Parks Manager

National parks near Rio Grande County, Colorado

The closest national park to Rio Grande County, Colorado is Great Sand Dunes National Park — about 37.9 mi (61.1 km) away, or roughly 1 hr 17 min of driving.

2 parks are close enough to do as a day trip: Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

National parks near Rio Grande County

Parks ranked by distance from Rio Grande County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Great Sand Dunes National Park37.9 mi (61.1 km)1 hr 17 minDoable as a day trip
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park106 mi (171 km)2 hr 58 minDoable as a day trip
Mesa Verde National Park129 mi (207 km)3 hr 30 minBest as a weekend
Rocky Mountain National Park191 mi (307 km)4 hr 58 minBest as a weekend
Arches National Park197 mi (318 km)5 hr 7 minBest as a weekend
Canyonlands National Park207 mi (333 km)5 hr 21 minBest as a weekend
Petrified Forest National Park274 mi (440 km)6 hr 55 minWorth a longer road trip
Capitol Reef National Park274 mi (441 km)6 hr 56 minWorth a longer road trip
Bryce Canyon National Park327 mi (526 km)8 hr 12 minWorth a longer road trip
White Sands National Park334 mi (537 km)8 hr 21 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Rio Grande County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Rio Grande County?

Great Sand Dunes National Park, about 37.9 mi (61.1 km) away and roughly 1 hr 17 min of driving.

Which national parks can I visit from Rio Grande County in a day?

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park — all within about three hours' drive.