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.

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.

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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Walk across the tallest sand dunes in North America and explore Great Sand Dunes National Park at your own pace. A friendly narrator tells you stories about how the wind and rivers shaped these giant dunes and about the people who lived here long ago. You can start at the Visitor Center, then climb the dunes, feel the sand in your toes, or slide down like you’re on a playground. Hike to Zapata Fall, stroll the Montville Nature Trail under aspen trees, and follow the Dunes Overlook Trail for big views. And, if you have time, walk the Mosca Pass Trail if you have more time. This tour works without cell service. It gives turn by turn directions, travel tips as you explore and it never expires. Download the tour, walk in the sand, tell your friends about dunes, waterfalls, and stories of Great Sand Dunes National Park enjoy this amazing park your way. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

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.

Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Summit County at your own leisure on this self-guided e-bike tour. The scenic loop showcases the crystal-clear waters of Lake Dillon, vibrant marinas, and the charming towns of Frisco and Dillon. With GPS guidance for an easy-to-follow route, you have the flexibility to choose between a 30 or 40-mile journey. Pedal along paved paths and quiet roads while soaking in panoramic views of the Gore and Tenmile Ranges, with the option to detour to Keystone Village. This is a perfect blend of adventure and freedom in the heart of 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.

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.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Colorado Rockies on a full-day tour to Breckenridge. All-inclusive transportation from downtown Denver enables you to skip the hassle of navigating mountain roads and enjoy the stunning natural scenery. After a visit to Red Rocks Amphitheater and a trip over the Continental Divide, enjoy several hours of free time to explore Breckenridge independently. You can shop, sled, hike, ride the gondola, and more.

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.