Top Colorado Day Trips

Head south from Denver on a small group tour to two of Colorado’s most majestic places. First, visit Garden of the Gods, a unique geological area with colossal red rock formations. Then take a drive up Pikes Peak, which inspired the song “America the Beautiful.” Have lunch and enjoy a bit of free time or shopping in the charming town of Manitou Springs, then take a scenic drive through the foothills back to Denver.

Get a feel for the real Colorado on this day trip from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park. Meet your tour guide and load into a comfortable and spacious air-conditioned vehicle. Pass through Boulder on the way to the park, admiring the beautiful brick campus of the University of Colorado's main campus. Once inside the park, look for mule deer, elk, and other wildlife, stretch your legs at a glacial lake, and take photos galore. Afterward, explore the quaint mountain village of Estes Park before heading back to Denver.

Explore Colorado’s natural playgrounds, just a short drive from downtown Denver. Escape the city and head for the Rockies with a guide to handle the road, so you can focus on the stunning scenery of Mt. Evans, Bear Creek Canyon, and beyond. Get a taste of mountain culture in the charming town of Evergreen, check out the dramatic formations of Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and hike around serene Echo Lake on this half-day mountain sampler.

This full-day, small-group tour takes you out of the city and into the rugged Rocky Mountains. Visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an acoustic masterpiece crafted by Mother Nature; travel through rugged Clear Creek Canyon to the Continental Divide; and visit an old mining town. Enjoy free time for lunch and shopping in the iconic ski town of Breckenridge, then head back to Denver, passing through the Eisenhower Tunnel—the longest, highest, passenger car tunnel in the world.

Discover the best of the Rocky Mountain National Park on a guided full-day tour. Park entrance, along with round-trip transportation from Denver or Boulder is conveniently included. Set at a moderate pace, the hike is perfect for people with some experience who also want to take time to appreciate the scenery. Stop for a complimentary packed lunch, which can be prepared to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Venture beyond Denver, and discover what Colorado has to offer: on this small-group tour, visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Continental Divide, and the ski resort town of Breckenridge, all in one day. Depart in the morning via comfortable vehicle: you'll explore Red Rocks before taking Loveland Pass along the Continental Divide, and stopping for photos along the way. At Breckenridge, enjoy free time to wander, shop, and eat lunch (own expense).

Visit one of the most beautiful parks in the American West on a full-day tour from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park. Picnic among a summer landscape of thick green trees and wildflower meadows, and drive above timberline on an alpine road with stunning mountain views. Stroll around and look for Colorado wildlife inside the park, with time for a dose of mountain culture in the charming resort town of Estes Park.

First-time visitors to Denver appreciate this opportunity to escape the city for a few hours to see key attractions in the foothills. Let a professional do the driving on mountain byways, while you sit back and take in the sights. You'll visit the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, will stop by the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, will drive the Lariat Loop, and more. In just half a day, you'll see some of the best of the region.

This tour covers the best part of Sri Lanka’s South Coast. You'll visit Galle, rich in colonial heritage, and explore the iconic Dutch Fort that encloses the city. You can walk along the ramparts and the cobblestone pathways that crisscross through the fort. Visit Ambalangoda mask factory and experience a memorable boat ride at Maduganga Ganga before visiting the Turtle Hatchery. Japanese Peace Pagoda is a bonus.

Take a break from the city and head out to Manitou Springs for zipline course popular among families with children. In the company of your guide, embark on a rugged adventure through the forest as you try out a variety of ziplines and customize the experience to suit your level of thrill–seeking. Gear, hydration, and tutorials are included for your convenience.

Spend a day hiking and exploring the natural attractions around Idaho Springs without the risk of getting lost. Hike up to St. Mary's Glacier for incredible panoramic mountain views whatever the time of year. After a lunch break at a classic pizza joint, soak away aches and pains in natural hot springs warmed by geothermal forces. This fun day out includes a great blend of activity and relaxation.

Explore Colorado’s famous protected playground on a small-group tour of Rocky Mountain National Park. Drive through the foothills into the unspoiled western wilderness, stopping in the resort town of Estes Park and the historic—and allegedly haunted—Stanley Hotel. Wintertime means stops at snow-ringed lakes, cozy mountain hideouts, and visitors’ centers, while summer allows access over the soaring Trail Ridge Road and other alpine vistas.

See for yourself why Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular parks in the United States on this small-group day trip from Denver. Let a guide handle the winding mountain roads while you soak up views of dozens of peaks surrounded by alpine forests, lakes, and meadows. Cross the Great Divide on soaring Trail Ridge Road, look for abundant Colorado wildlife, and get a glimpse of the legendary Stanley Hotel: the inspiration for Stephen King’s "The Shining."

This Denver day trip starts with a city tour that takes you past Denver’s highlights like the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Civic Center Park, and Denver Art Museum. We’ll drive by Cheesman Park, the historic Five Points neighborhood, and on down Colfax Ave (the longest street in the country), and take our first stop at City Park, with its picturesque city skyline and mountain backdrop. You’ll view funky murals in the thriving River North (RiNo) Art District, pass Coors Field, and grab coffee and empanadas at a local favorite hotspot. Then, it’s time for a 30-minute scenic drive to the iconic Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. We’ll drive through the park, take in the stunning rock formations, and get out to explore the world-famous amphitheater (if open). We finish up with a quick stop at Lookout Mountain for a breath of crisp mountain air and panoramic views of Denver, Golden, and the mighty Rocky Mountains before returning to Union Station.

Get out into the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains without the hassle of renting a car on this half-day afternoon tour. Meet your guide and small group in downtown Denver, then climb into a comfortable tour vehicle for the scenic ride into the nearby Rockies. You'll explore places with your guide that you might not otherwise find on your own.

Immerse yourself in the exciting history of the Colorado Gold Rush, and enjoy the intimacy of a small-group tour. Stroll through the historic town of Central City and follow the steps of the miners as you learn about their lifestyle. Visit an authentic ghost town, tour a real gold mine, and and learn about the mine's history and modern-day mining techniques. Get an opportunity to strike it rich by panning for gold and silver before your return trip to Denver.

If you're going to Rocky Mountain National Park for the animals, maximize your sightings with a full-day tour completely focused on wildlife. Travel with a guide who knows the best places to spot amazing Colorado creatures like bighorn sheep, moose, elk, and mule deer. Avoid the crowds at off-the-track locations, and learn about the park’s amazing biodiversity along the way.

The first national park to “preserve the works of man,” Mesa Verde stands alone as a national park, archaeological site, and UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this half-day tour, you’ll skip the search for parking and go straight to exploring the ancient cliff dwellings with a guide, learning about the park’s flora and fauna, geology, and human mystery—these ruins were abandoned around the year 1300.

Get a quick overview or Mesa Verde National Park on this half-day tour focused on the park's highlights. It would take days to see everything here; so if you're short on time, this tour's for you. Stops include the ranger-guided tour of the Cliff Palace, Chapin Mesa, and other areas based on the group's interests. Traveling with a small group of just 15 people or fewer means you'll enjoy personalized attention and the chance to ask questions.

Combine a visit to the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak with a trip on the Cog Railway with this tour from Denver. Your driver will pick you up at Union Station and take you to the Garden of the Gods, where you'll explore for a bit before taking the railway up to Pikes Peak. You'll then have time to visit Manitou Springs before returning to Denver.

This is a great way to see some of the best sites in Denver. You'll see some interesting architecture and learn about the history. Take a short hike around Red Rocks, one of the most interesting Amphitheaters in the USA and some dinosaur footprints nearby at Dinosaur ridge. We will then visit RiNo art district which has dozens of fascinating murals and plenty of interesting buildings and shops. We have option of eating at central market cafeteria there. Afterwards we will visit the remodeled Union Station, Milk Alley, Coors Field and Larimar square. We can then go inside the magnificent capital (on days its open) and surrounding buildings in Civic park. If you have seen parts of this tour already we can skip certain areas and spend more time in other places if it is a private tour.

Head for the hills on a full-day adventure that takes you from Denver to the stunning peaks and Old West boom towns of the Rocky Mountains. Drive up Mt Evans, one of Colorado’s highest ’14-ers,’ and witness the dramatic ranges of the Continental Divide. Along the way, keep an eye out for bison and bighorn sheep, and pass through historic mining towns that preserve the state’s rich silver mining legacy.

Enjoy the view from some of Colorado’s highest peaks with a full-day mountain tour from Denver. Escape the city without renting a car as a driver and guide takes you high into the Rocky Mountains, traveling above timberline on Trail Ridge Road and to the top of Mt. Evans for stunning photos. Stroll around an alpine lake, look for big horn sheep and other Colorado wildlife, and stop for lunch in the mining town of Idaho Springs for a real taste of the Old West.