With mountains covering about two-thirds of its area, Colorado is aptly nicknamed “The Rocky Mountain State.”
Some of the more than 1,000 mountain peaks in the state are particularly stunning and iconic, though, and all on this list are must-sees during your visits to Colorado. Most of these are easily viewed from roads, but some require a day hike or even a one-nighter of backpacking.
Longs Peak
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If you’re in the northern or eastern parts of the Denver area, you can’t help but see Longs Peak, which dominates the western skyline. It’s the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park, and there are great views of it from Bear Lake Road and Trail Ridge Road within the park. Don’t miss the view from the eastern side outside the park; you’ll see the Diamond, a sheer 1000’ face that climbers call the “El Capitan of Colorado.”
Petit Grepon
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This one isn’t visible from roads, but you can get to an outstanding view of it by hiking about 5 miles up Glacier Gorge to an alpine tarn called Sky Pond. There, this tall, narrow spire rises directly above the lake, and it’s considered one of the classic climbing objectives in North America. Close by is the Sharkstooth, also no slouch.
Mt. Toll
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Mt. Toll is in the Indian Peaks Wilderness just south of Rocky Mountain National Park. Its neighbors are higher, making it hard to really appreciate from roadside viewpoints, but a moderate hike of about three miles from the Brainerd Lake Recreation Area to Blue Lake arrives at a perfect view of this classically shaped peak.
Lone Eagle Peak
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Also in the Indian Peaks, this elegant spire is deep in the wilderness, and the classic view is from Mirror Lake, which on calm days perfectly reflects the peak. You can do this as a long out-and-back day hike, but it means a steep climb to and over the Continental Divide both ways, so most prefer to make a backpacking trip.
The Maroon Bells
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The world-famous Maroon Bells, also known as the Deadly Bells because of their treacherous rock quality, are really one huge mountain, but the summits are distinctive enough that most consider them separate peaks. These beauties are easily seen from drive-up Maroon Lake outside Aspen.
Mt. Massive
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This peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado’s highest, is near Leadville. Once you see it, you’ll understand the name. Just south of it and also easily seen from roads is Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado and in all of the Rockies proper.
Ice Mountain
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Also a Sawatch Range, spectacular Ice Mountain is one of a group of Continental Divide peaks called the Three Apostles. A truly impressive peak, it’s best viewed from outside the car at the historic mining town of Winfield. Or do a day hike into the wilderness by starting from nearby South Winfield Trailhead and get really close.
Wilson Peak
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Wilson Peak has long been recognized as a beauty, but it became culturally iconic when Coors Light used it as its logo. Many people climbing this peak even pack a Silver Bullet to celebrate with at the summit. For those not tackling its steep slopes and exposed ridges, there are good views of it from the highway near Telluride.
Mt. Sneffels
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From Telluride the area, the same highway continues north and east to Ridgway. At Dallas Divide, there is a stunning view of Sneffels, one of the beauties of the San Juan Mountains, which also includes Wilson and the next two peaks. An even better perspective of Sneffels is from the upper end of Yankee Boy Basin, accessible by four-wheel drive starting near Ouray.
Wetterhorn Peak
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Named for its similarity to the more famous Wetterhorn in the Alps, Wetterhorn Peak is sometimes described as a “sore thumb” because of the way it sticks out. You can see it and the next peak here from some roadside vistas, but it’s much better to drive the Alpine Loop out of Lake City and access a trailhead mostly used by climbers bent on these peaks’ summits. If you have four-wheel drive, you can reach an upper trailhead and shave off some hiking time and distance.
Uncompahgre Peak
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Close to Wetterhorn Peak, massive Uncompahgre Peak is the highest in the San Juans. Although it looks imposing from below, the standard route up it is just a hike, though a strenuous one, and it’s less challenging than Wetterhorn, which requires some exposed scrambling.
The Crestones
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Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle are among the standouts of southern Colorado’s Sangre De Cristo Range, which extends into New Mexico. There are a number of places in the valleys east and west to see these peaks, but to really get a sense of their majesty, hike to South Colony Lakes near Westcliffe. You can reach the lower trailhead with most cars, but four-wheel drive and high clearance can get you to the upper trailhead. Warning: that stretch has long been considered one of the roughest roads in the state.
Mt. Garfield
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Garfield differs from the others here because it’s not an alpine peak. Instead, it’s a colorful summit that’s part of a region of cliffs and badlands called the Book Cliffs. It’s easily seen from downtown Grand Junction and nearby Colorado National Monument, and Interstate 70 goes literally right past it. A steep, loose trail winds up its slopes to the summit plateau, and then it’s an easy hike to the actual summit.
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