If it is natural wonders that you're looking for, then look no further than Colorado.

The state is home to four National Parks, six National Monuments and 25 Scenic Byways, boasting over 18 million square acres of reserved lands that offer visitors an opportunity not only to explore Colorado's natural scenic beauty, but to discover its well-preserved native dwellings.

Rocky Mountain National Park is the largest of Colorado's national parks and is located one and a half hours from Denver, situated in the backyard of Estes Park, a unique town of boutique shops, outdoor adventure and wildlife galore. Within the park and the surrounding area, travellers can view wildlife that includes elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, and hawks.

About an hour and a half from Grand Junction, Colorado, visitors will find the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This park's landscape was formed slowly by the action of water and rock scouring down through hard black rock. No other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths offered by the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Visitors can experience the canyon by hiking or driving or for those extreme adventure-seekers; rock climbing is also a common activity.

Tucked in the southwest corner of the state is the world's only man-made national park, Mesa Verde National Park. Its location makes it an ideal stop on a circle itinerary from Denver.

Visitors to Mesa Verde are shocked at the almost perfect preservation of ancient cliff dwellings that remained home to Ancestral Pueblo people for more than 700 years. Today, the park protects over 4,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. Ranger-guided tours are offered seasonally, and provide visitors with the opportunity to hike into and experience Ancestral Puebloan sites.

In 2004, Congress named Colorado's most recent national park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve located 30 minutes from the city of Alamosa. This park remains one of the most amazing phenomena experienced in Colorado. The Great Sand Dunes of Colorado stand 700-800 feet in height making them the tallest sand dunes in North America. The dunes sit at the base of the Rocky Mountains, which provide a fresh stream of water to cool your feet after a long hike in the sand. Whether hiking, sliding, exploring in a dunes wheelchair - or simply playing - the Great Sand Dunes are a unique wilderness area protected for all to enjoy.

For more on Colorado and its national parks visit www.colorado.com.

Colorado Caption: The cliff dwellings (Cliff Palace) at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.