The 8 Top Day Trips from Denver

The “Mile-High City” of Denver, Colorado is one of the most populous epicenters of the American West—fulcrum of the Front Range Urban Corridor, not to mention among the very highest-elevation capital cities in the United States of America. Host to a full suite of cosmopolitan attractions, Denver also serves as a springboard for sightseeing, adventuring and other vacationing possibilities. Below, we invite you to explore the 8 top day trips from Denver: from spectacular wild vistas to charming mountain towns and cities.

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The scenic Front Range of the Southern Rocky Mountains, sweeping up from valley parks and forested lake basins to broad tundra vistas and alpine snowfields, are on full display in Rocky Mountain National Park. More than 60 of these mountains exceed 12,000 feet and the maximum elevation tops out on the northernmost of Colorado’s iconic “Fourteeners”: 14,259-foot Longs Peak, known for the mighty “Diamond” wall of its north face. In the summer visitors can enjoy hiking and fishing, in the winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. This 265,461-acre park is an excellent example of American public lands, making for a year-round draw remarkably. When looking for day trip ideas from Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park should be high on the list of anyone looking to experience the great outdoors.

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Covering about 12,000 acres, this park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering more than 35 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and even winter activities. The park features stunning Front Range scenery, including fragrant ponderosa pines and groves of quaking aspens that glow with autumn colors. Popular trails like the Raccoon Trail and Mule Deer Trail, as well as a scenic drive, lead to one of the park’s highlights: Panorama Point Scenic Overlook. From there, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Continental Divide, including iconic peaks like Longs Peak and Mount Blue Sky.

The park is also a key stop along the 55-mile Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, a favorite route for sightseeing near Denver. This scenic drive connects you to other incredible destinations, including Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

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Boulder is known for its artsy, outdoorsy and health-conscious vibe, making it one of the Mountain West’s most exciting and unique spots. This vibrant college town, home to the University of Colorado Boulder, offers plenty to see and do. The campus itself is worth a visit and the Pearl Street Mall is a popular pedestrian area filled with great shopping, dining and nightlife. Boulder also features cultural highlights like the Boulder Farmers Market, the Museum of Boulder and the Colorado Music Festival.

Outdoor lovers will be drawn to the iconic Flatirons, the stunning sandstone formations that create a dramatic backdrop for the city and provide endless opportunities for hiking and exploring.

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Vacationing in Denver, Colorado’s biggest city, also puts you within easy reach of the state’s second-biggest city: Colorado Springs, whose elevation north of 6,000 feet beats out the Mile-High City. From cultural attractions such as a lineup of breweries, the hot-air balloon festival of the Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off, the Tudor-style Glen Eyrie Castle and the highly regarded Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to outdoor offerings such as the Garden of the Gods and the 180-foot cascades of Broadmoor Seven Falls, Colorado Springs is not only great for a day trip, but a full-on weekend getaway from Denver.

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The 14,107-foot eminence of Pikes Peak, part of the Rampart Range of the Southern Rocky Mountains, ranks among the very best-known summits in America, given its bold prominence and its historical significance (“Pikes Peak or Bust” was a resounding Gold Rush-era tagline) and is another of the top-tier spots for day trips from Denver. The highest-elevation cog railroad in the world—the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway—runs up its slopes, as does the Pikes Peak Highway for those who prefer to do it behind their own wheel.

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When it comes to the top places for Denver day trips, Fort Collins is considered by many to be a must-do. Located at the northern end of the Front Range urban corridor near the Wyoming border, this city is a haven for craft beer enthusiasts, producing about 70% of Colorado’s craft beer and hosting the state’s highest number of microbreweries. Beyond its brewing fame, Fort Collins has plenty more to offer. You can explore the Fort Collins Museum of Art, enjoy live performances at the Lincoln Center or take advantage of the city’s platinum-level bike-friendly infrastructure to explore its scenic streets and trails.

istockphoto.com/Sean Pavone

Breckenridge, one of the nation’s most popular snowsport resorts, is a fantastic destination for a getaway from Denver. It boasts five distinct peaks, nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain and over 30 lifts, including the Imperial SuperChair, which takes you to an impressive 12,840 feet—the highest ski lift in North America. Visiting Breckenridge is truly an unforgettable experience.

Getty Images / Copyright Lynn Cyrus, Denver, Colorado

Pawnee National Grassland is an excellent day trip from Denver, offering a chance to experience the wide-open beauty of Colorado’s prairie landscape. Highlights include the iconic Pawnee Buttes and vast, sweeping views that showcase the region's natural history and ecological significance. It’s a peaceful retreat that provides a striking contrast to the mountainous backdrop of the Mile High City.

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