If you only have time for one day trip from Denver, then take a road trip to Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. The park offers stunning year-round scenery and perhaps is the single most beautiful place in Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompass a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover.

In 1976, UNESCO designated the park as one of the first World Biosphere Reserves. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. If you’re the active type, there is plenty of hiking and biking trails here, or if you feel like being more sedentary, you can take in the mountain views and natural smells while on a scenic drive. Bear Lake Corridor and Trail Ridge Road are popular routes.

Location: Larimer / Grand / Boulder counties, Colorado, United States
Website: https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
Distance from Denver: 65,7 miles

Travel Time: 90 minutes to 2 hours
Tel: 970 586-1206
Fee: $15.00 - $35.00
Hour: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
TripAdvisor Rating: ‎4.5/5

A trip to Roxborough State Park is a great chance to experience the mountains, get some moderate exercise, and take amazing images if you only have half a day or simply don't feel like traveling that far from Denver. The park provides some of the best one-mile walks and more challenging, fundamental hikes nearby in Denver. Along the hiking trails, you’ll find spectacular views from several great lookout points offering splendid vistas of the dramatic rising red rock formations which adorn the park. Come at the end of spring for a real treat, when blooming wildflowers create some of the most beautiful photo opportunities near Denver.

Roxborough State Park, a 3,339-acre, is known for dramatic red sandstone formations. In 1980 it was recognized as a National Natural Landmark because of the number of ecological systems and geological formations. It is also a State Historic Site and National Cultural District because of the number of archaeological sites. The park has a $10 per vehicle entrance fee and strictly enforces the "Leave Trace" philosophy, which forbids off-trail hiking, dogs, biking, and drone use.

Location: Douglas County, Colorado, United States

Website: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Roxborough

Distance from Denver: 25 miles
Travel Time: 40 minutes

Tel: 303- 973-3959

Fee: $10.00 - $170.00

Hour: 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

TripAdvisor Rating: ‎4.5/5

The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a 49-mile National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Clear Creek and Jefferson counties, Colorado, United States. The byway ascends to 14,140 feet of elevation near the 14,271-foot summit of Mount Evans, making it the highest paved road in North America (beating the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak Highway by only 25 feet). The byway visits Echo Lake Park, the Mount Goliath Natural Area, the Dos Chappell Nature Center, and Summit Lake Park on its way to the summit. A fee is charged to travel State Highway 5 to the summit and vehicles over 30 feet long are not allowed, although they are allowed on State Highway 103 which reaches its highest elevation of 11,020 feet at Juniper Pass.

The byway connects to the Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway at Bergen Park. This route was designated a National Forest Scenic Byway on July 1, 1993, by the US Forest Service and has also been designated a Colorado Scenic Byway by the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Location: Clear Creek and Jefferson counties, Colorado, United States
Website: https://bom.so/BfQEmd
Distance from Denver: 33 miles

Travel Time: 1.5 hours
Fee: $20.00
Hour: All day
TripAdvisor Rating: ‎5/5

Estes Park is surely one of the best day trips from Denver. Estes Park, Colorado is the base camp for amazing adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park and certainly is your favorite mountain getaway. Take a trip to the Colorado Rockies, and encounter live animals. Estes Park features the events, accommodation, and activities to make the ideal getaway from the daily, whether you're planning a dream family trip or a romantic weekend away. So proceed. Make plans now so you can visit Estes Park tomorrow.

The Cache La Poudra River's whitewater rafting and 350 miles of Rocky Mountains National Park's alpine trails are just two of the outdoor activities that are inspired by Estes Park's valley. Elk and bighorn sheep roam the town in winter, competing for visitors' attention with art galleries, museums, and the magnificent Stanley Hotel, which served as the setting for Stephen King's "The Shining." The Estes Park Aerial Tram glides through the treetops, allowing you to enjoy views of the 14,259-foot Longs Peak, the village, and the Continental Divide.

Location: Larimer County, Colorado, United States

Website: https://www.visitestespark.com/

Distance from Denver: 64 miles
Travel Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Tel: 970-577-9900

Fee: $20.00

Hour: All day

TripAdvisor Rating: ‎4.5/5

Garden of the Gods is home to a plethora of geological and ecological rarities that make the park a prime site for nature lovers. The Garden of the Gods Park is popular for hiking, technical rock climbing, road and mountain biking, and horseback riding. Annual events including summer running races, recreational bike rides, and Pro Cycling Challenge Prologue also take place in this park. The main trail in the park, the 1.5-mile Perkins Central Garden Trail, is paved and wheelchair-accessible, running through the heart of the park's largest and most scenic red rocks. The trail begins at the North Parking lot, the main parking lot off of Juniper Way Loop.

In Garden of the Gods, rock climbing is permitted, with annual permits obtained at the City of Colorado Springs website. Climbers are required to follow the "Technical Climbing Regulations and Guidelines", which include using proper equipment, climbing in parties of two or more, and a ban on staining chalks. Precipitation makes rocks unstable and therefore climbing is not allowed when the rocks are wet or icy. There are fines for unregistered climbers and possibly rescue costs.

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Website: https://gardenofgods.com/
Distance from Denver: 70 miles

Travel Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Tel: 719-634-6666
Fee: Free
Hour: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

TripAdvisor Rating: ‎5/5

Among the best day trips from Denver is Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge. The Royal Gorge Bridge was built in 1929 for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of this geologic wonder. Suspended 956 feet over the Arkansas River, the bridge might make your palms sweaty with its height but reveals a birds-ey view of breathtaking landscapes. The newest attraction is the Via Ferrata course on the granite walls of the Royal Gorge. Conquer the gorge on this family-friendly, guided climbing experience. You’ll see views of the bridge and get a perspective of the gorge’s depths you can’t find anywhere else.

Besides, from the top of a 100-foot tower, swing up to 50 mph over the edge of the Royal Gorge on the World’s Scariest Skycoaster! This thrilling experience swings harnessed riders 1,200 feet over the Arkansas River. Are you ready to soar? Furthermore, fly by the seat of your pants across the Royal Gorge, rim to rim, on the Cloudscraper Zip Line! It’s rated the Travel Channel’s #1 Colorado Bucket List experience. This hands-free ride zips you through the air for an adventure you’ll have to experience yourself to believe!

Location: Cañon City, Colorado, United States

Website: https://royalgorgebridge.com/

Distance from Denver: 129.2 miles
Travel Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Tel: 719.275.7507

Fee: $0.00 - $78.00

Hour: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
TripAdvisor Rating: ‎5/5

Denver’s hip cousin, Boulder is a part university town, part liberal enclave, and part mountain base. Boulder is a perfect balance of urban and outdoor. Known for its stellar food scene, breweries, an always-exciting downtown, and more outdoor activities than you can count, the city is just 30 minutes northwest of Denver, where the Rocky Mountains meet the plains.

Be sure to check out the craggy rock formations at the Boulder Flatirons, and all of the fun things to do in Boulder such as seeing the Flatirons glow in the sunshine or dusted in snow like a powdered-sugar donut, shopping on hip and historic Pearl Street, grab your boots and hit a hiking trail, or try raved-about cuisine from one of the city's chef-led eateries.

Bike, ski, or swim by morning, visit a muscle-melting spa by afternoon, then enjoy a concert and cocktails by night. With the great outdoors always steps away - yet urban adventure right out your hotel door, too - you'll find an endless variety of things to do in Boulder, Colorado, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Boulder makes a great day trip from Denver without a car, as you can get there very simply via the Flatiron Flyer express buses that leave frequently from the Mile High City’s Union Station for Boulder, Colorado.

Location: Colorado, United States
Website: https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/
Distance from Denver: 29 miles

Travel Time: 30 minutes
Tel: 303.442.2911

TripAdvisor Rating: ‎4.5/5

Though Denver has plenty of great beer of its own, true hopheads will want to venture up to Fort Collins, one of the best day trips from Denver, Colorado. Located a short drive north of Denver, the city is becoming a mecca for microbreweries, headlined by the fast-growing, employee-owned New Belgium Brewing Co. You can sign up for a tour through many of the breweries, or find organized brewery-hopping tours on offer from Denver.

Fort Collins is also a great place to get outdoors. Fort Collins is a vibrant town full of local eateries, pubs, boutiques, and home to Colorado State University. With 300 days of sunshine, snow-capped mountains, idyllic lakes, and clear-running rivers, it is hard to deny that people like to get outdoors here all year round. Festivals in Fort Collins are not just for summertime. As the summer ends, a packed calendar of fun festivals and events in Fort Collins starts! Brace yourselves for adorable corgis in costumes, pumpkin patch family fun, a beautiful Dia De Los Muertos celebration in Old Town Square, and so much more!

Location: Larimer County Seat, Colorado, United States
Website: https://www.visitftcollins.com/
Distance from Denver: 65 miles

Travel Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Tel: 1-970-232-3840

TripAdvisor Rating: ‎4.5/5

Just a short drive from Denver, Black Hawk offers gaming, entertainment, nature, and history with a unique Western kick, and is one of the best day trips from Denver that you should try. Here, you can explore Colorado's authentic past, enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or biking, and experience world-class restaurants, casinos, and hotels. If you’re looking for Vegas-style luxury, try the Ameristar or Isle of Capri casinos. If you get tired of gambling, head on over to Maryland Mountain Quartz Park for some picturesque hiking or go shopping at Gregory Street Plaza. You can also check out the next-door Central City for more shopping and dining options, plus tours of historic Colorado mines. All this, in a picturesque mountain setting like no other.

With plenty of free parking and complimentary shuttle service throughout the city, Black Hawk is your convenient destination for true Western fun and adventure. And, with the new Gregory Street revitalization and development plans, the future of Black Hawk will bring even more unique entertainment and history to enjoy.

Location: Gilpin County, Colorado, United States

Website: https://www.cityofblackhawk.org/

Distance from Denver: 40 miles
Travel Time: 50 minutes

Tel: (303) 582-2221
TripAdvisor Rating: ‎5/5

If you want to hit the slopes or go hiking by day, but still be back in town in time for a brew or a show, Breckenridge is always a good bet. Explorers found gold when Breckenridge was founded in 1859. Today, this historic mining town is pushing for something new: world-class skiing, an extensive network of trails, festivals, and events. Some of the best skiing and snowboarding near Denver can be found in Breckenridge. The price is right and you won’t have to shell out for pricey mountain winter accommodation if you’re visiting on a winter day trip.

At Breckenridge, all four seasons offer the best of activities, both outdoors and indoors, and much more fun. The resort town of Breckenridge itself also offers plenty of shops, art galleries, and tasty restaurants. If you do decide to stay overnight instead of heading back to Denver the same day, then Breckenridge Ski Resort offers plenty to do any time of the year.

Location: Colorado, United States
Website: https://gobreck.com/
Distance from Denver: 80 miles

Travel Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Tel: (304) 568-3841

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.‎5/5