Denver is the ideal base from which to explore Colorado. While it’s not as centrally placed as Aspen, it has excellent transport links, making it perfect for day trips to some of the state’s best sites.
If you’re planning a trip to Colorado and aren’t sure what to see or do, here are ten of the best day trips within a couple of hours’ drive of Denver:
Match your vehicle to the drive
Colorado has some very varied driving terrain. Depending on the direction you take from Denver, you could find yourself travelling up winding mountain roads, high, flat plains, or a bumpy and unpaved mix of mountains and desert. So, it’s a good idea to pick a vehicle that matches your planned drive.
If your own vehicle is likely to struggle with the sometimes complex driving conditions of Colorado, it’s a good idea to rent a more suitable car. This needn’t add any detours or complexity to your journey, you can easily get a Denver airport car rental and hit the road as soon as you’re through Arrivals.
10 easy day trips from Denver
Now, let’s get into 10 easy, scenic, and action-packed day trips an easy drive from Denver:
Boulder
Boulder blends college-town sophistication with small-town charm. Pearl Street Mall is great for exploring, with entertainment in the form of buskers and quirky boutiques lining the walkway. There’s also plenty of Gold Rush heritage to see if you’re into history. If hikes and views are more your thing, Chautauqua Park offers spectacular views of the iconic Flatirons.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Red Rocks Amphitheater is a venue carved entirely out of sandstone. It’s world-famous for hosting incredible concert experiences, so check the upcoming events when planning your trip. But even if you don’t catch a show, there’s still plenty to see and do here. The park surrounding the amphitheater has some gorgeous hiking trails, and the photo opportunities here are hard to beat.
Rocky Mountains National Park
Everyone’s heard of the Rocky Mountains. They’re the jewel in Colorado’s crown. Rocky Mountains National Park is roughly a two-hour drive from Denver, and you can easily fit in a lot of the park’s must-sees in a day trip. The Rocky Mountains’ scenery is breathtaking, with waterfalls, forests, and soaring mountain views. Stop for a hike or, if you’re traveling alone and prefer to stay in the car, simply drive along the Trail Ridge Road and drink it all in.
Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods
Colorado Springs is about 70 miles south of Denver. This area is known as the ‘Garden of the Gods’ for its incredible red sandstone formations and the backdrop of snowy mountain peaks. When people think ‘Colorado landscape’, this is what springs to mind.
Golden and Lookout Mountain
The inventively named ‘Golden’ was founded during the Gold Rush, and there’s still plenty of Old West heritage to appreciate here, including the Buffalo Bill Museum. This is also the home of the Coors Brewery, for the beer lovers in your party.
As with most places in Colorado, there’s plenty of stunning scenery to enjoy here. Golden itself has plenty of winding riverside trails, and Lookout Mountain is just a short drive away. The views from Lookout Mountain give wide, sweeping views of the plains below.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway
Mount Evans Scenic Byway is one of the highest paved roads in North America. The route begins in Idaho Springs and climbs over 14,000 feet (your ears will pop!). On the way, it passes alpine meadows complete with herds of goats, gleaming mountain lakes, lush forests, and incredible views over Colorado.
One important note: this route is often closed in spring and winter due to snow, and it can be a difficult drive in bad weather. Stay safe, especially if you’re driving alone, and check driving conditions before you set out.
Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs is about 45 minutes from Denver and has plenty to offer adventurous families. There’s the Argo Mill and Tunnel, where you can pan for gold and learn about the town’s history. Then, if you feel like some geothermal pampering, you can soak in the hot springs the town is named for, and relax in the thermal caves.
Georgetown and the historic loop railroad
Georgetown is like a little piece of Victorian England, just an hour west of Denver. It’s tucked into a narrow mountain valley, which has protected its 19th-century architecture from the Colorado elements. Here, you can take the Georgetown Loop Railroad through old mining country, and steep yourself in old-timey nostalgia.
Evergreen
Evergreen is the perfect place to get some peace and quiet. Evergreen Lake is beautiful, and Evergreen Village has plenty of small-town charm. During the winter, the lake becomes an enormous outdoor skating rink, and the village is decked out in pretty festive lights.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge is a former mining town that has reinvented itself as a ski resort. It’s just two hours from Denver, and offers plenty to do all year round. During the summer you can enjoy mountain biking and hiking, while winter brings the skiers and plenty of apres ski in the town. Breckenridge also has art galleries, boutique shopping, cosy bistros, and lively bars, so there’s something for everyone here.
There’s always more to see in Colorado
We’ve barely scratched the surface here. Colorado is one of the most heritage-rich, naturally stunning, and tourist-welcoming places in the USA. No matter how many day trips you take and how much you pack into your Denver trip, there’s always more to see. So don’t pressure yourself to ‘see it all’ – you can’t! Savor your time in Colorado, and put the stuff you didn’t get around to on the itinerary for your next visit.
