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Roxborough State Park
Fountain Valley Overlook at Roxborough State Park.

Colorado Natural & Manmade Landmarks

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From natural to manmade, Colorado has a long history of amazing landmarks. What started millions and millions of years ago underground, has slowly transformed Colorado into one of the most remarkable places to be. Read our landmarks blog.

National Natural Landmarks in Colorado

There are fifteen national natural landmarks in Colorado. Fourteen of them are located entirely within the state, while one of them, Sand Creek, partially extends into Wyoming. Many are open to the public, while some are on private lands and not accessible.

Big Spring Creek National Natural Landmark
Big Spring Creek
Alamosa
Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmarks
Garden of Gods
Colorado Springs
Garden Park Fossil Area National Natural Landmarks
Garden Park Fossil
Cañon City
Hanging Lake National Natural Landmark
Hanging Lake
Glenwood Springs
Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site National Natural Landmark
Indian Springs Trace Fossil
Cañon City
Lost Creek Scenic Area National Natural Landmark
Lost Creek Scenic Area
Bailey
Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas National Natural Landmark
Morrison Fossil Area
Morrison
Raton Mesa National Natural Landmark
Raton Mesa
Trinidad
Roxborough State Park National Natural Landmark
Roxborough State Park
Roxborough Park
Russell Lakes National Natural Landmarks
Russell Lakes
Monte Vista
Sand Creek National Natural Landmark
Sand Creek
Larimer
Slumgullion Earthflow National Natural Landmark
Slumgullion Earthflow
Lake City
Spanish Peaks National Natural Landmark
Spanish Peaks
Trinidad
Summit Lake National Natural Landmark
Summit Lake
Idaho Springs
West Bijou Site National Natural Landmark
West Bijou Site
Strasburg

Manmade Landmarks in Colorado

Monuments, bridges and other stunning landmarks were created with passion. For as long as they’ve been around humans have made their mark on the land. Explore some of Colorado’s most prominent manxmade landmarks.

Bishop's Castle Rye CO
Bishop’s Castle
Rye
Cano's Castle Antonito CO
Cano’s Castle
Antonito
Coors Field Stadium Denver CO
Coors Field
Denver
Dick's Sporting Goods Park Commerce City
Dick’s Park
Commerce City
Four Corners Monument
Four Corners Monument
Southwest CO
Infinity Park at Glendale CO
Infinity Park
Glendale
Mile High Stadium Denver
Mile High Stadium
Denver
Pepsi Center Denver
Pepsi Center
Denver
Royal Gorge Bridge Park
Royal Gorge Bridge
Cañon City
Shrine of the Stations of the Cross San Luis CO
Stations of Cross
San Luis
UFO Watchtower Center Colorado
UFO Watchtower
Center
Denver Union Station
Union Station
Denver
Alferd Packer Massacre Site in Lake City, CO

Alferd Packer Massacre Site – Lake City

Camp Hale, CO

Camp Hale – Leadville

Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock, CO

Chapel on the Rock at Camp St. Malo- Allenspark

cherokee ranch and castle

Cherokee Ranch & Castle – Sedalia

Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO

Colorado Convention Center – Denver

Colorado Freedom Memorial – Aurora

Colorado State Capitol

Colorado State Capitol Building – Denver

Denver Coliseum in Denver, CO

Denver Coliseum – Denver

Dunafon Castle in Idledale, CO

Dunafon Castle – Idledale

Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs

Glen Eyrie Castle – Colorado Springs

Hanging Flume Overlook, CO

Hanging Flume Overlook – Uravan

Highlands Ranch Mansion, CO

Highlands Ranch Mansion – Highlands Ranch

Hunter S. Thompson Shrine – Aspen

Midland Railroad Tunnels, CO

Midland Railroad Tunnels – Buena Vista

Miramont Castle Museum, CO

Miramont Castle Museum – Manitou Springs

Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway, CO

Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway – Salida

National Western Complex in Denver

National Western Complex – Denver

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish – Antonito

Peterson Air Force Base – Colorado Springs

Redstone Castle, CO

Redstone Castle – Redstone

Westminster Castle, CO

Westminster Castle – Westminster

Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun Colorado Springs

Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun – Colorado Springs

Yule Marble Quarry, CO

Yule Marble Quarry – Marble

Tunnels in Colorado

With all its mountainous terrain, Colorado boasts its fair share of tunnels. You’ll find both automobile and railroad tunnels in the state, with an opportunity to traverse through a great deal of them. Some of these historic landmarks though are closed to the public and non-operational.

Eisenhower Tunnel, CO

Eisenhower–Johnson Memorial Tunnel – Dillon

Moffat Tunnel, CO

Moffat Tunnel – Rollinsville-Winter Park

Where else can you see incredible landmarks?

In addition to the aforementioned national natural landmarks and human-made landmarks, there are countless other landmarks worth visiting. Here are some of the most obvious places to look for landmark tourist attractions:

in Archaeological Sites

Long before man roamed the Colorado countryside, dinosaurs did. Their evidence can be found here, along with the hand-carved villages of the Ancient Anasazi people. Learn more about archaeological areas in Colorado.

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Canyons Ancients
Dolores
Chimney Rock National Monument
Chimney Rock
Pagosa Springs
Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaur Ridge
Dinosaur Ridge
Morrison
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds
Florissant
Hovenweep National Monument
Hovenweep
Montezuma Co
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde
Cortez
Ute Mountain Tribal Park
Ute Mtn Tribal Park
Towaoc
Yucca House National Monument
Yucca House
Cortez

in Caves and Caverns

Colorado has fascinating caves located throughout the state. A few of them are open for public tours year round.

Cave Of The Winds
Cave Of Winds
Manitou Springs
Glenwood Caverns
Glenwood Caverns
Glenwood Springs
Rifle Falls State Park
Rifle Falls
Rifle

in National Historic Sites

There are two national historic sites in the state, both located in the southeastern plains. These protected areas are declared of national historic significance in the United States. Both of them were an important part of Colorado’s early past.

Bent's Old Fort
Bent’s Old Fort
La Junta
Sand Creek Massacre
Sand Creek Massacre
Eads

in Waterfalls

These nature-fueled wonders amaze and relax all who are lucky enough to be around them. Waterfalls cascade over the Rocky Mountains, fueled by winter snowmelt, the strongest in spring and early summer. Learn more about waterfalls in Colorado.

Anges Vaille Falls
Anges Vaille Falls
Nathrop
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
Telluride
North Clear Creek Falls
N Clear Creek Falls
Lake City
South Clear Creek Falls
S Clear Creek Falls
Lake City
Fish Creek Falls
Fish Creek Falls
Steamboat Springs
Helen Hunt Falls
Helen Hunt Falls
Colorado Springs
Rainbow Fall Manitou Springs
Rainbow Falls
Manitou Springs
Rifle Falls
Rifle Falls
Rifle
Seven Falls
Seven Falls
Colorado Springs
Treasure Falls
Treasure Falls
Pagosa Springs
Zapata Falls
Zapata Falls
Alamosa

Guide to Natural and Manmade Landmarks in Colorado

Rabbit Ears Pass Colorado Autumn
Autumn on Rabbit Ears Pass. Photo: tonys3075

Historically, landmarks were used to navigate, and still are. Their prominent stature was easy to recognize from afar and guided many explorers on their journey. Nearly everyone on the Front Range knows to use the Rockies to the west, as a compass.

Landmarks nowadays, especially with GPS and smart phones, aren’t required as much for navigating. Instead landmarks could any significant human built structure or natural landscape feature. Examples would be monuments or canyons.

Landmarks within Colorado public lands

Some local city and county parks have lakes available. Lots of rivers and lakes are on federally owned public land. A majority of state parks offer a place to fish.

City and County Parks
City Parks
National Lands
National Lands
State Parks
State Parks

Natural Landmarks

Whether used for navigation or just to visit and behold, Colorado is one of the top places in the world to see breathtaking natural landmarks. Go on any scenic drive in the state and you’ll understand why so many people want to spend time here.

Examples of historic, navigational natural landmarks include Rabbit Ears Pass near Steamboat Springs and Chimney Rock near Pagosa Springs. Both are very distinct rock formations that could be easily explained to someone searching for their route. Today, they are destinations in and of themselves.

National Natural Landmarks – These wonders are designated national natural landmarks to protect them for the future. They are the best examples of biological and geological features in the United States.

Colorado National Natural Landmarks Map
Colorado National Natural Landmarks map.

Manmade Landmarks

Humans have long lived in the region and their history can be traced through relics, ruins and significant landmarks. The Ancient Puebloans built cliff dwellings and mesa-top villages, while early settlers built log cabins, mines and grand theatres.

Simple rock piles stacked high along a hiking trail can be considered a human-made, navigational landmark. One of Colorado’s most unique is the Four Corners Monument, located at the southwest corner of state. It’s the only place in the country where four states touch.

Archeological Sites – Long before the Colorado became a state, Native Americans lived the land. Some tribes were nomadic with little evidence left to visit, while some built significant villages in the southwest, which can be enjoyed today.

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