10 Visitor Centers in Colorado That You Shouldn't Miss

February 12, 2022 Harland Bartelt

Colorado is home to no less than twenty-six ski resorts such as those in Vail and Breckenridge; other winter activities include snowboarding, sledding, sleigh rides, snow hiking and snowmobiling. The state is blessed with national parks, grasslands and forests where in warmer weather you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking or rock climbing. Wildlife abounds, from bears to moose and raccoons to wolverines. More interested in local history? Head for either the Ute Indian Museum or the Koshare Indian Museum, and don't miss the forts such as Fort Garland and Bent's Old Fort. For a complete change, why not take a ride in a hot air balloon from South Park Valley or Boulder and admire Colorado's picturesque landscape from above?
Restaurants in Colorado

1. Colorado Welcome Center

109 E Beech St, Lamar, CO 81052-2875 +1 719-336-3483 [email protected] http://www.colorado.com/colorado-official-state-welcome-center/colorado-welcome-center-lamar
Excellent
93%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

Colorado Welcome Center

Reviewed By IndianaSuemom

We’ve done a lot of traveling by car all over the USA and gone into lots of Welcome Centers. This one is by far the best one ever. We were greeted by three wonderful volunteers who were very friendly and very knowledgeable. They explained that they get really good training and it seems to have paid off. They recommended several stops for us on our way the Great Sand Dunes National Park and then even on the rest of our journey through Colorado. Don’t miss this stop if you are anywhere near Lamar, Colorado. Thanks ladies!!

2. Trinidad Welcome Center

309 Nevada Ave, Trinidad, CO 81082-2557 +1 719-846-9512 https://www.trinidad.co.gov/colorado-welcome-center
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Trinidad Welcome Center

Reviewed By Buffer2014 - Colorado Springs, United States

The two volunteers at the welcome center when we visited were FULL of information on the area. They were eager to help and answer any and all questions. The were very animated and truly loved being there to assist.

3. Winter Park Visitor Center

78841 US Highway 40, Winter Park, CO 80482 +1 970-726-4118 http://playwinterpark.com/
Excellent
64%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 101 reviews

Winter Park Visitor Center

Offers information on area tours and trails.

4. Black Canyon Visitor Center

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, CO +1 970-641-2337 http://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 191 reviews

Black Canyon Visitor Center

Excellent information in a wonderful log building.

Reviewed By J9300DBsuel

This visitor center had good clean bathrooms (always a plus), helpful staff especially for first time visitors like us, and a variety of things you could purchase. A good start for your visit.

5. Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association Visitor Center

125 Anglers Dr, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487-8881 +1 970-879-0880 [email protected] https://www.steamboatchamber.com/
Excellent
72%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association Visitor Center

The Steamboat Springs Visitor Center is open year round to provide visitors with the most current information on happenings and things to do in the Steamboat Springs, CO region. Please stop by to say hello to our friendly staff. We would love to provide you with all the information you need to have the most enjoyable visit to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Visitor Center hours of operation are Monday - Saturday in the winter and every day from Memorial Day through September in the summer. The Visitor Center can also provide you with state park passes, trail maps, city maps, and the classic Chamber Buck. We look forward to seeing you on your visit!

6. Alpine Visitor Center

Trail Ridge Rd., Rocky Mountain National Park, CO +1 970-586-1206 https://www.nps.gov/romo/alpine_visitor_center.htm
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 565 reviews

Alpine Visitor Center

Reviewed By kalyan_peri - Bridgewater, United States

While driving along the Trail Ridge Road you reach the Alpine Visitor Center at about halfway point (exact distance depends on on which direction you are driving from). We drove from Estes Park to Grand Lake and this made a great pit-stop for grabbing lunch, strolling around the visitor center and hiking up to the top! Yes, it will be very crowded during the peak summer months specifically because there are no other spots to grab food along the road. But, it is a great stop over during your day-long drive along the Trail Ridge Road After grabbing a quick lunch, there is a nice little hiking trail to the summit - called "Hike to the Top". It is a paved path with an approx elevation gain for additional 300+ feet. Please be prepared for unpredictable weather (it could suddenly very windy or it could suddenly rain) Once you get to the top, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the entire area

7. Cripple Creek Heritage and Information Center

9283 S. Highway 67 Hours, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 +1 877-858-4653 https://visitcripplecreek.com/attractions/cripple-creek-heritage-information-center/
Excellent
70%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 207 reviews

Cripple Creek Heritage and Information Center

Reviewed By TravelTeachN2833ER - Mount Vernon, United States

I highly recommend that you make this your first stop in Cripple Creek. There is a great museum that gives a thorough history of Cripple Creek and the gold rush. The upper floor has fossils and a stegosaurus model, so kids would love that. The person at the desk was friendly and SO helpful. She recommended activities that she thought we would enjoy based on our interests and marked them out on a map. And this is all free!

8. Grand Lake Visitor Center

Corner of West Portal Road and Highway 34, Grand Lake, CO 80447 +1 970-627-3402 http://www.grandlakechamber.com
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 62 reviews

Grand Lake Visitor Center

Grand Lake, Colorado awaits you... a historic mountain town in the heart of the Colorado Rockies and the Western Gateway to majestic Rocky Mountain National Park. Nestled below craggy, snowcapped mountain peaks, this charming village is just one mile from the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Visit one of the 60 shops, restaurants and galleries on the historic western boardwalk, or create your own outdoor adventure. Come for the day, or make this your next Colorado mountain vacation destination!

Reviewed By teenakay51 - Muscle Shoals, United States

This was our first stop in Grand Lake. We received great information. She recommended a place for lunch, a waterfall hike, where to go in RMNP for short hikes, gave us maps, and even highlighted our choices for us!

9. Colorado Welcome Center-Cortez

928 E Main St, Cortez, CO 81321-3325 +1 970-565-4048 [email protected] https://www.colorado.com/colorado-official-state-welcome-center/colorado-welcome-center-cortez
Excellent
71%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 255 reviews

Colorado Welcome Center-Cortez

The Cortez Welcome Center is open! Come see us! Need some fresh air? This is the place to do it! Pick up brochures on hiking the Canyon of the Ancients, visiting Mesa Verde National Park or Hovenweep! We have great information for you to bike through Phil's World, and fish McPhee Reservoir or the Dolores River! Cortez is centrally located near the Four Corners, so it's a great place to stay while you venture out to other sights in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona! Our restaurants are open and the weather is great! The health and safety of our visitors is important to us, and we strive to ensure our Welcome Center is clean and that you feel comfortable visiting our facility.

Reviewed By Rdode1omaha - Omaha, United States

The film was excellent as was the multiple displays in the museum. Ranger was very helpful. Well worth the stop.

10. Heritage Visitor Center

2060 Miner St, Idaho Springs, CO 80452-5101 +1 303-567-4382 http://visitidahospringscolorado.com/
Excellent
48%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Heritage Visitor Center

Reviewed By RICART75 - Peru, United States

This is a wonderful Visitors Center; offering a wealth of information, and an excellent way to orient oneself to Idaho Springs. The museum area is well conceived; providing an engaging overview of the early inhabitants (the Ute), and the mining operations to follow. The exhibits are interesting and nicely designed. The Visitor's Center staff were friendly and informative. There is a decent amount of written materials from which to choose; as well as postcards, souvenirs, etc. The facility is well maintained, and the restrooms are clean. This is a great place to begin ones visit to the area.

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