Denver Getaways

Looking for day trips from Denver or a great weekend trip? Here are some of the best getaways and excursions from the Mile High City.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Located about an hour and a half from downtown Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park is the city’s closest national park. There’s tons of hikes and outdoor activities here!

A triptych showcasing the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park: a crystal-clear alpine lake reflecting towering cliffs, a view through a natural rock frame onto misty mountain peaks at dawn, and the calm waters of a high-altitude lake surrounded by rugged terrain and evergreens.

Hiking | Day Trips

14 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Three images from a Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park trip. The left image features a view of a road in the snow from inside of a car. The middle image features a view overlooking rocky and grassy mountains. The right image features a sun rising over the mountains from a rocky overlook.

Day Trips

How to Get from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park

Aspen

Known for being one of the best places to ski near Denver, Aspen is an outdoor lover’s dream.

Image featuring three views and ways how to get from Denver to Aspen. The left image features a view of a small mountain town lit up at at sunset. The middle image features a river cutting through the mountains with a road on one side and train tracks on the other. The right image features a view of a fall colored mountain range with snowy mountains behind.

Day Trips

How to Get from Denver to Aspen

All Other Denver Getaways

If one of those destinations doesn’t suit what you’re looking for, don’t worry! Here are some guides to other great places to explore around Colorado

Grand Teton National Park in winter.

Day Trips | Hiking

Denver to Grand Teton National Park: The Best Weekend Getaway

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park under a grey sky

Hiking | Day Trips

How to Take a Road Trip from Denver to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Someone sand boarding, the entrance sign to great sand dunes national park, and the dunes under a blue sky.

Day Trips | Hiking

How to Take a Road Trip from Denver to Great Sand Dunes National Park

Famous rock formations in Arches National Park

Day Trips | Hiking

Denver to Arches National Park: The Perfect Outdoors Weekend Trip

Photos from a trip from Denver to Mesa Verde National Park, showing outdoor landscapes and the welcome sign.

Hiking | Day Trips

Denver to Mesa Verde National Park: The Perfect Weekend Road Trip

Views along the Hanging Lake Colorado hike.

Hiking | Day Trips

What to Know About the Hanging Lake Colorado Hike

6 Fun Things to do in Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Colorado

Day Trips | Hiking

6 Fun Things to do in Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Colorado

A triptych of the Paint Mines Interpretive Park showcasing things to do in the Garden of the Gods area; the left image features colorful yellow and orange geological formations, the center captures intricate white rock formations resembling sculptures, and the right displays a broader view of the textured, stratified rocks in a desert landscape.

Day Trips | Hiking

10 Fantastic Things to do in Garden of the Gods, Colorado

A triptych of scenic views from moderate hikes near Denver, featuring, from left to right: a serene lake reflecting towering rock formations and clouds, a striking turquoise lake encircled by pine trees and rocky terrain, and a vast green forested landscape viewed from a trail with mountains in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Hiking | Day Trips | Sports

13 Beautiful Moderate Hikes Near Denver

Experience the flavors and sights of Golden, Colorado; on the left, a tasty quesadilla invites a culinary adventure, while on the right, the welcoming "Howdy Folks!" arch suggests strolling through the historic streets, a perfect snapshot of the diverse things to do in Golden, Colorado.

Day Trips

8 Best Things to Do in Golden Colorado in One Day

Featured image for The Pad Silverthorne Review with three pictures from the hotel. The left image features a rainbow painted sidewalk with a river on one side and a small grassy area on the other. The middle image features a bed with an orange blanket across the bottom and a lamp on top of the headboard. The right image features a parking lot with a small covered area in front of the lobby to a hotel.

Accommodations | Day Trips

Where to Stay Near Breckenridge: The Pad Hotel Silverthorne Review

A triptych of the St. Mary's Glacier hike in Colorado, showcasing the diverse landscapes encountered along the trail: from a rocky path framed by verdant pines, to the glacier's snowy expanse beside a lush green field, and concluding with the tranquil waters of the glacial lake, all set under a bright sky with dynamic cloud patterns.

Hiking | Day Trips

Local’s Guide to the St Marys Glacier Hike in Colorado

These Are The Most Unforgettable Denver Weekend Trips

Day Trips

These Are The Most Unforgettable Denver Weekend Trips

Three of the best National Parks near Denver Colorado. The left image features snow covered ground with a wooden sign that reads "Grand Teton National Park". The middle image features a black rocky canyon with a river flowing through the bottom. The right image features a grassy mountain range with small patches of snow on it.

Day Trips | Hiking

9 Best National Parks Near Denver Colorado

Image showing three state parks near Denver. The left image shows a rocky overlook looking out over the mountains on a sunny day. The middle image features a river flowering over rocks in the mountains. The right image features a pointed, slanted red rocks in the middle of a valley.

Day Trips | Hiking

10 Incredible State Parks Near Denver Colorado

Three lakes near Denver. The left image features a lake with mountains behind it. The middle image features a park with a lake surrounded by trees with a city skyline in the distance. The right image features a woman sitting on a rock looking out over an ice-covered lake in the mountains.

Day Trips

16 Unmissable Lakes Near Denver, Colorado

Photo of 3 mountain towns in Colorado. The first one is Vail, the second one is Breckenridge, and the third one is Ouray.

Day Trips

15 Best Mountain Towns in Colorado

Image showing Colorado cities near Denver. It has 3 photos next to each other. The first is of a mountain overlooking a town. The second is a town with the sunset above and mountains in the background. The third is of a town under a blue sky.

Day Trips

13 Best Colorado Cities Near Denver, Colorado (+ Some Towns!)

Three spots you can take day trips from Denver. The left image features a walking path leading through a red rock park. The middle image features a small river flowing behind a cottage like hotel. The right image features a large blue-green lake in the middle of a mountain range.

Day Trips

13 Best Day Trips from Denver

Image of three different mountain towns near Denver. The left image features a circular sign for Frisco, a town at the base of snowy mountains. The middle image features an aerial view of a town at the base of mountains covered in green trees. The right image features an old wooden buildings in a western style town.

Day Trips

13 Best Mountain Towns Near Denver, Colorado

scenic drives near denver

Day Trips

11 Breathtaking Scenic Drives Near Denver