A spectacular waterfall in Rifl e Falls State Park


42 STATE PARKS


Great Sand Dunes National Park


In the south-central region the gigantic


dunes of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve rise to more than 700ft (213m) and stretch for 50 miles (80km). You can hike up the dunes, slide or even board down and then splash around in Medano Creek at their base. T e closest accommodation is in Alamosa. T ose fascinated by dinosaur


and other fossils won’t want to miss Dinosaur National Monument in the


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north-west, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in central


Colorado and, in the south-east, the Comanche National Grasslands, which claims to encompass the largest dinosaur


track site in North America. Colorado National Monument, located near Grand Junction, contains amazing, other- worldly rock formations. If you plan on visiting these and other


sites governed by the US National Park Service, consider purchasing an annual pass instead of paying entrance fees at


each attraction. For fee information, visit www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm


Experience the Magic… MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK


• Comfortable mesa-top lodging 15 miles inside the park at Far View Lodge


• Informative 1/2 day ranger-guided tours of the ancient sites and cliff dwellings operated by ARAMARK


• Award-winning dining at the Metate Room


• Exceptional native hand crafts and artisan demonstrations


• Spectacular views into 4 states, wildlife watching and star-gazing


For Reservations: voice: 602-331-5210 fax: 970-564-4311


A World Heritage Site Book on line at:www.visitmesaverde.com NATIVE CULTURE


Colorado’s 42 state parks range from urban Cherry Creek State Park, just outside Denver, to western Rifl e Falls, known for its rock-climbing areas, and remote Bonny Lake State Park in the eastern plains. Their activity options range from snow- shoeing, cross-country skiing and snow-mobiling in the winter to hiking, biking, fi shing, camping and boating in the summer (some camp grounds are open year-round).


Vehicle day passes are around $6, so if you plan on visiting many parks during your Colorado holiday, you might consider purchasing an annual pass, available at any of the state parks. For more information visit www.parks.state.co.us


of MESA VERDE COUNTRY®


WILD WEST


We’re the Archaeological Center of America, surrounded by a vast complex of archaeological sites from the Ancestral Puebloan Culture. Visit the world-famous treasures of Mesa Verde National Park, Ute Mountain Tribal Park, Hovenweep National Monument, and the Anasazi Heritage Center along the Trail of the Ancients.


Share the Native Culture of the area at Indian Dances and cultural programs or by visiting our exceptional trading posts and galleries.


Experience the Wild West with chuckwagon meals, stagecoach rides, and horseback riding.


® Mesa Verde Country® Visitor Information:


voice: 970-565-8227 www.mesaverdecountry.com email: lynnd@mesaverdecountry.com fax: 970-565-1155


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