Boulder is located only an hour northwest of Denver. Summer (July-September) is the time to go hiking, camping, and walk around the city. Hot-off-the-grill burgers and franks sizzle at the end of a stacked buffet with salads, chips, cookies and drinks. The Rocky Mountain National Park should be immediately recognizable as well as the Great Sand Dunes. Boulder, Colorado. Refer below for a list of the state’s national parks and decided which one you’d like to see. There are several other backcountry campsites around these lakes but a permit – obtainable through NPS – is required to stay at these. You can climb the Great Sand Dunes or explore Mesa Verde during the day. Book the best day trips from Denver, CO directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. I know, I know – who knew a 10-day Colorado road trip would go so fast? Its towering mountains, frontier culture, colorful landscapes, and amazing beer are all very tempting, and you may or may not have been thinking about these things for a while now. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the greater Rocky Mountains near Boulder. Read 354,919 traveler reviews and view photos of different trips from Denver to various destinations. It only takes about 2-3 hours to reach Aspen on a weekend road trip from Denver, which is a reasonable amount of time. Plan your Colorado day trip to drive up or hike the 14,264-foot summit. Offers local beer and wine on-site as well as an amazing free breakfast. The satellite neighborhoods of Highlands and RiNo are two of the best examples of the previously mentioned urban renewal. Home » Travel Guides » United States » Colorado (CO) » 15 Best Day Trips from Denver 15 Best Day Trips from Denver The capital of Colorado, Denver, is also the largest city in the Rocky Mountains area and a popular tourist destination for those looking to explore some of the most picturesque natural beauty in the United States. It is one of the oldest ski resorts in Colorado, serving as a model for later resort developments; it’s also one of the most convenient places to base yourself. 2 Day Trip to Colorado Springs: Checkout 2 Day trip plan for Colorado Springs covering 4 attractions, popular eat-outs and 1 hotel, created on 30th Oct 2017. Find day trips to take today or this coming weekend. Nearby the Colorado National Monument are the towns of Grand Junction and Fruita. To find out why I use World Nomads, check out my World Nomads Insurance review. Dining and lodging, in particular, will be the greatest expenses for anyone living in or visiting Colorado. Two of the most popular hikes are the Four Pass Loop which takes three or four days to complete, and the two-day return hike to remote Conundrum Hot Springs. Book the best day trips from Colorado, United States directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. Estes Park is one of the most charming mountain towns in Colorado and is very close to Rocky Mountain National Park. Telluride is one of the most legendary mountain towns in Colorado. Colorado hosts the greatest concentration of high peaks in the lower 48 and has the highest average elevation of all the states. 5. Colorado summers are arguably some of the finest you’ll ever experience. If you want to cook at night or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must. About 1 hour and 40 minutes west from Dearfield via U.S. Highway 34 to Colorado Highway 66, reach the ghost town of Homestead Meadows near Estes Park. Good deal but actually located in Silverton because prices in Telluride are so high. Neighborhoods are undergoing rapid transformation, for better and worse. Having a good tent will keep you comfortable on those chilly nights and give you lots of flexibility when it comes to finding a place to sleep. Day 2. Learn More Rocky Mountain National Park One of the top outdoor and adventure destinations in the world is just an hour and a half from Denver. Make sure you also purchase a RentalCover.com policy to cover your vehicle against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk. Enduro World Series (July/August) and Crested Butte Bike Week (June). It includes the visit to Broadmoor World Arena, Garden Of The Gods and nearby attractions with an approximate trip budget of USD 84. Highlights: Mesa Verde National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Crested Butte, Notable bars and restaurants: Pass Key Restaurant (Pueblo), Django’s Restaurant (Crested Butte), Telluride Brewing, Bon Ton Restaurant (Ouray), Nepal Restaurant (Glenwood Springs). I like the MSR Pocketrocket because it’s affordable, reliable, and very convenient. Hammock: Taking a tent and pad on a road trip are not always practical but hammocks are lightweight, cheap, strong, sexy, and allow you to pitch up for the night pretty much anywhere. There is always a way to make the most of every situation, rain or shine, intense or mild river levels… We got you! They may also let you buy or extend a policy once you’ve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy. There is a very scenic train that connects Silverton with Durango as well and this is actually used as a means to access several trails in the area. Bison is also very popular in Colorado and is often used as a healthier alternative to beef. You can enjoy the beautiful nature, go on epic hikes and adventures, or simply have a drink at one of the great Colorado bars. Depending on location, hotels can be ridiculously expensive in Colorado and can rival even the most lavish rooms in New York or California. If you’re thinking of a day trip from Colorado, the first one that might come to mind is Rocky Mountain National Park. Thanks for a great time. Traveling east along Interstate 70, you’ll first pass through impressive Glenwood Canyon and visit Glenwood Springs on the way to Grand Junction. Car insurance isn’t always mandatory in the USA but is highly encouraged. If you can handle the (sometimes extreme) cold in the winter and the aridity, then you can visit Colorado any time of the year and love it no matter what. The skiing is world class, of course, and there is plenty more hiking in the summer. Restaurants are often overpriced and sometimes serve uninspiring food. If you are on a weekend road trip from Denver, Glenwood Springs makes for a good rest stop. Glenwood Springs is famous for the eponymous hot springs as well as the very popular Hanging Lake. It’s almost time to go home. She remembered our names and visited with us. Within an hour or two drive from Denver, Boulder, and most of Colorado’s other major urban centers are some of the best parks and peaks in the entire Rocky Mountains. Breckenridge WAVE (May/June), Breckenridge Beer Festival (July), and Breckenridge Hogfest (August). Fortunately, those who abstain from meat will still find lots of culinary options as Colorado is becoming more vegetarian-friendly. The Rockies encompass nearly half of Colorado and there is a seemingly endless amount of things to do in the mountains here. It is much closer to the mountains than Denver is and, arguably, a part of them. If you are looking to add a multi-day hike to your Colorado road trip itinerary, I highly recommend doing one in Maroon Bells. (Minimum 3, won’t run with 2 people unless a day ride is going on during the weekend) Our two and three-day adventures are perfect as weekend getaways or mid-week mini-vacations. Dream Lake and Sky Pond are both accessed via the Bear Lake Trailhead, which also acts as the primary campground for the area. Find your perfect driving getaway with our curated road trips in Colorado. 1. You’ll be hard pressed to find a shitty craft beer while on a road trip in Colorado. Suds and bud – if there are two things that Colorado is most well-known for these days, it’s the amazing beer and legalized marijuana. For a long time, there was not a lot going on in Denver. The spirit of “The West” – one of freedom, of the cowboy, and of tenacity – was and still is a very important part of the city’s identity. COVID-19. Colorado is getting more and more expensive every day due to increasing urban development and an influx of new residents. It is opulent, exclusive, sometimes debaucherous, and really expensive. Telluride also has some of the best skiing, greatest festivals, and best hiking in all of Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park has some of the most stunning scenery in entire range and hosts superlative locations like Dream Lake, Sky Pond, and Longs Peak. During the day, head to one of Colorado’s best hikes! Better yet, Broke Backpackers also get a $40 discount with Outdoorsy! 2. There aren’t as many things to do here as in other cities, but the few activities that you can find in Colorado Springs are definitely worth it! Thankfully, Colorado has some of the cheapest gas in the USA, which will help you stretch your dollars. Breckenridge and all of its surrounding neighbors – Silverthorne, Copper Mountain, and Vail – are among the most popular mountain towns in Colorado thanks to their picturesque settings and close proximities to Denver. It is a very quiet place that is visited mostly by people who want to see the Garden of the Gods or Pikes Peak. Consider renting an off-road-capable vehicle to fully enjoy these remote roads and to go on the ultimate Colorado road trip route! One idea is to make money while traveling! We Think of Everything We include complimentary snacks and water on all adventures, and the price of admission to visited attractions. Grand Junction is the largest city in Eastern Colorado and is visually very distinct from the rest of the state. Charming hotel that dates back to the late 19th-Century. All tours are operating according to our COVID-19 Operations & Mitigation Plan. Renting a car is the most popular way of getting around Colorado. The self-inflating sleeping mats, like the Thermarest Prolite, are my favorite, though people often settle for the foam ones. The USA's National Parks are Expensive… Unless You Have FREE ENTRY! There are a few scenic byways along the top of the mesa that provide excellent views as well as access to lots campgrounds and trails. It is an awesome city and, as of recently, everyone seems to be catching on to this fact. Check out this detailed article for everything you need to know to start teaching English online. In the winter, Aspen is full of the rich and famous, regardless if they can actually ski or not, which makes the town feel like a Hollywood of sorts in the mountains. To save on both, use campgrounds or hostels as much as possible and cook your own food. Recently, he spent eight months travelling around Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, spending as much time as possible in the wilderness and doing everything to avoid the crowds. Want to stay in the USA longer? If you’re on a Colorado road trip and conditions are bad during the winter or spring, you will definitely need all-wheel or 4-wheel drive. Nearby is the Maroon-Snowmass Wilderness, which has one of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado – the Four Pass Trail. The snow in the Rocky Mountains is some of the lightest and driest snow that you’ll find anywhere in the country and makes for ideal skiing conditions. Just off the 1-70 in Genesee Mountain Park, this is the Wild West, with a covered observation deck affording views of bison herds roaming. Discover the exhilaration of this incredible off-road excursion in the world's most serious 4x4. Large hotel w/ views of the mesas. There is so much lore surrounding the Rocky Mountains. Travel Water Bottle: Always travel with a water bottle – it’ll save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. Alcohol and cocaine are consumed in excess. Don’t buy one-use water bottles, the plastic ends up in a landfill or in the ocean. If you’re visiting at the right time, there are really cool festivals and events in the area. Reduce your plastic footprint: Perhaps the best thing you can do for our planet is to make sure you do NOT add to the plastic problem all over the world. For the sake of transparency, some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Longer winter seasons, which can start as early as November and run until May, mean that there are plenty of opportunities to hit the slopes. Colorado Springs is the first city to visit when traveling south on a road trip from Denver. You’ll experience mild rapids such as Onion Creek, Cloudburst, Rocky Rapid, and Whites Rapid. Both are famous for their art scenes (Fruita, in particular) and, interestingly enough, their wine. Depending on your qualifications (or your motivation to obtain qualifications like a TEFL certificate) you can teach English remotely from your laptop, save some cash for your next adventure, and make a positive impact on the world by improving another person’s language skills! Rest easy, my fellow broke backpackers – we have the insider information you need to make your own EPIC, adventurous Colorado itinerary. Most people visit Breckenridge in the winter for the skiing; few realize that the area also hosts some of the best hikes in Colorado. Colorado Road Trip Day 10: Boulder then Back to Denver. Expect one night of relaxing riverside camping with meals catered by the raft guides. With a desire to experience all things unconventional, Ralph enjoys visiting the lesser-known landscapes of the world and has ended up in some pretty strange and wonderful places. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Keep an eye out for the local melons and legendary palisade peaches on your Colorado road trip – these are among the most loved seasonal items in the state. All other times of here will problematic or impossible due to snow. This being said, you don’t necessarily have to buy car insurance from the company you’re renting from. Those looking for parties may be better off in another town but those looking for serenity will enjoy Breckenridge greatly. There are ATV tours, 2.5 million acres of wilderness and national forest, 650 miles of trails, the Wolf Creek Pass drive (pull over at Lobo Overlook for 360-degree views), waterfall and wildflower hikes, and camping. At lunch time, we'll stop at a beautiful riverside ranch where you can kick up your feet in the shade and savor a hot BBQ lunch. The overall experience was wonderful. White's Rapid, one of the biggest rapids of the day is just around the corner! If you’re feeling lucky you could try your hand at couchsurfing! Americans have a weird affinity to the strange landmarks that are usually found out in the middle of nowhere. Stay away from the Rocky Mountain Oysters though. Many attractions that were listed in other Colorado itineraries will also be featured in this road trip, including, but not limited to, Telluride, A-Bason, Great Sand Dunes, Crested Butte, and Estes Park. Learn More Rocky Mountain National Park One of the top outdoor and adventure destinations in the world is just an hour and a half from Denver. Thanks to loads of attention from celebrities, artists, musicians, and Hollywood, Aspen has become one of the most idolized mountain town in Colorado. It is very impressive but very small. Even if it is cheap, gas will still be one of your greatest expenses because it can be difficult to properly gauge how much you will actually use. It’s among the best places in the world to be for stunning hiking trails. For rock climbers, hikers, and outdoors people in general, the sheer proximity of these destinations makes Boulder a paradise. When it comes to activities on this road trip, you definitely won’t get bored. 2. Highlights: Dream Lake, Estes Park, Boulder Canyon, Long’s Peak, Fort Collins breweries, Sky Pond, Flatirons, Notable bars and restaurants: New Belgium Brewery, Odell Brewing, Waltzing Kangaroo, Big City Burrito, The Rainbow, Coopersmith’s, Urban Egg, Beau Joes (all Fort Collins). Homestead Meadows– Estes Park. If you’d like you can stop in Boulder as well to go hiking at the Flatirons or climbing in Boulder Canyon. Grand Junction and Fruita are in the middle of Colorado’s relatively humble wine country and both offer tours of local wineries. Be sure to frame up the view upstream from this picturesque and luxurious lunch stop. Below is a list of some of the best scenic drives in Colorado. Worried that you don’t have enough cash for a longer Colorado road trip? Sleeping Pad: I really cannot sleep without some sort of camping pad. The summit of Pikes Peak can also be visited by cog train or hiking. Once you depart from Glenwood Springs, the landscape begins to change. For the more active backpackers, we’d recommend hiking in the Garden of Gods or climbing the Collegiate Peaks. There are a myriad of car rental agencies here that offer varying deals and varying models. This lunch buffet is exclusive to Moab Adventure Center and includes your choice of freshly-grilled burgers, chicken, hot dogs or veggie patties. Hunting and fishing are two of the most popular activities in Colorado and so you’ll see lots of local game in the butcher shops. Winters (December -April) in Colorado are legendary among winter athletes. Meat Day Nebraska FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2021, file photo, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts speaks during a news conference at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Neb. Buffalo Peaks Loop, located just south of Fairplay is an excellent high-alpine beginner backpacking loop. The thin Colorado air brings millions of stars out of hiding for an interstellar show before we retire to a comfortable tent for a well deserved night’s sleep. The trip was very nice. Varying from 2 to 14 days in length, they cover many of the top road trip destinations in the state. City Park also has some views of the Denver skyline. There are lots of shopping centers and trinketry stores in the center of town and on Pearl Street. You’ll get to visit the famous Maroon-Bells Lake, the opulent Aspen, and even the desert reaches of Eastern Colorado. This is the iconic wild west landscape. There is plenty of to do and see on this Colorado road trip itinerary, probably too much if you only have a few days. White's Rapid, one of the biggest rapids of the day is just around the corner! Mountain lodge in the heart of Breckenridge. Tour de Fat (Sept.) and Tour de Corgi (Sept.), Boulder Shakespeare Festival (July/August). However, we are making a detour to Red Rocks Park, extending the drive by 30 minutes. You’ll realize pretty fast that you’re surrounded by incredible views wherever you go. Mountain hotels can be prohibitively expensive especially during the winter. Lots of the best places in Colorado are located far from each other, which is going to add to your gas expenses too, so plan ahead! Denver and Boulder have an increasingly vegetarian population and more and more excellent vegetarian restaurants are opening up in the cities. Nearby is the ultra-modern Art Museum, which is one of the best places to take photos in Denver. Blue Lake, the Sneffels Highline, and Baldy Peak are among the best in the area. Should you have vacation days to spare, tack on a few extra nights in Denver, which is always a fun time. Telluride International Film Festival (August/Sept) and Telluride Bluegrass Festival (June), We mentioned before that you can reach out to vehicle relocation services, like. She was like part of the family. This day trip is a bit obvious for most Denver residents, but it’s still worth mentioning because of how terrific it is. Summit one of Colorado’s famous ’14-ers’ on a day trip from Denver to Mt. Sun terrace and lots of hammocks for lounging. Pool and steam room on-site. Wilderness hikers can also explore the nearby Sangre de Cristo range, which is an extremely rugged and beautiful portion of the Rocky Mountains. Aspen is probably the most famous ski resort in all of the USA. Rise and shine before the sun to make the most of your time on this 4 day Colorado itinerary. Microfibre Towel: It’s always worth packing a proper towel, mainly to clean up but also for those impromptu swims. Check out the I-34 (the Trail Ridge Road) if you’re visiting in summer.
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