Day Trips from Denver

1. Boulder (40 min)

Boulder is packed with indoor and outdoor entertainment. With over 31,000 acres of parks that include over 200 miles of walking and hiking trails, it’s easy to spend time in nature here. Some places of note are the Flatirons, the rock faces of Green Mountain that give the city of Boulder its name; Chautauqua Park, an extension of Boulder Mountain Park with comprehensive facilities and beautiful landscapes; Flagstaff Mountain; and Eldorado Canyon State Park. The downtown area of the city also has much to offer in terms of fun. The Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory is located here, as are several breweries, which are open for tours. Boulder is a 40-minute drive from Denver. Boulder Map

2. Garden of the Gods (1 hour 20 min Day Trip from Denver)

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is an awe-inspiring collection of red rock formations created millions of years ago by transformative geological phenomena. The tall spires of red stone shoot up as if springing forth from the Earth to create a piece of natural artwork spanning more than 1,000 acres of land. Garden of the Gods is enhanced by the backdrop of Pikes Peak, which towers on one side of the formations to create a truly breathtaking scene. This national natural landmark has a visitors’ center with information about the site, as well as Jeep tours and opportunities to climb the rocks. Garden of the Gods is 1 hour 20 min from Denver.

1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, Phone: 503-344-1368, Garden of the Gods Video

3. Aspen (3 hours)

Colorado has no scarcity of ski resorts, with Aspen only adding to the extensive list of excellent slopes the state can offer. Situated among the Elk Mountains in White River National Forest, Aspen was established as a mine town during the silver mining boom of the 19th century, but today its identity is almost inextricably connected to skiing. The town has access to four trail-covered mountains, as well as facilities for other winter outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hot air ballooning. The town also supports outdoor summer fun, with gorgeous natural landscapes and infrastructure for such pursuits as hiking, cycling, and fly fishing.

4. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (20 min Day Trip from Denver)

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, or NREL for short, is a campus of research facilities located outside Denver in Golden, Colorado. This research center is devoted to studying alternative, sustainable sources of energy

It works on geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, and wind power, as well as on many other areas, and the campus even has a wind farm on the premises. Although visitors are not allowed to roam freely on the territory, walking tours, lunch lectures, and an energy program are available for adults to enjoy. The facility also has targeted educational programs for students of different ages.

15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401, Phone: 303-275-3000

5. Mount Evans Scenic Byway (1 hour 40 min)

The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in the entire United States capable of supporting car traffic. It was built in 1927 to compete for tourists with a similar road leading up Pikes Peak. The road runs 14 miles up Mount Evans and culminates in a parking area and viewing platform near the mountain’s peak.

To reach the summit, visitors only need to climb another quarter mile by foot. On Mount Evans, there are several hiking and cycling trails beyond the car-friendly byway. The mountain has unique animal species living on its slopes, including mountain goats, marmots, and big horn sheep. Map

Mt Evans, Colorado 80439, Phone: 303-567-3000

6. Rocky Mountain National Park (1 hour 40 min)

Rocky Mountain National Park is a protected natural reservation spanning three ecosystems, montane (which is made up of grasslands, shrublands, and forests), subalpine, and alpine tundra. The park owes its ecological diversity to its unique topography, which includes the impressive Rocky Mountains, a series of lakes, and even some small glaciers. Rocky Mountain National Park is located in northern Colorado and is a popular location for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. Trail Ridge Road, which runs throughout the park, allows visitors to enjoy the beauty from the comfort of their cars as well.

7. Buffalo Overlook (30 min)

Somewhat of a misnomer, Buffalo Overlook is a site within Colorado’s Genesee Park where lucky guests can catch a glimpse of bison roaming around a protected area. Although these bison are often referred to as buffalos, in fact, buffalos occur only in Asia and Africa, not in North America.

This location is where the first North American bison herds were reestablished in Colorado in 1914. Today, the bison can be seen from a vehicle, as a road equipped for automobile traffic leads up to the point. Although these giants may seem gentle from afar, they are actually quite temperamental and should be looked at, but not touched or heckled.

I-70 Exit 254, Golden, CO 80401, Phone: 720-865-0900

8. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre (25 min)

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is a naturally made amphitheater carved into a rock formation located outside the town of Morrison just a few miles from Denver. Built in 1906, the amphitheater sits nestled between several massive red stones in an open area made famous by its outstanding acoustics. Because of this, the venue quickly became a popular site for concerts and festivals and continues to be in use to this day and is capable of seating 9,525 people at each event. The amphitheater is located inside the larger Red Rocks Park, which has many other famous red sandstone formations as well, all of which belong to the so-called Fountain Formation.

18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465, Phone: 720-865-2494

9. Vail (1 hour 40 min)

The town of Vail was established in the 1960s along with the Vail Ski Resort, and it has not lost its identity as a skier’s paradise since. The town is located at the base of Vail Mountain, which is part of White River National Forest and stands as the tallest mountain in Colorado.

The mountain is covered in skiable slopes, with 33 lifts and 193 marked trails. The resort town is equipped for skiers and tourists, with pedestrian walkways connecting different sections that have accommodations, restaurants, spas, and shops. Vail also has many non-skiing adventure activities in the summer, such as ziplining, trampolining, tubing, and gondola rides.

10. Fairplay (1 hour 40 min)

The town of Fairplay was established in the mid-19th century as the Gold Rush pushed settlers farther and farther west into Colorado. Today, the town remains a quaint yet active center for local fun. Because of its location within the Mosquito Mountain Range, Fairplay is a popular winter destination for skiers, snowmobilers, snowshoers, and even adventurous ice climbers. The town is also known as Colorado’s fly fishing capital and provides many opportunities for anglers to enjoy themselves. Close to downtown, Fairplay Beach is a well-known site with attractions such as panning for gold, fishing, and camping. The town also has several historical museums and art galleries.