Quick Summary:

  • What makes Colorado a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts?
    • Colorado is a state rich in natural landmarks, parks, forests, and a number of cities, each with their own local flavor.
  • What are some day trips from Denver that showcase Colorado's natural beauty?
    • Many of these gems are easily accessible as day trips from the capital of Denver which is located centrally within the state.
  • What are some popular outdoor attractions in Colorado?


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Boulder (40 min) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Boulder (40 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of Nelson Sirlin - Fotolia.com

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

Category: Activities
Garden of the Gods (1 hour 20 min Day Trip from Denver) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of jzehnder - Fotolia.com

3. Aspen (3 hours)

Aspen (3 hours) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of jdross75 - Fotolia.com

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

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (20 min Day Trip from Denver) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© National Renewable Energy Laboratory

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

Category: Activities
Mount Evans Scenic Byway (1 hour 40 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of kellyvandellen - Fotolia.com

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

Category: Activities
Rocky Mountain National Park (1 hour 40 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of Nelson Sirlin - Fotolia.com

7. Buffalo Overlook (30 min)

Buffalo Overlook (30 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of watcherfox - Fotolia.com

8. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre (25 min)

Category: Activities
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre (25 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

9. Vail (1 hour 40 min)

Vail (1 hour 40 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of ipivorje - Fotolia.com

10. Fairplay (1 hour 40 min)

Fairplay (1 hour 40 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of bwolski - Fotolia.com

11. Dinosaur National Monument (4 hours 50 min)

Category: Activities
Dinosaur National Monument (4 hours 50 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

12. New Belgium Brewing (1 hour 10 min)

Category: Food & Drink
New Belgium Brewing (1 hour 10 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© New Belgium Brewing

13. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (3 hours 40 min)

Category: Activities
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (3 hours 40 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of Krzysztof Wiktor - Fotolia.com

14. Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site (3 hours)

Category: Activities
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site (3 hours) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© NPS Photo

15. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (1 hour 50 min)

Category: Activities
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (1 hour 50 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

16. Pikes Peak (2 hours 10 min)

Category: Activities
Pikes Peak (2 hours 10 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of Evan Meyer - Fotolia.com

17. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (1 hour 20 min)

Category: Kids & Family
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (1 hour 20 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

18. Colorado National Monument (4 hours)

Category: Activities
Colorado National Monument (4 hours) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of jsnewtonian - Fotolia.com

19. Hanging Lake Trail (2 hours 30 min)

Category: Activities
Hanging Lake Trail (2 hours 30 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of Josemaria Toscano - Fotolia.com

20. Fish Creek Falls (3 hours)

Category: Activities
Fish Creek Falls (3 hours) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of hansdodutch - Fotolia.com

21. United States Air Force Academy (1 hour)

United States Air Force Academy (1 hour) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of Sue Smith - Fotolia.com

22. White River National Forest (1 hour)

Category: Activities
White River National Forest (1 hour) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of Wirepec - Fotolia.com

23. Beaver Creek Ski Area (1 hour 50 min)

Category: Activities
Beaver Creek Ski Area (1 hour 50 min) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Beaver Creek Ski Area

24. National Museum of World War II Aviation (1 hour 20 min Day Trip from Denver)

Category: Museums & Culture
National Museum of World War II Aviation (1 hour 20 min Day Trip from Denver) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© National Museum of World War II Aviation

25. Pawnee National Grassland (2 hours)

Pawnee National Grassland (2 hours) | Day Trips from Denver, Colorado
© Courtesy of Marek - Fotolia.com

Summary & FAQ Boulder (40 min) Garden of the Gods (1 hour 20 min Day Trip from Denver) Aspen (3 hours) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (20 min Day Trip from Denver) Mount Evans Scenic Byway (1 hour 40 min) Rocky Mountain National Park (1 hour 40 min) Buffalo Overlook (30 min) Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre (25 min) Vail (1 hour 40 min) Fairplay (1 hour 40 min) Dinosaur National Monument (4 hours 50 min) New Belgium Brewing (1 hour 10 min) Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (3 hours 40 min) Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site (3 hours) Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (1 hour 50 min) Pikes Peak (2 hours 10 min) Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (1 hour 20 min) Colorado National Monument (4 hours) Hanging Lake Trail (2 hours 30 min) Fish Creek Falls (3 hours) United States Air Force Academy (1 hour) White River National Forest (1 hour) Beaver Creek Ski Area (1 hour 50 min) National Museum of World War II Aviation (1 hour 20 min Day Trip from Denver) Pawnee National Grassland (2 hours)

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