Colorado What To Do›Regions
Colorado By Region
Colorado is too big to see in one trip. Here is how the state breaks down for visitors, what each region does best, and which season suits it.
What are the main regions to visit in Colorado?
For trip planning, Colorado divides into six regions: the Front Range cities along I-25; the northern mountains around Rocky Mountain National Park and Steamboat Springs; the central high country of Summit County, Vail, Aspen and the Arkansas Valley; the Western Slope around Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs; the southwest and the San Juan Mountains; and southern Colorado, from Pikes Peak to the Great Sand Dunes.
The most common mistake on a first Colorado trip is trying to see all of it. Colorado covers about 104,000 square miles, and the Continental Divide runs down the middle with only a handful of paved passes across it.
Driving between regions often takes longer than the map suggests. Mountain highways are two lanes, passes climb above 10,000 feet, and traffic on Interstate 70 west of Denver can double a drive on a ski weekend. A good rule is one region for a long weekend and two for a week. If you have ten days or more, our Colorado road trip itinerary links several regions into a loop.
Our home page sorts the state into five broad "Colorados". This page goes one step further and splits the mountains into the areas visitors actually base themselves in. Each region below links to a full guide.
The six regions
Pick A Region
Cities and foothills
Front Range: Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins
Museums, Red Rocks, the Flatirons, Old Town Fort Collins and foothills trailheads less than an hour from downtown.
Read the guide →National park country
Northern Mountains: RMNP And Steamboat
Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Grand Lake, Steamboat Springs and moose country in North Park.
Read the guide →Ski towns and fourteeners
Central High Country
Summit County, Vail, Aspen, Leadville and the rafting towns of Buena Vista and Salida.
Read the guide →Canyons and orchards
Western Slope
Colorado National Monument, Palisade, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Grand Mesa and Glenwood Springs.
Read the guide →Mountains and mesas
Southwest And The San Juans
Mesa Verde, Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and the Million Dollar Highway.
Read the guide →Pikes Peak to the dunes
Southern Colorado
Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, the Royal Gorge, Great Sand Dunes and the San Luis Valley.
Read the guide →At a glance
How The Regions Compare
| Region | Base towns | Best season | Drive from Denver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range | Denver, Boulder, Golden, Fort Collins | Year-round | 0 to 1 hour |
| Northern mountains | Estes Park, Grand Lake, Steamboat Springs | June to October; Steamboat also winter | About 1.5 to 3.5 hours |
| Central high country | Breckenridge, Vail, Aspen, Leadville, Salida | December to March, June to September | About 1.5 to 4 hours |
| Western Slope | Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Montrose | April to June, September to October | About 2.5 to 4.5 hours |
| Southwest and San Juans | Durango, Ouray, Telluride, Cortez | June to October | About 5.5 to 7 hours |
| Southern Colorado | Colorado Springs, Cañon City, Alamosa | Year-round; dunes best spring and fall | About 1 to 4 hours |
Drive times are approximate, without stops, in good conditions. Mountain weather, construction and I-70 weekend traffic can add hours. Check COtrip.org before you leave.
Matching region to season
Which Region In Which Season
Summer (late June to August). The high country and the San Juans are at their best, with the full road network open, wildflowers in July and the longest hiking season. Expect afternoon thunderstorms most days from mid-July. The lower Western Slope can be very hot.
Fall (September to mid-October). The best all-round month is September. Aspens turn gold from the highest elevations down, the elk rut is underway in Rocky Mountain National Park, and crowds thin after Labor Day. The San Juans, Kebler Pass near Crested Butte and the Maroon Bells near Aspen are the classic color drives. See our fall things to do guide.
Winter (December to March). The central high country, Steamboat and the San Juan ski areas take over. The Front Range is often sunny and mild between storms, which makes Denver a good base for a mixed city and mountain trip. Several high roads close for the season, including Trail Ridge Road and Independence Pass. Our winter guide covers what stays open.
Spring (April to May). Mountain towns enter mud season and many businesses close for a few weeks. This is the moment for the desert canyons of the Western Slope, the Great Sand Dunes, and the Front Range.
Before you go
Five Rules That Apply In Every Region
- Reserve the reservation places early. Rocky Mountain National Park, the Maroon Bells, Hanging Lake, Mount Blue Sky and Mesa Verde's cliff dwelling tours all use advance reservations in season. Our home page keeps the current list.
- Respect the altitude. Most mountain towns sit between 7,500 and 10,500 feet. Drink extra water, go easy on alcohol the first night and save the hardest hike for day two or three.
- Start early. Summer storms build over the peaks by early afternoon. Plan to be off summits and exposed ridges by noon.
- Check fire restrictions. Counties and land agencies set their own campfire rules, and they change often in dry years.
- Leave it better. Pack out everything you bring in, stay on trails, and give wildlife space.
Common questions
Colorado Region Questions
What is the most beautiful part of Colorado?
It depends on what you want, but the San Juan Mountains in the southwest are often singled out for their combination of steep peaks, old mining towns and the Million Dollar Highway. For a first trip with less driving, Rocky Mountain National Park and the Maroon Bells near Aspen deliver classic high-country scenery within a few hours of Denver.
How many days do you need to see Colorado?
Plan on three to four days for one region and seven to ten days for two or three regions. Seeing most of the state in one loop takes at least ten days to two weeks because of mountain driving times.
What is the best region of Colorado for families?
The Front Range and the northern mountains are the easiest with children: short drives, lower elevations for sleeping, and many attractions close together, from Denver's museums to Rocky Mountain National Park. Our guide to things to do in Colorado with kids has specific ideas.
Sources
- Colorado Department of Transportation: COtrip road conditionsclosures and traction law
- National Park Service: Rocky Mountain National Parktimed entry and road status
- Colorado Tourism Officeregional travel information
- U.S. Census Bureau: State area measurementsColorado land and water area