It's no secret that the state of Colorado is home to some of the most amazing examples of natural beauty you can find. Because of this, outdoors enthusiasts are often found to be avid hikers and the state has no shortage of gorgeous hikes.

Read More: Hike to Lesser-Known 14er is One of the Most Magical in Colorado |

One absolutely stunning example of Colorado's natural beauty offers hiking, rock climbing, and some of the most magnificent views around, although it wasn't always open to the public.

Keep scrolling to learn about Staunton State Park.

Colorado's Staunton State Park

Located high in the Rockies between Morrison and Bailey, Colorado, before becoming a hiker's paradise, Staunton State Park was a privately owned homestead.

The park's namesake, Frances Staunton, donated the original 1,720-acre slice of heaven to the state of Colorado on the condition that it "be preserved in perpetuity, for public benefit, as a natural wilderness-type park... typifying Colorado's most beautiful mountain forest and meadow region."

Staunton State Park has a little bit of everything when it comes to Colorado's signature natural beauty including waterfalls, rock formations, wooded areas, bodies of water, wildflowers, and much more.

Not to mention, the park allows for some of the most spectacular views you can find.

While the original park was 1,720 acres in area, additional donations and expansions over the years have increased Staunton State Park to the whopping 3,908 acres that it is today.

Keep scrolling to take a virtual tour of Colorado's gorgeous Staunton State Park:

Former Colorado Homestead Turned State Park is a Hiker’s Paradise

Take a look around Staunton State Park, a former homestead that was donated to the state of Colorado.

Gallery Credit: Nate Wilde

Difficult Hike Leads to Beautiful Colorado Lake + Scenery

An advanced hike leads up to an absolutely gorgeous lake surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery Colorado has to offer.

Gallery Credit: Nate Wilde

LOOK: Beautiful Colorado Hike Leads to Mica Mine

Just outside of Grand Junction, Colorado are plenty of great places to hike including one that leads to a mica mine.

Gallery Credit: Nate Wilde