It’s a secret to absolutely no one that Colorado is home to some of the most amazing adventures. It’s definitely one of my favorite states for weekend adventures (if we are picking favorites :)). I recently found a $60 flight (round trip!!!) from DFW to Denver so we planned a quick (and super affordable) 72-hour girls’ trip. Although we didn’t stay right in Denver the whole time, we had a great mix of nature + city (my favorite) during the weekend. Without further adoooo, here’s the best one weekend in Denver, CO: The Ultimate 3-day Denver itinerary!
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Table of Contents
3-Days in Denver Quick Overview
As I stated in the intro, we didn’t stay in Denver the whole time. So before I get into the super detailed guide, here’s a quick overview of our 3-days in Denver. It was the best of both worlds (nature + city).
- Day1: Hiking in Boulder + Downtown Estes Park (Stay in Estes Park)
- Day 2: Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park + Downtown Denver (Stay in Denver)
- Day 3: Morrison + Denver (Fly Home)
How do you get to Denver?
Denver is home to a large international airport making it easy to reach from many of the other US States. After arriving, you can take the short rental car shuttle to pick up your car, and then you’ll be ready to explore everything Denver has to offer!
The Denver Airport is located about 23 miles from downtown, 40 miles from Boulder, and 73 miles from Estes Park (all areas you’ll be exploring throughout this 3-day itinerary).
For this itinerary, you will most definitely need a rental car as you will be driving all over. I suggest using the DiscoverCars search engine to find the best deal on a rental.
When is the best time to visit Denver?
We visited at the end of April and it was absolutely perfect. If you ask the experts, most wouldn’t suggest April as the best time due to trail conditions and risky weather, but we were met with perfect hiking weather, fewer crowds, and sunny days (and no timed permits were needed to get into the National Park).
Peak time to visit Denver and the surrounding areas is between June-September. Most of the snow will be open, the main roads in Rocky Mountain National Park will be accessible, and the weather is the warmest. But, you’ll also be met with all.the.crowds.
If hoping for fewer crowds and winter wonderland vibes, plan your visit between November and March. If visiting in the winter, be sure to check road conditions and closures before driving. If wanting to hit the trails, you will likely need snowshoes, skis, and/or spikes.
Average Denver Temperatures:
- Winter (Dec-Feb): 49/20
- Spring (March-May): 65/37
- Summer (June-Aug): 88/58
- Fall (Sept-Nov): 70/39
Average Rocky Mountain National Park Temperatures:
- Winter (Dec-Feb): 26/13
- Spring (March-May): 43/24
- Summer (June-Aug): 66/42
- Fall (Sept-Nov): 46/29
Tip! Take an ad-free version of this exact itinerary with you for just $5! Check out the digital version or printable version here!
Where should you stay during One Weekend in Denver
You could most definitely stay in downtown Denver for both nights and just drive to the National Park/hikes each day. But, we chose to spend one night in Estes Park (to be close to the park’s entry) & one night in downtown Denver to be close to the nightlife.
Where we stayed:
- Night 1: Murphy’s Resort- Estes Park
- Night 2: Homewood Suites- Downtown Denver
Other Estes Park Options:
- Budget-friendly Option: The Appenzell Inn
- Mid-range Option: The Estes Park Resort
- Luxury Option: The Stanley
Check out this post for more places to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park!
Other Denver Options:
- Budget-friendly Option: La Quinta Inn and Suites
- Mid-range Option: Hyatt Regency Denver
- Luxury Option: The Ramble Hotel
One Weekend in Denver: A 3-day Adventurous Itinerary
Day 1: Boulder
Morning:
After arriving in Denver, pick up your rental car and hit the road. Make sure to book an early flight in so you can have the most time to explore.
For your first stop, head to Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. It’s about a 40-minute drive from the airport. Here, you can spend the morning window shopping and grabbing a light brunch before your hike. We grabbed a quick breakfast sandwich at Lindsey’s Boulder Deli, but there are many other options as well!
Afternoon:
Next, head to the Chautauqua Park Trailhead for an epic 3.4-mile hike to the famous Royal Arch. Throughout this hike, you’ll gain almost 1,500 feet of elevation gain until you can rest at the top and enjoy the natural rock arch, and amazing views of the Flatirons.
After making your way back down, you could set up a picnic in the grassy meadows at the beginning of the trail.
There are restrooms and picnic tables available. It’s important to note, that it is a busy trail so if you are visiting during peak times or weekends, be prepared to be sharing the trail with a lot of others. There is a fee to park during the peak summer months.
It’s definitely one of the best hikes near Denver!
Evening:
Hop back in the car and head deeper into the mountains to Estes Park. It’s about a 1-hour drive from the trailhead. After arriving check in to your hotel for the night and then head into town to check out the River Walk (starting at the Visitor’s Center). After exploring, finish the night with some beer tasting and dinner at Estes Park Brewery.
Then, call it an early night so you can wake up bright and early for a day of adventures tomorrow.
Have more time in Boulder? Check out this 3-day itinerary!
Day 2: Rocky Mountain National Park
Morning:
Rise and shine and head to Rocky Mountain National Park. Make your way to the Emerald and Dream Lake trailhead for a memorable hike of a lifetime.
The trek to Emerald Lake is the most popular in the entire park for its picturesque views along an easy trail. The trail itself is just 3 miles long where you will pass by Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and ultimately end at Emerald Lake.
Be sure to check trail conditions before hiking as you may need to bring micro-spikes or snowshoes. We visited at the very end of April and spikes were definitely helpful!
IMPORTANT! If visiting between May 26 through October 22, 2023, you need a timed permit to enter the park!! Learn more about it here!
Afternoon:
After your first hike, head to Sprague Lake for a picnic lunch. You’ll find 27 picnic tables and bathrooms available here. There’s also an accessible .8-mile loop around the lake to take in more of the views.
Once you have chowed down on lunch, head to the Glacier Gorge trailhead for a hike to Alberta Falls. It’s an easy 1.6-mile hike to the 30-ft falls. It’s an easy and beautiful waterfall in Colorado!
Evening:
After your time at the National Park, head back into Estes Park for a quick stop at The Stanley Hotel. You can do a guided tour or just check it out on your own with a drink at the on-site bar.
From here, you can either choose to spend the night in Estes Park again or head back into Denver for a night out in the city.
If heading into Denver, I suggest getting a hotel within walking distance of the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall for ease of getting to the bars and restaurants. We stayed at the Homewood Suites Downtown, ate at the West Saloon & Kitchen, and had some drinks at the 54thirty Rooftop Bar.
Keep Reading::: More of the best DAY HIKES in Colorado!
Day 3: Denver
Morning:
Sleep in a bit and head downstairs for a delicious (and free…best part) continental breakfast (at the Homewood Suites). Then after checking out of the hotel, head to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre for some easy hiking.
As long as there is not a concert that night, you’ll be able to check out the actual amphitheater. If there is a concert, they sometimes close it early (at 2 pm) for sound checks and whatnot. If this is the case, you can still check out the on-site trails.
There is a large free parking lot (when there aren’t events).
Afternoon:
Next, head down the street to Bear Creek Lake Park for a picnic by the lake. There is a $10 entry fee, but once you are in you have access to the beautiful 2,624-acre park. I suggest heading to Big Soda Lake for a picnic with a view. If you want, you can also rent paddleboards (on-site) and enjoy the views from the water!
If you haven’t got your weekend hiking fix in yet, there are also 15 miles of hiking trails here to check out! Or you can head into the nearby downtown Morrison for some window shopping and ice cream!
Evening:
Finally, spend your last night exploring the RiNO district of downtown Denver. You can either check out the murals on your own or participate in a guided tour. This one includes beer samples and makes for a great date night in Denver as well!
Then end your 3-days in Denver by grabbing dinner at one of RiNo’s many eclectic restaurants. We had some tasty BBQ from Smok!
Then, unfortunately, it’s time for your one weekend in Denver to come to an end. Head back to the airport for your late-night flight home!
Other Things to do near Denver:
- Ride the coasters (or waterslides) at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
- Try the best food on a Downtown Denver Food Tour
- Stroll around the Denver Botanic Gardens (read my full review here!)
- For any adventurers out there, try out a white-water rafting tour!
Tip! If planning to spend more time in Denver, be sure to check out the Denver City Pass to save up to 43%!
3-day in Denver Adventure Map
Feel free to save the map below to help you get a start on planning your time in Denver!
One Weekend in Denver isn’t enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in Denver (and the surrounding suburbs) that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Denver itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in Denver!
What else would you add to this “One Weekend on the Denver” Itinerary?!
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