Top Colorado Day Trips

See for yourself why Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular parks in the United States on this small-group day trip from Denver. Let a guide handle the winding mountain roads while you soak up views of dozens of peaks surrounded by alpine forests, lakes, and meadows. Cross the Great Divide on soaring Trail Ridge Road, look for abundant Colorado wildlife, and get a glimpse of the legendary Stanley Hotel: the inspiration for Stephen King’s "The Shining."

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.

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.

This full-day, small-group tour takes you out of the city and into the rugged Rocky Mountains. Visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an acoustic masterpiece crafted by Mother Nature; travel through rugged Clear Creek Canyon to the Continental Divide; and visit an old mining town. Enjoy free time for lunch and shopping in the iconic ski town of Breckenridge, then head back to Denver, passing through the Eisenhower Tunnel—the longest, highest, passenger car tunnel in the world.

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.

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 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.

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.

Enjoy the view from some of Colorado’s highest peaks with a full-day mountain tour from Denver. Escape the city without renting a car as a driver and guide takes you high into the Rocky Mountains, traveling above timberline on Trail Ridge Road and to the top of Mt. Evans for stunning photos. Stroll around an alpine lake, look for big horn sheep and other Colorado wildlife, and stop for lunch (own expense) in the mining town of Idaho Springs for a real taste of the Old West.

View the ancient sites of Mesa Verde National Park on a guided group tour from Durango, led by an archaeologist-trained guide. This half-day adventure lets you see significant archaeological sites and stunning overlooks while learning about the rich history of the Ancestral Pueblo people. The tour includes comfortable transportation, making it ideal for couples and families. While this tour does NOT include access to Cliff Palace or other cliff dwellings, it provides unforgettable views and insights into the cultural heritage of this remarkable area. Great for folks with mobility concerns since we are not climbing ladders. - Enjoy a 5-hour guided tour from Durango with expert insights - Visit key viewpoints and mesa-top sites in Mesa Verde - Transportation from our Durango, CO office

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.

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.

The Trails and Rails package showcases the San Juan's stunning scenery. Begin with a morning cruise up the San Juan Skyway, featuring dramatic views of 14,000 ft. peaks. In historic Silverton, switch to open-air 4x4s for rugged terrain exploration. Discover 150-year-old mining settlements, meadows, and panoramic mountain views. Your local guide provides stories, information, and answers questions. After alpine exploration, return to Silverton for lunch and shopping. The journey's final leg is a train ride through the breathtaking Animas River Canyon. The train views differ from the shuttle, offering a remote Weminuche Wilderness perspective. Arrive at the train station for dinner.

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.

Experience autumn in the beautiful Rocky Mountains without the hassle of renting a car. Relax as you head through rugged Boulder Canyon and visit Boulder Falls. Witness the colorful aspen trees, Indian Peaks Wilderness, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Stroll around Lily Lake, and get a chance to observe native wildlife including herds of elk. Your small-group tour driver takes care of transportation and navigation.

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.

Get chills down your spine on an evening walk through Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Learn about some of the most haunted dwellings in the city. Let your guide take you through the dark streets, pointing out the haunted mansions, telling tales of historic scandals, and discovering paranormal activity.

Get a quick overview or Mesa Verde National Park on this half-day tour focused on the park's highlights. It would take days to see everything here; so if you're short on time, this tour's for you. Stops include the ranger-guided tour of the Cliff Palace, Chapin Mesa, and other areas based on the group's interests. Traveling with a small group of just 15 people or fewer means you'll enjoy personalized attention and the chance to ask questions.

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.

With its 5,000 archaeological sites situated in a striking desert environment, Mesa Verde National Park offers visitors a combination of natural and cultural attractions unfound anywhere else in the country. Explore the UNESCO-listed archaeological preserve and national park with a pro on this guided tour, which takes you to the park's must-see attractions, including the Cliff Palace. This tour includes all entrance fees, lunch, and round-trip transportation from Durango.

Explore the ancient wonders of Mesa Verde National Park with our immersive audio tour! Walk among the cliff dwellings and archaeological sites of the Ancestral Pueblo people as our guides share captivating stories about their rich history, culture, and remarkable architecture. Learn about the significance of these ancient structures and the park's unique landscape. Perfect for families, history buffs, and curious travelers, our tour provides a fascinating and educational experience. Simply download, plug in your headphones, and embark on a journey through the incredible history of Mesa Verde National Park! *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*