7. Mesa Verde National Park
It’s not too often that scenic hiking areas are also steeped in history, but Mesa Verde certainly has both. This national park consists of an array of preserved cliff dwellings originally built by the people of Pueblo centuries ago. The Ancestral Puebloans lived and worked in these cliffside quarters for years until finally abandoning them in 1300. Now, the remnants of this ancient civilization draw thousands of visitors to the southwest corner of Colorado each year. During your visit, make time to see Cliff Palace – one of the largest and best preserved dwellings in the park. The palace features 150 rooms that you can see by maneuvering uneven paths and climbing a few ladders on your guided tour. There are also plenty of hiking trails in the surrounding area. A visitor-favorite path is the moderate Point Lookout Trail (2.2 miles out and back), which boasts sweeping views of the park. The Petroglyph Point Trail (a 2.4-mile loop) is also popular, as you can admire the petroglyphs drawn on the canyon walls.
8. Explore the ghost towns
Colorado is full of ghost towns, several of which have been left empty from mining struggles in the early 1900s. Nowadays, travelers can visit what remains of these towns and get a firsthand look at their unique history. St. Elmo is one of the state’s most popular ghost towns, although visitors should note the town is still home to full-time residents; it is located about 80 miles southeast of Aspen and approximately 110 miles west of Colorado Springs. Here, visitors can explore the town’s preserved buildings: In the summer, a few of these buildings are open to allow travelers inside to tour. Many say a visit to St. Elmo is a great way to learn about the state’s silver and gold miners, and several suggest buying souvenirs from the still-operating general store (open seasonally). If you’re staying in Aspen, you can also make the trip to Independence Ghost Town, where you’ll find empty stables, an old general store and remains of cabins.