Last updated on November 3rd, 2023
Looking for the best Denver Day Trips? Here are the most exciting weekend trips from Denver.
Denver is a lot of fun, but it’d be a shame to go all that way and only stop in Denver. You’d be missing out on SO much.
And as someone who loves a good day trip, I’ve listed the best Denver day trips to explore while you’re in Colorado. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make it longer and embark on a whole Denver weekend trip!
You will learn all about fun spots like the Rocky Mountains National Park and Fort Collins.
After reading this post, you’ll know exactly where you want to spend your day trip from Denver.
This post is all about Denver day trips.
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Best Denver Day Trips
Rocky Mountain National Park
Distance from Denver: 1 hour & 30 minutes | ⭐ Recommended Tour: Rocky Mountain Day Tour from Denver
The Rocky Mountains is hands down one of the top Denver day trips. In just an hour & a half, you could be in an outdoor paradise. You can hike, go biking, white water rafting, and more.
Also, in downtown Estes Park, Rocky Mountain’s base camp, there are several restaurants, shops, breweries, and more to explore. So, after your time in the mountains, take a little break to enjoy the local shops.
Be sure to plan beforehand to figure out precisely what you want to do in the park, and make a day of it!
*Quick Tip: There is an admission rate to enter the Rocky Mountains & is only payable by credit or debit cards.
Roxborough State Park
Distance from Denver: 45 minutes
Just a hop, skip, and jump down the road from Denver is the Roxborough State Park. With almost 4000-acres of land, Roxborough State Park is another excellent spot for adventure travelers.
There are several hiking trails to see the red rock formations and bountiful wildlife. Popular trails in Roxborough include Fountail Valley Trail, Willow Creek Trail, and Carpenter Peak Trail, each ranging in difficulty.
This state park is perfect for enjoying a nice day out in nature.
*Quick Tip: Roxborough is mainly designed for foot traffic, so leave your bikes at home.
Boulder, Colorado
Distance from Denver: 36 minutes
Next on the list of Denver day trips is Boulder, Colorado. Boulder is the perfect blend of urban outdoors and is a must-visit city, especially if you’ve never been before.
This exciting city sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and is full of fun things to do. Shopping, admiring art, dining on delicious cuisine, and more.
For the perfect day trip, do a little everything. You’re only about 30 minutes outside Denver, so you can stay a little longer.
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Pikes Peak
Distance from Denver: 2 hours & 10 minutes | ⭐ Recommended Tour: Small Group Tour of Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is one of the best places to visit within 3 hours of Denver.
Yes, it is a bit of a drive, but it is DEFINITELY worth it. The views will take your breath away. And no, I’m not just saying that.
Besides seeing the GORGEOUS views, you can also hike and cycle. Or visit the wildlife in Colorado at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
*Quick Tips:
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- Admission tickets are required to enter, but they can easily be purchased online here or at the gateway when you arrive.
- Also, review these driving tips if you plan to drive up yourself! However, if you don’t want to drive up yourself, you can ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
Fort Collins
Distance from Denver: 1 hour & 10 minutes
Next on the list of Denver road trips is Fort Collins. This charming old town is the perfect place for a relaxing getaway.
Visitors often enjoy exploring the thriving art scene, listening to live music in the amphitheater, and doing outdoor recreational activities. And with so many outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, or riding in a hot air balloon, there is something for everyone.
This also makes Fort Collins a great place to bring the family.
Garden of Gods
Distance from Denver: 1 hour & 15 minutes | ⭐ Recommended Tour: Small Group Tour of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods from Denver
While I’m not sure why they call it the Garden of Gods (only One God created it), it is undoubtedly an exciting place for adventure seekers. Plus, it’s FREE!
Simply seeing the beautiful rocks of the Garden of Gods makes the journey worth the visit. However, if you want to spice up your trip, you can add some popular activities to your itinerary.
Here are the best things to do in the Garden of Gods:
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- Go rock climbing
- Take a Jeep tour
- Go on a segway tour
- Bike ride through the park
Red Rocks Park
Distance from Denver: 20 minutes
With the Red Rocks Park being so close to Denver, I wouldn’t really call it a day trip. Although, if you’re there to see a concert, it can quickly turn into a half-day trip.
However, the Red Rocks Amphitheater is quite impressive; this natural formation has existed for hundreds of years. Now, while the main layout of the theater was completely natural, a crew of workers created the seats & stage that makeup today’s amphitheater.
Besides exploring the theater, there are also a few hiking trails to try while visiting.
Breckenridge
Distance from Denver: 1 hour & 30 minutes | ⭐ Recommended Tour: Sledding in Breckenridge
Breckenridge is a favorite for Denver winter day trips. Each year, Breckenridge and the Breckenridge Ski Resort attract hundreds of visitors to ski in the snowy mountains.
Other popular winter activities in Breckenridge include snowboarding, sledding, ice climbing, and more. They have more winter activities than you may have time to do!
But Breckenridge isn’t just for winter folks; it’s also a great place to visit in the summer.
The summer fun includes hiking, whitewater rafting, ziplining, mountain biking, paddle boarding, and more.
As you can see, with so many things to do in both the summer & winter months, Breckenridge is an exciting place for the whole family to visit.
To recap, the best Denver day trips include:
- Rocky Mountains National Park
- Roxborough State Park
- Boulder, Colorado
- Pikes Peak
- Fort Collins
- Garde of Gods
- Red Rocks Park
- Breckenridge
This post is all about Denver day trips.
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