Colorado is known for its mountain goodness, and while pretty views of ranges are guaranteed no matter where you go, there are a few places in the state that stand out from the crowd when it comes to insanely beautiful scenery. In fact, the mountainous area of Colorado are almost six times the size of Switzerland. And Colorado has 58 14ers (mountains that are 14,000+ feet above sea level. Colorado has some popular areas like Rocky Mountain National Park, Breckinridge, Vail, Keystone and others that are known for their gorgeous vistas.

If you’re currently plotting a trip to Colorado and want to make sure you head to the right places, here are some of the best destinations in the Centennial State for mountain views galore!

Where To Go in Colorado For The Most Beautiful Mountain Views

#1 Telluride

Tucked deep in the heart of the alluring San Juan Mountains, Telluride is one of the most charming alpine towns in Colorado. This wonderful mountain locale has pretty much everything you could dream of when it comes to an alpine escape, including startling waterfalls (Bridal Veil Falls is a must see), lakes backdropped by mountains that will get your jaw dropping right to the ground, and some of the best hiking trails Colorado has to offer.Just a bit outside of town, you can also find the exhilarating Telluride Via Ferrata, which offers a hiking + climbing combo adventure high up in the mountain. Simply put, you’ll be using cables and a harness to traverse steep cliffs in search of the most beautiful vistas around. An experience that’s not for the faint of heart, but one that is a must if you are into heart-pumping activities.

#2 Rocky Mountain National Park

With over 110 hiking trails, crystal-clear alpine lakes, rugged ridgelines, and epic scenery all over, it’s no wonder that Rocky Mountain National Park made it to the list! Quite possibly Colorado’s most famous national park, Rocky Mountain is home to some of the most alluring alpine views in the entire country.A must-do here for some seriously stunning vistas is to go on a scenic drive. Pick from the Peak to Peak Highway or the famous Trail Ridge road (or just do both), and drive to your heart’s content in search of viewpoints to linger for a while in.

Moreover, Rocky Mountain was made for hiking, and while it’s practically impossible to pick the best trails, a few great ones for first-timers are the Emerald Lake hike, Alberta Falls, and Glacier Gorge. If you’re feeling up for a challenge, the Bridal Veil Falls and the Lake Helene and Two Rivers Lake trail are both superb options. If you’re really keen to test your skills, the Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail might just be the challenge you’re after!

#3 Boulder

Nestled in the foothills of Colorado’s Front Range, Boulder is a quaint student town with a whole lot of adventures paired with dramatic mountain views. Even though the town itself is worth exploring for a while, Boulder’s main charm lies in its outskirts, where you’ll find a cirque of beautiful foothills, epic hiking trails, and vistas so good you’ll have to pinch yourself to check if you’re not dreaming.Home to over 200 miles of trails, a must-do in Boulder is putting your hiking shoes on and hitting a few of them. Great ones for incredible mountain views include the Chautauqua Trail, the Green Mountain West Trail, and the Arapaho Pass Trail.

#4 Crested Butte

If we could only have one word to describe Crested Butte, it would be cute small town. A former coal-mining center, today, this charming little town is a mountain paradise, especially if you’re keen to get a mix of relaxing activities and adventurous feats. Crested Butte’s quaint main street is lined by restaurants and interesting shops, and while the town is mainly known for its world-class skiing, there’s plenty more on the menu to keep you lingering a while longer.

A fun fact about Crested Butte is that it’s one of the places to claim to have created mountain biking, so you’re guaranteed lots of opportunities to try your hand at the sport if you’re feeling keen to!Other must-do activities aside from its winter sports include hiking, white water rafting, kayaking, and four-wheeling. If you visit during the summer, make sure to hit a few of the trails in search of flowers – Crested Butte is considered the wildflower capital of Colorado.

#5 Salida

Boasting unparalleled views of the Sawatch Mountain Range and easy access to the Arkansas River, Salida not only offers some of the best mountain views in Colorado, but it also boasts plenty of activities to get personal with them. There are also many natural hot springs in Salida to help relax your muscles after all the hiking or for simply taking in the views after a day spent adventuring.A few of the must-do activities in Salida to truly experience the Sawatch Range include hiking, white water rafting, and even four-wheeling dirt roads in search of hidden ghost towns.

#6 Leadville

Being the highest city in the United States at an elevation of just over 10,000 feet above sea level, Leadville is pretty much king when it comes to unbeatable birds-eye views, especially when you consider that two of the highest peaks in Colorado, Mount Elbert, and Mount Massive tower right above it.If you’re feeling up for exploring the mountains in a more personal way, Leadville is renowned for its excellent mountain biking trails. Moreover, Colorado’s largest glacial lakes are right nearby, both of which you can hike to if you’re feeling in the mood for a day spent in nature.Have you ever visited Colorado? What’s the place where you’ve gotten to see the most jaw-dropping view? Let us know all about it in the comment section below.

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