One of the crucial wonderful issues about residing in Denver is the countless out of doors actions and adventures you could go on from snowboarding to mountaineering and all the things in between. Whether or not you’re a weekend warrior or in search of a fast getaway, there are many stunning weekend journeys from the Denver metro space to among the most stunning locations inside Colorado.
Inside a brief distance, there are numerous adventures for out of doors lovers together with Nationwide Parks, wildlife-viewing alternatives, scenic byways, and a lot extra.
Beneath you’ll discover 10 of the perfect lengthy weekend journeys from Denver inside the state of Colorado.
Essential Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please observe good path etiquette and bear in mind to Go away No Hint. This implies packing out all your rubbish (together with rest room paper), being respectful to others on busy trails, and following the established guidelines.
Function picture: Backyard of the Gods in Colorado Springs | Photograph credit score: Abby Value
1. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
The most effective weekend journeys from Denver is to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. Not solely is that this one of the stunning Nationwide Parks within the nation nevertheless it additionally incorporates some magnificent mountaineering trails, countless wildlife, and one of the well-known scenic byways in the US: the Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park Scenic Loop.
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is positioned solely about 2 to three hours from the Denver metro space making it a brilliant straightforward drive and the views are unbelievable your complete means.
One of many prime sights inside the park is the Path Ridge Highway which is the best steady paved street in the US. It’s roughly 50 miles in size and takes you from Estes Park to Grand Lake.
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2. Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a good weekend journey from Denver in case you are trying to discover a smaller metropolis inside an hour or two of Denver. The city of Colorado Springs has a lot to supply from quaint espresso retailers, breweries, countless eating places, and fairly a little bit of buying. In case you are in search of among the finest chocolate in Colorado, be sure you try Cacao Chemistry for a tasty deal with!
For a extra outdoorsy and adventurous lengthy weekend journey, there are countless mountaineering choices within the space together with Backyard of the Gods and Pikes Peak.
One of many essential sights in Colorado Springs is with the ability to drive to the highest of Pikes Peak, which is simply 15 ft in need of being the best paved street in the US at 14,115 ft in elevation. It’s such a steep drive down the mountain that they cease all automobiles on the midway level to examine your brake temperatures. Whether or not you select to drive or hike to the summit, the views from the highest are unbelievable and it’s a beautiful option to examine off your first 14er!
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3. Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is thought for its stunning ski resort city and proximity to the slopes. In case you are in search of a enjoyable weekend getaway however wish to deal with snowboarding powder, look no additional. Ski Steamboat’s ‘champagne powder’, charming downtown space, and numerous buying and eating choices. Moreover, being just a little additional away from Denver than many of the different resorts, you’ll keep away from among the crowds too!
As you could have guessed from the identify, there are some great sizzling springs within the space as nicely. We love heading to the Strawberry Park Scorching Springs after an extended, chilly day on the slopes to heat up and get some much-needed leisure.
4. Breckenridge
Breckenridge is among the most well-known ski cities in the US and has a lot to supply for each guests and locals alike together with countless retailers, eating choices, unbelievable ski slopes, and their notorious brewery!
Should you haven’t already observed, Colorado has most of the highest elevation information in the US and Breckenridge isn’t any exception. For the skiers and snowboarders in search of just a little further thrill be sure you head up the Imperial Categorical, which is the best chair elevate in North America taking you all the way in which as much as 12,840 ft!
In case you are visiting Colorado in the summertime, convey your mountain bike and take a look at the countless trails that Breck has to supply. An alternative choice in the summertime is to take a look at one of many wonderful hikes within the space comparable to Quandary Peak for the extra intense hikers or a stroll across the Dillion Reservoir for the extra informal hikers, which is located between the cities on Breckenridge, Frisco, and Dillion.
5. Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs is a small city about three hours from Denver that’s identified for its Glenwood Scorching Springs. For these that aren’t acquainted, a sizzling spring is a pure “sizzling tub” the place you may calm down in “tubs” of heat water which might be naturally made out of the new springs beneath.
Glennwood Springs can be a terrific central metropolis within the mountains. You possibly can shortly drive to Aspen to ski or try the legendary fall foliage across the Maroon Bells or head over to the wineries in Palisade, that are talked about subsequent!
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6. Palisade
Palisade is positioned in Colorado’s wine nation and is an ideal vacation spot for an lovely and romantic lengthy weekend journey from Denver. The small city of Palisade is stuffed with wineries each huge and small and can be identified for its scrumptious peaches!
Should you’re in search of extra of an adventure-filled weekend, the Palisade Plunge mountain bike path drops riders over 30 miles and seven,500 ft from Mesa High to city. It’s an enormous, backcountry experience, so be certain you’re ready if that is in your journey record.
For a tamer weekend, Palisade is located close to the doorway of Colorado Nationwide Monument, which is thought for its sheer wall canyons, distinctive rock formations, and scenic 23-mile Rim Rock Drive.
7. Ouray
In case you are in search of a weekend journey that may be a bit off the crushed path, Ouray is your spot. Ouray is usually often called the “Switzerland of America” due to its old-school appeal, quaint institutions, and proximity to among the sheerest, drastic mountains in the US!
Moreover, Ouray is simply an hour’s drive from Telluride, making it a really perfect location to take a look at if you wish to get an area really feel close to such a well-liked vacationer vacation spot!
8. Fort Collins
Fort Collins is about an hour outdoors of Denver which makes it such a straightforward drive for a weekend journey or only a quick day journey.
Fort Collins is thought for countless brewery choices and is house to among the finest beer within the state. Be certain to swing by Odell Brewing Firm for a beer by considered one of their fireplace pits as their beer is known in Colorado and rising quickly throughout the nation!
9. Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park
Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park is considered one of Colorado’s most unusual Nationwide Parks. It options huge sand dunes which have fashioned on the base of 13,000-foot peaks. Seeing dunes backed up in opposition to snowcapped mountains is really magical.
Should you’re planning to go to within the spring, convey a seashore chair. Sure, you learn that appropriately, a seashore chair! The snowmelt from the mountains creates a large, slow-moving river on the base of the sand dunes and folks come from throughout to expertise a Colorado “seashore”.
If the Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park is your ultimate vacation spot, however you aren’t feeling as much as tenting, then try the close by city of Alamosa which has a cute essential avenue stuffed with eating places and breweries.
10. Bonus: Moab, Utah
Moab is outdoors of Colorado, however only a 6-hour drive from downtown Denver, making it a terrific lengthy weekend journey. Moab has a lot to supply from the countless purple rock formations to Arches Nationwide Park, and a lot extra. Should you’re in search of a number of days of exploration and a change of surroundings, with among the finest mountaineering trails in Utah, you should try Moab!
Moreover, Idaho Springs, Frisco, Glenwood Springs, and Palisade are on the way in which to Moab so in case you are trying to cease at a number of areas throughout your lengthy weekend journey it is a nice choice.
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On the lookout for some extra weekend getaways from Denver? Try these Colorado street journey weblog posts:
We hope this record helps you discover the perfect weekend journeys from Denver! What are your prime locations to go to round Colorado? Which locations are in your record to go to? Go away a remark beneath!
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