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10 Must-Do Colorado Bucket List Adventures for Your Dream Trip
10 Must-Do Colorado Bucket List Adventures for Your Dream Trip
Whether you are a lifelong local looking for your next weekend escape or a first-time traveler planning an unforgettable Rocky Mountain vacation, Colorado is packed with epic experiences. From towering sand dunes and historic mountain railways to natural hot springs and world-famous concert venues, the Centennial State offers something for every type of traveler.
Here are the 10 must-do Colorado bucket list adventures you need to cross off your list!
1. Catch a Sunrise at Garden of the Gods
1. Catch a Sunrise at Garden of the Gods
Located in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods features towering 300-foot red sandstone rock formations set against the backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the country for a reason. Take a scenic walking tour, rent an e-bike, or jump on an open-air Jeep tour to explore the park.
Pro Tip: Visit early in the morning to beat the crowds and watch the red rocks glow at sunrise.
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
2. See a Concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
2. See a Concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Carved directly into the red sandstone cliffs just 30 minutes outside of Denver, Red Rocks is widely considered the best outdoor music venue on the planet. Even if you aren't attending an evening show, the park is open daily for morning hikes, yoga sessions, and self-guided tours of the Music Hall of Fame.
Pro Tip: Take a guided day tour from downtown Denver that includes Red Rocks, Golden, and Lookout Mountain!
Location: Morrison, CO
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3. Drive or Hike Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park
3. Drive or Hike Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park
Known as the "Highway to the Sky," Trail Ridge Road reaches an astounding elevation of 12,183 feet, taking you above the treeline into the alpine tundra. Expect dramatic mountain views, frequent elk sightings, and endless alpine hiking trails near Estes Park.
Pro Tip: Don't forget to grab your Timed-Entry Permit during peak summer months, or book a guided park safari to skip the navigation stress!
Location: Estes Park, CO
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4. Sandboard Down North America’s Tallest Dunes
4. Sandboard Down North America’s Tallest Dunes
Did you know Colorado is home to giant sand dunes? At Great Sand Dunes National Park, 750-foot dunes sit dramatically at the base of the alpine Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Rent a sandboard or sled in town and slide down the massive slopes before splashing in Medano Creek.
Pro Tip: Wear closed-toe shoes; the sand can reach up to 150°F on hot summer afternoons!
Location: San Luis Valley, CO
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5. Soak in the Mineral Waters at Glenwood Hot Springs
5. Soak in the Mineral Waters at Glenwood Hot Springs
After a long week of hiking or skiing, nothing beats a soak in Colorado’s natural geothermal waters. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort houses the world's largest hot springs pool, while neighboring Iron Mountain Hot Springs offers relaxation pools right along the Colorado River.
Pro Tip: Turn it into a weekend getaway by staying overnight in historic Glenwood Springs.
Location: Glenwood Springs, CO
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6. Ride the Historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
6. Ride the Historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Step back in time aboard a steam-powered locomotive that has been continuously winding through the remote wilderness of the San Juan Mountains since 1882. The ride between the historic mining towns of Durango and Silverton offers canyon views you simply cannot see from a highway.
Pro Tip: Book the open-air gondola cars in the summer or autumn for unmatched 360-degree photo opportunities.
Location: Durango to Silverton, CO
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7. Go White Water Rafting on Clear Creek or the Royal Gorge
7. Go White Water Rafting on Clear Creek or the Royal Gorge
Adrenaline junkies rejoice! Colorado’s snowpack feeds some of the premier rafting rivers in the United States. Beginners can tackle family-friendly Class II–III rapids on Clear Creek near Idaho Springs, while thrill-seekers can brave the intense Class IV–V rapids beneath the historic Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge.
Pro Tip: Late May through July offers the highest water flows and most thrilling rapids.
Location: Canon City & Idaho Springs, CO
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8. Experience the Magic of Maroon Bells in Autumn
8. Experience the Magic of Maroon Bells in Autumn
Located near Aspen, the Maroon Bells are two 14,000-foot peaks mirrored perfectly in the crystal-clear waters of Maroon Lake. During late September and early October, the surrounding aspen trees turn bright gold, creating what is arguably the most breathtaking autumn view in North America.
Pro Tip: Shuttle reservations are required during peak season, so be sure to plan ahead!
Location: Aspen, CO
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9. Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to 14,115 Feet
9. Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to 14,115 Feet
Standing at over 14,000 feet, Pikes Peak is the mountain that inspired the song "America the Beautiful." You don't have to be an elite mountaineer to reach the summit—you can ride the newly renovated, historic Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway all the way to the top!
Pro Tip: Make sure to grab one of the high-altitude world-famous donuts at the Summit Visitor Center!
Location: Manitou Springs, CO
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10. Walk Through History at Mesa Verde National Park
10. Walk Through History at Mesa Verde National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Mesa Verde protects over 600 ancient cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans between 600 and 1300 AD. Taking a ranger-led tour allows you to climb ladders into multi-story villages built directly under sweeping canyon overhangs.
Pro Tip: Cliff Palace and Balcony House are the two most famous sites to tour inside the park.
Location: Southwestern Colorado (near Cortez)
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Ready to Plan Your Colorado Trip?
Ready to Plan Your Colorado Trip?
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