2023-12-08 10:57:20
Can’t decide which of the quirkiest, coolest Colorado roadside attractions to discover first? Take our quiz to find out which best suits your vacation style! On your ideal road trip, do you want to encounter: Sasquatch Outpost The magic begins once you see the 10-foot-tall mural of Sasquatch — also known as Bigfoot — on the side of this building. Home to many life-sized statues of the ape-like creature, Sasquatch Outpost in Bailey is the perfect place for any conspiracy enthusiast to muse about truth and legend. Submit your own encounters with Bigfoot for the chance to be featured in the museum. Grab a shirt, mug or sticker, learn more about the history of this mysterious fellow and purchase some camping supplies for your next trip to discover Sasquatch. UFO Watchtower Looking for an extraterrestrial experience? This proclaimed alien-activity hotspot in Hooper has you covered. The blue alien holding the American flag will signal that you’ve found the viewing platform and eclectic collection of offerings for space beings. Curated by UFO-devotee Judy Messoline, the platform is ideal for encountering the wonders of space. Camp out in the gentle slopes of the San Luis Valley and keep an eye out for flying saucers amid glittering Milky Way constellations. Junkrassic Park Adorned with hand-painted art welded from discarded farming equipment like tractor parts and grain augers, Cheraw’s Junkrassic Park is a crafty sculpture yard that turns rubbish into rubies. In 1990, retired farmer Johnnie Allen began creating more than 80 marvelous models. Walk through the tall grass to see his unorthodox renditions of bears, giraffes, dinosaurs, Lady Liberty, football players, aircraft and more. Tiny Town & Railroad Tucked in the sleepy hills of Morrison, this is a small-scale town with a big personality. Originally built by George Turner to entertain his daughter in 1915, Tiny Town has grown into a locally loved landmark with its detailed buildings, traffic signs and petite train set — hop on board for a short ride around the little laundromat, jail and opera house. Stop by the giftshop or slurp a vanilla ice-cream cone while even the kiddos peek over these small streets. Petrified Wood Gas Station Despite the resemblance to massive piles of campfire wood, this gas station in Lamar is more than meets the eye. Don’t be fooled by its hard-rock texture, either. Fashioned in 1932 by William “Bill” Brown, this structure is composed entirely of petrified wood dating back 175 million years. Although no longer operating as a gas station, this prehistoric construction is a must-visit spectacle that doubles as a used-auto dealership. Bishop Castle From towering stone spires and winding iron staircases to elaborate archways and vaulted windows, Bishop Castle is a medieval display in modern-day Rye. Jim Bishop started building this artful feat of architecture himself in 1969 and encourages visitors to safely tour its great halls and platforms. Look up and you’ll see the castle’s metal-scaled dragon, its fanged mouth open in a mighty roar. And the castle isn’t the only view — from its heights, gaze upon Rye’s rolling pine-tree-laden knolls. Want more? Colorado.com/QuirkyRoadside
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