It's no secret that Colorado is a state that's jam-packed with amazing outdoor spaces. With the Rocky Mountains running through the state, four national parks—Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park—and a culture of climbing 14ers on the weekends, Colorado locals are spoiled for choice when it comes to exploring the great outdoors.

However, Colorado's national parks can get busy and crowded, especially in the summer months. That being said, some of Colorado's state parks are arguably better than their national park counterparts . One such state park lies just a 45-minute drive away from the heart of Denver, and it's stacked with world-class adventures.

This state park is Staunto

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