With its beautiful scenery and tall mountains, Colorado is a great place for people who love being outside. The state has some really strange and beautiful rock formations that aren’t on the well-known trails or hills. Here are 12 amazing geological sights you must see in Colorado, ranging from old towers to strange balancing rocks:
1. The Balanced Rock in the Garden of the Gods
Place: Colorado Springs is the place.
Features: This famous red sandstone boulder resists gravity by sitting precariously on a thin base.
Hike: The Perkins Central Garden Trail has a flat, paved loop that is 1.5 miles long and has beautiful views of Balanced Rock and other rock formations.
2. The Red Rocks Amphitheater
Place: Morrison is the place
Features: It is famous for its natural sound and beautiful red sandstone formations. This place is a geological and musical wonder.
Hike: The Red Rocks Trail is a 6-mile loop that gives you a look at the amphitheater and the rock shapes around it.
3. Star Dune in the Great Sand Dunes
Place: Great Sand Dunes National Park is where
Features: Besides its tall sand dunes, the park has interesting rock structures that can be found in the sand.
Hike: The Star Dune Trail leads to the largest dune and is 3 miles round-trip. Along the way, there are some interesting rock formations to see.
4. The Pyramid Peaks of the Maroon Bells
Place: Aspen is the place
Features: The sharp, pyramid-shaped peaks of this range are some of the most photographed in Colorado.
Hike: The Maroon Lake Scenic Trail has beautiful views of the peaks along a simple 1-mile loop.
5. Paint Mines Park for Interpretation
Place: Calhan is the place.
Features: A kaleidoscope of different colored hoodoos and clay forms that have been formed over millions of years.
Hike: The Paint Mines Trail is a 3.4-mile loop that lets you see the colorful rock shapes.
6. Ridge of Dinosaurs
Place: Morrison is the place
Features: A prehistoric treasure chest with preserved dinosaur tracks and ridges formed by seas that were long ago.
walk: The Ridge Trail is a two-mile walk that goes out and back and has great views and fossils.
7. Paint Wall in Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Place: The place is Montrose
Features: It has the steepest cliffs in Colorado and rocks with unique patterns that look like brushstrokes.
Hike: The Rim Rock Nature Trail is a short loop that is 1 mile long and has views of the Painted Wall and the canyon.
8. The Devil’s Causeway
Place: The Flat Tops Wilderness Area is where
Features: Not for the weak of heart, this is a narrow, rocky ridge with steep drops on both sides.
walk: The Causeway Trail is a difficult 6-mile walk that goes out and back and has stunning views.
9. The national park Chimney Rock
Place: Pagosa Springs is the place.
Features: At this old Puebloan site, there is a beautiful rock spire that is thought to have spiritual meaning.
Hiking: The Great Kiva Trail is a one-mile loop that leads to the memorial and other archaeological sites.
10. The Fountain Formation in Roxborough State Park
Place: Littleton is the place.
Features: These huge red rock fins are part of the Dakota Hogback and show how the earth’s past has changed over millions of years.
Hike: The Fountain Valley Trail has a loop that is 2.5 miles long and lets you see the rock shapes up close.
11. The Rockies
Place: Boulder is where
Features: These sloped, slab-like rock shapes are well-known symbols of Boulder and the foothills.
Walk: The Flatirons Loop Trail is an easy 3.3-mile walk with amazing views of the rock formations.
12. The twin owls in Rocky Mountain National Park
Place: Estes Park
Features: These two big rock formations look like owls sitting on ledges and watching the land.
An easy walk of 4.3 miles, the Twin Owls Loop has many beautiful views along the way.
The geological past and natural beauty of Colorado can be seen in different ways at each of these rock formations. These places should be on your list of places to visit, whether you love hiking or just taking in the beauty of nature.
