11 Epic Day Trips from Colorado Springs

Hey friends! Ready to elevate your Colorado Springs experience? We’ve curated the top 11 best day trips from Colorado Springs that are the perfect addition to your Colorado adventure.

The best part? All of these locations are within 2.5 hours of Colorado Springs! 

With so much to explore in the area, we highly recommend adding a couple days to your Colorado Springs Itinerary so that you can include a few of these Colorado road trips!

*Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no cost to you. All opinions remain my own. 

1. Denver

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 1 hour

When deciding on a day trip from Colorado Springs, Denver is a no-brainer! Just one hour north, a road trip to Denver has so much to offer. This major metropolis marries beautiful views with big city amenities beautifully.

Just take Coors Field for instance. A beloved MLB stadium, home to the Colorado Rockies with mountain views from the field! If football is more your sport, check out Mile High Stadium, home of the Broncos.

You won’t want to visit Denver without a visit to the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. Catch a concert at this one-of-a-kind outdoor theater, or lace up your hiking shoes for some of the best trails in Colorado. We love using All Trails to find the perfect hike for our family.

Denver Union Station is a unique historic landmark (and the perfect place for photos!). Besides being a transportation hub, Union Station is home to award-winning restaurants, local boutiques and the bougie Crawford Hotel. 

Other popular Denver Attractions include the Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Art Museum and Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

2. Manitou Springs

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 15 minutes

Being only 15 minutes away, Manitou Springs is one of the easiest and best day trips from Colorado Springs! 

Manitou Springs has to be one of the cutest mountain towns in the area. As you can guess from its name, Manitou Springs is famous for its eight mineral-rich, naturally carbonated springs. Take your own cup (or purchase one from the visitor’s center) and enjoy tasting the water from each of these unique fountains as you meander around town.

The Penny Arcade is a fun experience for kids (and adults!) of all ages. With vintage arcade games ranging from one penny to $1.50, you’ll love exploring each of the different rooms lined wall-to-wall with games. Don’t skip my personal favorite- Skeeball!

If you’re up for a little adventure, check out the Manitou Incline. This 2,744 step hike can be difficult, but proves to be worth it with its amazing views of the town.

Manitou Springs is also home to the base of Pikes Peak. You will have the opportunity to drive to the top of this majestic mountain, or ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway which gets you there in just over an hour.

For more details on all there is to do, check out our complete guide to Manitou Springs!

3. Rocky Mountain National Park

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 2 hours 15 minutes

Anytime you have the opportunity to visit a national park, take it! There is good reason these parks are so beloved.

Rocky Mountain National Park has some of the most stunning scenery in all of Colorado. Whether you choose to hike or drive, you will be surrounded by soaring mountains, sparkling lakes and awe-inspiring waterfalls.

For those of you who love to hike, consider the 5 mile hike of Nymph Lake Trail, where you will see several stunning lakes as well as views of Long’s Peak.

If a beautiful drive is more your speed, check out Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road. In addition, you can book one of the most popular tours in the area, the 4×4 tour of Rocky Mountain National Park which gets raving reviews!

You will need a park pass for entry, and at certain times of the year you will also need a timed entry permit. Visit the Rocky Mountain National Park Website for more details.

4. Royal Gorge in Canon City

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 1 hour

Canon City, Colorado is home to the Royal Gorge, a canyon of the Arkansas River, and its iconic Royal Gorge Bridge. This bridge is the highest suspension bridge in America, which you can walk across, taking in the stunning scenery.

You do need to pay admission to access the bridge. This admission also includes the Aerial Gondola’s, Children’s Playground and the Plaza Theater. For an additional fee, you can also experience an incredible zip line crossing the gorge, the Skycoaster and Via Ferrata.

Our favorite part of the Royal Gorge area is white water rafting the Arkansas River. This river is actually the most rafted river in the country! And for good reason…the rapids are thrilling and the views stunning! We even saw big horn sheep on the cliffs as we rafted.

Another highlight of Canon City is the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. On this two hour ride, you will journey through the canyon along the Arkansas River. For the best views, we highly recommend booking the “vista dome” car, and also making your way to the open air car (which you can access from any car). Dining options are available on the train as well.

5. Paint Mines Interpretive Park

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 40 minutes

The Paint Mines were the most surprising adventure during our recent trip to Colorado Springs! As you make your way to Calhan, CO, it looks like you are in the middle of nowhere. However, once you arrive, you will have an exciting hike through colorful rock formations.

These geological formations include impressive gulches, spires and hoodoos, ranging in color from gold to white to pink. We recommend arriving early in the day, or closer to sunset for the most colorful views. Consider reserving at least 2 hours to explore the area.

The hiking trails are easy-moderate and our kids loved weaving in and out of the towering formations. The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is free to explore! Hike responsibly and don’t climb on the formations, as they are very fragile.

For even more details, check out our complete guide to hiking the Paint Mines! This is truly one of Colorado Spring’s best-kept secrets and we hope you build it into your Colorado Springs itinerary!

6. Great Sand Dunes National Park

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 2 hours 30 minutes

Circling back around to another national park, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America.

It is an incredibly unique experience to explore sand dunes surrounded by mountains! This diversified landscape includes tundra, lakes, grasslands, forests and wetlands.

Some of the best activities to experience at Great Sand Dunes National Park are hiking, sandboarding and sledding (you will need to rent gear before you arrive at the park), playing in Medano Creek and staying past sunset to experience the brilliant night sky.

The park is open 24 hours per day year-round. Entrance fees are $15 per person or $25 per vehicle.

7. Breckenridge

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 2 hours 15 minutes

If you’re looking for a great place for a day of skiing, Breckenridge will make the perfect day trip from Colorado Springs. The world-renowned Breckenridge Ski Resort boasts panoramic mountain views with great ski trails ranging from green (easy) to black diamond (difficult). Skiing is offered seasonally.

Apart from skiing, Breckenridge has even more to offer. Its quaint downtown will make you feel like you are in a Hallmark movie. Enjoy strolling in and out of shops and eateries while sipping your hot cocoa.

In the summer, Breckenridge transitions from a ski town into a beautiful summer escape. Enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, UVT rentals and even horseback riding!

8. Estes Park

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 2 hours 30 mintues

Estes Park is a town just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, so you could easily visit both in the same day if you wish.

To take in the views of this region, book a ride on the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, which takes you to the summit of Prospect Mountain. Once you arrive at the top, you are able to get off and enjoy the amazing sights of The Rockies before returning back down the mountain. Purchase your tickets in advance, as they do sell out at times.

There are many guided tours in this area that would be perfect for a family day trip. Tours include fishing, e-bikes, rafting and horseback riding.

Another highly-rated family-friendly activity is the Open Air Adventure Park. This outdoor park includes a large aerial ropes course and ax throwing.

9. Boulder

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 1 hour 45 minutes

Located northeast of Denver, Boulder has the perfect blend of city life and outdoor adventures.

Visit the Pearl Street Mall, a unique four-block shopping strip perfect for casual shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, or simply going for a stroll. 

Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Shelby American Collection, a museum which is home to some of the most famous cars ever assembled.

No trip to Boulder is complete without hiking around the Flatirons. These iconic rock formations are the perfect backdrop to your outdoor exploration. We recommend the easy-moderate 2 mile hike on the Flatiron Loop Trail.

Another beautiful area for hiking is the Eldorado Canyon State Park, with its beautiful canyon views and the flowing Colorado River.

10. Mueller State Park

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 50 minutes

Mueller State Park is a great option for a road trip from Colorado Springs. It is the perfect place for spending a day of leisurely hiking. Pack a picnic to enjoy in the mountain meadows and keep an eye out for wildlife such as elk, deer, hawks and black bears.

Mueller State Park is also a popular place for mountain biking (with 36 miles of bike trails), fishing and horseback riding.

In the winter you can even go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding.

Park passes are $10 per vehicle for one day and can be purchased at the park gate.

11. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

• Driving distance from Colorado Springs: 55 minutes

For a unique educational day trip from Colorado Springs, head northeast to the town of Florissant, Colorado to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

This national monument is home to thousands of amazingly preserved plant and insect fossils. You will even see petrified redwood tree stumps that are 14 feet wide. There are also plenty of places to hike and take a picnic.

The park is open 7 days a week with the exception of holidays. There is an entrance fee of $10 for all guests age 16 and up. Leave Fido at home because no pets are allowed on the trails.

Which Day Trips from Colorado Springs Will You Choose?

With so many great options within 2.5 hours, it can be difficult to choose! We recommend thinking about your own individual family when deciding. Will your kids be up for hiking? Is a 2.5 hour drive each way no big deal or would a destination within one hour or less of Colorado Springs be a better fit?

No matter the preferences of your family, we are confident there is a great day trip that will be a memorable addition to your Colorado Springs itinerary.

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