National Parks & Monuments

Some of the most beautiful parts of Colorado have been preserved within the federal government's national park and monument system.

Rocky Mountain National Park, easily the most popular of the state's national parks in terms of number of visitors, is also the most spectacular. Because photos of its magnificent snowcapped peaks have graced so many calendars and coffee-table books, people often envision Rocky Mountain National Park when they think of Colorado. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park also offers fine scenery, but it's entirely different from Rocky. Black Canyon is an extremely narrow, rocky river canyon that's wild and beautiful, but difficult to explore because of its steep canyon walls. And then there's Mesa Verde National Park. Its reason for being is history, with the best-preserved ancient cliff dwellings in the Southwest.

The state's national monuments may not be as well-known as Rocky Mountain National Park, but each has its own charm and is well worth a visit. For instance, Colorado National Monument is similar to the national parks of southern Utah -- somewhat barren, with marvelous red-rock formations; and Dinosaur National Monument is really two parks -- arid yet scenic canyons in Colorado and its namesake dinosaur quarry just across the border in Utah.

To get the most from your visit, try to avoid school-vacation periods and the dead of winter, when Rocky's high country and parts of Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison may be inaccessible. Although the parks are beautiful under a frosting of snow, you won't be able to see as much.

If you can, take a hike. Most park visitors tend to stay on the beaten track, stopping at the same scenic vistas before rushing to the next one. If you can spend even an hour or two on the trail, it's often possible to simply walk away from the crowds.

American parks and monuments are some of the biggest travel bargains in the world. If you plan to visit a number of national parks and monuments within a year, a National Parks Pass, which costs $50, will save you a bundle. The pass is good at all properties under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, but not at sites administered by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal or state agencies. The National Parks Pass provides free entrance for the pass holder and all vehicle occupants to National Park Service properties that charge vehicle entrance fees, and the pass holder, spouse, parents, and children for sites that charge per-person fees. The pass can be purchased at park entrance stations and visitor centers, or by mail order (tel. 888/GO-PARKS; www.nationalparks.org).

Available in person at park service properties, as well as other federal recreation sites that charge entrance fees, is the Golden Age Passport, for those 62 and older, which has a one-time fee of $10 and provides free admission to all national parks and monuments, plus a 50% discount on camping fees. Be sure you have a photo ID with your date of birth. The Golden Access Passport, free for U.S. citizens who are blind or have permanent disabilities, has the same benefits as the Golden Age Passport, and is available at all federal recreation sites that charge entrance fees. You'll need written proof of your disability.

Available from U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Fish and Wildlife areas (such as wildlife refuges) is the Golden Eagle Pass. At a cost of $65 for 1 year from the date of purchase, the pass allows the bearer, plus everyone traveling with him or her in the same vehicle, free admission to all National Park Service properties plus other federal recreation sites that charge fees. The National Parks Pass discussed above can be upgraded to Golden Eagle status for $15.