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Hanging Lake - This crystal clear lake and waterfall east of Glenwood Springs is one of the states most popular summer destinations for tourists and locals.

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Hanging Lake - Though it is tempting to take a dip in the iridescent waters, it is not only freezing but also prohibited. The fragile ecosystem giving the water its turquoise color is threatened by oils on our skin.

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Garden of the Gods - This public park in Colorado Springs is truly one of the most picture-perfect travel destinations in the state.

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Garden of the Gods - For the adventurous traveler, this is also a popular recreation spot for road and mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding.

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Great Sand Dunes - Hiking through this national park will feel much more like you are in the heart of the Sahara Desert than in southern Colorado.

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Great Sand Dunes - This national preserve nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Range is home to the largest sand dune in North America. The dunes cover roughly 30 sq mi, with over 5 billion cubic meters of sand.

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Blue Lakes - These turquoise-colored alpine lakes in the San Juan National Forest truly have to be seen to be believed.

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Blue Lakes - The hike through the Mount Sneffels Wilderness to reach the lakes is a sight within itself, with spectacular wildflower-filled meadows along the way.

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Telluride - This former Victorian mining town nestled in the Rocky Mountains is one of the most stunning mountain towns in the state. Though it is a popular skiing destination, it's best known for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival which brings in tourists from all over the world.

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Telluride - The nearby San Juan mountains provide endless hiking and sight-seeing opportunities. The Bridal Veil Falls at 365 ft are also a must-see natural wonder.

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Colorado National Monument - This national park area in the small town of Fruita—near Grand Junction—showcases stone-carved tunnels, massive boulders, and red-rock canyons as far as the eye can see.

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Colorado National Monument - In the summer this is a great recreation destination for biking, hiking, horseback riding, or simply driving through and seeing some of the 19 scenic overlooks.

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Island Lake - At an elevation of 12,400 ft, you can find this jaw-droppingly beautiful aqua-colored alpine lake near the southern mountain town of Silverton.

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Island Lake - You can reach this hidden gem in the San Juan National Forest by hiking the four-mile-long Ice Lakes Trail.

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Crested Butte - The Colorado General Assembly has dubbed this mountain destination in Gunnison county as the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado" for good reason.

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Crested Butte - The former mining town draws tourists who want to ride down stunning scenic roads, explore abandoned ghost towns, or go on hot air balloon rides over the mountaintops.

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Estes Park - This travel gem near Rocky Mountain National Park is a must-see destination. If you want to go on a ghost hunt, check out the Stanley Hotel. It was the inspiration for Stephen King's novel, 'The Shining.'

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Estes Park - Have a lovely day of shopping on the adorable Main Street or go for a long drive and take in the awe-inspiring views of pure wilderness along Trail Ridge Road.

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Mesa Verde - If you want to delve deep into the history of ancient American Indian civilizations, then this destination in southwest Colorado is just the ticket.

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Mesa Verde - This national park holds 5,000 archaeological sites created by the Pueblo people who called this land home for over 700 years.

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Maroon Bells - These two peaks in the Elk Mountains near Aspen remain one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, with over 300,000 people every season.

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Maroon Bells - With its iridescent waters, Maroon Lake (at the base of the Bells) is one of the most photographed places in Colorado.

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Boulder - At the bottom of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains lies this hippie-centric college town. You will always find people biking, running, and hiking in town. The go-to hiking spot in Boulder is Chautauqua Park.

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Vail - The small town, based within White River National Forest, is most popular for winter sports. The Vail Ski Resort boasts the largest ski mountain in Colorado.

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Vail - The town is also known for hiking, golfing, and cultural festivals in the summertime. A-list celebrities often stay in the Scandinavian-styled downtown on vacation.

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Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Resting in the shadow of massive sandstone rock formations, this is easily one of the most impressive outdoor venues in the United States.

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Red Rocks Amphitheatre - You can come here for movie showings or morning yoga sessions, but it is known for year-round musical performances and festivals.

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Rocky Mountain National Park - This natural preserve spans the Continental Divide, and is widely popular among tourists. It is also a beloved hiking destination for locals.

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Rocky Mountain National Park - The Keyhole Route hike, Old Fall River Road, and the trail surrounding Bear Lake are all captivating sights to see in the park.

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Boulder - The outdoor Pearl Street Mall is a hot-spot for tourists and locals alike, with loads of artsy shops and street performers providing endless entertainment.

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Aspen - Aspen is a skiing and outdoor recreation mountain town with various high-end restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques. It is also a hot spot for celebrity visitors.

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Aspen - When you're in Aspen be sure to visit Snowmass, Independence Pass, and the Aspen Highlands.

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Breckenridge - This mountain town at the base of the Rocky Mountains' Tenmile Range is primarily known for skiing, but it's also a great destination for art and history lovers.

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Breckenridge - The Victorian history of this former mining town can be felt in the architecture of the picturesque downtown, which includes colorful buildings from the 1800s.

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Denver - Nicknamed the "Mile High City" for its elevation of exactly one mile, the state's capital city is also the art and culture center of Colorado. Be sure to stop by Union Station to see some unique architecture before watching a baseball game at Coors Field.

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Denver - If cultural attractions are what you're after then be sure to visit the Denver Art Museum. If a lively bar-hopping spot is more your style, then head to Larimer Square.

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Georgetown - This quaint little mountain town is a great stop on your mountain road trip. Come in the winter for the ultimate Christmas experience. Here you can pet a live reindeer and eat real roasted chestnuts during the holiday season.

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Georgetown - The Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park is a sight to see. Also be sure to stop by the neighboring town of Idaho Springs and take a dip at the natural Indian Hot Springs.

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Glenwood Springs - This vibrant small town is a nature and art-lovers dream. The Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is a popular spot for tourists and locals year-round.

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Glenwood Springs - If you're looking to get your adrenaline kicks going then take a cave tour, ride a roller coaster, or go bungee jumping at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

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Steamboat Springs - This small mountain town along the Yampa River is an internationally renowned ski resort destination.

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Steamboat Springs - It is also a great place to visit in the summer for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, and kayaking.

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Fort Collins - This northern Colorado college town boasts a vintage trolley, beautiful Victorian houses and brick buildings from the 1800s, and lots of artsy shops in the historic downtown.

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Fort Collins - Be sure to come in the summer for one of the many music festivals that are among the best in Colorado. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle then take a hike at Horsetooth Reservoir.

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Manitou Springs - This resort city just outside of Colorado Springs is primarily known for soothing natural hot springs and the towering mountain, Pikes Peak.

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Manitou Springs - If you are visiting the city, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are a must-see. These Anasazi cliff dwellings and ruins date back to civilizations in 1200 BCE.

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Durango - The Narrow-Gauge Railroad is a heritage railway that travels from Durango to the former mining town of Silverton by steam-powered trains.

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Durango - The downtown area is dotted with historic architecture, and is home to various galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bars that remain popular year-round.

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Ouray - With rugged 13,000-foot Rocky Mountain peaks on either side of Main Street, this small town is truly a sight to behold.

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Ouray - Besides gorgeous hikes and a charming downtown area, this town's claim to fame would have to be its soothing outdoor sulfur-free hot spring.

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Royal Gorge - Dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River," this is one of the largest canyons in Colorado with a depth of 1,250 ft.

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Royal Gorge - For the more adventurous, this canyon has become a popular destination for rock climbing and bungee jumping. However many others simply take the aerial tramway across.

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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - This gorge is made of Precambrian rock from the Gunnison River and has been dubbed the "black canyon," due to the fact that sections of the canyon only receive 33 seconds of sunlight a day.

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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - The Black Canyon is primarily a rock climbing destination in Gunnison National Park. Many also come for the scenic drive along Colorado Highway 92 and US Highway 50.

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Mt. Evans - This fourteener in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains is one of the highest peaks in the state. At the top of the scenic hike, you can find the beautiful Summit Lake.

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Mt. Evans -

This is not only one of the most characteristic Front Range Peaks in Colorado, it is also the perfect spot for spotting mountain goats.

See also: Discover the world's most incredible mountain paradises

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