9 Unforgettable Fall Getaways From Denver
A two to three-hour drive in any direction from Denver, Colorado, will land you amid the most colorful fall foliage seasons you’ll find in the US. Denver enjoys a long fall season due to its different climate zones within a three-hour drive from downtown. The beautiful colors are active in the area from mid-September through the end of November. Whether you live in the city and need a break for the weekend or are looking for a colorful, fun-filled fall destination, Denver is a great choice!
Estes Park
Visitors can drive from Denver to Estes Park in just over an hour. Drive the scenic Peak to Peak Byway and see miles of golden aspen groves. Estes Park is home to the Rocky Mountain National Park, where visitors can hike for miles and experience the quiet energy of nature at work. See the changing colors while walking past Elk, deer, and other wildlife.
Stop at The Stanley Hotel for a peaceful stay. Take the Stanley Ghost Tour or The Shining Tour and get the epitome of ghostly thrills. Visitors can also relax and watch the Elk. Elk roam throughout the town during the fall as they move around Rocky Mountain National Park for the winter. Enjoy the Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival on November 2. Celebrate Colorado’s craft breweries and enjoy live bluegrass music.
Take time and spend the day at Lake Estes. There’s a full-service marina; visitors can walk or bike around the lake and enjoy the views. Fish at Lake Estes or go Fly Fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park. Breathe in the fresh air, stillness, and cool quiet of nature.
Boulder
Boulder is approximately an hour’s drive from downtown Denver and encompasses stunning Flatirons views. Catch a University of Colorado Buffaloes football game, or tour the massive campus full of greenery, deer, and masses of fall foliage. Go a short distance west and take a walk through Chautauqua Park. Catch a live theater performance or enjoy live music. Chautauqua Park is a unique park with over a hundred years of history.
Next, head down to Pearl Street in downtown Boulder. Walk the outdoor open-air shopping and dining district. Watch street performers and hear live music, and enjoy the changing fall colors as you walk along this unique area. On Saturdays, hit the Boulder Farmers Market for organic vegetables, meat, and homemade bread, which is hard to resist as the smell of fresh bread wafts throughout the entire area!
While in Boulder, drive the Flatirons Vista Loop and continue up the Peak to Peak Scenic Highway to Boulder Falls. Boulder Falls is between Boulder and Nederland. The falls include a short hike to view the waterfall up close. Check out the nearby Barker Reservoir for trout fishing.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is an hour and a half from downtown Denver. The drive alone is scenic from south Denver to downtown Colorado Springs. Stop by the incredible Garden of the Gods and take a walk or bike through a series of natural red stone sculptures made by nature. For the adventurous, take a tour, learn basic rock climbing, or relax and watch.
Colorado Springs is known as Pike’s Peak country and features a prominent view of the 14,000-foot peak. Drive by the Air Force Academy’s beautiful campus with trees, lakes, and plenty of fall colors. For a relaxing and luxurious stay, consider the Broadmoor Resort. The Broadmoor hosts several sporting events on its massive campus, including three golf courses. There is plenty of room to move around, take in the views, and enjoy a cool golf game.
For Zoo lovers, the local zoo is well known for allowing visitors to feed and pet the giraffes. Purchase crackers and take a turn feeding a live giraffe. Enjoy the walk through the zoo with larger living areas and a natural approach to housing animals. Check out the Western Museum of Mining & Industry in October for the Miners Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy hayrides, gold panning, and press cider. For the kids, pick a pumpkin, run around the farm, and enjoy multiple vendors and food trucks.
Morrison
Morrison is a short 30-minute drive from downtown Denver but feels a world away. It features Dinosaur Ridge and the Lariat Loop Scenic Byway. Take the byway or visit Dinosaur Ridge to view fall foliage throughout the town, which is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
At nearby Chatfield Farms, hit the Pumpkin Festive October 11-13. Pick, pitch, or carve a pumpkin and enjoy all things fall, including freshly pressed apple cider. Walk through the farm and take in the fresh air and cool breezes with a cup in tow. Next, visit the famous outdoor concert venue, Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Right outside of town is Bear Creek Lake Park. Go for a hike or bike. Stop at the Morrison Natural History Museum to learn more about the local area’s history. Morrison has a slight mountain town aura only minutes from Denver’s hustle and bustle, making it perfect for a quick getaway or a long weekend relaxing in nature.
Golden
Just a 30-minute from downtown Denver, Golden is perfect for a quick getaway or a whole week of adventures. Fall foliage can be seen all around the city of Golden, named after the nearby groves of Aspen. Visitors can enjoy walking through the downtown area for shopping and dining. Or, for beer lovers, take a tour of the Coors Brewery in Golden. See how the legendary beer is made with water from the Rocky Mountains. For adults, there’s usually a free sample involved!
History lovers enjoy touring the Buffalo Bill Museum and grave site. Consider taking a Golden History Tour or the Cemetery Tour to enter the fall spirit. As you walk around the area, you’ll see thousands of aspen groves turning gold in the foothills surrounding the city of Golden. Take a short drive up to Golden Gate Canyon State Park and drive through miles of fall foliage mixed in with scenic mountain views.
Head back to town and take in the Autumn Fest on October 6 at the Golden History Museum. Autumn Fest features free family activities, sidewalk chalk art, a petting zoo, and multiple craft stations. On October 19, Golden will host a local beverage tasting and chili cook-off at Parfet Park. The weekend also features a costume contest and an annual Halloween celebration. Ride on a steam locomotive to take in the surrounding scenery at the event.
Northeastern Colorado
Just 45 minutes to an hour west and east of Denver are smaller towns offering various fall events for all ages. Stop in Brighton, Colorado, and visit Barr Lake State Park for an exciting walk through the bird sanctuary and around the lake. Next, drive about 20 minutes east of Hudson, Colorado, and visit the Wild Animal Sanctuary. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is not a zoo but an open-air preserve for tigers, lions, bears, foxes, wolves, and other wild species. Visitors walk above the facility to view animals.
Next, head up Highway 85 from Brighton to Greeley. In 45 minutes, you’ll be at Fritzler’s Corn Maze. Fritzler’s features intricate corn mazes, roller coaster rides, a pillow jump, giant yard games, pumpkin cannons, and a haunted maze—plenty of fun for all ages in the quiet plains and farmland north of Denver.
Visitors looking for more fall colors can head up to the Poudre River Trail from central Greeley. The trail follows the Cache La Poudre River and is fully paved for easier walking, hiking, or biking.
Fort Collins
Consider continuing your fall foliage journey from Greeley and driving 30 minutes north to Ft. Collins. Ft. Collins has a little bit of everything for a long weekend or relaxing getaway close to Denver. Visitors can hike through Lory State Park or rent a horse to ride. View the fall colors up close as you meander through the extensive trail system. Stop off at Horseshoe Reservoir for a cold swim, hit the beach, and read a book. The area is pristine and peaceful, like a tiny mountain oasis on the plains.
Beer lovers will enjoy touring the Budweiser Brewery just outside of town. See some of the famous Clydesdales and learn how the popular brew is made in Colorado. Head into downtown Ft. Collins and attend the Pumpkins on Parade on October 19-22. The event features hundreds of lighted pumpkins and gourds arranged in the garden and fun activities for all ages. Ghost lovers will enjoy viewing the local fall foliage while learning about local legends, hauntings, and paranormal sightings. Tours run through Halloween.
Georgetown
Are you looking for a mountain fall getaway close to Denver yet so very far from the city? Take a drive west to Georgetown. Georgetown is located about an hour and a half from downtown Denver. Driving there, you’ll find miles of unique fall colors in various stages of turning colors through early November.
Take a ride on a local refurbished steam train at the Georgetown Loop Railroad. The train ride lasts about 30 minutes and takes visitors through a scenic ride one can only see from the rails. The train runs through November. Visitors can also drive to Guanella Pass and climb to 11,670 feet to see thousands of aspen groves on either side of the pass. The view is unique and encompasses miles of colors, merging in one epic scene.
Attend the Georgetown Bighorn Sheep Festival on November 9th to see the fall foliage and learn more about the local Bighorn Sheep. Drivers must watch the road, but other travelers can scan the mountainsides and spot wild Bighorn Sheep as they drive around town.
Evergreen
Another option for viewing Colorado’s spectacular fall foliage is in Evergreen. A short 45-minute drive from Denver takes one to Evergreen’s quiet, natural beauty. Pine trees surround Evergreen and include an alpine lake at the center of town. Visitors can enjoy the peace and serenity of fall by kayaking around the lake. Take a walk or hike through the Alderfer/Three Sisters Park. See the once-working Flying J Ranch turned into a hiker’s paradise, especially in the fall.
Stay or relax in historic Evergreen. Tour the art galleries, quaint shops, and local eateries. There’s also a local golf course open year-round, weather permitting. There are also several day spas in town, such as the Sacred Stone Day Spa and the TallGrass Spa & Salon. Pamper yourself and then take in the Hiwan Homestead Museum in town. Or head outside and do some fishing at Evergreen Lake.
Take a long weekend or even a day away from the city and experience the joy of Autumn within a three-hour drive of Denver. Denver offers its own plethora of fall festivals and activities, but the surrounding mountains and plains often provide peace and quiet that’s hard to find in the city. Explore Colorado’s wealth of fall colors and pristine views, all within a short drive from downtown Denver.
