Day Trips

The Wild West Experience

Highlights: Scenic Drive, Panoramic Views, Water, Train Ride, Mountain Towns, Ghost Town, Gold Mine, Wildlife
Destinations: Guanella Pass <> Georgetown <> Central City <> Golden <> Evergreen or Morrison
Drive Time: 3.5 hours
Time of Year: Best in Summer and Fall, but doable all year with the exception of Guanella Pass, which closes around late November and doesn't reopen until Memorial Day. If Guanella is closed, you can reverse the trip and reach these destinations via Evergreen or Golden.

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Take Guanella Pass for a gorgeous mountain drive that follows Duck Creek to an 11,670 pass where the terrain almost appears otherworldly. Pass by amazing views, a small waterfall, and historical sites. You to may even spot a few Big Horn Sheep. This road brings you into Georgetown, a charming mountain town with plenty of great spots for lunch. Here, you can also catch the historic Georgetown Railroad Loop, which follows the original track bed of the miners. Tickets go fast, so be sure to book a day ahead. Skip the gold mine option on the train ride and instead head toward Central City. Here you can actually mine for real gold at the Hidee Mine. The last tour is at 4, so plan accordingly. It's a good time, trust me! At Hidee, they won't often tell you because of safety issues, but you can walk past the check-in area and shortly down the road there are really cool mine ruins from the

1800s. Just be safe and don't go inside any of the buildings. From the mine, you can then make a quick stop at the Nevadaville Ghost Town. Central City is also a nice stop to see an old wild west town, though today the main attraction is the casinos. But there is still an original saloon that's a great place for a beer or snack. If you still have time, there are a few options for your return home... 1: Take Highway 6 through a spectacular canyon into Golden, CO where you can take a tour of the Coors Factory or see it from a distance downtown. The downtown area also has a lot of little shops and restaurants and this town really embodies the West. 2: Go through Morrison, where you can walk the steps or stand on the stage of the world famous Red Rocks Amphitheater (so long as an event isn't happening). There are also a lot of great trails around the amphitheater and you can easily hear music from the trails if there is a concert. Or plan ahead and get tickets to a concert! Just know that they do sell out fast! 3: Go through Evergreen, another cute little mountain town with a lake, shops, and elk wandering the roads. While this is a lot to pack into 1 day, it is very doable if you leave early and plan accordingly!

High Mountains, Hot Springs, and Ghost Towns

Highlights: Scenic Drive, Panoramic Views, Hot Spring, Active Sports, History, Ghost Town, Infamous Town
Destinations: Kenosha Pass <> Jefferson<> South Park <> Buena Vista <> Mt. Princeton <> St. Elmo <> Tin Cup
Drive Time: 2-5 hours
Time of Year: The drive is amazing all year round, though Hot Springs are best when it's cold. Also be aware that Kenosha pass sometimes closes in winter and having a 4X4 or AWD is smart. The Lake and other off-the-path spots are only accessible Late Spring to Fall, but this is great option for winter months.

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For this day trip, you'll head West! It's a beautiful drive no matter the time of year and the road stays well maintained. You'll first head toward Jefferson and go over Kenosha Pass, where there is great hiking on part of the Colorado Trail and epic Aspen peaking in the fall. In Jefferson, there are a few neat shops and also the Pony Espresso and Depot Wine and Beer Garden, which is in the original train station from the 1800s. Just up the mountain from Jefferson is Jefferson Lake (Take County Road 54 north from Jefferson until the road forks, then turn right onto County Road 37 and follow the road until you reach the fee booth.) You'll need $7 in cash only to get in, but it's fabulous in the summer. There is a 1.5 mile trail circles Jefferson Lake with great mountain views. You'll then go through South Park, which yes, is the inspiration of the cartoon, but it's actually a place full of beauty and history. Many history lovers enjoy the open air South Park City History Museum, which features the restored mining city. Continue heading to Buena Vista and pull off at the Collegiate Peaks scenic overlook for a panoramic view of many fourteeners

(mountains higher than 14k ft). The main street of Buena Vista has a great whiskey distillery, Deerhammer and shops. Have lunch at House Rock. From BV, you can then make it to the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs or a but further to Cottonwood Hot Springs. It's very hot in the day during summer for hot springs, but if you're comfortable driving at night with the animals, it's best to wait for the sun to go down to enjoy the pools. If you'd rather be in cold water or want some adventure, Buena Vista is also a great place for whitewater rafting and other adventure sports! Or just watch the kayakers at the South Main River Park, walk the River Walk, or take the Barbara Whipple Trail with great Collegiate Peaks views. If you have time to spare and don't mind an extra hour or 2 of mountain driving, you can continue west to the St. Elmo and Tin Cup Ghost Towns! St. Elmo is one of the most preserved ghost towns in Colorado and still has plenty of standing buildings and an original walkway. Tin Cup is also neat, with original buildings and a graveyard (and the surrounding mountains aren't too bad either).

The Highest Road in America

Highlights: Scenic Drive, Spectacular Views, Lakes, Wildlife, Hiking, Summit a "Fourteener"
Destination: Mt. Evans
Drive Time: 4 hours
Time of Year: Various parts of the road are closed in winter, though Echo Lake is often accessible later into the season. The full drive (including the final 5 miles) is only accessible Memorial Day to Labor Day.

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This day trip will take you (quite literally) along the High Road. Mount Evans Road the highest paved road in North America, reaching a height of 14,130 feet above sea level. Though only 25 miles from the chalet as the crow flies, it takes 2 hours one-way to reach the top of this incredible fourteener. And it's totally worth it. If you haven't stood at 14 thousand feet, you probably should. Grab an early breakfast as the Shaggy Sheep and be sure to bring plenty of water. It's best to begin leaving the mountain summit by noon to avoid the almost-everyday afternoon storms. There are multiple ways to reach the Road, but Guanella Pass is best when open. Along the way, take one of the hiking trails, stop at Summit Lake where you are likely to spot Big Horn Sheep and Rocky Mountain goats, and also be sure to stop at Echo Lake. In summer, the wildflowers are quite amazing at the Mount Goliath Natural Area, which also

has a trail maintained by the Denver Botanical Gardens. The trail to the actual summit is just a quarter mile and only gains 120 feet in elevation, but at this altitude, there is much less oxygen and breathing will be difficult even if you're fit. The view from the top is simply incredible. This is one of the grandest panoramas in Colorado and much of state is visible, from the Never Summer Range in the north to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the south. Since you'll be down the mountain by 1pm or so, if you're not too tired, tack on an item from the Wild West Experience Day Tour or check out a nearby hike. Tips: Be aware that elevation sickness is a real thing, so take precautions if you may be sensitive. Also be sure to wear sunscreen. At this elevation there is 50% less protection from the sun's rays.

Mountain Towns of the Front Range Foothills

Highlights: Cool Towns, Foothills, Canyons, History, Nature, Views
Destinations: Morrison <> Golden <> Central City <> Nederland <> Eldorado Springs <> Boulder
Drive Time: 4 hours
Time of Year: This is a great day trip all year round, especially if you love cool local towns with some wilderness exploration thrown in. In winter, you may want to skip Nederland if you're not comfortable driving in snow and drive from Golden to Boulder directly.

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This trip heads East and can be tailored to be less driving by cutting out Central City, Nederland, and/or Eldorado. The roads are all well-maintained in winter, however, it is best to skip these two spot right after a snow and drive directly to Boulder from Golden. This trip takes you into the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The immense variety of what you'll see is stunning in itself. Start your day by heading to Morrison. Here you will find the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater. This natural amphitheater is often considered one of the best in the world. And it's not just for concerts. There is plenty to see and do here and the entire park is open all year round to the public. Walk the insane stair seating, get a cool view of Denver in the distance, stand on the stage where many have performed, check out the museum, or take one of the trails within the park to see the stunning red rock formations. Next you'll head north along the foothills, first stopping in Golden -- a Wild West town and home of Coors beer. This is a great stop for some local shopping or for just grabbing a CRAFT beer or early lunch at the many downtown spots. Take the scenic road up to Lookout Mountain for more views of Denver and the Front Range. If it's not too snowy, head to Boulder via Central City and

Nederland. This route will take you on a very scenic drive, first through the tall cliffs of Clear Creek Canyon until you reach Central City, a small casino town, but worth a quick visit to see a truly Wild West town, equipped with an original saloon and charming main street. If you have time, take a tour of the Hiddee Mine and mine for real gold or check out Nevadaville Ghost Town. Continue along gentle mountain roads toward Nederland, a quaint little hippie mountain town that everyone loves. Head down Boulder Canyon and stop at Boulder Falls. Then check-out the Boulder scene. Walk Pearl Street Mall, see the Flatirons, hike a trail, or have some incredible food and drink. If there is time, check out Eldorado Canyon State Park, where there is a short waterfall trail and The Eldorado Springs outdoor hot spring swimming pool.