There’s apparently no end to the accolades for Southwest Colorado.

Now, it’s the selection by Country magazine of Mesa Verde National Park as one of the top 10 hidden gems among parks nationally.

The June/July issue of Country picks 10 parks but makes no numerical ranking. Its photographers were given three parameters: The parks had to be open to the public, not among the 100 most-visited national parks and be beautiful.

Robin Hoffman, editor of Country, said:

“Mesa Verde is so far off the beaten path, it is hidden in plain sight.”

The other national treasures recognized this year are Chugach National Forest in Alaska, Myakka River State Park in Florida, Makoshika State Park in Montana, Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, Baxter State Park in Maine, Red River Gorge Geographical Area in Kentucky, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California.

Herald Staff