Colorado National Parks and Monuments

Colorado offers unequaled natural mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and more outdoor activities than you can imagine. The name Colorado comes from the Spanish word "colorado" which means "reddish color." On August 1, 1876, President Ulysses Grant proclaimed Colorado the 38th state.

Colorado's spectacular scenery extends from the Rocky Mountains National Park to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Visitors flock to Colorado to enjoy the state's four national parks, five national monuments, and over forty state parks.

When planning a Colorado trip, consider the following:

• Four national parks are located in Colorado: Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, and Mesa Verde.

• Five national monuments are located in Colorado: Dinosaur, Colorado, Florissant Fossil Beds, Hovenweep, and Yucca House.

• Other interesting sites to visit are Sand Creek Massacre National Historic site, Old Spanish National Historic Trail, and Pony Express National Historic Trail.
  

Park entrance fees vary throughout the state and are subject to change.

David Edwards
November, 2008