Colorado in Summer Is Better Than You Imagine: Family Getaway Ideas From a Local

Summer in Colorado means alpine lakes, scenic drives, mountain towns and unforgettable outdoor adventures. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, romantic escape or active getaway, these Colorado summer destinations, recommended by a local, offer everything from hiking and rafting to hot springs, historic railroads and breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery.

Highlights

• Best for relaxing mountain escapes: Soak in Glenwood Springs’ famous hot springs, stroll the lakeside village of Grand Lake or enjoy wildflowers, festivals and cool mountain air in charming Colorado towns.
• Best for iconic mountain scenery: Explore Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park, drive Trail Ridge Road and hike to alpine lakes surrounded by towering peaks.
• Best for adventure seekers: Go whitewater rafting in Cañon City, ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad or soar above the Royal Gorge on one of North America’s highest suspension bridges.

While winter is a haven for skiers at Colorado mountain resorts, for locals like me and frequent visitors to the Rocky Mountain state, there is a long list of things to do in Colorado in the summer for families.

Ready to get started? Read on for our amazing suggestions for your next family-friendly summer getaway to Colorado.

Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!

Head to Denver for Great Food and Culture

Denver got its start as an Old West mining town in 1858, but quickly grew into today's sprawling western urban metropolis with sweeping Rocky Mountain vistas and casual hospitality. While it embraces its Western heritage, Denver is no Cowtown with its high-tech economy, legendary chefs and love for the outdoors.

This year-round vacation destination sits at a cool 5,280 feet above sea level, thus its Mile High City moniker. As a gateway to the Rocky Mountains, Denver is the perfect start for your Colorado summer activities.

Top Things to Do in Denver

• Take advantage of Denver's cool mornings or evenings with a bike rental available at multiple shops throughout downtown.
• Explore the 16th Street Mall, Denver's mile-long pedestrian walkway. People watch, shop and dine along the way.
• Detour to the Colorado State Capitol and take the stairs to the "One Mile Above Sea Level" step. Book a free guided tour.
• Animal lovers shouldn't miss a visit to the Denver Zoo, located 5 minutes from downtown Denver in the historic City Park area. More than 3,000 animals live in this 84-acre urban zoo with natural habitats including the Toyota Elephant Passage, Giraffe Encounter, Tropical Discovery and the Pinnacol African Penguin Point.
• Also in the City Park area is the interactive Denver Museum of Nature & Science with exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to the Discovery Zone.
• Have a picnic in the 330-acre City Park with its dozens of trees offering shade, bike trails, playgrounds and a lake. If you're feeling ambitious, bikes, kayaks, pedal boats and stand-up paddleboats are available for rent.
• And one of the most iconic things to do in Denver is to take the family to a Colorado Rockies baseball game at the 76-acre Coors Field in the Ballpark neighborhood.
• Don't forget to reward the adults with a refreshing cold beer. The downtown Denver breweries, such as Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery and Wynkoop, are kid-friendly. Or book a guided brewery walking tour.

SheBuysTravel Tip: We always include a visit to Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park, with 54 rides, attractions and summer fun. My younger grandchildren loved the rides in Kiddie Land, and there's even a family-friendly roller coaster, the Blazin' Buckaroo.

Go to Golden for Hiking, Biking and Brewery Tours

Say "howdy" to the small town of Golden, 15 miles west of Denver and part of the Front Range Urban Corridor. Golden offers a wide range of activities for all ages. These include hiking trails, biking trails, shopping, cultural attractions and breweries.

• Clear Creek runs through this beautiful town, where you can enjoy whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly fishing and tubing. Take a self-guided walking tour in Golden and discover its public art, with more than 30 statues and murals.
• On the outskirts of Golden is the Colorado Railroad Museum, a worthwhile detour for train fans.
• Drive the short scenic byway to Lookout Mountain to see Buffalo Bill's Grave or to the renowned Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater. Unique to the area, the Red Rocks sandstone formations are more than 250 million years old and 300 feet high. An early morning moderate 1.4-mile trail hike rewards visitors with the best views. At night, this venue hosts concerts and events.
• End your evening on the rooftop patio of The Golden Mill – complete with misters to cool off. Choose from five local food concepts and beverages from a self-pour wall that boasts more than 50 taps of home-grown brews, wines, and house-made cocktails.

SheBuysTravel Tip:T reat the kids to New Zealand-style ice cream at the Golden Mill, a delicious mix of fresh sweet cream ice cream and a scoop of fruit.

Family Fun in Colorado Springs

Just 90 minutes south of Denver is the always popular Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region with its own set of must-see attractions.

Things to do in Colorado Springs include:

• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the highest altitude zoo, featuring (our favorite) getting up close with the giraffes. It's one of the best zoos in the country.
• Hiking or horseback riding in the Garden of the Gods, with always free admission. This National Natural Landmark features towering 300-foot sandstone rock formations and 15 miles of trails. Stop by the visitor center for free 30-minute guided walks including information about Colorado's wildflowers.
• Ride the rails on the world's highest cog train, the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway. Climbing 14,115 feet up Pikes Peak year-round, the views at the top will leave you speechless!

Cañon City is the Place for Whitewater Rafting

Less than 30 minutes away in the Pikes Peak Region, another must-visit Colorado town is Cañon City (pronounced Canyon), just 2 hours south of Denver. From whitewater rafting to riding the rails, it’s an easy weekend road trip.

Attractions in Cañon City include:

• The 360-acre Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, a theme park featuring the highest suspension bridge in America at an amazing 12,700 feet long and 18 feet wide. Ride the scenic Aerial Gondola or zipline 956 feet above the wild Arkansas River. If you dare, soar over the edge on the World's Scariest Skycoaster.
• Another opportunity to ride the rails on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad in downtown Cañon City.
• Whitewater rafting with Echo Canyon River Expeditions on the Arkansas River. This outfitter can accommodate all skill levels.

SheBuysTravel Tip: For beginners, I highly recommend booking a family float on a less challenging 5-mile part of the river. My 4-year-old granddaughter had so much fun, belly giggling as we bumped along on some of the rapids.

Best for Outdoor Adventure and Urban Vibes: Boulder

Located just 30 miles from Denver, this is the perfect getaway for a day trip. Home to Colorado University, Boulder boasts its own personality, with a fun downtown, street performers, unique shopping at Pearl Street Mall (kids, don't miss the candy store Rocket Fizz!) and other activities.

Enjoy dozens of hiking trails and biking trails within and just outside of the city limits including at Chautauqua Park, dating back to 1898, with close trail access to the Flatirons.

This city park also features a children's playground, tennis courts and picnic areas. Start at the Ranger Cottage for a lay of the land, free maps, brochures, hiking suggestions, and a visit to the nature center.

Explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park

Be prepared for breathtakingly majestic views of the Rockies, national forests and state parks when traveling to Colorado mountain towns such as Estes Park.

In 1872, Isabella Bird, an adventure traveler to Colorado, said it best: "The Rocky Mountains realize – nay, exceed – the dream of my childhood. It is magnificent, and the air is life-giving."

Beat the heat of summer and head west to Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park, an approximately 90-minute scenic drive northwest of Denver. This mountain town with access to America's favorite national park won't disappoint.

From the historic haunted Stanley Hotel to its gorgeous downtown to dramatic mountain views from the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, Estes Park will wow you from the moment you arrive.

• Go fishing at Lake Estes Marina, or rent stand-up paddleboards or kayaks.
• For a rewarding mountain road trip, take the Peak to Peak scenic byway, one of the most beautiful road trips in Colorado, beginning in Estes Park, passing through the mining towns of Blackhawk and Central City and ending at Clear Creek Canyon and I-70.

Ride the Rails in Georgetown, Colorado

All aboard an Old West train ride in the historic mining town of Georgetown, Colorado, less than one hour's drive from Denver via I-70.

Arrive early for brunch at Happy Cooker Restaurant with its inviting patio. Then get ready to board the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Add mining tours to your adventure, where the kids can "mine" for gold.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Stop at the wildlife viewing area beside Georgetown Lake for bighorn sheep sightings, also often seen near the Georgetown Visitors Center.

Scenic Grand Lake is the Place for a Mountain Lake Escape

Another fun day trip from Denver is the mountain town of Grand Lake, located two hours west of Denver.

Grand Lake is known as the "Western Gateway" to Rocky Mountain National Park. It has something for everyone with miles of lakes and rivers, so many hiking trails and abundant wildlife.

• Walk its historic boardwalk. Browse its more than 60 shops, restaurants and galleries
• The mighty Colorado River flows into Grand Lake, the largest natural lake. Rent a pontoon, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Fish from the lakefront or just walk around and enjoy the amazing views. You can even relax on its sandy beach.
• Drive into Rocky Mountain National Park for scenic views and wildlife sightings.
• Take a swing at Grand Lake Golf Club, a mountain golf course with magnificent views of snow-capped mountains and the Rocky Mountain National Park. This course also offers some incredible wildlife sightings; when I was playing golf there with my grandson, an elk walked across the fairway.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Book a family-friendly and pet-friendly stay in a cabin at Grand Lake Lodge, located near the Rocky Mountain National Park entrance and overlooking the beautiful mountain town. We loved the convenience to the town and the park – and bonus: a pool with a view.

More Colorado Mountain Summer Adventures

There are so many more Colorado mountain towns to visit, including:

• Glenwood Springs. Located in the rugged Rocky Mountains, this Old West town is surrounded by the vast White River National Forest. It's famous for hot springs, but there are plenty of summer adventures. Ride the gondola up to the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Take a hike to Hanging Lake and two waterfalls. Plus, there are some fun free things to do in Glenwood Springs.
• Steamboat Springs. Say hello to Ski Town USA with its 98 winter Olympians, more than any other North American town. A 3-hour scenic road trip from Denver, Steamboat Springs is much more than a ski town. It serves up an array of four-season activities. Get outdoors in the summer and enjoy everything from biking to hiking to fishing, because these mountain towns are all about the great outdoors. Plan a visit to the nearby Strawberry Hot Springs.

Family-Friendly Western Slope of Colorado

For a slower pace, consider southwest Colorado with a visit to Durango and a train ride aboard the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Then embark on a road trip to Ouray, the Switzerland of America, via a nail-biting canyon-clinging road trip on the Million Dollar Highway.

Explore the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Road trip detour worthy is a visit to Montrose, located in western Colorado, in the Uncompahgre Valley, and home to another Colorado national park, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Rising higher than the Empire State Building and the Great Pyramids of Egypt at 2,700 feet deep and 48 miles long, this national park might not rival the mighty Grand Canyon's dimensions. Yet here in Colorado, we like to call this our "mini Grand Canyon" with its dramatic sheer cliffs.

Smaller than most parks at less than 50 square miles, drive through 12 miles of the most dramatic scenery. In addition to the scenic drive, things to do here include fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and more.

For camping families, choose from one of three Black Canyon campgrounds near the South Rim and North Rim, in addition to East Portal at the bottom of the canyon.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Make reservations early, as Colorado campgrounds sell out quickly!

Read More

• Iconic Colorado Road Trips for Families
• 12 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Colorado
• 21 Fun Things to Do in Colorado with Kids
• Fun Day Trips From Denver for Epic Colorado Adventures

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This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 5:50 AM.