10 Finest Weekend Journeys From Denver – Bearfoot Idea

Probably the most superb issues about residing in Denver is the limitless out of doors actions and adventures that you may go on from snowboarding to climbing and every part in between. Whether or not you’re a weekend warrior or searching for a fast getaway, there are many stunning weekend journeys from the Denver metro space to a number of the most stunning 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 inside the state of Colorado.

Necessary Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please follow good path etiquette and keep in mind to Depart No Hint. This implies packing out all your 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 | Picture credit score: Abby Value

1. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park

Probably the greatest weekend journeys from Denver is to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. Not solely is that this one of the crucial stunning Nationwide Parks within the nation but it surely additionally accommodates some magnificent climbing trails, limitless wildlife, and one of the crucial well-known scenic byways in the US: 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 an excellent straightforward drive and the views are unbelievable your entire approach.

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

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, limitless eating places, and fairly a little bit of procuring. In case you are searching for a number of the greatest chocolate in Colorado, make sure you take a look at Cacao Chemistry for a tasty deal with!

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

One of many most important sights in Colorado Springs is with the ability to drive to the highest of Pikes Peak, which is just 15 toes in need of being the best paved street in the US at 14,115 toes 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 unbelievable and it’s a beautiful technique to test off your first 14er!

3. Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs is understood for its stunning 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 procuring and eating choices. Moreover, being just a little additional away from Denver than a lot of the different resorts, you’ll keep away from a number of the crowds too!

As you might have guessed from the title, there are some great sizzling springs within the space as properly. 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 rest.

4. Breckenridge

Breckenridge is without doubt one of the most well-known ski cities in the US and has a lot to supply for each guests and locals alike together with limitless retailers, eating choices, unbelievable ski slopes, and their notorious brewery!

If you happen to haven’t already seen, Colorado has lots of the highest elevation data in the US and Breckenridge is not any exception. For the skiers and snowboarders searching for just a little further thrill make sure you head up the Imperial Specific, which is the best chair raise in North America taking you all the best way as much as 12,840 toes!

In case you are visiting Colorado in the summertime, deliver your mountain bike and take a look at the limitless trails that Breck has to supply. An alternative choice in the summertime is to take a look at one of many superb hikes within the space similar 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.

5. Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs is a small city about three hours from Denver that’s identified for its Glenwood Sizzling Springs. For these that aren’t acquainted, a sizzling spring is a pure “sizzling tub” the place you’ll be able to calm down in “tubs” of heat water which can be naturally constructed from the new springs under.

Glennwood Springs can be an awesome 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!

6. Palisade

Palisade is situated in Colorado’s wine nation and is an ideal vacation spot for an lovely and romantic lengthy weekend journey from Denver. The small city of Palisade is stuffed with wineries each huge and small and can be identified for its scrumptious peaches!

If you happen to’re searching for extra of an adventure-filled weekend, the Palisade Plunge mountain bike trail drops riders over 30 miles and seven,500 toes from Mesa High to city. It’s a giant, backcountry experience, so be certain you’re ready if that is in your journey listing.

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.

7. Ouray

In case you are searching for a weekend journey that may be a bit off the overwhelmed path, Ouray is your spot. Ouray is usually often known as the “Switzerland of America” due to its old-school appeal, quaint institutions, and proximity to a number of the sheerest, drastic mountains in the US!

Moreover, Ouray is just an hour’s drive from Telluride, making it a perfect 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 understood for limitless brewery choices and is house to a number of the greatest beer within the state. Ensure to swing by Odell Brewing Firm for a beer by one in every of their fireplace pits as their beer is legendary 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 towards snowcapped mountains is actually magical.

If you happen to’re planning to go to within the spring, . 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 last 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 most 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 an awesome lengthy weekend journey. Moab has a lot to supply from the limitless crimson rock formations to Arches Nationwide Park, and a lot extra. If you happen to’re searching for a number of days of exploration and a change of surroundings, with a number of the greatest climbing trails in Utah, you should take a look at Moab!

Moreover, Idaho Springs, Frisco, Glenwood Springs, and Palisade are on the best way 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 listing 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 listing to go to? Depart a remark under!

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