Parks Manager

National parks near La Plata County, Colorado

The closest national park to La Plata County, Colorado is Mesa Verde National Park — about 36 mi (58 km) away, or roughly 1 hr 14 min of driving.

2 parks are close enough to do as a day trip: Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

National parks near La Plata County

Parks ranked by distance from La Plata County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Mesa Verde National Park36 mi (58 km)1 hr 14 minDoable as a day trip
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park90.1 mi (145 km)2 hr 35 minDoable as a day trip
Great Sand Dunes National Park131 mi (210 km)3 hr 33 minBest as a weekend
Canyonlands National Park131 mi (211 km)3 hr 33 minBest as a weekend
Arches National Park135 mi (218 km)3 hr 39 minBest as a weekend
Capitol Reef National Park193 mi (310 km)5 hr 1 minBest as a weekend
Petrified Forest National Park196 mi (316 km)5 hr 6 minBest as a weekend
Bryce Canyon National Park239 mi (384 km)6 hr 6 minWorth a longer road trip
Rocky Mountain National Park242 mi (390 km)6 hr 11 minWorth a longer road trip
Grand Canyon National Park252 mi (406 km)6 hr 26 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in La Plata County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to La Plata County?

Mesa Verde National Park, about 36 mi (58 km) away and roughly 1 hr 14 min of driving.

Which national parks can I visit from La Plata County in a day?

Mesa Verde National Park and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park — all within about three hours' drive.