12 Epic Day Trips from Boulder That are Unforgettable
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Boulder, Colorado is one of our favorite mountain towns. It’s centrally located which makes it easy to plan a fun day trip adventure.
It’s well-known for destinations like Pearl Street Mall, the Boulder Creek Path, and Chautauqua Park.
As locals who used to live in Boulder, we enjoyed making the short drive to a nearby getaway. And many of these destinations are ones we enjoyed visiting regularly.
These day trips from Boulder offer lots of things to do, historic places to see, and are perfect for young kids or couples.
What are the top day trips from Boulder?
✔️ Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre: Best for epic sightseeing
✔️ Rocky Mountain National Park: Best for outdoor lovers
✔️ Fort Collins Old Town Food Tour: Best for foodies
The best day trips from Boulder, and many others that we recommend, are mentioned below with more info.
If you’re looking for the best day trips from Boulder that make for unforgettable scenic drives, keep reading.
1. Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
One of the most famous destinations in Colorado is Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, and with good reason.
This unique concert and events venue offers an experience like nothing else.
Enjoy some Yoga on the Rocks, an upcoming band performance, or other special events. Just check the Calendar of Events on their website for the latest info.
Stop by the Visitor Center, the Red Rocks Hall of Fame, art exhibits, or the Trading Post. Or visit during the week even if there isn’t a special event scheduled!
This national historic landmark and surrounding acreage makes for a great place for hiking or working up a sweat.
This is the perfect day trip outing as the nearby town of Morrison, Colorado has a fun but small-town vibe.
Grab a bite to eat or take a stroll down their historic main street.
Distance from Boulder: 28 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 44 minutes
2. Rocky Mountain National Park
A must-see destination within an hour drive of Boulder is Rocky Mountain National Park.
With over 265,000 acres of land to explore, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the largest national parks in the United States.
If you enjoy outdoor adventures, RMNP does not disappoint. The park has hundreds of hiking and biking trails, as well as places for camping, fishing, picnicking and more.
Throughout your trip, you can expect to see lots of wildlife, crystal clear lakes, alpine streams, and panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains.
Rocky Mountain National Park also features Trail Ridge Road, which is the highest paved road in North America.
Beware though that this road is closed during the winter months due to ice and snow.
In just one hour you can escape the hustle-and-bustle of Boulder and explore the epic outdoor space that is Rocky Mountain National Park.
Read more on the national park’s website about planning your trip, hours of operation, and entrance fees.
Distance from Boulder: 42 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 65 minutes
3. Fort Collins
About an hour north of Boulder you’ll find the charming college town of Fort Collins. It is known for the Colorado State University’s main campus as well producing 70% of the state’s craft beer.
The picturesque downtown inspired many of the buildings on Main Street USA in Disneyland.
We recommend trying a Fort Collins Old Town food tour as a way of experience the cuisine like a local.
This cute city features lots of quirky shops and restaurants, as well as bars and pubs.
The New Belgium Brewing company is a well-known craft brewery and a must-stop destination if you’re into local beer.
And thanks to the Horsetooth Reservoir there are plenty of hiking and outdoor activities, as well as water sports, available in the summer.
Not to mention the nearby Cache La Poudre River, which is a perfect destination we visit every summer with our family.
Distance from Boulder: 46 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 70 minutes
4. Golden
Golden is a short 30-minute drive south of Boulder but it’s a unique small town all its own.
With a population of around 20,000 residents, Golden offers a surprising amount of things to do.
For the past 140 years, Golden has been home to the Coors Brewing Company.
Go on a Coors Brewery Tour to learn about the history of the company, their malting and brewing process, and some beer samplings.
Along the tour you’ll see memorabilia, neon signs and old photos.
If you’re looking for something to do outdoors, we recommend hiking North Table Mountain Park.
Enjoy panoramic views with 15+ miles of hiking trails and expect to see lots of mule deer, golden eagles, and prairie dogs.
One of the best times to hike North Table Mountain Park is in the spring and summer when the wildflowers are abundant.
Distance from Boulder: 20 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 32 minutes
5. Estes Park
Located next to the Rocky Mountain National park is Estes Park, which is home to the famous Stanley Hotel.
In case you are unaware, the Stanley Hotel inspired the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s bestselling novel, The Shining.
It was also the filming location for the 1997 TV miniseries, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A night at the Stanley Hotel costs between $250-300 or more, depending on the time of year. And room 217 is said to be haunted as are many other rooms in the hotel.
If you’re looking for other things to do in Estes Park, check out the Aerial Tramway.
This gondola takes visitors to the peak of Prospect Mountain at an elevation of nearly 9,000 feet. The views are breathtaking, so be sure to bring a camera.
Other activities in the area include the Lake Estes Marina for boating, fishing, swimming, or nearby whitewater rafting.
Distance from Boulder: 38 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 55 minutes
6. Eldorado Canyon State Park
As one of the closest day trips to Boulder on our list, Eldorado Canyon State Park is located in Eldorado Springs.
The town is home to one of the best swimming pools in Colorado thanks to sandstone-filtered, natural artesian water. It’s warmed up and kept at a constant 80 degrees all year long.
But the real draw is all of the outdoor recreation that you can do inside the state park, including rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing and more.
The wildlife are abundant too, so keep an eye open for deer, bald eagles, and lots of ground animals.
Distance from Boulder: 9 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 19 minutes
7. Denver
Obviously a list of the best day trips from Boulder has to include some time in the Mile High City. There are just too many awesome things to do in Denver that we can’t ignore.
From the Denver Art Museum to the United States Mint to the Denver Aquarium, you’ll find something fun for everyone in your family.
Or simply enjoy sitting outside enjoying the sunshine at Sloan’s Lake or City Park.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is always a crowd favorite, or explore the great outdoors at the Denver Botanic Gardens. It’s an oasis in the middle of the bustling city.
Take time to visit the Colorado State Capitol Building and grab a photo at the 1-mile high marker.
Or take a stroll down the famous 16th Street Mall during the day or evening. In less than an hour from Boulder you can explore the biggest city in Colorado!
Distance from Boulder: 28 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 40 minutes
8. Nederland
Anyone who visits Nederland will agree that it’s a really cute town to visit. it sits along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway that runs via I-70 to Estes Park.
And it’s only located 30 minutes from Boulder which makes for a charming day trip.
What is Nederland famous for? A fantastically weird festival called Frozen Dead Guy Days. Yep, really.
The history goes that a Norwegian smuggled his dead grandfather’s frozen corpse to Nederland, and that’s where he sits to this day.
But in addition to this fun annual festival, Nederland also features many other tourist attractions.
Check out one of their delicious coffee shops, ride the historic carousel, or explore the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.
It’s also conveniently located near the Eldora Ski Resort which is the closest ski resort to Denver.
Distance from Boulder: 17 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 27 minutes
9. Black Hawk
In addition to the city of Cripple Creek, Black Hawk and Central City are both known for gold mining and gambling.
These sister towns are home to several casinos which make great weekend destinations. Come for the day or stay at any of the large casino hotels.
Plus, there are lots of yummy restaurants and buffets available for any type of palette.
The town of Central City in particular is full of unique architecture and a historic downtown.
You’ll travel through the town of Nederland to get to Black Hawk, which makes a fun road trip stop along the way.
Distance from Boulder: 36 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 56 minutes
10. Frisco
As locals who enjoy visiting Frisco, this is definitely one of the most fun day trips from Boulder.
The town is nestled next to Lake Dillon and offers gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains.
In the summer, the Frisco Adventure Park turns into a biking, hiking and skateboarding paradise.
Then in the winter it’s transformed into a tubing hill with beginner skiing available. Not to mention some of most amazing and scenic horse-drawn sleigh rides in the snow.
The downtown Frisco area features local bookstores, boutiques, and shops for a fun shopping experience.
Or stop at the 5th Avenue Grill for a warm cup of clam chowder, which is our personal fave.
Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and get out on the water thanks to the Frisco Bay Marina. There are so many fantastic things to do in Frisco, CO.
Distance from Boulder: 83 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 1 hour 35 minutes
11. Breckenridge
Breckenridge is a quaint mountain town located less than two hours west of Boulder.
It sits at 9,600 feet in elevation making it one of the highest mountain towns in Colorado.
Because of its proximity to Denver, Breckenridge is considered a local’s favorite for skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter activities.
Breck has more of a local community vibe than the more touristy towns, like Vail or Aspen.
There is also lots of hiking, camping, and biking in the summer too. Go for a hike to see the Breckenridge Troll, or scale the mountainside on the free BreckConnect Gondola.
Fourth of July is also a big time of celebration in Breckenridge. This huge event spans several days and is a fun, family-friendly experience.
Distance from Boulder: 87 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 1 hour 55 minutes
12. Pikes Peak
While a bit more of a drive to the city of Colorado Springs, a trip up Pikes Peak is a must-do. This unforgettable day trip takes to the summit of America’s Mountain at over 14,000 feet in elevation.
You can book a Pikes Peak Jeep tour or try the newly renovated Pikes Peak Cog Railway to ascend to the top.
Or you can simply drive yourself via car, but it can be quite scary if you’re not an experienced driver.
The scenery and views of the valley at the top of Pikes Peak are unmatched, so be sure to bring your camera.
And while you’re in Colorado Springs, stop at The Broadmoor or spend an afternoon in Manitou Springs.
Along with Rocky Mountain National Park and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Pikes Peak is one of the most famous places to visit in Colorado.
Distance from Boulder: 126 miles
Travel time from Boulder: 2 hours 47 minutes
These are just a few of the top day trips from Boulder that are worth visiting anytime of year.
Some of these are perfect half-day excursions, while others, like a trip to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, can be combined into a full weekend getaway.
Or you can make your own Colorado road trip by planning your own trip whether you’re coming from Denver, or Colorado Springs.
Boulder is centrally located so there is always something to do and to see nearby!
We hope this list of the best day trips from Boulder gives you some great ideas for your next getaway.
