6 best day trips from Denver

Day trips compared

The day trips

45 km · About 40 minutes by car or 50 minutes by bus

1.Boulder

A university town at the foot of the Flatirons sandstone slabs, with hiking from Chautauqua Park, the pedestrian Pearl Street Mall of shops and street performers, and an outdoorsy café culture.

Getting there

Car via US Route 36, or RTD Flatiron Flyer bus

Best for

First-timers, Couples, Solo travellers

25 km · About 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by light rail

2.Golden

A historic town where Coors brews its beer, with a walkable main street under a 'Welcome to Golden' arch, Clear Creek's riverside path and tubing in summer, and Lookout Mountain's Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave above.

Getting there

Car, or RTD W Line light rail

Best for

Families, Food lovers

110 km · About 1.5–2 hours by car to Estes Park

3.Rocky Mountain National Park

High peaks, alpine lakes and elk herds, with Trail Ridge Road climbing above 3,700 metres in summer. Bear Lake, Sprague Lake and the alpine tundra are among the highlights, and Estes Park is the gateway town.

Getting there

Car via Boulder or US Route 36

Best for

First-timers, Families, Couples

110 km · About 1.25 hours by car

4.Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is a free park of red sandstone fins and towers against Pikes Peak, and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway climbs to the 4,302-metre summit. Manitou Springs has mineral springs and a historic main street.

Getting there

Car via Interstate 25

Best for

Families, First-timers

75 km · About 1 hour by car

5.Georgetown

A preserved 1870s silver-mining town with Victorian buildings, and the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a narrow-gauge steam train that climbs through the valley to Silver Plume in summer and autumn.

Getting there

Car via Interstate 70

Best for

Families, Couples

130 km · About 1.75–2.5 hours by car, depending on traffic

6.Breckenridge

A historic mining town turned ski resort, with a Victorian main street and skiing on five peaks in winter, and hiking, mountain biking and the alpine slide in summer.

Getting there

Car via Interstate 70, or ski shuttle

Best for

Couples, Families

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• Buy fares on the RTD MyRide app or at station machines; the airport fare is higher than a local one.
• RTD buses cover the city, and regional routes run to Boulder, including the FF Flatiron Flyer from Union Station.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask