Top Colorado Day Trips

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.

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."

Enjoy unobstructed views–come rain or shine–as you discover all that the Rocky Mountains have to offer in a retractable glass-top vehicle. This 4- to 6-hour, small-group adventure takes you above the treetops, to cascading waterfalls and past glaciers. Fill your lungs with Rocky’s fresh mountain air during a pleasant short hike or two to some of the points of interest.

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 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.

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.

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).

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.

Explore the picturesque landscapes of Colorado on a guided E-bike tour. We'll lead you on quiet roads and bike paths to visit Dinosaur Ridge, Golden, Morrison, and the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater. We pedal along the mountains finding beautiful views at every turn. Ice cream awaits half way, and a stop at the world renown Red Rocks Amphitheater museum is always a highlight. The premium E-bikes allow all level of cyclists to enjoy the ride without exhaustion. With options to be picked up in Denver or meet in Golden, we will make this trip convenient and fun! This tour is perfect for private groups and team building. Return home with a memory you will never forget!

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.

Discover the stunning landscapes of the Rocky Mountains on this guided group hike near Denver. Enjoy a worry-free adventure as you explore scenic trails, choose between two hiking routes, and soak in the breathtaking views. Your knowledgeable guide will share insights about local flora and fauna, ensuring a rich experience with nature. This tour includes round-trip transportation from a coffee shop near downtown, snacks, fun and a perfect day of exploration. Ideal for travelers seeking an easy to moderate hike while making new friends in a group setting. - Full-day guided hike with expert guides - Choose between two hiking route options for varying fitness levels - Snacks included; please bring your own reusable water bottle - Maximum group size of 12 for a personalized experience - Ride from the meeting spot to and from the trailhead included for up to 6 people

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.

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 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 in Durango around dinner time. Train ticket is not included and must be purchased separately.

Eat your way through downtown Denver's ever-changing dining scene on a walking food tour that lets you sample five of the best restaurants in town, all in one afternoon. Discover award-winning eateries, authentic Neapolitan pizza, freshly baked empanadas from a family-owned shop and more. In between bites, learn about Denver's Wild West history and pass landmarks like the baseball field and iconic Union Station.

The Denver foothills are packed with some of Colorado's best sights, from Red Rocks Amphitheater to Lookout Mountain and scenic Lariat Loop. Throughout this half-day tour from Denver explore the scenic foothills, get panoramic views of the mountain surroundings, and stroll through small, historic towns before stopping in Golden for a coffee or craft beer. It's a quick escape from the big city buzz and a taste of life in the mountains just outside of "Mile High" City.

Experience the high-country splendor of Rocky Mountain National Park on your own schedule with a private tour from Denver that lets you marvel at the park’s towering peaks and alpine lakes while a driver handles the road. Beyond park highlights, the customizable route includes stops at nearby mountain towns like Boulder, Lyons, and Estes Park—home to the legendary (and supposedly haunted) Stanley Hotel.

Discover Rocky Mountain National Park with our self-guide tour, allowing you to explore Colorado's crown jewel at your own pace. Go to the Trail Ridge Road, cresting above 3,700 meters through alpine tundra where wildflowers cling to windswept ridges on ancient granite. Hike to Bear Lake's crystal-clear waters reflecting Hallett Peak, watch the meadows at dusk in Moraine Park, and gaze up at the 4,345-meter summit of Longs Peak — the park's highest point and Colorado's northernmost fourteener. Explore cascading waterfalls in Wild Basin where Calypso Cascades tumbles through narrow gorges, cross the Continental Divide at Milner Pass where raindrops split between the Atlantic and Pacific, and discover Holzwarth Historic Site — a 1920s dude ranch standing beneath snow-capped peaks on the park's quieter western slope. Descend to Grand Lake, Colorado's largest natural lake and the western gateway to the park, for kayaking, fishing, and sunset views that rival anywhere in the Rockies.

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.

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.

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.

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

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