10 Greatest Weekend Journeys From Denver – Bearfoot Principle

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One of the wonderful issues about dwelling in Denver is the countless out of doors actions and adventures which you can go on from snowboarding to mountain climbing and all the things in between. Whether or not you’re a weekend warrior or searching for 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 out of doors lovers together with Nationwide Parks, wildlife-viewing alternatives, scenic byways, and a lot extra.

Under you’ll discover 10 of the most effective lengthy weekend journeys from Denver inside the state of Colorado.

Vital Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please apply good path etiquette and bear in mind to Depart 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.

Function picture: Backyard of the Gods in Colorado Springs | Photograph credit score: Abby Value


1. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park

Top-of-the-line weekend journeys from Denver is to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. Not solely is that this one of the lovely Nationwide Parks within the nation but it surely additionally accommodates some magnificent mountain climbing trails, countless wildlife, and one of the well-known scenic byways in the USA: 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 an excellent straightforward drive and the views are unbelievable the whole approach.

One of many high sights inside the park is the Path Ridge Highway which is the best steady paved street in the USA. It’s roughly 50 miles in size and takes you from Estes Park to Grand Lake.

Learn Extra

Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park Weblog Posts

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, countless eating places, and fairly a little bit of purchasing. In case you are searching for a few of the finest chocolate in Colorado, remember to take a look at Cacao Chemistry for a tasty deal with!

For a extra outdoorsy and adventurous lengthy weekend journey, there are countless mountain 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 ft in need of being the best paved street in the USA 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 test 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 test off your first 14er!

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Winding paved road up to summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado
The street to the summit of Peaks Peak is steep and winding. Be certain your brakes are in good working order!

3. Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs is understood for its lovely ski resort city and proximity to the slopes. In case you are searching for a enjoyable weekend getaway however want to deal with 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 title, there are some fantastic sizzling springs within the space as nicely. We love heading to the Strawberry Park Sizzling Springs after an extended, chilly day on the slopes to heat up and get some much-needed rest.

View out over Steamboat Springs, Colorado from ski slopes in winter
Plan a weekend to ski or snowboard the sunshine and fluffy “champagne powder” of Steamboat Springs | Photograph credit score: Abby Value

4. Breckenridge

Breckenridge is likely one of the most well-known ski cities in the USA 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 observed, Colorado has most of the highest elevation data in the USA and Breckenridge isn’t any exception. For the skiers and snowboarders searching for a bit of further thrill remember to 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, deliver 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 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.

Skier and snowboard standing in front of sign at Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado that states that the Imperial Express chairlift is the highest lift in North America at 12,840 feet
The Imperial Categorical chairlift in Breckenridge is the best elevate in North America at 12,840 ft

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 sizzling spring is a pure “sizzling tub” the place you possibly can loosen up in “tubs” of heat water which might be naturally constituted of the new springs under.

Glennwood Springs can be an incredible central metropolis within the mountains. You may rapidly 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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Colorado Fall Foliage Weblog Posts

6. Palisade

Palisade is positioned in Colorado’s wine nation and is an ideal vacation spot for an cute and romantic lengthy weekend journey from Denver. The small city of Palisade is stuffed with wineries each huge 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 ft from Mesa Prime to city. It’s an enormous, 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.

Mountain biker riding down steep, narrow Palisade Plunge Mountain Bike Trail with drop-off to the right
The Palisade Plunge mountain bike path in Palisade, Colorado isn’t for the faint-of-heart

7. Ouray

In case you are searching for 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 allure, quaint institutions, and proximity to a few of the sheerest, drastic mountains in the USA!

Moreover, Ouray is barely an hour’s drive from Telluride, making it an excellent location to take a look at if you wish to get an area really feel close to such a preferred vacationer vacation spot!

Birdseye view of Ouray Colorado with steep rock cliffs on both sides of the town
Ouray, Colorado is a singular, off-the-beaten-path 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 countless brewery choices and is dwelling to a few of the finest beer within the state. Be certain to swing by Odell Brewing Firm for a beer by certainly 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 certainly one of Colorado’s most original Nationwide Parks. It options large sand dunes which have shaped 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, deliver a seashore 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 other people come from throughout to expertise a Colorado “seashore”.

If the Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park is your remaining 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 predominant road full of eating places and breweries.

Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado with Rocky Mountain Peaks rising up behind dunes

10. Bonus: Moab, Utah

Moab is outdoors of Colorado, however only a 6-hour drive from downtown Denver, making it an incredible lengthy weekend journey. Moab has a lot to supply from the countless crimson 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 a few of the finest mountain climbing trails in Utah, you need to 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.

Learn Extra

Moab Journey Weblog Posts

Woman hiking on red rock trail in Arches National Park with rock arch in distance
Moab is simply 6 hours away from Salt Lake Metropolis and has countless out of doors journey! | Photograph credit score: Abby Value

In search of some extra weekend getaways from Denver? Try these Colorado street journey weblog posts:

We hope this record helps you discover the most effective 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 under!

Pinterest pin for blog post about the 10 Best Weekend Trips from Denver with photo of Garden of the Gods as background



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