Colorado What To Do›Weekend Getaways
Weekend Getaways From Denver
Eight two- and three-day trips that start from Denver, with the drive time, the best season and a simple plan for each.
What are the best weekend trips from Denver?
Popular weekend getaways from Denver include Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park (about 1.5 hours), Boulder and Lyons (under an hour), Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs (about 1 to 1.5 hours), Breckenridge and Summit County (about 1.5 to 2 hours), Glenwood Springs (about 2.5 to 3 hours), Steamboat Springs (about 3 to 3.5 hours), Salida and Buena Vista (about 2.5 to 3 hours) and Georgetown and Idaho Springs (under an hour).
The best Colorado weekends are the ones with less driving and more doing. Every trip below is close enough to leave Friday afternoon or Saturday morning and be home Sunday night.
Two pieces of advice apply to all of them. First, think about Interstate 70 traffic. Westbound traffic out of Denver is heaviest on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, and eastbound traffic back peaks on Sunday afternoon, especially in ski season. Leaving early, late or on a weekday changes the trip. Second, check the pass conditions. Several of these routes cross 10,000-foot passes where it can snow outside midsummer. Our companion site explains Colorado's traction law, which applies on I-70 from September through May.
Drive times are approximate from downtown Denver in good conditions and normal traffic.
Eight weekends
The Trips
1. Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Drive: about 1.5 hours. Best: June to October; quieter in winter. Saturday, enter the park early and drive Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor Center, stopping at the tundra overlooks. In the evening, watch for elk in Moraine Park, especially during the September and October rut. Sunday, hike from the Bear Lake corridor to Dream and Emerald lakes, then walk the Estes Park riverwalk. Check the park's timed entry rules first. More in our northern mountains guide.
2. Boulder and Lyons
Drive: about 30 to 60 minutes. Best: year-round. Hike from Chautauqua Park under the Flatirons, then spend the afternoon on the Pearl Street Mall. Sunday, drive north to Lyons, a small red-sandstone town where the St. Vrain River meets the foothills, and walk the river parks. In summer, check whether there is a show at the Planet Bluegrass ranch.
3. Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs
Drive: about 1 to 1.5 hours. Best: year-round. Walk Garden of the Gods early, then go up Pikes Peak by the cog railway or the highway. Spend the evening in Manitou Springs. Sunday, explore the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum or the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. See our southern Colorado guide.
4. Breckenridge and Summit County
Drive: about 1.5 to 2 hours. Best: December to March for skiing, July to September for hiking. In winter, ski Breckenridge or Keystone and walk Main Street after dark. In summer, ride the paved recreation path around Dillon Reservoir, hike to an alpine lake, or rent a paddleboard in Frisco. On the way home, drive over Loveland Pass if the weather is clear.
5. Glenwood Springs
Drive: about 2.5 to 3 hours. Best: year-round. Glenwood is the easy answer for a winter weekend. Soak in Glenwood Hot Springs Pool or Iron Mountain Hot Springs, ride the gondola to Glenwood Caverns, and bike the path through Glenwood Canyon. If you can get a permit, hike to Hanging Lake. See our hot springs guide.
6. Steamboat Springs
Drive: about 3 to 3.5 hours over Rabbit Ears Pass. Best: January to March, June to September. A good three-day weekend. Ski Steamboat in winter, or in summer tube the Yampa River and hike to Fish Creek Falls. In any season, finish the day at Strawberry Park Hot Springs; check its current rules and reservation requirements first.
7. Salida and Buena Vista
Drive: about 2.5 to 3 hours. Best: May to September. Raft Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River with a licensed outfitter, soak at Mount Princeton or Cottonwood hot springs, and walk historic downtown Salida along the river. The drive home over Trout Creek and Kenosha passes is especially good in late September, when the aspens turn.
8. Georgetown and Idaho Springs
Drive: under 1 hour. Best: year-round. For a short getaway or a long day trip, ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad, look for bighorn sheep at the viewing station near Georgetown Lake, and walk Georgetown's Victorian streets. In summer, the road to Mount Blue Sky climbs from Idaho Springs and needs a timed reservation.
Choosing
Which Weekend Is Right?
| Trip | Drive | Best for | Reservations to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estes Park and RMNP | 1.5 hr | Wildlife, alpine scenery | Park timed entry |
| Boulder and Lyons | Under 1 hr | Easy hikes, food, no mountain driving | Chautauqua parking and shuttle |
| Colorado Springs | 1 to 1.5 hr | Families, first-time visitors | Pikes Peak Highway in summer |
| Breckenridge | 1.5 to 2 hr | Skiing, summer trails | Lodging on peak weekends |
| Glenwood Springs | 2.5 to 3 hr | Hot springs, winter weekends | Hanging Lake permit |
| Steamboat Springs | 3 to 3.5 hr | Three-day weekends, hot springs | Hot springs entry |
| Salida and Buena Vista | 2.5 to 3 hr | Rafting, small-town feel | Raft trip booking |
| Georgetown | Under 1 hr | Day trips, rail fans | Train tickets, Mount Blue Sky |
Common questions
Weekend Trip Questions
What is the best mountain town near Denver for a weekend?
Estes Park, about 1.5 hours away, is the most popular choice because it is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Breckenridge in Summit County is a close alternative, especially for skiing, and Georgetown and Idaho Springs are under an hour away for a shorter trip.
Where can you go from Denver in winter without skiing?
Glenwood Springs is a strong winter choice for its hot springs, caverns and canyon path. Colorado Springs and Boulder are usually mild and sunny between storms, and Estes Park is quiet for snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park.
How do you avoid I-70 traffic on a weekend?
Leave Denver before about 7 a.m. or after the morning rush on Saturdays, and return before midday or late in the evening on Sundays. Check COtrip.org for live conditions and chain law alerts, especially in ski season.
Sources
- Colorado Department of Transportation: COtripI-70 conditions, traction law
- National Park Service: Rocky Mountain National Parktimed entry
- City of Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Highwaytimed reservations
- Visit Glenwood Springs: Hanging Lake permitspermit system
- Georgetown Loop Railroadtrain information
- Steamboat Springs ChamberSteamboat planning
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Arearafting on the Arkansas