These Are The Most Unforgettable Denver Weekend Trips
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Welcome to the mile-high city of Denver, where the buildings reach for the mountains and the mountains reach for the sky!
Just a short distance outside of the hustle-and-bustle of Denver are adventures awaiting to be sought in some of the most charming mountain towns.
Cut the city chaos and reconnect with nature by heading out to one of these places for your next Denver weekend trip!
Denver is truly the gateway to the mountains, with short, scenic drives to stunning mountain towns that’ll drastically change your scenery for days in just minutes.
We’ve visited, hiked, planned, and decided on the best Denver weekend trips that’ll surely make the list for your next weekend getaway from Denver. These towns below are only a few hours’ drive from Denver, so load up the car. We’ll meet you there!
Denver Weekend Trips
Breckenridge
🚗Distance from Denver: 80 miles, 1.5 hours
Breakaway from the basics of city life by heading to Breckenridge for the weekend!
Whether you’re searching for a memorable weekend trip for the family or just a quick weekend getaway from Denver, Breckenridge offers the breathtaking city escape you’re desperately searching for.
Just a short drive over the mountains, you’ll break free from the chaos of the city and enter the scene of the breathtaking town of Breckenridge.
Breckenridge offers an array of activities that’ll be sure to keep you busy all weekend long. Explore the trails that surround the beautiful city (Breckenridge Troll is a fun, easy one!), hit the bunny slopes of the nearby ski resorts, or simply wind down at the coffee shops or breweries of Breck!
One weekend in this mountain town, you’ll start to wonder why you chose the downtown dance of Denver over the blissful backcountry of Breckenridge.
Rocky Mountain National Park
🚗Distance from Denver: 70 miles, 1.5 hours
Escape the city and explore the expanse of Rocky Mountain National Park for an enchanting weekend trip from Denver!
Just a quick ride into the mountains from the Denver International Airport is a national park waiting to be scratched off your bucket list.
With just a short drive into your weekend, this park offers enough wilderness, wildlife, and natural wonders to fill your soul and your schedule. Camp under the stars, spend time hiking, chase the alpenglow at sunrise and take a dip in one of the many lakes RMNP has to offer.
Be sure to plan this weekend getaway from Denver ahead of time if you’re looking to enter the Bear Lake Corridor.
This sought-after side of the park offers many adventures but requires a timed-entry reservation, especially during the busy summer season. No need to worry – you can easily access the reservations online!
Colorado Springs
🚗Distance from Denver: 70 miles, 1.5 hours
Known for its stunning backdrop of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is a standard Denver weekend trip for families!
Start your weekend in Colorado Springs by summiting Pikes Peak Highway and enjoying the panoramic views of neighboring mountains ahead and the lights of the city below!
With an entire weekend with the fam still ahead of you, be sure to stop by and stroll the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Garden of the Gods, and the Seven Bridges for memories that will last a lifetime!
Soak up the sun and have fun with your family in Colorado Springs before heading back after your weekend trip from Denver.
Ouray
🚗Distance from Denver: 335 miles, 5-6 hours
Are you ready for a romantic road trip outside of the city? Look no further. Ouray is a day’s drive through the Rockies and into the San Juan Mountains for the perfect Denver weekend trip for couples.
Nestled into the mountains and in the arms of your partner, you’ll find that Ouray offers the exact getaway you were both searching for. Sit back, relax, and soak in the hot springs while soaking in the natural beauty that surrounds you.
Ouray is truly a hidden gem, with some of the most adventurous hikes and iconic views. Be sure to enjoy the cascading falls of Box Canyon while you’re there!
Moab, Utah
🚗Distance from Denver: 355 miles, 5.5 hours
Moab is the true adventure seekers weekend getaway from Denver! Home to several National and State Parks, Moab is sure to keep you busy and free your mind from those mundane months in the city!
The red rock landscapes, natural bridges, and distinct arches truly transport you into another world only hours away from downtown Denver.
Hike the winding trails of Canyonland National Park, climb the Delicate Arch of Arches National Park, and visit the canyons carved by ice at Dead Horse Point State Park.
The daring beauty of the desert is no match to the humble chaos of the city.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
🚗Distance from Denver: 235 miles, 3-4 hours
Exchange Denver for the Dunes for an adventurous weekend getaway at Great Sand Dunes National Park! Home to some of the tallest sand dunes in North America, this park offers a sandy escape in the mountainous state of Colorado.
Surf the dunes, hike the trails, splash in the creeks, and explore every inch of the dunes on your weekend away from Denver.
Did you know that there are more stars in the sky than grains of sand in the park? The Great Sand Dunes National Park is off the beaten path and almost appears out of nowhere, miles away from the nearest city.
Camp under the stars and explore the Milky Way above the dunes before returning to the lights of the city!
Steamboat Springs
🚗Distance from Denver: 160 miles, 3 hours
Steamboat Springs is a short road trip north of Denver and ranks on the list of best Denver weekend trips for families!
Steamboat Ski Resort is a family-friendly ski resort that offers an array of terrain, from the bunny slopes to some of the scariest slopes, so bundle up and hit the slopes on your weekend away from the city!
Surrounded by six peaks and several hot springs, you’ll surely find something to do all weekend long.
Idaho Springs
🚗Distance from Denver: 33 miles, 45 minutes
While we’re on the topic of hot springs, hop on over to Idaho Springs for the weekend to soak in the closest hot spring to downtown Denver!
This quick Denver weekend trip for couples is close enough to the city yet far enough into the evergreens that you can finally relax after a long week.
Indulge in the amenities Idaho Springs has to offer by relaxing in the springs, sipping on some local beers, and exploring the surrounding mountain trails.
Be sure to hike up to St. Mary’s Glacier while here!
Crested Butte
🚗Distance from Denver: 230 miles, 4-5 hours
We find Crested Butte to be the perfect weekend getaway from Denver any time of the year. Located in the center of the mountains is a charming mountain town overflowing with friendly locals, cute shops, enchanting peaks, and delicious food.
The road trip up to Crested Butte is no less amazing than the town itself, with several passes, highways, and routes to make the trip your very own. Each season, the Crested Butte highlights what makes the spring, summer, fall, and winter so magical in the mountains.
Hit the slopes with some of the best powder days at the Crested Butte Mountain Ski Resort. In the summer, visit the town to watch the wildflowers peak as you explore the trails.
And, of course, in the fall, see the largest aspen grove in North America turn golden right off of Kebler’s Pass!
Whether you’re looking to bring the whole family, your significant other, or just yourself on your weekend getaway from Denver, Crested Butte is a town for everyone.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
🚗Distance from Denver: 250 miles, 4-5 hours
Perhaps you’ve heard that the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is one of the most underrated national parks in America. That just means you have to visit!
Now, you’re searching for ways to turn it into a weekend getaway from Denver. Well, look no further!
It is important to note that there is no bridge across the canyon, so to see this beautiful expanse, you’ll want to allow enough time in your weekend to drive from the South Rim to the North Rim.
Turn this into an entire day of exploring by camping out at one of the scenic overlooks for a picnic at the provided picnic tables!
Just outside of this National Park is a culture of wineries, shops, and museums to stop at to make the most out of your weekend.
Blackhawk
🚗Distance from Denver: 40 miles, 1 hour
Blackhawk is a historic mining town filled with history and casinos for a weekend full of hitting the slots before the slopes!
There are over a dozen casinos in the betting town of Blackhawk. Hop around all weekend long to increase your winning odds beyond beginner’s luck!
Discover hundreds of activities, thousands of acres of nearby forests, and millions of dollars in Blackhawk during your weekend getaway from Denver!
And it’s only an hour away from Denver? Jackpot!
Glenwood Springs
🚗Distance from Denver: 157 miles, 2.5 hours
Nestled into the nooks of the Rocky Mountains is the glowing mountain town of Glenwood Springs. Getaway from Denver this weekend by gathering up some friends and heading towards Glenwood Springs!
Spend your weekend exploring the trails, canyons, caverns, and waters of Glenwood Springs. Step into the fairytale of Hanging Lake by taking the short, steep hike just miles off of I-70 to the surreal emerald waters and stunning waterfalls!
After your hike, don’t forget to soak in the muscle-soothing minerals of one of the many hot springs this town has to offer to relax after your day in the mountains.
Silverton
🚗Distance from Denver: 355 miles, 6-7 hours
Although this historic mining town gets its name from mining silver, it ranks gold on our list of best weekend getaways from Denver! Silverton is an alpine adventurer’s dream with an abundance of alpine lakes and adventures awaiting to be sought.
Just off of the Million Dollar Highway, this town has the best location in Colorado, surrounded by rugged peaks, enchanting evergreens, and winding rivers. Driving the Million Dollar Highway alone is an adventure you don’t want to miss out on!
After a long day of off-roading, hiking, or exploring, the charming city of Silverton awaits your arrival to sip on some hot cocoa and shop the local stores!
Silverton will send you packing the minute you arrive back into the daze of Denver.
Cheyenne, Wyoming
🚗Distance from Denver: 100 miles, 1-2 hours
Welcome to Wyoming! This is a town where the Wild West will rope you in for a wild ride during your weekend trip from Denver. It’s hard to imagine exploring another state after a short car ride from Denver, but Cheyenne is all of that and more.
Historic charm is truly the way this Western town keeps the spirit of the West alive. Your weekend could be filled with museums, boutiques, and yummy food as you explore the western frontier of Cheyenne, Wyoming!
Saddle up the car for this quick road trip and ride along with the family for a weekend in the Wild West just hours from Denver!
Mesa Verde National Park
🚗Distance from Denver: 370 miles, 6-7 hours
An ancient adventure awaits in the archaeological world of Mesa Verde National Park! Follow the footprints of our ancestors and discover the prehistoric cliff dwellings of the ancient Pueblo people.
Take the self-guided tours, see the dwellings from the Spruce Tree Overlook, and take the scenic drive around the park.
Mesa Verde National Park is wedged between Durango, Colorado, and the desert state of Utah for an entire weekend filled with family activities.
Final Thoughts: Weekend getaways from Denver
Sometimes, all we need is a short weekend getaway from Denver to remind ourselves of our connection with nature. Life in the city can get busy, but the mountains are only miles away!
Whether you’re visiting Denver and looking for a Denver weekend trip during vacation or you’re searching for some time to reconnect with nature, we’re here for you. We feel you. That’s why we’ve mapped out the best Denver weekend trips to match your needs.
Escape into the mountains, breathe the fresh mountain air, and follow your soul into the forest as you spend your weekend rejuvenating away from the city of Denver.
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