook

This cave was discovered just 147 years ago, but Native American legends existed over a thousand years ago. Now you can explore Cave of the Winds for yourself during Colorado’s warmer months.

Cave of the Winds Road, Cave of the Winds Rd, West Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Ronda Kimbrow Photography/Getty

Just one of Colorado’s 53 fourteeners, Pikes Peak is definitely worth the trip. This 14,115-foot peak is surrounded by the stunning Pike National Forest, which is the first of three national forests we’ll visit on this trip.

Pikes Peak, Colorado 80809, USA

KPHutch/TripAdvisor

Daniela Gaudino/GoogleMaps

Rainbow Falls, a.k.a “Graffiti Falls,” is an interesting mix of natural beauty and manmade “art.” While it’s not for everyone, it does pose interesting questions about man’s place in nature, and how our presence impacts this beautiful land.

Rainbow Drive, Rainbow Dr, Colorado 80135, USA

Cristin C./flickr

As you drive north along U.S. 40, you’ll pass through a portion of the Arapaho National Forest. Consider little side trips to several of Colorado’s peaks including Mount Evans, Mount Flora and Mount Evans. You can also stop at Winter Park for recreation - the hiking and views are gorgeous.

Arapaho National Forest, Colorado 80468, USA

Andrew E. Russel/flickr

Brad McGinley Photography/Getty

This might just be my favorite national park in Colorado. It’s hard to dispute the beauty of this wild place. From sweeping vistas, to the towering Rockies, the scenery at Rocky Mountain National Park is just unparalleled. Plan on spending as much time as you can in this incredible place - you’ll find plenty of hiking, fishing and scenic driving here.

Estes Park, CO 80517, USA

David Stillman/flickr

Cavan Images/Getty

Ahhh…the Flatirons. Is there a more easily-recognizable natural wonder in Colorado? The five flatirons rose and tilted between 35 and 80 million years ago - erosion further shaped their flat, distinctive surface between then and now. Take a hike to see some killer views of Boulder.

Flatirons, Colorado 80302, USA

David Walker/flickr

One of many open space parks in the Denver area, White Ranch offers 20 miles of really beautiful hiking trails.

White Ranch Open Space Park lower parking lot, Golden, CO 80403, USA

David Fulmer/flickr

We can’t have a natural wonders road trip around Denver without a huge shout-out to Red Rocks. Our beloved amphitheater draws the best bands in the world with its amazing acoustics and unbeatable scenery. Stop by during the day to run the steps and get some exercise, or see a concert in a venue that you’ll never forget.

Red Rocks Amphitheater, 303-319 CO-8, Morrison, CO 80465, USA

For another must-do Denver road trip, how about beach-hopping through the area’s coolest waterfront spots? Or, stick to the pavement and check out these phenomenal architectural landmarks.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Natural Wonders in Denver & Related Info February 04, 2023 Jennifer Are there any unique buildings in Denver?  Denver, Colorado has always been a city of innovation and creativity, and many of its buildings reflect the artistic character of its residents and the magic of the surrounding landscape. Some of the most unique buildings and architectural marvels in Denver include:

Castle Marne Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Colorado State Capitol Daniels & Fisher Tower Denver Art Museum Denver Botanic Gardens Denver City & County Building Denver International Airport Denver Millennium Bridge Denver Performing Arts Complex Denver Public Library Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art Poet’s Row Union Station Steele Bridge Building Wells Fargo Center/Cash Register Building

  What are some of the coolest museums in Denver? In addition to the plethora of historical sites and natural wonders in Denver, the city is also home to some pretty fantastic museums. Of course, Denver is no stranger to museums that lean toward the quirkier side of the spectrum! From the delightfully wonderful to the wonderfully weird, here are some of the coolest museums in Denver:

American Museum of Western Art Center for Colorado Women’s History Children’s Museum of Denver Denver Art Museum Denver Firefighters Museum Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys Denver Museum of Nature & Science Denver Selfie Museum Forney Museum of Transportation History Colorado Center Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Denver International House of Cannabis Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art Marijuana Mansion Denver Meow Wolf Denver Museum of Contemporary Art Denver Museo de las Americas Molly Brown House Museum National Ballpark Museum Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Natural Wonders in Denver & Related Info

February 04, 2023

Jennifer

Are there any unique buildings in Denver?  Denver, Colorado has always been a city of innovation and creativity, and many of its buildings reflect the artistic character of its residents and the magic of the surrounding landscape. Some of the most unique buildings and architectural marvels in Denver include:

Castle Marne Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Colorado State Capitol Daniels & Fisher Tower Denver Art Museum Denver Botanic Gardens Denver City & County Building Denver International Airport Denver Millennium Bridge Denver Performing Arts Complex Denver Public Library Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art Poet’s Row Union Station Steele Bridge Building Wells Fargo Center/Cash Register Building

  What are some of the coolest museums in Denver? In addition to the plethora of historical sites and natural wonders in Denver, the city is also home to some pretty fantastic museums. Of course, Denver is no stranger to museums that lean toward the quirkier side of the spectrum! From the delightfully wonderful to the wonderfully weird, here are some of the coolest museums in Denver:

American Museum of Western Art Center for Colorado Women’s History Children’s Museum of Denver Denver Art Museum Denver Firefighters Museum Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys Denver Museum of Nature & Science Denver Selfie Museum Forney Museum of Transportation History Colorado Center Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Denver International House of Cannabis Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art Marijuana Mansion Denver Meow Wolf Denver Museum of Contemporary Art Denver Museo de las Americas Molly Brown House Museum National Ballpark Museum Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Denver, Colorado has always been a city of innovation and creativity, and many of its buildings reflect the artistic character of its residents and the magic of the surrounding landscape. Some of the most unique buildings and architectural marvels in Denver include:

  • Castle Marne
  • Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
  • Colorado State Capitol
  • Daniels & Fisher Tower
  • Denver Art Museum
  • Denver Botanic Gardens
  • Denver City & County Building
  • Denver International Airport
  • Denver Millennium Bridge
  • Denver Performing Arts Complex
  • Denver Public Library
  • Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
  • Poet’s Row
  • Union Station
  • Steele Bridge Building
  • Wells Fargo Center/Cash Register Building

 

What are some of the coolest museums in Denver?

In addition to the plethora of historical sites and natural wonders in Denver, the city is also home to some pretty fantastic museums. Of course, Denver is no stranger to museums that lean toward the quirkier side of the spectrum! From the delightfully wonderful to the wonderfully weird, here are some of the coolest museums in Denver:

  • American Museum of Western Art
  • Center for Colorado Women’s History
  • Children’s Museum of Denver
  • Denver Art Museum
  • Denver Firefighters Museum
  • Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys
  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science
  • Denver Selfie Museum
  • Forney Museum of Transportation
  • History Colorado Center
  • Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Denver
  • International House of Cannabis
  • Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
  • Marijuana Mansion Denver
  • Meow Wolf Denver
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
  • Museo de las Americas
  • Molly Brown House Museum
  • National Ballpark Museum
  • Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum