Colorado Landmarks – Natural & Man-Made | National Natural Landmarks and Artificial Landmarks in CO

From natural to man-made, 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 Alamosa	Garden of Gods Colorado Springs	Garden Park Fossil Cañon City
Hanging Lake Glenwood Springs	Indian Springs Trace Fossil Cañon City	Lost Creek Scenic Area Bailey
Morrison Fossil Area Morrison	Raton Mesa Trinidad	Roxborough State Park Roxborough Park
Russell Lakes Monte Vista	Sand Creek Larimer	Slumgullion Earthflow Lake City
Spanish Peaks Trinidad	Summit Lake Idaho Springs	West Bijou Site Strasburg

Man-Made 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 man-made landmarks.

Bishop’s Castle Rye	Cano’s Castle Antonito	Four Corners Southwest CO
Royal Gorge Bridge Cañon City	Stations of Cross San Luis	UFO Watchtower Center

Where else can you see incredible landmarks?

In addition to the aforementioned national natural landmarks and man-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 Ancients Dolores	Chimney Rock Pagosa Springs	Dinosaur Dinosaur
Dinosaur Ridge Morrison	Florissant Fossil Beds Florissant	Hovenweep Montezuma Co
Mesa Verde Cortez	Ute Mtn Tribal Park Towaoc	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 Winds
Manitou Springs

Glenwood Caverns
Glenwood Springs

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
La Junta

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

Guide to Natural and Man-Made Landmarks in Colorado

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 Parks

National Lands

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.

Man-Made 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 man-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.

Related activities

Explore breathtaking places like Colorado National Monument and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Scenic byways weave through beautiful landscapes.State Parks provide endless recreation.