The 7 most beautiful canyons found in Colorado
Cut deep into the earth and formed over massive lengths of time, Colorado's canyons are a spectacular feature of the local landscape. Here are a few of the most beautiful canyons you'll find around the Centennial State.
Royal Gorge (Photo) Credit: Brandon Satterwhite (Flickr)
7. Royal Gorge
The Royal Gorge is a 9-mile granite canyon that's more than 1,000 feet deep in some spots. It is located west of central Cañon City and has the Arkansas River rushing through it. Some attractions along the canyon, including the bridge and some of the surrounding park features, were partially scorched by a forest fire in June 2013.
Credit: Brandon Satterwhite (Flickr)
Royal Gorge cont. (Photo) Credit: lns1122 (Flickr)
7. Royal Gorge (cont.)
The Royal Gorge bridge, built in 1929, held the world's highest suspension bridge title for more than 70 years at 1,200 feet high. It's built with 1,300 planks of Douglas Fir that each weigh about 250 pounds.
Credit: lns1122 (Flickr)
Royal Gorge cont. (Photo) Credit: Kari Sullivan (Flickr)
7. Royal Gorge (cont.)
The Royal Gorge was commercialized with the bridge, rides, the gondola, and gift shops throughout the years. The original aerial tram opened in 1969. Today, visitors to the Royal Gorge Bridge can zipline, raft, climb the via Ferrata route, or catch live performance shows at the Plaza Theatre.
Credit: Kari Sullivan (Flickr)
Red Rock Canyon Open Space (Photo) Credit: Christian Murdock
6. Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon Open Space in Colorado Springs is used by hikers, runners, mountain bikers, equestrians, photographers, and more. There is a bike park where riders can session jumps and berms, as well as an off-leash dog park where furry friends can roam free.
Photo Credit: Christian Murdock / The Gazette
Red Rock Canyon Open Space (Photo) Credit: Phillip Steward (Flickr)
6. Red Rock Canyon Open Space (cont.)
Red Rock Canyon Open Space in Colorado Springs has been used by humans dating back to 7000 B.C, according to city officials. Fast forward to the late 1800s, settlers quarried gypsum and the red sandstone to build many structures still seen today in Old Colorado City. Colorado Springs bought the land from a family trust in 2003 to preserve the area as an open space.
Credit: Phillip Steward (Flickr)
Glenwood Canyon (Photo) Credit: Jimmy Thomas (Flickr)
5. Glenwood Canyon
Glenwood Canyon follows the Colorado River for 12.5 miles from Dotsero westward to Glenwood Springs. It passes through rock walls as high as 1,300 feet along the way. A section of Interstate 70 carves through the canyon and features 40 bridges, two 4,000-foot-long tunnels, and 30,000 tons of structural and reinforcing steel.
Credit: Jimmy Thomas (Flickr)
Glenwood Canyon cont. (Photo) Credit: Chelsea Self/Post Independent
5. Glenwood Canyon (cont.)
On Aug. 10, 2020, a wildfire sparked along Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon, which would eventually burn more than 32,000 acres. The Grizzly Creek fire caused a week-long, 24-mile closure of I-70 in August through Glenwood Canyon as firefighters and aerial support worked to fight the flames and clear fallen debris from the road. Investigators say the Grizzly Creek fire was caused by human activity, but specific details haven't been released. As of Nov. 6, the fire was 91 percent contained.
Glenwood Canyon cont. (Photo) Credit: Alexander Rudy (Flickr)
5. Glenwood Canyon (cont.)
Glenwood Canyon has taught Colorado geologists much about the Earth's underground. The Colorado River dissolved limestone to create the path seen today. The canyon also plays a role in Colorado's cave systems, like the Glenwood Caverns, as well as the underground geologic processes that produce hot springs, which feed into Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and Iron Mountain Hot Springs.
Credit: Alexander Rudy (Flickr)
Colorado National Monument (Photo) Credit: Todd Petrie (Flickr)
4. Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument lies between Grand Junction and Fruita. It features a 23-mile-long road that lines the rim of the canyon, accompanied by a beautiful mountainous backdrop.
Credit: Todd Petrie (Flickr)
Colorado National Monument cont. (Photo) Credit: Shepard4711 (Flickr)
4. Colorado National Monument (cont.)
Colorado National Monument founder John Otto wrote in 1907 that he believed this place was "the heart of the world." He campaigned to the locals of Grand Junction and wrote to politicians of Washington D.C. to preserve the area. His dream came true in 1911 when the area became Colorado National Monument.
Credit Shepard4711 (Flickr)
Colorado National Monument cont. (Photo) Credit: Leslie James
4. Colorado National Monument (cont.)
Canyon Within a Canyon: Ute Canyon features 300-foot cliffs at the east end of Colorado National Monument. In the valley of Ute Canyon lies another canyon that is actively being formed by erosive geological activities.
Photo Credit: Leslie James
Castlewood Canyon State Park (Photo) Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife
3. Castlewood Canyon State Park
Castlewood Canyon State Park is a 2,621-acre open space in Franktown, about 25 miles south of Denver. It offers vast views and hiking trails that range from .5 miles to 4 miles.
Courtesy: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Box Canyon Falls (Photo) Credit: Carl Mikoy (Flickr)
2. Box Canyon Falls
Box Canyon Falls is located in Ouray, Colorado, also known as 'the Switzerland of America.' It features a suspension bridge and a beautiful cascading waterfall found just outside of town.
Credit: Carl Mikoy (Flickr)
Box Canyon Falls cont. (Photo) Credit: Greg Younger (Flickr)
2. Box Canyon Falls (cont.)
Be sure to catch this waterfall wonder during Colorado's springtime snowmelt period, which is usually May through June. The waterfall cascades down about 285 feet to the river below through narrow canyon walls.
Credit: Greg Younger (Flickr)
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Photo) Credit: Jimmy Thomas (Flickr)
1. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The "Song of the Gunnison" is a sort of lore crafted by longtime visitors of the canyon that have noticed a common sound. Is it the wind or the river 1,800 feet below sending up sounds from the depths below? Rangers say if you hike to the river below, the sound of the water's roar "builds to a crescendo, until it cancels out all other sounds."
Credit: Jimmy Thomas (Flickr)
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park cont. (Photo) Credit: Mobilus In Mobili (Flickr)
1. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (cont).
The Black Canyon is located in western Colorado near Montrose. It features a vertical landscape that provides nocturnal species a place to thrive, including the Ringtail. It's also a spectacular space for astronomers to study the night sky.
Credit: Mobilus In Mobili (Flickr)
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park cont. (Photo) Credit Tony Webster Flickr
1. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (cont.)
Any outdoor recreation in Black Canyon's inner canyon requires a wilderness permit, including hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking. Park officials strongly discourage rafting on the river.
Credit: Tony Webster (Flickr)
Castlewood Canyon new photo Credit: Ron Claussen, Castlewood Canyon State Park Volunteer.
3. Castlewood Canyon State Park (cont.)
Castlewood Canyon is infamously known for a significant event in 1933 when the Castlewood Canyon Dam burst, releasing a 15-foot wave of water big enough to flood downtown Denver. Hike about a half-mile on the Dam Trail to see the ruins of the dam and the historic homestead.
Credit: Ron Claussen, Castlewood Canyon State Park Volunteer.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.