Colorado’s Front Range cities might steal the spotlight, and yes, I’ve spent my fair share of weekends exploring Denver’s food scene and Boulder’s hiking trails. But after two years of crisscrossing the Centennial State, I’ve learned that limiting yourself to these popular spots means missing out on what makes Colorado truly special.
From quiet mountain towns tucked away in evergreen forests to hidden hot springs where you can soak under star-filled skies, Colorado offers countless weekend escapes that go beyond the usual tourist circuit. Whether you’re looking to ski fresh powder, camp in wildflower-filled meadows, or explore old mining towns, there’s a perfect weekend trip waiting for you. Here are 19 weekend getaways that showcase what makes Colorado such an incredible place to explore.
Aspen, Colorado
My first visit to Aspen was during a winter getaway in 2018. Nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Aspen sits like a jewel box at the base of Ajax Mountain. The town merges world-class skiing with small-town charm, where Victorian-era buildings house high-end boutiques and local coffee shops. The Silver Queen Gondola carries visitors up to the summit, where snow-covered trails weave through aspen groves and offer views that stretch across the Roaring Fork Valley. While winter brings powdery slopes and apres-ski culture, summer transforms the mountain into a playground of hiking trails and wildflower meadows, making it impossible to pick a wrong time to visit this mountain paradise.
Boulder, Colorado
Ever seen college students doing yoga on a sloping hillside while deer graze nearby? That’s just another day in Boulder, where the Rocky Mountain foothills meet a thriving university town. Just 45 minutes from Denver, this laid-back city sits at the foot of the iconic Flatirons – those massive tilted slabs of sandstone that define the landscape. Home to the University of Colorado’s main campus, Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall buzzes with street performers, local shops, and outdoor cafes. You can hike the numerous trails at Chautauqua Park, bike along Boulder Creek Path, or join the locals for a craft beer at one of the many downtown breweries.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Step into nature’s playground at Rocky Mountain National Park, where 415 square miles of peaks and valleys await your next adventure. The park offers more than 300 miles of hiking trails that wind through alpine meadows and dense forests, perfect for spotting elk, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Take the famous Trail Ridge Road for a scenic drive that climbs to over 12,000 feet, offering sweeping views of the Continental Divide. For a memorable overnight stay, pitch your tent at one of five campgrounds or book a room at the historic Stanley Hotel in nearby Estes Park, which inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining.”
Garden of the Gods
Nature lovers flock to Garden of the Gods for its towering red sandstone formations, but this free public park offers much more than just geological wonders. Located in Colorado Springs, the 1,300-acre park features miles of hiking trails that wind through the rocks, making it perfect for both casual walks and more challenging climbs. Rock climbers can often be spotted scaling the formations, while horseback riders explore the park’s winding paths. The visitor center provides fascinating insights into the area’s history and geology, and on clear days, you can see Pikes Peak looming in the background. While the park gets busy during peak summer months, you can find quiet moments year-round, especially at sunrise when the morning light paints the rocks in soft golden hues.
Telluride, Colorado
Nestled in a box canyon in southwestern Colorado, Telluride stands as one of the state’s most authentic mountain towns. Like other Colorado ski destinations, it offers world-class slopes and outdoor adventures, but what sets it apart is its genuine Old West character. Just walk down Colorado Avenue, the main street lined with Victorian-era buildings from the town’s mining days, and you’ll feel transported to the 1800s gold rush era. Because of its isolated location and commitment to preservation, Telluride has dodged the overdevelopment common in other ski towns, keeping its historic charm and local vibe intact. The free gondola connecting the historic downtown to Mountain Village provides both transportation and some of the best views you’ll find in the Rockies.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Nestled in the heart of Summit County, Breckenridge blends the charm of a 19th-century mining town with the energy of a modern mountain getaway. The historic Main Street, lined with colorful Victorian buildings, tells tales of the gold rush era while housing shops, restaurants, and après-ski hangouts. Beyond the town’s rich history, five peaks make up Breckenridge Ski Resort, offering 2,908 acres of terrain for winter sports enthusiasts. In summer, the slopes transform into a playground for hikers and mountain bikers, with wildflower-dotted trails winding through aspen groves. The Breckenridge Arts District adds cultural flair to your visit, featuring studios and galleries in restored historic structures where local artists showcase their work against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Glenwood Springs holds a special place among Colorado’s mountain towns, and it’s easy to see why. This historic hot springs destination sits where the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers meet, offering visitors a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and relaxation. The town’s star attraction is its massive hot springs pool – the largest mineral hot springs pool in the world – where you can soak while surrounded by towering mountains. It’s not just about the springs though; whether you’re hiking through Glenwood Canyon, exploring the mysterious Fairy Caves, or trying your luck at whitewater rafting, there’s something here for every type of traveler. Even getting here is part of the experience, with the drive through the canyon ranking as one of Colorado’s most scenic routes.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Known for having some of Colorado’s best powder snow, Steamboat Springs is where I go when I want a mountain escape that feels authentically Western. This historic ranching town sits at 6,900 feet in the Yampa Valley, blending outdoor adventure with small-town charm in a way few other ski towns manage. In winter, you’ll find locals and visitors carving through the resort’s famous “Champagne Powder,” while summer brings hikers and mountain bikers to the trails that wind through aspen groves and wildflower meadows. It’s not just about the slopes though – the town’s natural hot springs have been soothing tired muscles since the early 1900s, and the downtown area still maintains its cowboy character with wooden storefronts and ranching supply stores.
Vail, Colorado
I always recommend Vail to friends looking for a classic Colorado mountain getaway. Nestled in the heart of the Rockies, this charming alpine town offers world-class skiing in winter and excellent hiking trails in summer. The European-inspired Vail Village features cobblestone streets lined with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants serving everything from casual pub fare to upscale mountain cuisine.
Mesa Verde National Park
Many travelers head to Mesa Verde National Park to explore the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people, but this destination offers much more than just archaeological wonders. The park houses over 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings that date back to 600 CE, making it one of North America’s most significant historical landmarks. While guided tours of sites like Cliff Palace and Balcony House draw the biggest crowds, visitors can also enjoy hiking trails that wind through pinyon-juniper woodlands, spot wildlife like mule deer and wild turkeys, or take in sweeping views of the surrounding valleys from the park’s 8,500-foot elevation points. Whether you come for the history or the outdoor activities, Mesa Verde provides a unique glimpse into both Colorado’s natural landscape and its ancient human past.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Many travelers come to Great Sand Dunes National Park for its massive dunes that rise up to 750 feet high, but the destination offers much more than just sand-filled adventures. The park sits where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains meet the San Luis Valley, creating an unexpected landscape where you can sandboard down dunes in the morning and hike through alpine forests in the afternoon. While most visitors come in summer to splash in Medano Creek’s seasonal waters and climb the dunes, you can explore this unique park year-round – whether it’s stargazing on crisp winter nights or spotting wildlife in the quieter spring months.
Did You Know This Fact?
The tallest sand dunes in North America can be found at Great Sand Dunes National Park, where mountains of sand rise up to 750 feet against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. What makes this place even more special is that visitors can actually surf down these massive dunes on sandboards and sand sleds, making it feel like you’re catching waves in a sea of sand in the middle of Colorado.
Durango, Colorado
Tucked away in southwestern Colorado, Durango holds a special place in my heart as one of the state’s most authentic mountain towns. This former mining hub turned outdoor playground sits where the rugged San Juan Mountains meet the desert landscapes of the Four Corners region. The narrow-gauge Durango & Silverton Railroad still chugs through the mountains just as it did in the 1880s, taking visitors on scenic rides through steep canyons and dense forests. But it’s not just about the train – the town serves as a perfect base for mountain biking the Colorado Trail, skiing at Purgatory Resort, or paddling the Animas River that flows right through downtown. This is the kind of place where you can spend your morning on world-class trails and your evening sampling local craft beers while chatting with friendly locals who still embody the spirit of the Old West.
Winter Park, Colorado
Want to escape the summer heat or embrace snowy adventures? Just two hours from Denver, Winter Park delivers year-round mountain magic without the crowds of Colorado’s bigger resorts. This laid-back mountain town is home to Winter Park Resort, where you can carve down Mary Jane’s famous bumps in winter or zip through 600 miles of mountain biking trails come summer. The surrounding Arapaho National Forest offers endless hiking possibilities, while the historic Moffat Tunnel and charming downtown give you a taste of Colorado’s railway heritage. When the day winds down, you can kick back at spots like Hernando’s Pizza Pub, a local institution serving up pies and mountain town charm since 1967.
Estes Park, Colorado
Many travelers come to Estes Park as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, but this cheerful mountain town offers much more than just park access. Sitting at 7,522 feet above sea level, Estes Park welcomes visitors with its charming downtown lined with local shops, ice cream parlors, and restaurants. The town serves as a base for outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, and wildlife watching – with elk often wandering right through the streets. In summer, visitors can ride the aerial tramway up to the top of Prospect Mountain for valley views, while winter brings opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The historic Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining,” adds a dash of intrigue to any visit.
Crested Butte, Colorado
Ever found yourself in a wildflower meadow that stretches as far as the eye can see? That’s a typical summer day in Crested Butte, a charming mountain town nestled in Colorado’s Elk Mountains. Known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado,” this former mining settlement transforms into a botanist’s paradise each July when thousands of colorful blooms carpet the surrounding valleys. You can explore more than 750 miles of mountain biking trails in summer, while winter brings world-class skiing without the crowds you’ll find at bigger resorts. The town’s preserved Victorian buildings now house local restaurants and quirky boutiques, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard from the Old West.
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
Located in Cañon City, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park draws visitors eager to experience one of the highest suspension bridges in North America, but this destination offers much more than just a bridge crossing. The park features an aerial gondola that glides 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River, and adventure seekers can try the zip line that races across the gorge. While the bridge itself is the main attraction — stretching 956 feet above the rushing waters below — the surrounding park provides plenty of activities for families, including a children’s playland, a theater showing the area’s history, and various observation points perfect for photographing the dramatic canyon views. Whether you come for a quick visit or spend the whole day exploring, the Royal Gorge delivers an experience that combines natural wonder with man-made engineering.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs
Ever soaked in natural hot springs while gazing at snow-capped mountains? That’s just another day at Mount Princeton Hot Springs, tucked away in Colorado’s Collegiate Peaks. This natural spa retreat sits at 8,250 feet in elevation, where geothermal waters bubble up from deep underground at a perfect 105 degrees. You can float in riverside hot springs, dip into private soaking pools, or splash in the large swimming pool – all while surrounded by towering peaks and aspen groves. The resort also offers cozy cabins and lodge rooms, making it an ideal base for hiking the nearby trails or exploring the historic mining town of Buena Vista just 15 minutes away.
Did you know?
Did you know that Mount Princeton Hot Springs was named after the Ivy League university by a group of Princeton grads who explored the area back in 1869? The natural hot springs bubble up from deep underground at temperatures ranging from 85 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, making them perfect for soaking year-round while taking in views of the surrounding Collegiate Peaks.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Many visitors flock to Black Canyon of the Gunnison for its dramatic 2,000-foot-deep gorge, where dark rock walls plunge straight down to meet the rushing Gunnison River below. While the scenic drive along the rim offers good photo spots, this national park really shines as a destination for outdoor adventure seekers. Rock climbing, hiking, and kayaking draw thrill-seekers year-round, while the park’s status as an International Dark Sky site makes it perfect for stargazing after sunset. Though less crowded than Colorado’s other national parks, Black Canyon delivers equally impressive natural wonders and outdoor activities without the usual tourist crowds.
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Tucked away in southwestern Colorado, Pagosa Springs is one of those places that makes you wonder why you don’t hear about it more often. This mountain town is built around the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring, where naturally heated waters bubble up from far below the earth’s surface. The downtown area wraps around the San Juan River, where you can hop between different temperature pools while watching snow fall on the surrounding peaks. It’s not just about soaking though – the town serves as a perfect base for exploring the San Juan National Forest, with hiking trails that wind through aspen groves and mountain biking routes that range from gentle paths to technical challenges. Unlike its more famous Colorado cousins, Pagosa Springs keeps things low-key, making it ideal for travelers who want to experience the Rockies without the crowds.
