Monument, Colorado
The rugged landscape of the western states of America has long been central to the region’s reputation as the Wild West and the Garden of the Gods is a stunning example of this terrain. As the low, grassy plains around Denver give way to dense woodlands, a series of rock formations rise dramatically upwards. These phenomenal red rocks are the centerpieces of the 1,367-acre (553-hectare) Garden of the Gods park, a favorite destination for hikers, mountain bikers and other lovers of the great outdoors.