Top Colorado Day Trips

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.

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.

We offer private, fully customizable hiking tours of Rocky Mountain National Park. Take a guided hike to see the best the area has to offer. You follow our guide to the trailhead (in your own vehicle) to begin your hike. All tours include a timed entry reservation, gear rentals, and 5 professional photos available for digital download. (Ask about our add-on package for more photos!) We offer fully inclusive and accessible options as well. Great for solo travelers or the whole family and all ability levels. We will text you to build your custom itinerary after we receive your booking request. 4 hour: Easy/Beginner 6 hour: Medium/Intermediate 8 hour: Hard/Advanced

Explore the stunning Colorado Rockies on an intimate small-group half-day tour led by a local guide. Enjoy scenic drives, short walks at picturesque stops, and breathtaking mountain views. Relax in a comfortable vehicle and experience the tranquility of lesser-known areas. Perfect for connecting with nature and discovering hidden gems.

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).

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.

Visit Mesa Verde National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage site — on this full-day tour from Durango. With a guide, xplore the park's preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and other archaeological sites, learning about the history and culture of this ancient Native American community. Lunch is included.

Experience Rocky Mountain National Park from east to west on this full-day scenic journey! Starting in Estes Park, you’ll travel across the park’s most iconic landscapes via Trail Ridge Road—one of the highest paved roads in North America. Your adventure includes a stop at the Alpine Visitor Center before continuing down into the charming mountain town of Grand Lake, nestled on the edge of a sparkling alpine lake. Guests can choose to explore the town, enjoy lunch at a local café, or stretch their legs with a short hike to the beautiful Adams Falls. Afterward, you'll return to Estes Park by crossing the spectacular heights of Trail Ridge Road, taking in the breathtaking views and wildlife along the way. This tour covers nearly the entire park, offering an unforgettable overview of Rocky’s diverse beauty—from alpine tundra and pine forests to river valleys and mountain lakes. 4 Person Minimum. Other times and private tours may be available. Please contact us.

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.

For travelers who like to control their own adventures, this off-road tour outside Denver presents a rare opportunity to drive your own Jeep. You'll be supported to drive along some of the most scenic trails in Clear Creek County, to places many tourists on regular tours miss. Drive the Argentine Pass, to St. Mary's Glacier, and to other remote highlights.

Climb from the streets of the "Mile High City" to Rocky Mountain National Park, on a day trip that showcases the rugged beauty of Colorado's mountains. Weave through small, historic towns and drive over alpine passes, as you scan the horizon for mountain wildlife such as elk, black bears, or moose.

Discover some of Colorado’s wildest Rocky Mountain Scenery on this full-day, small-group tour from Denver. In the morning, meet near Union Station, hop aboard your vehicle, and head first to the Garden of the Gods—a nature park known for its staggering sandstone rock formations. Next, drive all the way to the summit of Pikes Peak for extraordinary views over the landscape. Finally, pass through Manitou Springs en route back to Denver.

Experience the thrill of soaring through a Rocky Mountain landscape on some of the longest ziplines in Colorado. The small group size ensures more personalized attention as you whiz through fresh air and admire the scenic landscape below on a series of cables totaling more than 6000 feet (1828 meters) in length. Soak up some of Colorado’s famous sunshine while you hike between the tracks.

Experience the jaw-dropping cliffs and narrow canyons of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park with this self-guided audio driving tour. A friendly narrator shares stories of daring explorers, canyon geology, and wildlife — all while you drive and listen. Along the North Rim Scenic Drive, you'll stop at iconic viewpoints like Gunnison Point, Painted Wall View, Chasm View, and Dragon Point, or stretch your legs on the Rim Rock Trail and Warner Point Nature Trail. For a different perspective, descend the dramatic East Portal Road to the river’s edge. With turn-by-turn directions and engaging stories you’ll enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace—without missing a thing. Perfect for road trippers, families, or anyone seeking an immersive national park adventure. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

Journey into the heart of Colorado with a full-day tour to Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods. Experience the stunning views along the scenic drive up Pikes Peak, where you can breathe in the crisp alpine air and take in expansive vistas. After exploring the historic town of Manitou Springs, enjoy a leisurely lunch, then marvel at the breathtaking sandstone formations at the Garden of the Gods. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike, this tour offers a local expert guide to navigate the route for you, ensuring an enriching adventure. *Fall through spring, access to Pikes Peak summit may be limited due to weather. - Full-day tour lasting 8.5 hours, departing from Denver - Scenic drive with photo opportunities at Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods - Explore charming Manitou Springs with time for lunch on your own - Limited to 13 travelers for an intimate experience with a local guide

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.

This isn't just another bike ride; it's a meticulously crafted journey that seamlessly blends the exhilarating power of e-bikes with the breathtaking majesty and quirky charm of the Colorado Rockies. What sets this tour apart is its effortless fusion of adventure, unparalleled scenic beauty, and authentic local discovery. Imagine gazing upon the dramatic cliffs of Boulder Canyon, and the expansive panoramas of Rocky Mountain National Park, then pedaling along the historic Switzerland Trail – all made accessible and utterly enjoyable by our premium e-bikes. Beyond the stunning landscapes, you'll immerse yourself in the vibrant, unique spirit of Nederland, culminating in a well-earned celebration at a local brewery. This is your chance to forge unforgettable memories, feel truly alive, and experience Colorado's diverse soul in one perfectly curated, exhilarating day. Don't just visit Colorado; experience it – book your extraordinary adventure now!

Immerse yourself in Rocky Mountain National Park’s spectacular landscape with miles of rugged mountains, sparkling lakes, and abundant wildlife. On this private tour, take a scenic drive and cover more ground in less time with a step-on guide. A fully customized itinerary allows you to make stops for photo opportunities and hiking.

Experience Rocky Mountain National Park on this personalized, small-group tour. NO PARK RESERVATIONS NEEDED! We handle all park entry logistics so you can relax and enjoy the day. Departing from Boulder, travel in a luxury high-roof van with your expert naturalist guide. Begin the day with light breakfast bites before exploring iconic areas like Trail Ridge Road, alpine tundra, scenic valleys, and pristine lakes, with time for photos and short walks along the way. Watch for wildlife including elk, moose, mule deer, bighorn sheep, marmots, and pikas. Each guest is provided with Vortex binoculars for an up-close viewing experience. Midday, enjoy a catered picnic lunch in a beautiful mountain setting. This all-inclusive experience covers transportation, park entry, meals, and guiding, just sit back and enjoy the Rockies.

Explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park on a full-day tour from Denver that includes scenic trails, wildlife viewing, and historic stops. Walk along a glacial lake, see elk in Moraine Park, and visit overlooks like Many Parks Curve and Horseshoe Park. Enjoy time in Estes Park for lunch, shopping, and an optional visit to the historic Stanley Hotel—without the stress of driving winding mountain roads.

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.

Our resident geologist, Ranger Rod, will direct you through Rocky Mountain National Park from the comfort of your own vehicle. He will take photos of your group's adventure as you travel through time in RMNP witnessing evidence of major rock and mineral forming processes that took place billions of years ago. Discover ancient mountains that started rising shortly after the dinosaurs went extinct, as well as landscape formed by later volcanic eruptions. More recently (in geologic time) learn how the mountains were sculpted by massive ice age glaciers and about early human history after the valley glaciers covering the area melted 12 thousand years ago. Seeing these natural wonders through the eyes of an experienced local geologist, will evolve your worldview of mountain landscapes and enhance future RMNP adventures. 6 hour tour times are only available in the summertime when Trail Ridge Rd is open, 4 hour tour reservations are available year-round.

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 4-mile (6.4-km) is perfect for people with some experience who also want to take time to appreciate the scenery.