Planning a Trip to Colorado? Use This Detailed Guide

We’ve spent a lot of time in Colorado. After California, it’s probably our favorite state. This place was made for adventure, and for whatever reason, I feel at my best at elevation despite the extra effort required to do just about anything.

We’ve spent a full month in quirky Fairplay on top of numerous visits before and after to the state’s incredible national parks and ski resorts. Denver and its beer fest are a favorite weekend excursion, and Fort Collins is on our list for a future long-term stay.

I’m saying there’s a lot of love that went into putting this one together.

Use this guide when planning a trip to Colorado to make sure your visit is as good as all of ours have been. You won’t be disappointed by this one.

How to Plan a Trip to Colorado

Planning a trip to Colorado doesn’t have to be a challenge, especially if you have an idea of what you want to do once you’re in The Centennial State.

Fun fact: Yes, The Centennial State is Colorado’s nickname. I’m not impressed by it, either.

That said, you shouldn’t go about planning your trip last minute. Book flights and accommodations well ahead of time, especially if you’re after a Colorado hiking trip. Colorado’s generous winters mean the warmer months are prime time for visitors.

Here are a few more things you should know before visiting Colorado:

• Colorado has high elevations, especially in places like Denver and the Rocky Mountains. Be prepared for potential altitude sickness by staying hydrated and pacing yourself. I know those mountains are exciting, but take it slow.
• How much money you’ll need for vacations in Colorado will depend on what you’re doing while you’re there and where you’re going. A vacation involving ski resorts will be more expensive than a weekend in Denver, obviously.
• The mountains get snow well into March and sometimes into April, so the ski season in the state can be quite long. Don’t rely on what you think about spring on visits to Colorado
• Mountain temperatures get bitterly cold, especially if it’s windy on top of it. Pack accordingly if you’re picturing yourself on top of a mountain during Colorado’s impressive ski season.
• Explore beyond the big cities if you can. Colorado’s beauty lies in its outdoors. Plan to visit the national parks and smaller mountain towns for an experience you won’t forget, as cheesy as that sounds.

How Many Days You Need to See Colorado

If you’re visiting Denver or Colorado Springs on a city break, you only need a few days in Colorado. With more time, you can spend some time in the mountains and see what makes this state so special.

There are also four national parks in Colorado. To see all four in even a cursory way, you’ll want to set aside at least a week to do so. Keep in mind these are some of the most spectacular parks in the United States, let alone North America.

Ideally, you’ll focus on one if you’re visiting the state for a shorter amount of time. Here they are in no particular order:

• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The Best Time to Visit Colorado

The best months to visit Colorado really depend on your plans. If you want to ski, you won’t be making a summer trip, obviously. Check out more detailed information on the seasons below before booking that trip:

• Summer: You’ll find higher prices for flights and accommodations in the summertime when Colorado’s parks awaken and flood with visitors. Those looking for a city escape will find lots to do in Denver in the summer months
• Fall: You should be able to find some better deals on flights and accommodation during this time, as it’s shoulder season. September is an ideal month, with fewer visitors and great weather. Ski resorts begin to open in November.
• Winter: This is prime ski season in Colorado, so book flights and accommodations well ahead of your trip if you’re planning a ski trip. Snowstorms are likely in Colorado winters, so be prepared for winter driving conditions.
• Spring: This is shoulder season if you’re looking to take a hiking trip to spots like Rocky Mountain National Park. Avoid holidays and the state’s spring break and you should enjoy outdoor activities with all the scenery but fewer crowds.

How to Get to Colorado

Most flights to Colorado will start in Denver at the state’s main airport, Denver International Airport. Don’t let the name fool you, though. The airport is well outside of the city limits, so you’ll likely need to rent a car once you’re there to get anywhere else.

You’re also able to catch regional flights from Denver to other cities and Colorado mountain towns throughout the state. Colorado Springs Airport is another popular fly-in option, just over an hour from Denver.

How to Get Around Colorado

If Denver or even Colorado Springs aren’t your final destinations, you’ll either have a short connection to your next stop, or, more likely, you’ll be driving. Just getting from the Denver airport into the city is made so much easier with a car.

If you’re arriving in Denver, you’ll be within easy driving distance of the best of the state. I’m talking about Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, to name a few.

Fun fact: Winter sports enthusiasts will be a few hours from primo resorts in ski towns like Vail and Breckinridge.

Aspen is further out, so it’d be more efficient to catch a regional flight into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, the most convenient option, or Eagle County Airport, 70 miles out.

If your trip is limited to Denver and you don’t want to rent a car, you can use the city’s rail system to get from the airport to downtown Denver. The Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) A Line comes every 15-30 minutes, depending on the time of day.

The RTD also runs a light rail, with 36 stops in the city and surrounding suburbs, and bus service within the metro area. Visit their website for schedules and ticketing information. As with any major city, rideshare services are available throughout Denver.

Leisurely travelers may like one of two train options on Amtrak that run through Colorado and the West. To see schedules for those lines, the California Zephyr and the Southwest Chief, visit Amtrak’s website.

Top Places to Visit in Colorado

For your first visit to Colorado, you’ll want to choose between a city escape in Denver or one of the state’s national parks. With more time, plan a Colorado road trip itinerary to see more highlights or get off the beaten path.

Places like the Royal Gorge Bridge in Cañon City and Glenwood Springs and its hot springs scene await travelers. As you plan a trip to Colorado for the first time, though, there are a few spots to prioritize.

Boulder

You’d be hard-pressed to find a place more perfectly situated than Boulder. Less than an hour from Denver, Boulder sits at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide of the Americas.

Hikers will love access to the Flatirons, the large rock formations that are iconic landmarks on the west side of town.

While you’re downtown, don’t just pass by the Pearl Street Mall, the hub for the city’s art galleries, eateries, and a growing craft cocktail scene.

We’ve only visited Boulder on day trips from Denver since it’s expensive as heck to stay there for longer, but it’s one of those places that deserves more time if you can swing it.

Colorado Ski Towns

Vail. Aspen. Telluride. Colorado’s biggest ski towns are like Madonna. They need no further introduction.

Those big three only scratch the surface of all the skiing to be had if that’s what you’re after on a Colorado vacation. I’m partial to Breckenridge, a heavy hitter in its own right. Check out my guide to the best of charming Breck.

I don’t ski, either. How can I judge ski towns in Colorado, you ask? I look at what these whimsical places have to offer members of your party who don’t want to spend all day on the slopes.

Breckenridge is all kinds of cute in that respect, and I had a CBD massage there once which certainly helped.

Note: Steamboat Springs, Keystone, and Winter Park are a few more popular, reliable ski destinations in the state.

Denver

We’ve visited Denver a few times now, thanks to the city’s annual Great American Beer Festival. You won’t find a festival in the United States with more beer offerings, which makes the event very, very fun.

On top of drinking my weight in Pumking every time I visit said festival, we try to do something new on each Denver visit.

Don’t miss out on people-watching in Larimer Square, getting your art fix at the Denver Art Museum, and strolling Washington Park. Drive the Mount Evans Byway, the highest paved road in North America.

The road climbs over 7,000 feet across 28 miles, eventually reaching an altitude of more than 14,000 feet.

Note: The city is also likely where you’ll start if you’re headed to the mountains during ski season. You may as well take advantage of all that Denver has to offer in that case as you go to/from your final destination.

The day trip possibilities out of Denver are numerous. You’ll be within an easy drive of Boulder, the Pikes Peak region, and Rocky Mountain National Park, to name a few of my favorites. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is also a must.

Fort Collins

Fort Collins is our favorite city in Colorado. There’s just no contest. It has a more small-town feel than Denver or even Colorado Springs and a beer scene that will surely occupy you ’til the end of your days.

We visited the town five different times during a month-long stay in nearby Cheyenne, Wyoming, so I feel like we have a good sample size. Can you tell we didn’t love Cheyenne?

READ MORE: I’ll give Cheyenne one thing. It was a great base for day trips, including Fort Collins.

Fort Collins is a great blend of outdoor adventure, delicious eats, and a friendly community.

I could go on and on about Fort Collins, but I have a detailed guide to point you to, instead. It’s long and packed with tips on where to go, what to eat, and how to invite me on your next trip. I’m mostly kidding about that last part.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Most visitors to Colorado will choose Rocky Mountain National Park over any other park in Colorado for a first-time visit. In fact, it’s one of the most visited parks across the country, year after year.

If mountain peaks don’t do it for you, add alpine lakes into the mix. If you’re still not impressed, I’m not sure what your deal is.

Drive Trail Ridge Road if you’re short on time. You won’t find a continuous through road that’s higher in elevation in any national park across the country.

Hike the easy Alpine Ridge Trail, a little over a half-mile to a panoramic viewpoint of the park, or the more moderate 3.6-mile hike to Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes.

For your best chance at spotting elk in the park, head to Moraine Park, a popular grazing spot. If you want an epic hiking experience, it doesn’t get better than the Sky Pond hike.

Stay in Estes Park or Grand Lake for the most efficient access to the park. You’ll find the towns on either end of Trail Ridge Road, Estes Park to the east, and Grand Lake to the west.

Interested in a guided experience in the park? Check out a few options below:

More Places to Visit in Colorado

We still have more to see in Colorado. Buena Vista, Twin Lakes, and a ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all on our list.

That said, we’ve seen a lot of Colorado, so I wanted to offer you a few more suggestions if you’re on a longer trip through the state.

Here are a few more Colorado destinations we’ve been to that I’d highly recommend in your trip planning from our experiences:

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: We only spent a day at this one and I do have regrets about that. This park in western Colorado is known for its sheer cliffs and dramatic drops, offering hiking, scenic overlooks, and stargazing.
• Colorado Springs: Colorado Springs is great for a Colorado weekend away. If you’re here in the warmer months, visit Garden of the Gods or drive to the summit of Pikes Peak.
• Fairplay: Known as South Park City, this was our base for a full month of mountain exploration in Colorado. We loved it. Visit in the summer for easy access to hiking in nearby Breckenridge.
• Florissant Fossil Beds: See some of the largest petrified tree stumps in the world at a park that deserves national park status. We were so pleasantly surprised by this one.
• Great Sand Dunes National Park: See the tallest sand dunes in North America at this park. This was a quick visit for us, but that doesn’t mean we weren’t impressed. If you’re here for the day, bring your sandboards for some real fun.

READ MORE: Want to fit in some golf? Read a review of Colorado’s best course, RainDance National.

Colorado Travel Itineraries

One week in Colorado will leave you wanting more, but that’s OK. You’ll be back. Here are a few trip ideas for a full week’s worth of activities on a Colorado trip itinerary:

Option 1: Colorado National Parks

• Day 1: Arrive in Denver, then drive to Alamosa.
• Day 2: Explore Great Sand Dunes National Park, then drive to Cortez.
• Day 3: Explore Mesa Verde National Park, then drive to Montrose.
• Day 4: Explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
• Day 5: Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Day 6: Explore Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Day 7: Return to Denver.

Option 2: Denver & Beyond

• Day 1: Arrive in Denver.
• Day 2: Explore Denver.
• Day 3: Explore Denver and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
• Day 4: Take a day trip to Boulder.
• Day 5: Drive to Colorado Springs.
• Day 6: Explore Colorado Springs before returning to Denver.
• Day 7: Depart via Denver.

Option 3: Colorado Mountains & Unique Wonders

• Day 1: Arrive in Colorado Springs.
• Day 2: Explore the Garden of the Gods.
• Day 3: Drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park.
• Day 4: Drive to Crested Butte.
• Day 5: Drive to Aspen.
• Day 6: Explore Aspen and the Maroon Bells.
• Day 7: Return to Colorado Springs.

Amazing Facts About Colorado

Colorado is one of the most scenic states in the country. That doesn’t mean I don’t have anything weird to say about it. Here are five of my favorite fun facts about Colorado:

1. Denver’s designation as the “Mile High City” has nothing to do with what it’s been legalizing. The city’s official elevation is exactly one mile above sea level.
2. If you’d like to be super-efficient in knocking states off your list, visit the Four Corners Monument. You can be in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah all at the same time, the only place in America where the corners of four states meet.
3. Snow enthusiasts rejoice! It is legal to throw snowballs again in the town of Severance, following the unanimous town board decision in 2018. The ban had been in place for nearly 100 years before it was overturned.
4. There are many burger chains that claim to have invented the cheeseburger, but the trademark for the name went to Denver restaurant owner Louis Ballast. Thank you, Humpty Dumpty Drive-In.
5. March 17, 1905, is an odd little day in Colorado history. The state had three governors that day due to election improprieties and calls for resignation of the immediate replacement.

What to Pack to Colorado

Your Colorado packing list will vary depending on when you’re heading to the state and what your itinerary looks like. As most people are heading there for the skiing and the nature activities, check out some ideas below on things you should pack:

• Flannels: Colorado is one of those places where you can get away with Western wear. At the very least, pack a flannel, which is appropriate in both saloons — are those still a thing? — and hipster establishments throughout Denver.
• Fleece-lined tights: I live in fleece when traveling in the chilly months. Having something enveloping your skin like some fleece-lined tights makes the difference when you’re spending time outdoors.
• Hiking backpack: We are Osprey brand loyalists these days. They’re lightweight enough to carry on your back for miles and have all kinds of fun compartments for you to store your water bladder and other necessities.
• Hiking shoes: Headed to the mountains? Lucky you! Bring a pair of solid hiking shoes or boots for your travels up there. Colorado hiking is no joke. Go for something weather-proof if you’re able.
• Thermal tops: You’ll want at least two thermal tops that are easy layers underneath a shell or sweater if you’re traveling in the winter months. I haven’t found a correlation between spending a bunch of money on these and feeling any warmer.

Famous Foods in Colorado

Colorado is famous for the following foods:

• Bison
• Colorado Snowball
• Denver omelette
• Green chili
• Lamb
• Mountain pie
• Olathe sweet corn
• Palisade peaches
• Rocky Mountain oysters
• Trout

Special Dates & Events in Colorado

If you’re planning a trip to Colorado during a specific time of year, consider whether there are any festivals or holidays occurring. You may want to attend special events or avoid them, as holidays often mean business closures.

Here are a few notable Colorado events:

• Sonic Bloom: The four-day Sonic Bloom festival, held most recently at the Hummingbird Ranch in Walsenburg, is an ode to electronic music. It’s at a campground, and I know that’s exciting for some.
• Greeley Stampede: Also known as the Greeley Independence Stampede, this is an annual summer celebration in the town of Greeley. This event has been happening in some form since 1922. It has its roots as a celebration of local potato farmers.
• Cherry Creek Arts Festival: The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is an annual Denver event in the city’s Cherry Creek North neighborhood. The award-winning event is a celebration of art in all its forms.
• Olathe Sweet Corn Fest: Every summer, the city of Olathe celebrates its own variety of sweet corn with the Olathe Sweet Corn Fest. The festival includes the expected corn-eating, live music, and all kinds of family-friendly activities.
• Great American Beer Festival: The Great American Beer Festival is a three-day event held in Denver around the same time as Oktoberfest each year. I consider it an essential event to try if you’re a craft beer fiend. We’ve been three times.

Where to Stay in Colorado

Where you stay in Colorado depends on your itinerary, when you’re traveling, and budget constraints. If you’re here to ski, you probably don’t want to drive an hour to the slopes.

A longer drive may not be a big deal if you’re looking for a cabin in the middle of the summer. The best advice I can give here is to book your accommodations as soon as you know when your trip is happening, especially if you’re traveling at peak times.

Browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for your options based on your itinerary. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative if you want something with more amenities.

A trip to Colorado is always worth it.

Colorado is awesome. The scenery rivals some of the best vistas we’ve seen in places like Switzerland, to be honest, and I’m not even being hyperbolic.

The state offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure, and delicious eating to fuel more of the same the next day. Whether you’re here to hike, take scenic drives, or ski on world-class slopes (not me!), the state’s diverse landscapes will impress you.

I’m certain of it.