17 Rocky Mountain Adventures To Take In This Lifetime

For purple mountain majesties...

Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

1. Maroon Lake and Maroon Bells, near Aspen

Geoff Llerena CC BY-NC-ND / Via Flickr: jeffrt

Supposedly, these two mountains are the most photographed peaks in North America.

2. Hanging Lake, in Glenwood Canyon

Bryce Bradford CC BY-NC-ND / Via Flickr: brb_photography

The clear turquoise lake and hanging gardens are all part of a fragile ecosystem, though, so you can't bring dogs or swim. Read more about visiting here.

3. The Great Sand Dunes, near Crestone

David Wynia CC BY-NC-ND / Via Flickr: davidandbecky

While the dunes aren't ~on a mountain~, there are stunning views of mountains...as well as sand dunes, tundra, forests, and lakes to explore. Read more about the park here.

4. Molas Lake & Molas Pass, between Durango and Silverton

Al_HikesAZ CC BY-NC / Via Flickr: alanenglish

If you visit Durango and Silverton, check out the pass on the way up, and the train on the way down. If you're into hiking, there's some of that, too. Or go camping at the lake — get more info about that here.

5. Lone Eagle Peak and Crater Lake Trail, near Granby

Steven Bratman CC BY / Via Flickr: darkdenver

Lone Eagle Peak itself is a technical rock climber's dream, but the trails around it are easy enough for most hikers. Learn more here.

6. Wheeler Geologic Area, near Creede

Chris CC BY-NC-ND / Via Flickr: chris_canipe

Although it can be tough to get to, these stunning erosions make the hike even more worth it. Read more about the area here, and learn more about visiting here.

7. Pikes Peak, near Colorado Springs

Kari Nousiainen CC BY-NC / Via Flickr: nousku

Literally inspired "America the Beautiful". Learn more about visiting here.

8. Fish Creek Falls, near Steamboat Springs

Paul Middleton CC BY-NC / Via Flickr: shadowdancerimages

The falls are easily accessible for all ages, and are especially spectacular in the spring time, when the snow melts. Learn more about them here.

9. Mount Evans, near Denver

Tim Caynes CC BY-NC / Via Flickr: timcaynes

It's home to bighorn sheep and mountain goats, so if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of one. Learn more here and here.

10. Shrine Pass, near Cooper Mountain

Tundra Ice CC BY-NC-ND / Via Flickr: tundra-ice

The perfect place to see some wildflowers. Get more information here.

11. Lost Creek Wilderness, near Deckers

Stephen Bentsen CC BY-NC-ND / Via Flickr: fixiewrek

Another site with beautiful eroded boulders to explore. Learn more about visiting here.

12. Blue Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, near Boulder

Alias Rex CC BY-NC-ND / Via Flickr: aliasrex

Learn more here and here.

13. Devil's Causeway, near Yampa

Donna Boley CC BY-NC-ND / Via Flickr: donnaboley

This 50-foot pass narrows to around three feet at one point, making it awesome and terrifying at the same time. Learn more about it here and here.

14. Kenosha Pass, near Fairplay

https://www.flickr.com/photos/erayharrison/22491648863

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dredigital/15417075192

It's a favorite of fall foliage-seekers, for obvious reasons. Learn more about it here and here.

15. Crystal Mill, near Marble

Casey Reynolds CC BY-NC-ND / Via Flickr: 85974714@N07

Built in 1893, this rustic building used to be called the Sheep Mountain Power House, but is now known as the Crystal Mill. Get more information about visiting here.

16. Chimney Rock National Monument, near Pagosa Springs

Scrubhiker (USCdyer) CC BY-NC / Via Flickr: scrubhiker

There are also tours of ancient Anasazi ruins nearby. Learn more here.

17. Rocky Mountain National Park

Bryce Bradford CC BY-NC-ND / Via Flickr: brb_photography

This park encompasses 415 square miles of gorgeous nature (including some of the spots in this article), so it's not really near any particular town. Learn more about it here.

Update: A previous version of this post incorrectly stated that #12 was the Blue Lake near Telluride.