11 Amazing Weekend Trips from Denver

Denver, Colorado is a wonderful travel destination in its own right, but for those who want a break from the big city or to get some fresh mountain air, you do not have to drive very far. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or looking to visit quaint mountain towns, the areas around Denver have so much to offer. Visit these towns as part of a longer road trip or as weekend trips from Denver.

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Park Pass Information

Many of Colorado’s outdoor areas are U.S. national parks or other lands operated by the National Park Service, and some of them require entrance fees. An America the Beautiful park pass will allow you entry into all national parks and federal lands for a year. Also, if you have a 4th grader in your household, you can get a family pass to the national parks that is good for a year. Find out more about that benefit here. If you do not want to purchase an annual pass, you can purchase one-time passes for each individual park.

If you plan to visit one of the many Colorado State Parks, you can buy single day access passes. However, another option is to purchase annual state park passes here.

What to Pack on Your Weekend Trips from Denver

Light Jacket – Make sure to dress in layers even in the summer months with these men’s and women’s light jackets.
Hiking Shoes – These men’s and women’s hiking shoes are perfect for the trails.
Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
Soft Sided Ice Chest – Get this to keep your drinks cool on your weekend road trip.
Weekender Duffel Bag – Pack lightly for your weekend trips from Denver with this weekender bag.
Leggings – Fleece lined leggings will give you a little extra warmth whether you are traveling in the summer or winter.
Bug Spray – Keep the bugs from pestering you!
Refillable Water Bottle – This insulated water bottle will keep your water cool while hiking.
Sunscreen – The Colorado sun can be harsh so make sure to protect your skin.
Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your hikes.
Nikon Binoculars – These are a must-pack if you are on the lookout for wildlife.
Hiking Poles – These will help with stress on your back and knees while hiking with elevation changes.

Weekend Trips from Denver

1. Estes Park

Distance from Denver – 70 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 1 hour, 30 minutes

Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the country. Hiking, exploring, and wildlife watching are just some of the activities inside the Rockies. In addition to the park, drive the approximately 3-hour Peak to Peak Scenic Byway that starts in Estes Park and is Colorado’s oldest scenic drive. Another must-see scenic drive is Trail Ridge Road that spans the Rocky Mountains from Estes Park to Grand Lake with a peak elevation of 12,183 feet.

If you dare, you can stay the night at the Stanley Hotel, a haunted hotel that was the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. Spend time in downtown Estes Park for local shopping and eating.

2. Colorado Springs

Distance from Denver – 70 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 1 hour, 20 minutes

Ancient cliff dwellings have been found all over the American Southwest, and most of these dwellings are off limits to people to help preserve the ruins. However, in Colorado Springs you can visit Manitou Cliff Dwellings, which is a replica of these ancient homes that you can explore and climb through to get a sense of how these people lived hundreds of years ago.

During the weekend trips from Denver, you also have many hiking options at Garden of the Gods, Pike’s Peak, and Red Rock Canyon. Other fun activities in the area include touring the Miramont Castle Museum and the United States Air Force Academy.

3. Winter Park

Distance from Denver – 70 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 1 hour, 30 minutes

Winter Park is known for its ski resort with over 3,000 acres of skiable area. Other awesome winter activities include tubing, snowshoeing, and ski bike tours. Do not overlook this Rocky Mountain town during the summer though. Hiking and mountain biking are very popular activities after the snow melts. The resort also offers many family friendly activities such as scenic gondola rides, alpine slides, a putting course, and a small ropes course.

You can shop year-round at one of the 45 shops in the Winter Park area. Another area where you can shop for Colorado gifts is the Village at Winter Park. You can purchase a Winter Park Experience Pass to gain discounts, deals, and insider information.

4. Golden

Distance from Denver – 20 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 25 minutes

Golden is a super cute town that is close enough to the metropolis that you can visit on a day trip or one of the weekend trips from Denver. One of my favorite spots in Golden is the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. You can visit on your own just to experience the park or you can attend a concert.

Learn a little history by visiting the Colorado Railroad Museum or the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. Get a great view of Colorado at Lookout Mountain, or marvel at unique rocks at the Colorado School of Mines Museum of Earth Science. Golden is also the home of the Coors Brewery where you can tour the facility and sample some of the beers.

5. Black Hawk

Distance from Denver – 40 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 50 minutes

Black Hawk is a town full of outdoor activities and lively casinos. Try your luck at one of the many casinos such as Bally’s Casino, Saratoga Casino, Grand Z Casino, and many others. Get a taste of history at the Central City Opera House which was built in 1878 by local miners. In addition to the many outdoor activities in the area, you can spend some time exploring Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

6. Idaho Springs

Argo Mine Tours Idaho Springs - weekend trips from Denver

Distance from Denver – 35 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 40 minutes

Idaho Springs is another town that can be visited as a day trip or one of the weekend trips from Denver. You can tour the Argo Gold Mine and Tunnel for a history lesson of mining during the height of the Colorado Gold Rush. When your tour is complete, you can pan for gold just like the pioneers used to do. Make sure to drive the Mount Evans Scenic Byway that climbs 9,000 feet to the Mount Evans Summit, which sits at an elevation of 14,264 feet. Make a stop at the picturesque Echo Lake for hiking and fishing. Also, close to Idaho Springs is a 2.4-mile round trip hike that features Saint Mary’s Glacier.

7. Canon City

Distance from Denver – 120 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 2 hours, 15 minutes

One of the main attractions of Canon City is the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. The bridge is America’s highest suspension bridge which sits almost 1,000 feet over the Arkansas River. At the park, you can walk across the bridge or take a gondola ride suspended over the canyon. If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can zip line across the canyon, rock climb up the walls of the gorge, or ride the Skycoaster that swings you out over the canyon. Other activities at the park include a carousel, theater, and a playground. At the bottom of the canyon next to the river, you can take a 2 or 3-hour ride on the charming Royal Gorge Train. Drive along the 2.6-mile Skyline Drive which is an extremely narrow, one-lane path with drop-offs hundreds of feet on both sides of the road.

8. Granby

Distance from Denver – 90 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 2 hours

If you are looking for a winter getaway that is less crowded than the more famous ski towns, look no further than Granby. Granby Ranch is a great family-friendly ski resort with 35 ski trails. Lake Granby offers many activities in the summer or winter months. Spend hours hiking around the lake after the snow melts, or walk out onto the frozen lake and ice fish in the winter. When we visited, we spent half a day snowmobiling the snow-covered trails.

9. Breckenridge

Distance from Denver – 80 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 1 hour, 35 minutes

Breckenridge is mainly known for its ski resort that boasts almost 3,000 acres of ski area with 187 trails across 5 peaks. But skiing is not the only thing going for this mountain town. When experiencing the weekend trips from Denver, make sure to stroll along Main Street which features over 200 shops, many of which sell locally made items. You can drive the scenic Boreas Pass Road through the Rocky Mountains that travels along the Continental Divide. Other unique activities in the Breckenridge area include dog sledding and river rafting.

10. Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park - weekend trips from Denver

Distance from Denver – 235 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 4 hours

Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of Colorado’s four national parks, and it is also one of its most unique. This park is over 230 square miles of sand dunes that you can explore. Upon arrival, stop in the Visitor’s Center for a quick geology lesson on how the dunes came to exist. To access the sand dunes, you will need to walk across the seasonal Medano Creek. Make sure to pack plenty of water with you as hiking up and down the massive dunes is quite the workout! Bring a sled and coast down the sandy hills for an added adventure.

11. Pueblo

Bishop Castle as weekend trips from Denver

Distance from Denver – 115 miles
Drive Time from Denver – 2 hours

Take it easy in Pueblo with a stroll through the Union Historic District which was once lined with old saloons and brothels of the Wild West. The Pueblo Historic Arkansas Riverwalk is another place you can meander while marveling at the world’s longest painting, a vibrant mural that stretches for miles. Get a taste of the outdoors at Lake Pueblo State Park or Whitewater Park. Visit the Steelworks Museum, El Pueblo History Museum, or the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum for local history. Just a short drive from Pueblo, is the quirky Bishop Castle, which was built by one eccentric man over the course of nearly 60 years. You can discover all the nuances of this crazy construction free of charge.