Colorado’s sparkling capital, Denver, offers Rocky Mountain adventure and some of the USA’s finest arts, culture, and restaurants. But you might want to venture out of the city limits to make new memories at some of Colorado’s other top attractions.
Here are five terrific day trips just a stone’s throw from Denver, the Mile High City.
Garden of the Gods
Just outside of Colorado Springs, the massive red sandstone formations at the Garden of the Gods make for an amazing day trip. Entry to the park is free. The Garden of the Gods is a must-visit for rock climbers, who can book climbing excursions to enjoy the terrain up close. For those who’d prefer to keep their feet on the ground and admire the view, there are miles of gorgeous biking and hiking trails to enjoy. Pack a lunch, and be sure your phone is charged because the photo ops are absolutely dazzling. Bonus: Pikes Peak is just 20 minutes away if you’re an overachiever.
Pikes Peak
Hike the 13-mile Barr Trail to the 14,115-ft-high summit of Pikes Peak for one of the US’s most iconic views of the Rocky Mountains. You can also go by car instead, via the 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway, or take an old-fashioned train from Manitou Springs.
Whatever your mode of travel, Pikes Peak’s majesty will take your breath away with its gorgeous scenery and wildlife sightings. The entrance to the Pikes Peak Highway is situated 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs. A roundtrip car ride can take two to three hours, so plan accordingly.
Breckenridge
A little under two hours from Denver by car, Breckenridge is pure paradise for skiers and snowboarders (snowshoers, too, if that’s your jam) and a wonderful choice for a winter day trip. River rafting, paddleboarding, and hiking draw tons of warm-weather visitors as well. Breckenridge is a historic mining town that’s now home to a Main Street full of art galleries, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants—meaning there’s always something for everyone to enjoy. We especially love this list of 31 fab activities in Breckenridge.
Fort Collins
Craft beer lovers from all over flock to Fort Collins, just a little more than an hour’s drive from Denver. The city boasts more than two dozen local breweries where visitors can enjoy tasting flights of beer and book fun brewery tours. You can also take a vintage trolley through Old Town Fort Collins. The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is a terrific place for families to enjoy interactive science and nature exhibits and take in a mind-blowing movie at the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
Thirty miles outside Denver in Keenesburg, CO, lies The Wild Animal Sanctuary, a 320-acre rescue and education center home to more than 750 rehabilitated animals like lions, bears, and tigers. From its elevated (and secure, don’t worry!) viewing area, you can marvel at these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats without causing the animals the kind of stress that glass-walled zoo exhibits can.
Did we miss your favorite Denver day trip? Let us know so we can feature the destination in one of our upcoming Castle RV blogs! Visit the Castle RV Storage blog for all the best Colorado and Arizona Camping, Travel, and RVing tips. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and share our love of the RV Travel Life!
