Pikes Peak Mounatin from Garden of the Gods Park, with Kissing Camels in the foreground, located in Colorado Springs, CO.

Travel + Leisure recently released its list of the most beautiful place in each U.S. state and Washington, D.C. For Colorado, the magazine made a surprising choice: Garden of the Gods.

Instead of Rocky Mountain National Park or the iconic Maroon Bells, it selected Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs as the state’s most beautiful destination.

For Boulder residents, that’s exciting news because this nationally recognized destination is closer than many people realize. Located about 97 miles from Boulder, Garden of the Gods is typically a drive of about 1 hour and 45 minutes to two hours, depending on traffic. It’s close enough for a spontaneous day trip yet impressive enough to feel like a true getaway.

That makes this more than just another travel ranking. It’s a reminder that one of Colorado’s most celebrated landscapes is practically in Boulder’s backyard.

A National Honor Close to Home

Garden of the Gods has long been one of Colorado’s signature attractions, but being recognized by Travel + Leisure brings fresh national attention to the park.

The dramatic red sandstone formations, some dating back more than 300 million years, rise dramatically against the backdrop of Pikes Peak, creating one of the most photographed landscapes in the American West.

Even better, admission is completely free, and the park is open year-round, making it one of Colorado’s most accessible outdoor destinations.

Visitors looking for a short adventure can enjoy the paved Central Garden Trail, which winds through the park’s towering rock formations, or hike the popular Siamese Twins Trail, where a natural rock window perfectly frames Pikes Peak.

How Far Are the Other Western Favorites?

Travel + Leisure’s list also highlights some of the country’s most spectacular destinations, many of which are surprisingly accessible from Boulder.

Easy Day Trip

Garden of the Gods, Colorado — Approximately 97 miles, about 2 hours.

Leave Boulder after breakfast, spend the day exploring the red rock formations, enjoy lunch in Colorado Springs, and still be home before evening.

Perfect Long Weekend

Arches National Park, Utah — Roughly 360 to 380 miles, about 6 to 6½ hours.

One of the West’s classic road trips, Arches offers unforgettable hikes to Delicate Arch, the Windows Section, and countless sandstone formations.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota — About 467 miles, around 8 hours.

Known for its colorful layered rock formations, sweeping prairies, and abundant wildlife, the Badlands make for an outstanding long-weekend adventure.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Wyoming — Approximately 9 hours.

Yellowstone’s dramatic waterfalls and colorful canyon walls are well within reach for Front Range travelers looking for a memorable extended weekend.

Bucket-List Road Trips

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona — Approximately 12 to 13 hours.

A classic American road trip that rewards visitors with one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada — Around 12 hours.

Just outside Las Vegas, this conservation area delivers spectacular desert scenery and world-class hiking.

Yosemite National Park, California — More than 17 hours.

While usually better suited for a fly-and-drive vacation, Yosemite remains one of America’s premier national parks.

Other destinations recognized by Travel + Leisure, including Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana and Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest, also make excellent extended road-trip destinations from Colorado.

Many of the East Coast and Pacific destinations featured on the list—including Acadia National Park, the Outer Banks, the Everglades, and Hawaii’s Nā Pali Coast—are better suited for air travel. For Boulder residents, however, the greatest value lies in the remarkable collection of scenic destinations scattered throughout the Mountain West.

Why This Matters for Boulder

Living in Boulder means having Rocky Mountain National Park practically next door. But Travel + Leisure’s selection is a reminder that Colorado’s beauty isn’t limited to alpine lakes and towering peaks.

Garden of the Gods offers something completely different. Its brilliant red rock formations, wide-open vistas, and stunning views of Pikes Peak create an experience unlike anywhere else in the state.

Whether you’ve visited once or dozens of times, it’s worth seeing through fresh eyes. National recognition has a way of reminding us not to overlook the extraordinary places close to home.

The next time you’re looking for an easy escape from Boulder, point your car south. According to Travel + Leisure, Colorado’s most beautiful place is just about two hours away—and it’s waiting with free admission, unforgettable scenery, and one of the most iconic landscapes in the American West.

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