10 Finest Weekend Journeys From Denver – Bearfoot Idea

Probably the most wonderful issues about dwelling in Denver is the infinite out of doors actions and adventures that you may go on from snowboarding to climbing and all the pieces in between. Whether or not you’re a weekend warrior or on the lookout 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 fanatics 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 throughout the state of Colorado.

Necessary Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please follow 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.

Characteristic picture: Backyard of the Gods in Colorado Springs | Picture credit score: Abby Worth

1. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park

Among the finest weekend journeys from Denver is to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. Not solely is that this some of the lovely Nationwide Parks within the nation but it surely additionally incorporates some magnificent climbing trails, infinite wildlife, and some of the well-known scenic byways in the USA: the Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park Scenic Loop.

Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is situated solely about 2 to three hours from the Denver metro space making it a brilliant straightforward drive and the views are unbelievable the whole approach.

One of many prime sights throughout 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.

2. Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a good 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 outlets, breweries, infinite eating places, and fairly a little bit of purchasing. If you’re on the lookout for a few of the greatest chocolate in Colorado, make sure to try Cacao Chemistry for a tasty deal with!

For a extra outdoorsy and adventurous lengthy weekend journey, there are infinite climbing choices within the space together with Backyard of the Gods and Pikes Peak.

One of many important sights in Colorado Springs is with the ability to drive to the highest of Pikes Peak, which is simply 15 ft wanting 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 vehicles 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 a beautiful strategy to test off your first 14er!

3. Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs is thought for its lovely ski resort city and proximity to the slopes. If you’re on the lookout 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 somewhat additional away from Denver than many of the different resorts, you’ll keep away from a few of the crowds too!

As you might have guessed from the identify, there are some great scorching springs within the space as effectively. 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 without doubt 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 infinite outlets, eating choices, unimaginable ski slopes, and their notorious brewery!

For those who haven’t already observed, Colorado has most of the highest elevation information in the USA and Breckenridge is not any exception. For the skiers and snowboarders on the lookout for somewhat additional thrill make sure to head up the Imperial Specific, which is the best chair carry in North America taking you all the way in which as much as 12,840 ft!

If you’re visiting Colorado in the summertime, convey your mountain bike and take a look at the infinite 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 resembling 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 possibly can chill out in “tubs” of heat water which can be naturally constituted of the new springs under.

Glennwood Springs can be a fantastic central metropolis within the mountains. You possibly can shortly drive to Aspen to ski or try the legendary fall foliage across the Maroon Bells or head over to the wineries in Palisade, that are talked about subsequent!

6. Palisade

Palisade is situated 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 massive and small and can be recognized for its scrumptious peaches!

For those who’re on the lookout for extra of an adventure-filled weekend, the Palisade Plunge mountain bike trail drops riders over 30 miles and seven,500 ft from Mesa Prime to city. It’s a giant, backcountry experience, so make sure 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 thought for its sheer wall canyons, distinctive rock formations, and scenic 23-mile Rim Rock Drive.

7. Ouray

If you’re on the lookout for a weekend journey that may 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 simply an hour’s drive from Telluride, making it a great location to take a look at if you wish to get a neighborhood really feel close to such a well-liked vacationer vacation spot!

8. Fort Collins

Fort Collins is about an hour outdoors of Denver which makes it such a simple drive for a weekend journey or only a quick day journey.

Fort Collins is thought for infinite brewery choices and is house to a few of the greatest beer within the state. Ensure to swing by Odell Brewing Firm for a beer by one in every 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 one in every of Colorado’s most original Nationwide Parks. It options huge sand dunes which have shaped on the base of 13,000-foot peaks. Seeing dunes backed up in opposition to snowcapped mountains is actually magical.

For those who’re planning to go to within the spring, bring a beach chair. Sure, you learn that accurately, a seaside chair! The snowmelt from the mountains creates a large, slow-moving river on the base of the sand dunes and folks come from throughout to expertise a Colorado “seaside”.

If the Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park is your last vacation spot, however you aren’t feeling as much as tenting, then try the close by city of Alamosa which has a cute important 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 a fantastic lengthy weekend journey. Moab has a lot to supply from the infinite purple rock formations to Arches Nationwide Park, and a lot extra. For those who’re on the lookout for a number of days of exploration and a change of surroundings, with a few of the greatest climbing trails in Utah, you will need to try 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 places throughout your lengthy weekend journey this can be a nice possibility.

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? Depart a remark under!

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