6 Natural Wonders of Colorado

 Natural Wonders of Colorado

1. Royal Gorge

The Royal Gorge in Southern Colorado has been an icon among travelers for over a century – even before America’s Highest Suspension Bridge was built. The gorge is carved out by the Arkansas River, features sheer granite walls, and is home to an assortment of wildlife. The intricacies of the Royal Gorge, paired with beautiful mountains along the horizon, makes this destination number one on our list of the Natural Wonders of Colorado!

Visitors and locals alike have valued the beauty of the Royal Gorge for many years while Native Americans have also called this beautiful region their home. A bridge across the gorge was first envisioned by Lon Piper, a businessman and bridge builder from San Antonio, Texas. Piper visited the Royal Gorge in 1928. He quickly became compelled to build a suspension bridge across it. The Royal Gorge Bridge was completed within seven months in 1929 and has never been part of a road or highway system. Rather, the bridge was built for the sole purpose of allowing those who come across it to enjoy the spectacular views of the Royal Gorge! 

Today, guests can enjoy thrilling rides and conquer new heights at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. Today, visitors can still come across the bridge, suspended 956 feet over the Arkansas River below. Also included in your general admission ticket along with access to the bridge, you can take a gentle, scenic ride on our Aerial Gondola. You will witness incredible, unmatched views of the Royal Gorge Bridge and surrounding landscape. Then, if you dare, ride the World’s Scariest Skycoaster! You and up to two other riders fly over the Royal Gorge rim, temporarily dangling over the roaring Arkansas River below. On this ride, you swing back and forth, reaching speeds of 50 mph! 

In addition, our most exciting adventure allows you to get up close and personal with the granite rock walls of the Royal Gorge. The Via Ferrata at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is one of the most unique climbing adventures in Southern Colorado. Safe for the whole family, you will strap into climbing harnesses and use steel cables and rungs to climb the rock walls within the Royal Gorge. The views seen from anywhere throughout the park or within the Royal Gorge are the ultimate sceneries of Southern Colorado. You must visit the #1 destination of the Natural Wonders of Colorado!

2. Garden of the Gods

In 2022, Garden of the Gods was ranked by Tripadvisor as the #2 Top Attraction in the country, so we think it is fitting to put this destination as the second Natural Wonder of Colorado! Garden of the Gods is a large city park in Colorado Springs, featuring towering sandstone rock formations that glow in hues of orange and red. The rocks feature unique shapes, such as one that is known as the park’s iconic Kissing Camels, and another that perfectly frames Pikes Peak in the background, the Siamese Twins. 

This city park is free to the public and rewards all visitors, whether hiking or driving through, with incredible views of the massive rocks. Hiking trails intertwine throughout the park and the paved road follows the rolling hills of the terrain. You can spend hours in Garden of the Gods to find all the best views of the landscape and overlooks for photography. Find Garden of the Gods on the west side of Colorado Springs and discover for yourself this Natural Wonder of Colorado!

3. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

When thinking of Colorado, you may imagine dense wooded forests and snowcapped mountains. But in one region of Southern Colorado, just 2.5 hours south of the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, is a landscaped filled with Colorado’s version of sandy beaches. Unknown to most, the tallest sand dune in North America is located here. At about 750 feet from its base to the summit, Star Dune is the tallest dune at the time of this writing. The sands consistently change from wind gusts, which could change this statistic in the future. 

Aside from the popular bucket list item of summating Star Dune in Colorado, other adventures await at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve! Before reaching the park, be sure to rent a sand board and sled to ride the sandy hills down after your hike. Hit the sand dunes during early summer to catch a beach day when Medano Creek is flowing! You can play in the sand, splash your feet, and tube down the gentle waters over the sand. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is truly an eccentric destination in Colorado, putting it at #3 on our Natural Wonders of Colorado list!

The second destination for guided cave exploration in Colorado is Glenwood Caverns! The Glenwood Caverns features stunning cave scenery, including the most highly decorated cave room in Colorado, King’s Row. The list of Natural Wonders of Colorado wouldn’t be complete without mentioning our caves!

6. Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Another famous canyon in Colorado along with the Royal Gorge is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. This canyon is a world-renowned natural destination for its jet-black rocks within the shadows of its own walls. The Colorado River winds through the Black Canyon, carving through some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Because of its sheer steepness and blackness, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison must have its place on the list of Natural Wonders of Colorado!