Denver serves as a natural gateway to the Rocky Mountains, offering visitors a starting point for exploring the diverse landscapes of the Front Range. The area surrounding the city provides a wide array of accessible attractions, from historic mining towns in the foothills to the high-altitude wilderness of the Continental Divide. These destinations offer opportunities for day trips and short getaways, showcasing the region’s unique geology, history, and outdoor recreation.
The Foothills and Iconic Landmarks
The mountains closest to Denver offer some of the most popular and easily reached day-trip destinations. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a geological marvel, is built between two massive sandstone monoliths. Beyond its fame as a concert venue, the park is open daily for non-concert activities like hiking, running the amphitheater stairs, and visiting the free museum and performer hall of fame.
Just west of Denver, the historic town of Golden sits along Clear Creek, which is popular for summer tubing and kayaking. Golden is home to the Coors Brewery, the world’s largest single-site brewery, which offers tours and tastings. Above the town, Lookout Mountain provides panoramic views of the plains and is the location of the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, celebrating the life of the legendary showman.
Boulder is defined by the Flatirons, massive, tilted slabs of sandstone that form the backdrop of Chautauqua Park. This park is the primary trailhead for accessing the Flatirons for hiking and climbing. The city’s pedestrian Pearl Street Mall is a vibrant hub of independent shops, cafes, and street performers, providing a lively urban contrast to the nearby mountain trails.
The historic mining towns of Idaho Springs and Georgetown offer a glimpse into the 19th-century Gold Rush era. In Idaho Springs, the Argo Mill and Tunnel is a National Historic Landmark that once processed millions of dollars in gold ore, and tours detail the dangerous work of the miners. The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a narrow-gauge steam train that connects Georgetown and Silver Plume, traversing a corkscrew route that was considered an engineering feat when completed in 1884.
Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is known for its vast alpine tundra, abundant wildlife, and dramatic mountain scenery. Due to the park’s popularity, a Timed Entry Permit System is required during the peak season, typically from late May through mid-October. Permits must be reserved in advance on recreation.gov, and visitors must choose between access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor or general park access.
The park features two major scenic routes that showcase its diverse ecosystems. Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in North America, reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet and crosses the Continental Divide, offering views above the treeline. This road is generally closed from mid-October to Memorial Day due to heavy snowpack.
Bear Lake Road provides access to some of the park’s most popular trailheads. The area is known for wildlife viewing, with elk often grazing in Moraine Park and moose occasionally spotted near Sprague Lake. Estes Park serves as the eastern gateway to RMNP, offering a historic downtown filled with local shops and dining options. The town is also home to the Stanley Hotel, the structure that inspired Stephen King’s novel The Shining.
The Colorado Springs Region
South of Denver, the Colorado Springs region offers a concentration of unique natural and man-made attractions. Garden of the Gods Park is a National Natural Landmark known for its towering, dramatic red sandstone formations. The park is free to enter and features a paved main road for driving tours, as well as numerous accessible trails for walking among the fins and spires.
Pikes Peak, known as “America’s Mountain,” rises to an elevation of 14,115 feet and is accessible by two primary methods. Visitors can drive the 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway, a paved toll road that requires a timed entry reservation during the summer months. Alternatively, the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway offers a scenic, gear-driven train ride from Manitou Springs directly to the summit.
The region also features the U.S. Air Force Academy, a sprawling campus north of the city. While the iconic Cadet Chapel is currently undergoing a multi-year restoration, the Barry Goldwater Visitor Center remains open, offering exhibits on cadet life and the Academy’s history. Nearby, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the highest zoo in the United States, situated at an elevation of 6,714 feet. The zoo allows visitors to hand-feed reticulated giraffes.
High-Altitude Mountain Resorts and Scenic Drives
Further west along the Interstate 70 corridor are the resort towns of Summit County, which offer year-round recreation. Breckenridge features a historic Main Street lined with Victorian-era buildings, reflecting its Gold Rush origins. Frisco and Dillon, situated near the Dillon Reservoir, serve as a basecamp, with the Dillon Marina being the highest deep-water marina in North America, offering sailing and boating in the summer.
Vail, known for its European-style village architecture, provides a high-end resort experience with extensive terrain for skiing and snowboarding, complemented by summer activities like fly fishing and whitewater rafting. The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, the highest paved road in North America, climbs to 14,140 feet, offering views of the Continental Divide and opportunities to spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Travelers should note that the upper portion of this byway is closed for all of 2025 for construction improvements.
Mountain driving requires careful planning, especially during the winter months. The I-70 mountain corridor, the main route to the resorts, is subject to the Colorado Traction Law (Code 15) and the Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (Code 16) during inclement weather. The Traction Law requires passenger vehicles to have snow tires, all-weather tires, or chains, with fines imposed for non-compliance. Traffic on I-70 can be extremely heavy, particularly on weekends and holidays, making early morning travel advisable.