Summer in Colorado is honestly pure magic! Which probably comes as no surprise! It’s hard not to fall in love with the stunning landscapes, eclectic towns, and endless outdoor activities, I think everyone can find something they love here!
Though I’m still fairly new to the state, I wanted to share some of the best places to visit in Colorado in the summer. Below I’ve included some of the can’t-miss destinations that are perfect for solo travelers, couples, and families (did someone say dinosaur trails?!)
Here are 10 of the best places to visit in Colorado this summer!
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Table of Contents
Best Places to Visit in the Summer Colorado Map
Sometimes it’s easier to plan a trip when you can visually see it from a bird’s eye view! Use this map to help plan the perfect Colorado summer adventure!
Best Places to Visit in the Summer Colorado
Here are the top 10 places you cannot miss if you’re visiting Colorado during the summertime! Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or just looking to bask in all of the beautiful nature, this list has got you covered!
1. Crested Butte
Known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado,” Crested Butte is truly magical! This is the perfect place for those who like more adventurous activities like hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and paddle boarding. But if you’re into more of the slower-paced activities, the town also hosts several fun summer festivals, including the Crested Art Festival! Or if you’re into shopping, check out Elk Ave, home to almost all local businesses!
My favorite activity while we visited Crested Butte was paddle boarding! While I don’t own a paddle board personally, renting one from Wheelies and Waves was super easy! From there we took our boards to the Slate River for a day in the water!
If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat, look no further than Paradise Cafe! Which offers beautiful mountain views and delicious food!
2. Estes Park
My friend and I recently visited Estes Park for a day trip from Denver, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of amazing! We spent the day wandering around the historic Stanley Hotel and grabbed brunch inside that featured a menu loosely themed after The Shining!
We also were feeling adventurous and took a ride on the Mustang Mountain Coaster — so fun!
And since you’re visiting Estes Park during the summer months, you cannot miss a chance to experience a drive through Trail Ridge Road, which is 48 miles between Grand Lake and Estes Park. This stretch serves up some of the most breathtaking views you’ll find in Rocky Mountain National Park!
3. Boulder
What do Celestial Tea, waterfalls, and shopping all have in common?… They’re all located in the beautiful town of Boulder!
As mentioned above, Boulder is home to the Celestial Tea Factory. For just $5 you can see just how the products are blended, packaged, and shipped!
One of the more popular ways to explore Boulder is on the Boulder Creek Trail. The entire path spans 7.2 miles long, and goes from one end of town to the other, east and west!
If you’re looking for a way to cool off after your walk, try tubing on Boulder Creek! If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, begin at Eben G. Fine Park on the west side of town.
Some other popular activities in summer include hiking the Flatirons at Chautauqua Park, which is perfect for those looking for great views of nature and the city of Boulder, and don’t forget to make a pit stop at Boulder Falls for a stunning waterfall view!
4. Manitou Springs
The standout location in the town of Manitou Springs is without a doubt the Manitou Incline! My boyfriend and I recently took a trip here, and let me tell you, this is no joke!
Be prepared to walk 2,744 stairs, but the view at the top is so worth it! Once you’ve reached the top, you can either descend the stairs or take the Barr Trail back down, which offers a steep but scenic 3-mile path back down to the bottom — which is what we did!
This hike took us around 3.5 hours roundtrip, and we came prepared with plenty of protein-dense snacks, water bottles, and sunscreen. Again, this incline is not for the faint of heart!
Tip: This hike does require reservations, so be sure to book your spot early! We parked downtown and hopped on the free Rt. 33 shuttle. Start this hike early to beat the summer sun!
Once you’ve mastered the incline, you deserve a treat! Head over to Ruffrano’s Hell’s Kitchen Pizza Manitou Springs to grab a slice and check out the quaint shops around Mantiou Springs.
5. Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs offers such a wide variety of summer activities! If you looking for stunning views from up above, look no further than the Steamboat Gondola, which allows you to take in the sweeping views of the Yampa Valley and Mt. Werner. And if that’s not enough, check out hot air balloon rides with Wild West Balloon Adventures.
If you’re a fan of horseback riding, Saddleback Ranch is a perfect way to experience the area’s natural beauty. Here you can reserve a spot to do traditional horseback riding, cattle drives, or even have a picnic lunch! The Saturday farmers market on Yampa Street is another highlight, they have tons of fresh produce, handmade goods, and even live music!
If you’re looking for delicious food and stunning views, head on over to Salt & Lime. Located on Lincoln Avenue this is the perfect spot to grab some delicious chips and queso while enjoying the sunshine on their rooftop deck!
6. Morrison
I’m sure everyone knows where this suggestion is headed…Red Rocks, of course! This wouldn’t be a Colorado summer destination list without mentioning one of the most iconic concert venues in the world. This is such a unique experience for any traveler or Colorado native!
One of the best parts about visiting in the summer is you might even be able to catch one of the summer movie nights during their, “Film on The Rocks.” This is a special event for folks of all ages because you can experience classic movies underneath the stars at Red Rocks.
After exploring Red Rocks and you’re still looking for more things to do in Morrison, head over to the Dinosaur Ridge Trail to check out some pretty neat fossils! This 2-mile scenic trail has dinosaur tracks and fossils from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, and is the perfect activity for families!
7. Littleton
Littleton is a charming city that is home to stunning views and a collection of unique shops, restaurants, and breweries.
If you’re looking for a fun brewery experience, look no further than the Breckenridge Brewery Tour! During the tour you’ll be able to get a guided tour through the brewhouse, fermentation alley, barrel aging area, and packaging hall, plus a generous amount of samples along the way!
If you’re looking to head out into the great outdoors, check out Roxborough State Park where you can see some dramatic red rock formations and a variety of wildlife such as black bears to mule deer! The trails in the area consist of 8 trails ranging from easy to challenging and stretch approximately 14 miles.
8. Palisade
Originally deemed as an agricultural town, Palisade is definitely ripe for the picking! This is a town where history, wine, and farming all come together!
You can start your Palisade adventure by exploring the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway, a road that will take you through beautiful vineyards and orchards. Along the way, you can stop for wine tastings at some of the local wineries such as Colterris Winery.
If you happen to be visiting Palisade in August, you cannot miss the Palisade Peach Festival! During this event, you can enjoy live music, peach tastings, and some fun family activities like picking your own peaches at local farms such as the Clark Family Orchard.
9. Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a popular destination amongst travelers because there are just so many things to do there! Namely, Garden of the Gods! What I loved most about Garden of the Gods is that it gives you the ability to view the beautiful views from your car and a walking experience!
The walking is mostly done on a paved road too, so it’s easy for young children or those who need some more solid than just dirt roads. While you’re there, don’t miss out on the Visitor and Nature Center, which is at the entrance of the park. I was surprised to find had a ton of educational exhibits about the park’s geology and cultural history!
If you’re looking to beat the heat and head indoors for a bit, be sure to check out some of the many unique museums Colorado Springs has to offer such as the Rodeo Hall of Fame Museum, Pioneer Museum, and Ghost Town Museum!
10. Pagosa Springs
You can’t go to Pagosa Springs without doing some whitewater rafting! If you’re looking for a ride that is on the gentler side and better for families, the Upper San Juan River is your best bet! While the Lower San Juan River is a better folks who are a little more experienced rafters.
Like most of Colorado, Pagosa Springs is no stranger to hiking trails! Some of the most popular trails in Pagosa Springs area are the ones that lead to waterfalls such as Four Mile Falls or Treasure Falls.
Another famous spot to visit in Pagosa Springs is the The Springs Resort and Spa. This resort features over 23 mineral pools which are fed by the world’s deepest geothermal hot springs!
Best Places to Visit in Colorado Summer Recap
Hot air balloon rides, waterfalls, tubing, dinosaur trails, peach tasting, and wine…Colorado truly has it all! I hope you found this Colorado summer destination list helpful for your travels.
And hopefully, you get to visit at least one of these stunning destinations during your adventures! Even though the pictures hardly do it justice, be sure to take plenty of pictures anyways! Happy planning!
More Colorado Resources
If you’re looking for even more Colorado travel fun, head on over to these
- Dog-friendly Colorado Road Trip
- One Day in Denver
- Rooftop Bars in Denver
- Best Boulder Hikes
- Fun Denver Date Nights
- 19 Colorado Towns to Visit
- 28+ Things to do in Idaho Springs
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