American Basin in southern Colorado's San Juan Mountains

© Blaine Harrington III/Alam

High alpine colour in Colorado

Songstress Dolly Parton once sang ‘wildflowers don’t care where they grow,’ but we gotta believe the wildflowers growing in Colorado’s American Basin, shown here, are pretty delighted with their surroundings. American Basin is in the San Juan Mountains in the southern part of the state, about a five-hour drive from Denver. Visitors here will find rocky cliffs, streams, unique rock formations, and some spectacular wildflowers. July and August are the best time to see the blooms—it's the time of year when you'll reliably spot the Rocky Mountain columbine (Colorado's state flower), elephant’s head, Parry’s primrose, and marsh marigold. Bring us back a bouquet, all right?