National parks near Denver

Closest first

Straight-line miles from the city center; drive times are rough estimates. Open the app for parks near wherever you are right now.

• 1 Rocky Mountain · Colorado · 355+ trails · $35 / vehicle55 mi · ~1 hr drive
• 2 Great Sand Dunes · Colorado · 18+ trails · $25 / vehicle142 mi · ~3 hr drive
• 3 Black Canyon of the Gunnison · Colorado · 8+ trails · $20 / vehicle167 mi · ~3.5 hr drive
• 4 Arches · Utah · 12+ trails · $35 / vehicle256 mi · ~5.5 hr drive
• 5 Mesa Verde · Colorado · 80+ trails · $35 / vehicle259 mi · ~5.5 hr drive
• 6 Wind Cave · South Dakota · 30+ trails · Free276 mi · ~5.5 hr drive
• 7 Canyonlands · Utah · 20+ trails · $35 / vehicle286 mi · ~6 hr drive
• 8 Badlands · South Dakota · 11+ trails · $30 / vehicle315 mi · ~6.5 hr drive
• 9 Capitol Reef · Utah · 14+ trails · $20 / vehicle350 mi · ~7.5 hr drive
• 10 Grand Teton · Wyoming · 200+ trails · $35 / vehicle405 mi · ~8.5 hr drive

Planning a trip from Denver

Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Arches, Mesa Verde, Wind Cave, Canyonlands are realistic for a long weekend. Leave early Friday, and reserve campsites or lodging ahead in peak season.

Each park page covers popular trails, camping, entrance fees, and the best time to visit. In ParkAtlas, the home screen shows unvisited parks within reach of your current location and lets you log the one you pick.