2021-12-03 11:05:08
Colorado’s National Heritage Areas show off the natural beauty and Western history our state is known for and represent Colorado’s many contributions to the nation’s diverse heritage. Cache La Poudre River National Heritage Area 40 Miles Walk or bike the Poudre River Trail, a 31-mile paved path along the river from Greeley to Windsor. Investigate the region’s history at the Centennial Village Museum. Explore Arapaho Bend Natural Area near Fort Collins to see the ruins of the historic Strauss Cabin, one of the earliest log cabins in the area. Tour the 1883 Water Works, which housed the area’s first pump houses. Look for our state mammal — the bighorn sheep — on the Cache la Poudre – North Park scenic byway, which runs between Fort Collins, through Bellvue and on west to Walden. Embrace your wild side at Lory State Park, outside Bellvue, where rocky hills and emerald valleys supply a paradise for backcountry lovers. South Park National Heritage Area 26 Miles The highest incorporated town in the U.S., Alma tells the stories of South Park’s past in its cemetery. Slumber in Roberts Cabin in Como, a primitive structure dating to the town’s 1880s railroad era. Tucked into the base of Boreas Pass, it provides unparalleled Front Range views. Stroll down Fairplay’s Front and Main streets — historic storefronts house intimate galleries, shops and restaurants. The South Park City Museum has more than 40 buildings filled with period furnishings and equipment. Sangre De Cristo National Heritage Area 142 Miles Hop on the Los Caminos Antiguos byway to travel through the center of the San Luis Valley to the summit of breath-stealing La Manga Pass. Sandboard down the tallest dunes on the continent at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Continue to San Luis State Wildlife Area, where you can experience a Colorado desert ecosystem. Spot sandhill cranes at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge near Alamosa. Learn about Colorado’s oldest continuous residents, the Utes, at the San Luis Valley Museum and see the state’s oldest city in San Luis. Then climb aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, an 1880 narrow-gauge line with daily rides. Want More? COLORADO.COM/NHA
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