One of the vital superb issues about residing in Denver is the countless outside actions and adventures which you could go on from snowboarding to climbing and every part in between. Whether or not you’re a weekend warrior or in search of a fast getaway, there are many lovely weekend journeys from the Denver metro space to a few of the most lovely locations inside Colorado.
Inside a brief distance, there are numerous adventures for outside fans together with Nationwide Parks, wildlife-viewing alternatives, scenic byways, and a lot extra.
Under you’ll discover 10 of the very best lengthy weekend journeys from Denver throughout 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 Depart No Hint. This implies packing out your whole rubbish (together with bathroom paper), being respectful to others on busy trails, and following the established guidelines.
Characteristic picture: Backyard of the Gods in Colorado Springs | Picture credit score: Abby Value
1. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
Among the best weekend journeys from Denver is to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. Not solely is that this probably the most lovely Nationwide Parks within the nation however it additionally comprises some magnificent climbing trails, countless wildlife, and probably the most well-known scenic byways in america: the Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park Scenic Loop.
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is situated solely about 2 to three hours from the Denver metro space making it an excellent straightforward drive and the views are unbelievable your complete manner.
One of many high sights throughout the park is the Path Ridge Street which is the very best steady paved highway in america. 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 if you’re 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 purchasing. If you’re in search of a few of the greatest chocolate in Colorado, remember to try Cacao Chemistry for a tasty deal with!
For a extra outdoorsy and adventurous lengthy weekend journey, there are countless climbing choices within the space together with Backyard of the Gods and Pikes Peak.
One of many predominant sights in Colorado Springs is having the ability to drive to the highest of Pikes Peak, which is barely 15 toes wanting being the very best paved highway in america at 14,115 toes 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 unimaginable and it’s a beautiful method to examine off your first 14er!
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3. Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is understood for its lovely ski resort city and proximity to the slopes. If you’re in search of a enjoyable weekend getaway however want to concentrate on snowboarding powder, look no additional. Ski Steamboat’s ‘champagne powder’, charming downtown space, and numerous purchasing and eating choices. Moreover, being a bit of additional away from Denver than many of the different resorts, you’ll keep away from a few of the crowds too!
As you could have guessed from the identify, there are some fantastic sizzling springs within the space as properly. 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 rest.
4. Breckenridge
Breckenridge is without doubt one of the most well-known ski cities in america and has a lot to supply for each guests and locals alike together with countless retailers, eating choices, unimaginable ski slopes, and their notorious brewery!
When you haven’t already seen, Colorado has most of the highest elevation data in america and Breckenridge isn’t any exception. For the skiers and snowboarders in search of a bit of additional thrill remember to head up the Imperial Specific, which is the very best chair raise in North America taking you all the best way as much as 12,840 toes!
If you’re visiting Colorado in the summertime, carry 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 superb hikes within the space corresponding 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’ll be able to chill out in “tubs” of heat water which can be naturally created from the recent springs beneath.
Glennwood Springs can be an important central metropolis within the mountains. You may rapidly 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 situated in Colorado’s wine nation and is an ideal vacation spot for an lovable and romantic lengthy weekend journey from Denver. The small city of Palisade is filled with wineries each huge and small and can be identified for its scrumptious peaches!
When you’re in search of extra of an adventure-filled weekend, the Palisade Plunge mountain bike trail drops riders over 30 miles and seven,500 toes from Mesa High to city. It’s a giant, backcountry experience, so make 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 understood for its sheer wall canyons, distinctive rock formations, and scenic 23-mile Rim Rock Drive.
7. Ouray
If you’re in search of a weekend journey that could be a bit off the overwhelmed 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 a few of the sheerest, drastic mountains in america!
Moreover, Ouray is barely an hour’s drive from Telluride, making it a super location to take a look at if you wish to get a neighborhood really feel close to such a preferred vacationer vacation spot!
8. Fort Collins
Fort Collins is about an hour exterior of Denver which makes it such a straightforward drive for a weekend journey or only a brief day journey.
Fort Collins is understood for countless brewery choices and is dwelling to a few of the greatest beer within the state. Ensure that to swing by Odell Brewing Firm for a beer by one among their fireplace pits as their beer is legendary in Colorado and rising quickly throughout the nation!
9. Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park
Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park is one among Colorado’s most unusual Nationwide Parks. It options large sand dunes which have shaped on the base of 13,000-foot peaks. Seeing dunes backed up in opposition to snowcapped mountains is really magical.
When you’re planning to go to within the spring, bring a beach chair. Sure, you learn that accurately, 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 predominant road stuffed with eating places and breweries.
10. Bonus: Moab, Utah
Moab is exterior of Colorado, however only a 6-hour drive from downtown Denver, making it an important lengthy weekend journey. Moab has a lot to supply from the countless pink rock formations to Arches Nationwide Park, and a lot extra. When you’re in search of a number of days of exploration and a change of surroundings, with a few of the greatest climbing trails in Utah, it’s essential to try Moab!
Moreover, Idaho Springs, Frisco, Glenwood Springs, and Palisade are on the best way to Moab so if you’re trying to cease at a number of areas throughout your lengthy weekend journey this can be a nice choice.
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In search of some extra weekend getaways from Denver? Try these Colorado highway journey weblog posts:
We hope this record helps you discover the very best weekend journeys from Denver! What are your high locations to go to round Colorado? Which locations are in your record to go to? Depart a remark beneath!
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