Denver and Rocky Mountain (United States) — Denver; Boulder; Estes Park, the United States: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Denver sits on the western edge of the Great Plains at 1,609 meters elevation, one mile above sea level, with the Rocky Mountains on the horizon. It began in the 1858 gold rush and is today Colorado’s largest city and capital. Downtown features the gold-domed capitol, the art museum with a Daniel Libeskind building, the restored Union Station, and neighborhoods such as LoDo and RiNo, made from old warehouses.

About 25 km to the west, the Red Rocks amphitheater occupies a valley between large red sandstone rocks and hosts concerts from April to October. Boulder, about 45 km to the northwest, is a college town at the foot of the Flatirons, tilted rock slabs above the plain, with trails that start from Chautauqua Park.

Estes Park, roughly two hours from Denver, is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road crosses the park above the tree line, reaching 3,713 meters, and the Bear Lake area has trails to glacial lakes. Elk commonly graze in the park meadows and in the town itself.

Denver is also the main air gateway to Colorado and the starting point for Rocky Mountains ski resorts such as Breckenridge and Vail.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Denver, Boulder, Estes Park.

Share: WhatsApp

Traveler, share your experiences through photos Up to 5 photos of each place you visited.

One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Denver and Rocky Mountain (United States) — Denver; Boulder; Estes Park is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Denver and Rocky Mountain (United States) — Denver; Boulder; Estes Park

✈ Denver International Airport (DEN) · 43 km to Denver

Denver International Airport (DEN) is about 40 km from downtown and is connected to Union Station by commuter rail. Boulder is about 70 km from the airport, and Estes Park about 120 km. Union Station also serves long-distance trains.

Suggested arrival point: Denver

Colorado · Denver and Rocky Mountain (United States) — Denver; Boulder; Estes Park Capital Suggested arrival point

Denver

The capital of Colorado sits at 1,609 meters above sea level, one mile high, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Downtown has the gold-domed capitol, the Denver Art Museum, Union Station and the Elitch Gardens amusement park, and the city also has a Museum of Nature & Science and a botanic garden. The Red Rocks amphitheater is about 25 km away.

Colorado · Denver and Rocky Mountain (United States) — Denver; Boulder; Estes Park

Boulder

A college town about 45 km from Denver, at the foot of the Flatirons, large tilted sandstone slabs above the plain. Trails start from Chautauqua Park, a few minutes from downtown, and Pearl Street, a pedestrian mall, concentrates the city’s activity. It hosts the University of Colorado and climate research centers.

Colorado · Denver and Rocky Mountain (United States) — Denver; Boulder; Estes Park

Estes Park

Mountain town at 2,300 meters altitude, in a valley surrounded by peaks, at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Elk often graze on the town’s lawns, especially in autumn. It’s the base for the Trail Ridge Road that crosses the park and for the trails at Bear Lake.

The local experience

Things to do in Denver and Rocky Mountain (United States) — Denver; Boulder; Estes Park

Boulder · Colorado · Park and trails

Chautauqua Park

Park at the foot of the Flatirons, Boulder’s sandstone slabs, with trails of various levels and a historic complex of cabins and an auditorium.

Estes Park · Colorado · National park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park, with peaks above 4,000 meters, alpine tundra, glacial lakes and elk. There is an entrance fee.

Denver · Colorado · Park and amphitheater

Red Rocks (Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre)

Natural amphitheater among red sandstone rocks, about 25 km from Denver, with concerts from April to October and trails throughout the surrounding park.

Denver · Colorado · Historic building

Colorado State Capitol

Seat of Colorado’s government, with a dome covered in gold mined in the state and a step on the staircase that marks one mile of elevation.

See 9 more places in Denver and Rocky Mountain (United States) — Denver; Boulder; Estes Park

Estes Park · Colorado · Scenic highway

Trail Ridge Road

Road that crosses Rocky Mountain Park above the treeline, reaching 3,713 meters, with viewpoints over the tundra. It closes in winter.

Boulder · Colorado · Pedestrian street

Pearl Street Mall

Pedestrian street in downtown Boulder, with 19th-century brick buildings, flower beds, street performers and views of the Flatirons.

Boulder · Colorado · Science center

NCAR Mesa Laboratory

Climate research center on a mesa above Boulder, in a building by I. M. Pei, with public exhibits about weather and climate.

Estes Park · Colorado · Mountain lake

Bear Lake

Glacial lake in Rocky Mountain Park, starting point for hikes to Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lakes, at the foot of Hallett Peak.

Denver · Colorado · Museum

Denver Art Museum

Art museum in downtown Denver, with Daniel Libeskind’s angular building and Gio Ponti’s tower, and a large collection of Native American art.

Denver · Colorado · Museum

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Museum in City Park with dinosaurs, animal dioramas, Colorado minerals, a planetarium, and mountain views from the park lake.

Denver · Colorado · Botanical garden

Denver Botanic Gardens

Botanical garden with Rocky Mountain and dry-climate plants from around the world, a Japanese garden, and a tropical greenhouse, east of downtown Denver.

Denver · Colorado · Amusement park

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

Amusement park in downtown Denver with roller coasters, rides for children and, in summer, a water-park included with admission.

Denver · Colorado · Water park

Water World

One of the largest water parks in the United States, in Federal Heights north of Denver, open from May to September.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From June to September, when Trail Ridge Road is open and Red Rocks has concerts. September and early October bring the yellow aspens and the elk mating season in the park. In winter, Denver has sunny days between cold fronts and snow, and serves as a base for the ski resorts.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Four to six days: two in Denver including Red Rocks, one in Boulder, and two in Estes Park for Rocky Mountain National Park.

Which city to stay in

In Denver, downtown and LoDo near Union Station make the airport train convenient; Cherry Creek is near the botanic garden. In Boulder, stay downtown near Pearl Street. In Estes Park, stay in the town center or near the park entrances; there are lodges and campgrounds.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Denver and Rocky Mountain (United States) — Denver; Boulder; Estes Park

How many days should I allow for Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park?

Four to six days: two in Denver, one in Boulder, and two in Estes Park for the park.

Do I need a reservation to enter Rocky Mountain National Park?

In summer and early fall, the park often requires a timed entry reservation for cars, in addition to the park pass. Check the park website for dates and rules before you go.

Do I need a car in Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park?

In Denver, commuter rail and buses serve downtown and the airport. For Red Rocks, Boulder, and the park, a car is most practical. In the United States you drive on the right.

Can you visit Rocky Mountain National Park as a day trip from Denver?

Yes, with an early start: it’s about two hours to Estes Park. To drive Trail Ridge Road and do the Bear Lake area trails without rushing, it’s worth staying overnight in Estes Park.

Do you need a visa to visit the United States?

Entry requirements for the United States depend on your nationality and travel documents: some countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, requiring prior electronic authorization, while others need a visa. Requirements can change: confirm before traveling.

Denver and Rocky Mountain (United States) — Denver; Boulder; Estes Park

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip