Abigail Bliss
Audio By Carbonatix
National Park Week runs between Aug. 22-30 this year, celebrating the National Park Service’s 110th birthday and the United States’ 250th.
On Tuesday, Aug. 25, entrance fees to national parks will be waived. The celebration comes amid an alarming time for the country’s national parks and public lands.
President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill that created the National Park Service on Aug. 25, 1916, but 110 years later, the Trump administration is attempting to remove protections from millions of acres of public lands. In recent months, the federal government has moved to open untouched national forests to logging and even bulldozed through Big Bend National Park in Texas to build a border wall.
And, as of 2026, the waived fee only applies to U.S. residents. The entrance fee waiver does not cover concessionaire or permit fees for some activities, either, such as hunting, fishing or special tours.
There are currently 433 national park sites in the U.S., including historic sites, trails and monuments. Colorado has 17 national park sites, including four designated national parks boasting beautiful mountains, vast sand dunes and steep cliffs.
All national park sites are included in the free-entrance day. Find a list of all of Colorado’s national monuments, trails and more here, and read on for more information about each of the state’s four national parks.
Before you head out, it’s worth checking out the National Park Service website to check the fine print and any timely alerts about trail closures or weather conditions.
theotherpaul/Flickr
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Where: Western Colorado
Miles from Denver: 266
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rock in North America. Forces of nature and the Gunnison River sculpted this canyon over two million years, and the result is a vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky. There are more than 47 square miles to explore in the park, and trails for all skill levels. Note that last year, the South Rim Fire scorched much of the park’s south rim due to lightning. The damage from the fire is still evident in the park, but the Denver Post reported that new signs of life are abundant.
Hannah Metzger
Great Sand Dunes
Where: Southern Colorado
Miles from Denver: 238
Find North America’s tallest sand dunes right here in Colorado at Great Sand Dunes National Park. As an International Dark Sky Park, Great Sand Dunes is also a magnificent choice for those who want to stay the night and look at the stars. The park is made up of a 30-square-mile sand dune field, and there are no designated trails. Great Sand Dunes is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round, and there are no timed entries or reservations to visit.
Abigail Bliss
Mesa Verde
Where: Southwest Colorado
Miles from Denver: 373
Mesa Verde National Park is the state’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site to view Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling on the continent. Ranger-led tours to this attraction, Balcony House and backcountry cliff dwellings are available seasonally from May through October. The park protects the rich cultural heritage of 27 Pueblos and Tribes and offers visitors a window into the past. The park is also home to over a thousand species, including several that are exclusive to the area.
Abigail Bliss
Rocky Mountain
Where: Northern Colorado
Miles from Denver: 70
Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses over 400 square miles of mountain environments, from meadows and alpine lakes to towering peaks. There are over 300 miles of hiking trails and plenty of wildlife, such as elk, marmots, pikas, bighorn sheep, red crossbills, boreal toads and more.
