Colorado Virtual National Park Visit
Between the wide-open plains, incredible mountaintop views and massive sand dunes, Colorado has a wide variety of landscapes to explore. Thanks to Google Earth, you can explore Colorado’s national parks and monuments from the comfort of your couch, bed or desk. Through this service you can view photos of the parks’ highlights, as well as satellite imagery provided by Google Maps.
On each page, you can click the banner image at the top. This allows access to the highlight photos, while a map image at the bottom gives access to the satellite views. While you may not be able to go to all these places right now, the virtual access can tide you over until you’re able to satisfy your wanderlust in real life.
Here are the parks and monuments to check out online:
Rocky Mountain National Park includes part of the Continental Divide, as well as stunning mountains, lakes and rivers. Experience some of the highlights online and enjoy the incredible views.
The Pueblo tribe of Native Americans once lived in the land that became Mesa Verde National Park, and their famous cliff dwellings are still here after hundreds of years. Here you can check out the dwellings, which make up a small city and even include a palace known as the Cliff Palace.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve showcases the diversity of Colorado’s environment. The dunes look as though the Sahara Desert was transplanted into North America. Explore these beautiful natural dunes, sculpted by the elements into an awe-inspiring sight.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Over time, the Gunnison River eroded massive cliffs of rock, cutting a gorge into western Colorado. This gorge became Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. At the link you can check out the incredible cliff views, including the Painted Wall, a dark-colored cliff with beige streaks on the rock.
Colorado National Monument features both a desert and forests. Beautiful red rock cliffs accompany pinyon pines and juniper trees on the Colorado Plateau. The park is also home to bighorn sheep, which are included in the online gallery.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
This historic site is best known for its fossils of both bugs and plants. However, in addition to its hiking trails and fossils, it hosts Hornbek Homestead, a historic home dating back to the 1870s.
This national monument is a testament to the history of Colorado, starring a Pueblo archaeological site that has not been excavated. It gives you a look at what happens when nature is allowed to overtake human civilizations for 800 years, reminding us of just how wondrous the natural world is.
Although virtual visits aren’t the same as going to parks in person, being able to enjoy them in some capacity is a step above having no access. Images of Colorado’s beautiful nature can help provide some enjoyable scenery and comfort to your life. Just know that wherever this pandemic takes us, one day we will be able to walk the trails and experience the beauty of our national parks again.
Featured photo by Kim Fuller.