Travel Channel 

The Colorado River runs through the very heart of the American West and carves its way through some of the country's most famous landmarks. We're letting the mighty Colorado guide us through the best of the Western national parks.

Rocky Mountain National Park
The Colorado River's 1,400-mile journey traverses five states and six national parks and recreation areas, but here at Rocky Mountain National Park is where its epic journey begins. The park is made up of hundreds of snow-capped peaks, 60 of which are more than 12,000 feet high -- that's two miles straight up.

Must-See List
-- Trail Ridge Road, nicknamed the "highway to the sky," is the park's most heavily traveled scenic drive. The road covers 48 miles between Estes Park on the east side and Grand Lake on the west. Eleven miles of the highway are located above the treeline; at 11,500 feet the park's evergreen forests come to a halt. The road's highest point is at 12,183 feet, and it offers thrilling views and wildlife sightings all from the comfort of your car.

-- To see more of the park, tap into the eco-friendly shuttle bus routes. A free service provided by the park, it enables you to access many loop hikes along Bear Lake Road without worrying about limited parking or traffic.

-- If you're visiting the park in the winter, there are plenty of family-friendly winter activities. Sledding, snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing are all available, weather permitting.

Canyonlands National Park
Over aeons, the force of the Colorado River has carved some of the deepest gorges on Earth. The place to find some of the most bizarre rock formations is Canyonlands National Park in the southeast corner of Utah. The mighty Colorado and its tributaries have divided the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves.

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-- Located in the Maze is Horseshoe Canyon, home to some of the most significant rock art in North America. The Great Gallery, the best-known panel of the canyon, includes well-preserved, life-sized figures with intricate designs. Added to the park in 1971, Horseshoe Canyon is a beautiful natural setting and a historical gateway.

-- The Island in the Sky portion of the park is the most heavily visited, and that's due to the breathtaking views from the mesa. Every overlook offers a different awe-inspiring perspective on Canyonlands' unique landscape. It's the easiest portion of the park to reach if you're only going to be there a short while.

-- The Needles district encompasses the southeast corner of Canyonlands and earns its name for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone. At Needles, there are many opportunities for day hikes as well as overnight trips. Four-wheel-drive roads and foot trails lead to spectacles like Tower Ruin, Confluence Overlook and Elephant Hill. Even if you've never been to Canyonlands before, many of these sites will seem familiar as they've captured the imaginations of photographers and filmmakers for years.

Arches National Park
Arches National Park is Canyonlands' neighbor. Within its boundaries you'll find over 2,000 preserved natural arches and other unusual rock formations. For those with an interest in geologic history, Arches offers a wealth of information -- for everyone else, it offers some of the most breathtaking vistas on American soil.

Must-See List
-- The icon for Arches National Park is the Delicate Arch and should not be missed during your visit here. The arch is visible from an easily walkable foot trail called the Delicate Arch Trail, starting at Wolfe Ranch.

-- If you only have a few hours and aren't up to hiking in the heat, take one of the many scenic drives showcasing the park's beauty. The Windows Section and Delicate Arch Viewpoint both offer stunning views.

-- For those with a thirst for knowledge, there are several ranger-led programs at the park that offer insight into the geologic history of the park. They are offered mid-March through October and can often fill up a day in advance, so be sure to make a reservation.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Glen Canyon NRA encompasses over 1.2 million acres, stretching from Lees Ferry, Arizona, to the orange cliffs of southern Utah. The main attraction, Lake Powell, offers a beautiful setting for water-based and backcountry recreation. Glen Canyon Dam, which formed Lake Powell, was the second dam to be constructed on the Colorado River. The first was the well-known Hoover Dam.

Must-See List
-- While at Glen Canyon, it would be hard to stay away from Lake Powell and the park's number-one activity: boating. Four marinas on Lake Powell are available to boaters, and there are boats to rent within the park. For a more intimate lake experience, visit one of the many spots for kayaking.

--For land-lovers, Glen Canyon offers some spectacular scenic drives. The Burr Trail offers views of the Henry Mountains, the colorful Waterpocket Fold, Red Circle Cliffs and Long Canyon. If you need to stretch your legs, many foot trails are available off the trail.

-- Learn a little more about the creation of Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon NRA in general by taking a guided tour of the Glen Canyon Dam.

Grand Canyon National Park
The greatest example of the Colorado River's power is the Grand Canyon. In the Grand Canyon National Park's rugged wilderness, the river drops almost 2,000 feet, providing the overwhelming force needed to carve the Grand Canyon.

Must-See List
-- This one's a no brainer -- the Grand Canyon. The Canyon was probably formed 5 or 6 million years ago, but the rock at the bottom is almost 2 billion years old -- that's roughly half the age of the Earth itself. An interesting way to view the canyon's majesty is from the Desert View Watchtower. Constructed in 1932, the tower is a replica of a prehistoric Indian tower and commands a magnificent view of the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert and the San Francisco peaks to the south.

-- The Bright Angel Trail is the park's most famous day-hike trail. It begins just west of the Bright Angel Lodge and offers hikes up to 12 miles long. It's a winding trail that drops nearly 5,000 feet from the canyon's South Rim to the river below. The parks warns that there are no easy trails into or out of the Grand Canyon, so make sure you're dressed properly, have plenty of water and are up for the challenge.

-- Experience the power of the Grand Canyon's creator by "running the Grand." There are several different types of river trips available in the park, ranging in length from half a day to almost a month long. River trips have become so popular that many guides recommend booking up to a year in advance.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area straddles the border of Arizona and Nevada and surrounds the Hoover Dam. The lake offers plenty of activities for boaters, swimmers, sunbathers and fishermen while the desert climate makes for great hiking, wildlife viewing and biking. The Hoover Dam holds back more than 9 trillion gallons of water creating Lake Mead, the park's main attraction and the largest man-made lake on the continent.

Must-See List
-- Located downstream of the Hoover Dam is Black Canyon. Billed as the best-kept secret of Lake Mead NRA, the canyon is home to both hot and cold springs. If you travel here via the Colorado, it's not about whitewater; the calm ride offers the chance to take in the beauty of the canyon and its rich wildlife.

-- Take a scenic drive through the park and wind through mountains, desert basins and canyons. On Lakeshore Scenic Drive and Northshore Road there are beautiful panoramic views of the lake. Continue on Northshore Road to view red boulders and stunning rock formations. The Pearce Ferry Road will guide you through a Joshua tree forest.

-- There are several ranger-led activities available both at Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Reservations are required for all hike programs, so make sure to plan ahead.