National Landscapes in Colorado

National landscapes in Colorado are federally protected areas, such as National Monuments and National Conservation Areas, recognized for their cultural, ecological, or scientific value. This collection features 6 such landscapes, primarily located in the state's western and central regions, characterized by red-rock canyons, high-desert mesas, and river valleys.

The primary activities are human-powered outdoor sports. Hiking is the most common activity, with numerous routes available across all landscapes. Many areas also offer dedicated trails for mountain biking and routes suitable for road and gravel cycling.

This page aggregates routes from 6 designated national landscapes in Colorado. The most prominent include Colorado National Monument, Browns Canyon National Monument, and Canyons Of The Ancients National Monument. Other featured areas are Dinosaur National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds, and Hovenweep National Monument.

Colorado National Monument offers a variety of routes through its canyon country. There are more than 20 hiking trails of varying difficulty, alongside road cycling routes that traverse the landscape. The area also contains trails for mountain biking and jogging.

Browns Canyon National Monument protects a rugged section of the Arkansas River Valley. The area provides routes for hiking, jogging, and mountain biking through its granite canyons and forests. The monument was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2024.

Canyons Of The Ancients National Monument contains the highest known density of archaeological sites in the United States. The primary activity is hiking on trails that lead through a rugged desert landscape to explore Ancestral Puebloan sites like villages, kivas, and petroglyphs.

Yes, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument has a network of nearly 15 miles (24 km) of trails. These routes for hiking and jogging pass through ponderosa pine forests and meadows, offering views of petrified redwood stumps and the surrounding landscape.

Yes, several national landscapes in Colorado offer mountain biking. Colorado National Monument has over 10 designated mountain bike trails. Additionally, Browns Canyon National Monument provides opportunities for mountain biking along the Arkansas River.

The terrain is diverse, ranging from the sheer-walled red-rock canyons and monoliths of Colorado National Monument to the high-desert mesas of Canyons of the Ancients. Other landscapes feature the rugged granite gorges of Browns Canyon and the fossil-rich shale of Florissant Fossil Beds. Elevations vary significantly, creating a mix of challenging climbs and gentler valley routes.

Most of these landscapes are accessible year-round, but conditions vary by season and elevation. The spring and fall generally offer moderate temperatures ideal for hiking and cycling. Summers can be very hot, especially in the lower-elevation canyon areas, while winter can bring snow and ice, particularly in higher-elevation monuments like Browns Canyon.

Yes, many of these landscapes include routes suitable for beginners and families. For example, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument has several shorter, relatively flat interpretive trails. Many of the larger monuments have a mix of easy and strenuous routes, allowing for a range of abilities.

While both are federally protected, national landscapes like National Monuments and Conservation Areas are typically managed by the Bureau of Land Management and often offer a more remote, less-developed experience than National Parks. They may have fewer visitor facilities but provide extensive opportunities for self-guided recreation. For comparison, see the collection of National Parks in Colorado.