UFOs, Ghosts, and Cryptids: Paranormal Colorado
Just east of Colorado Springs, the curious can visit the Manitou Springs Heritage Center to glimpse artifacts and local lore that frame the town’s reputation as a hotspot for supernatural tales. Manitou Springs, nestled against the foothills of Pikes Peak about 70 miles south of Denver, has drawn seekers of the strange for well over a century. The Heritage Center offers exhibits that touch on the area’s healing mineral springs, believed by early visitors to have mystical properties, and shares stories of unexplained phenomena reported by residents and visitors alike. Walking through Manitou’s quaint downtown, visitors can soak in an old-west ambiance peppered with shops selling crystals and curios, making it a charming starting point for those intrigued by Colorado’s paranormal side.
Head west about 40 miles from Denver to the town of Golden, where the Colorado Railroad Museum holds a special place in ghost-hunting circles. The museum’s historic locomotives and vintage railcars provide a backdrop for tales of spectral conductors and mysterious sounds echoing through the railyard. Guests can stroll the museum grounds, which cover 15 acres, and explore the restored steam engines and cabooses. The blend of industrial history with alleged hauntings gives this place a unique atmosphere, combining tangible artifacts with intangible stories. Evening visits during the late fall, when the crisp air and early darkness enhance the spine-tingling vibe, make the museum especially appealing to those chasing ghostly encounters.
Further north, near the Wyoming border, the Pawnee National Grassland offers a different type of supernatural intrigue. About 90 miles northeast of Fort Collins, this expanse of open prairie has been the backdrop for numerous UFO sightings over the decades. Visitors can take the Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Byway, a 55-mile loop that winds through the grasslands’ rolling hills and vast skies. The wide-open landscape, with its minimal light pollution, makes it an ideal spot for stargazing and hoping for a glimpse of unexplained lights. Hiking a segment of the Cimarron National Grassland Trail during clear summer nights adds to the chance of experiencing the eerie quiet and perhaps an encounter with the unknown that sets this region apart.
In the heart of the San Juan Mountains, about 30 miles south of Durango, lies the mining ghost town of Animas Forks. Accessible via the scenic Alpine Loop, this abandoned settlement sits high at over 11,000 feet elevation and is a magnet for paranormal enthusiasts drawn to its eerie silence and weather-beaten ruins. Exploring the crumbling wooden buildings and old mine shafts along the Animas Forks Trail, visitors can imagine the lives of miners who once braved these harsh conditions. The town’s reputation for ghost sightings and unexplained footsteps amplifies the haunting atmosphere. Visiting in late summer when wildflowers bloom against the stark backdrop creates a surreal contrast, blending beauty with the spectral past.
A short drive from Boulder, the Rocky Mountain National Park features not only stunning alpine scenery but also legends of mysterious creatures roaming its dense forests. The park lies about 70 miles northwest of Denver and offers numerous trails, but the Cub Lake Trail is a great moderate route of about 4.6 miles round-trip that leads hikers through aspen groves to a tranquil lake framed by mountain peaks. Local folklore speaks of Bigfoot-like creatures in the area, adding an extra layer of mystery to the natural beauty. Early fall, when the aspens turn golden, lends a magical quality to the hike, heightening the sense of stepping into a realm where nature and legend intertwine.
Near the small town of Trinidad, about 160 miles south of Denver, the Trinidad History Museum holds artifacts and exhibits chronicling the region’s rich past, including stories of the haunted La Veta Pass and other spooky sites along the Santa Fe Trail. The museum’s blend of frontier history and ghost stories reveals the lingering shadows of violent conflicts and tragic events in southern Colorado’s mining and railroad era. Walking through the museum’s galleries allows visitors to connect with the human dramas that fuel local ghost tales. Visiting during the fall harvest season, when the air is crisp and twilight comes early, adds to the atmosphere of stepping back into a time thick with mystery.
Finally, for those fascinated by cryptids and strange phenomena, the small town of Estes Park, gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and about 70 miles northwest of Denver, sits near the site of the legendary “Grassman” sightings—Colorado’s own Bigfoot stories. The Estes Park Memorial Observatory offers night sky programs that, on clear evenings, reveal the stars and planets with remarkable clarity. After stargazing, visitors often share tales of mysterious footprints and eerie calls heard in the surrounding forests. The blend of scientific observation with local folklore makes Estes Park a compelling destination for those eager to explore the boundaries between known and unknown. Visiting in summer, when the weather is mild and the skies are often clear, enhances the chances of a memorable encounter with both nature and legend.