Colorado’s landscape is a playground of natural wonders that never fails to amaze even the most seasoned explorers. Between the shimmering alpine lakes nestled in hidden valleys and the majestic mountain peaks scraping the sky, this state offers outdoor adventures that stick with you forever. I’ve spent countless weekends discovering these gems, and today I’m sharing my absolute favorites that will make your jaw drop and your Instagram followers jealous.
1. Maroon Lake: Nature’s Perfect Mirror
Standing at the edge of Maroon Lake feels like discovering a secret the universe has been keeping. The famous Maroon Bells mountains reflect so perfectly in the crystal water that I once watched a tourist try to take photos upside down, convinced the reflection looked more real than the actual mountains!
Though relatively small compared to other Colorado lakes, what Maroon Lake lacks in size it makes up for with jaw-dropping scenery. The surrounding aspen groves turn golden in fall, creating a frame that’s practically begging to be photographed.
If you’re an early bird, arrive before sunrise when the lake is perfectly still. I’ve sat there in the pre-dawn chill, watching alpenglow paint the peaks pink while the stars still twinkled above – a moment that makes the 4 AM alarm completely worth it.
2. Blue Mesa Reservoir: Colorado’s Sapphire Giant
Where else can you sail across 20 miles of sapphire water while surrounded by sagebrush hills and distant mountains? Blue Mesa Reservoir isn’t just big – it’s Colorado’s largest body of water, with enough shoreline to explore for days without seeing the same beach twice.
However magnificent the scenery is, the fishing here steals the show. My brother-in-law once caught a lake trout so massive that our fishing guide initially mistook it for a small submarine! The reservoir holds state records for lake trout, with some monsters weighing over 50 pounds lurking in its depths.
Whether you’re camping along its 96 miles of shoreline or zipping across on a jet ski, Blue Mesa offers that rare combination of alpine beauty and water recreation that makes you forget you’re 7,500 feet above sea level.
3. Hanging Lake: The Emerald Jewel of Glenwood Canyon
Imagine climbing through a steep rocky canyon, sweat dripping down your back, wondering if the hike is worth it – then suddenly emerging into a scene that looks photoshopped by Mother Nature herself. Hanging Lake dangles like a turquoise pendant above Glenwood Canyon, defying gravity with its position on a cliff ledge.
During my first visit, I made the rookie mistake of trying to dip my toes in (now strictly prohibited to protect the fragile ecosystem). A forest ranger appeared seemingly out of thin air to gently educate me about the travertine formations that give the lake its otherworldly color.
Though relatively small, spanning only about an acre, this geological wonder packs more beauty per square foot than almost anywhere else in Colorado. The waterfalls feeding the lake seem to pour directly from the rock face, creating a scene so magical it feels like stepping into a fantasy novel.
4. Grand Lake: The Western Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park
If mountains could create a swimming pool for giants, Grand Lake would be it. Nestled against the western entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, this natural lake has been drawing visitors since long before Colorado was even a state.
Though I’ve visited dozens of times, I’ll never forget watching a bull moose and her calf wade into the shallows at sunrise, silhouetted against the pink-orange sky. The town of Grand Lake itself feels frozen in time – a charming boardwalk village that could be the set of an old Western, if cowboys carried ice cream cones instead of six-shooters.
Despite being Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake, Grand Lake somehow maintains an intimate feel. Maybe it’s the way the mountains hug its shores, or perhaps it’s the small flotilla of wooden boats that have been sailing these waters for generations, creating a timeless atmosphere that modern speedboats can’t quite disrupt.
5. Twin Lakes: Double the Beauty at the Foot of Colorado’s Highest Peak
Sometimes one gorgeous alpine lake just isn’t enough – which is exactly why Mother Nature blessed us with Twin Lakes. These glacial gems sit at the base of Mount Elbert, Colorado’s tallest peak, creating what might be the state’s most dramatic backdrop for a fishing trip.
During my summer camping trip here, a local fisherman told me these lakes were once a single body of water until a dam separated them in the 1970s. Whether that’s true or local lore, the result is spectacular: two massive pools of crystal blue water reflecting the surrounding 14,000-foot peaks.
Though many visitors simply drive by on their way to fancier destinations, those who linger are rewarded with solitude rarely found at Colorado’s popular spots. I’ve paddled across the glassy morning surface with only a bald eagle for company, watching trout jump while the first light turned Mount Elbert’s snow patches to gold.
6. Mount Elbert: The Gentle Giant of the Rockies
Despite being the tallest mountain in Colorado (and the entire Rocky Mountain range), Mount Elbert doesn’t demand technical climbing skills – just strong lungs and determination. My first summit attempt ended halfway up when an unexpected summer snowstorm rolled in, teaching me the Colorado mountain proverb: “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.”
When I finally reached the 14,440-foot summit a year later, I understood why Elbert is considered the friendly giant of Colorado’s peaks. The well-maintained trail zigzags through pine forests, alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, and finally above treeline where marmots scurry between rocks.
Though thousands climb it each summer, standing on top feels like floating above the world. From the summit, I counted at least 30 other peaks over 13,000 feet – all looking up at Elbert, the quiet king of Colorado’s mountains.
7. Longs Peak: The Diamond in Rocky Mountain National Park’s Crown
Unlike some of Colorado’s gentler fourteeners, Longs Peak doesn’t pretend to be friendly. Rising 14,259 feet above sea level, its iconic diamond-shaped east face has been both calling card and warning sign to mountaineers for generations.
My guide once described the standard Keyhole Route as “the most difficult hike or the easiest technical climb in Colorado,” which perfectly captures its in-between nature. Starting at 2 AM with headlamps bobbing like fireflies up the mountainside remains one of my most vivid Colorado memories.
Though thousands attempt it each summer, fewer than half reach the summit. The infamous “Narrows” section – a ledge with dizzying exposure – has turned back many climbers, myself included on my first attempt. When I finally succeeded, the view across Rocky Mountain National Park made the 15-hour roundtrip journey feel like a small price for such magnificent wilderness spread below like a topographic map come to life.
8. Pikes Peak: America’s Mountain with a Road to the Sky
While most 14,000-foot peaks demand sweat equity, Pikes Peak offers options for everyone. Whether you’re chugging up on the historic cog railway, driving the famous highway with its 156 turns, or hiking the grueling 13-mile Barr Trail, this mountain democratizes the high-altitude experience.
Having tried all three approaches, I can confirm the summit donuts taste equally delicious regardless of how you earn them! The mountain’s accessibility doesn’t diminish its grandeur – after all, it’s the view from Pikes Peak that inspired “America the Beautiful.”
Though over half a million visitors reach the summit annually, find a quiet corner away from the gift shop and you’ll understand why Zebulon Pike (who ironically never reached the top) was so captivated by this massive sentinel. The views stretch so far that on exceptionally clear days, you can supposedly see parts of five states – though I was too busy watching thunderstorms form below me like nature’s greatest fireworks show.
9. Mount Sneffels: The Jagged Jewel of the San Juan Range
If mountains could win beauty pageants, Mount Sneffels would take the crown in Colorado’s competitive field. Named by miners who thought it resembled a peak in Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” this 14,158-foot shark-tooth of rock rises dramatically from the already stunning San Juan range.
Though relatively unknown to out-of-staters, Sneffels holds legendary status among Colorado photographers. I once met a man who had camped below it for seven consecutive nights, waiting for perfect light to capture its reflection in a small tarn – dedication that makes more sense once you’ve seen it yourself.
While climbing it requires navigating a steep, loose gully aptly named the “Snake Couloir,” the effort rewards you with arguably the most spectacular summit panorama in Colorado. Standing atop Sneffels, I felt like I could see all the way to Utah through an ocean of peaks, each impressive but none quite matching the perfect pyramidal form of the mountain beneath my feet.
10. Mount of the Holy Cross: The Peak of Pilgrimage
Before Instagram made mountains famous, Mount of the Holy Cross was Colorado’s first celebrity peak. The natural snow-filled cross formation on its northeast face became a religious icon after being photographed in 1873, inspiring pilgrimages that continue today.
Having climbed it during a summer solstice, I can attest that the journey feels somewhat spiritual regardless of your beliefs. The approach through pristine wilderness crosses Notch Mountain, where most hikers pause at a shelter specifically built for viewing the cross formation on the opposite peak.
Though the cross becomes less distinct in late summer as snow melts, the mountain’s beauty never diminishes. At 14,009 feet, it barely qualifies as a fourteener, but what it lacks in height it makes up for in isolated grandeur. Standing on its summit, surrounded by the Holy Cross Wilderness with eagles soaring below, creates a profound sense of solitude rare even by Colorado standards – as if you’ve found a secret the crowds at more accessible peaks will never discover.
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