One of the vital superb issues about residing in Denver is the limitless outside actions and adventures that you may go on from snowboarding to climbing and every thing in between. Whether or not you’re a weekend warrior or searching for 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 outside lovers together with Nationwide Parks, wildlife-viewing alternatives, scenic byways, and a lot extra.
Beneath you’ll discover 10 of the very best lengthy weekend journeys from Denver inside the state of Colorado.
Vital Reminder: Because it goes in the entire locations we share, please observe good path etiquette and bear in mind to Go away No Hint. This implies packing out your whole rubbish (together with rest room 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 Worth
1. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
Probably the greatest 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 accommodates some magnificent climbing trails, limitless 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 simple drive and the views are unbelievable the complete method.
One of many prime points of interest inside the park is the Path Ridge Street which is the very 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 superb 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, limitless eating places, and fairly a little bit of procuring. In case you are searching for among the greatest chocolate in Colorado, you’ll want to take a look at Cacao Chemistry for a tasty deal with!
For a extra outdoorsy and adventurous lengthy weekend journey, there are limitless climbing choices within the space together with Backyard of the Gods and Pikes Peak.
One of many essential points of interest 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 street in the US at 14,115 toes in elevation. It’s such a steep drive down the mountain that they cease all vehicles 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 an exquisite option to examine off your first 14er!
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3. Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is understood for its stunning ski resort city and proximity to the slopes. In case you are searching for a enjoyable weekend getaway however want to give attention to snowboarding powder, look no additional. Ski Steamboat’s ‘champagne powder’, charming downtown space, and numerous procuring and eating choices. Moreover, being a bit additional away from Denver than many of the different resorts, you’ll keep away from among the crowds too!
As you’ll have guessed from the title, there are some great scorching springs within the space as nicely. We love heading to the Strawberry Park Sizzling Springs after a protracted, chilly day on the slopes to heat up and get some much-needed leisure.
4. Breckenridge
Breckenridge is likely one of the most well-known ski cities in the US and has a lot to supply for each guests and locals alike together with limitless retailers, eating choices, unimaginable ski slopes, and their notorious brewery!
When you haven’t already observed, Colorado has lots of the highest elevation data in the US and Breckenridge is not any exception. For the skiers and snowboarders searching for a bit further thrill you’ll want to head up the Imperial Categorical, which is the very best chair raise in North America taking you all the way in which as much as 12,840 toes!
In case you are visiting Colorado in the summertime, convey your mountain bike and take a look at the limitless trails that Breck has to supply. Another choice in the summertime is to take a look at one of many superb hikes within the space equivalent 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 recognized for its Glenwood Sizzling Springs. For these that aren’t acquainted, a scorching spring is a pure “scorching tub” the place you’ll be able to calm down in “tubs” of heat water which might be naturally comprised of the recent springs under.
Glennwood Springs can be an awesome central metropolis within the mountains. You may shortly drive to Aspen to ski or take a look at 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 massive and small and can be recognized for its scrumptious peaches!
When you’re searching for extra of an adventure-filled weekend, the Palisade Plunge mountain bike path drops riders over 30 miles and seven,500 toes from Mesa High to city. It’s an enormous, backcountry trip, so ensure you’re ready if that is in your journey checklist.
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
In case you are searching for a weekend journey that may be a bit off the overwhelmed path, Ouray is your spot. Ouray is often generally known as the “Switzerland of America” due to its old-school attraction, quaint institutions, and proximity to among the sheerest, drastic mountains in the US!
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 outdoors of Denver which makes it such a straightforward drive for a weekend journey or only a quick day journey.
Fort Collins is understood for limitless brewery choices and is dwelling to among the greatest beer within the state. Be certain to swing by Odell Brewing Firm for a beer by considered one of their hearth 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 towards snowcapped mountains is actually magical.
When 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 other people 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 take a look at the close by city of Alamosa which has a cute essential road full of eating places and breweries.
10. Bonus: Moab, Utah
Moab is outdoors of Colorado, however only a 6-hour drive from downtown Denver, making it an awesome lengthy weekend journey. Moab has a lot to supply from the limitless pink rock formations to Arches Nationwide Park, and a lot extra. When you’re searching for a number of days of exploration and a change of surroundings, with among the greatest climbing trails in Utah, you should take a look at Moab!
Moreover, Idaho Springs, Frisco, Glenwood Springs, and Palisade are on the way in which to Moab so if you’re trying to cease at a number of areas throughout your lengthy weekend journey it is a nice possibility.
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On the lookout for some extra weekend getaways from Denver? Try these Colorado street journey weblog posts:
We hope this checklist helps you discover the very best weekend journeys from Denver! What are your prime locations to go to round Colorado? Which locations are in your checklist to go to? Go away a remark under!
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