Ready to step into a place where snow-capped mountains, colorful cities, and wild adventures all come together?
Today, we are diving into a full travel guide to Colorado — including when to visit, how to get around, ticket prices, and some must-know tips! Let’s pack our bags and start this journey together!
We find Colorado beautiful year-round, but the best time to visit really depends on what we want to do:
- Summer (June–August): Perfect for hiking, rafting, and exploring national parks.
- Fall (September–October): The Aspen trees turn golden — ideal for photographers!
- Winter (December–March): Dreaming of skiing or snowboarding? Colorado’s ski resorts are world-class.
- Spring (April–May): Less crowded and great for lower elevation hikes.
If we love festivals, September is a golden month with plenty of harvest festivals and fewer crowds.
Flying is the easiest way to start. Most of us will land at Denver International Airport (DEN), one of the largest airports in the U.S. From there:
- Car Rentals: Highly recommended if we plan to explore mountain towns or parks.
- Public Transport: Denver has a light rail and bus system, but for trips outside the city, a car is almost necessary.
- Amtrak Trains: We can also arrive by train; the California Zephyr route stops in Denver!
Here are a few places we should definitely not miss:
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
- Ticket Price: $30 per vehicle (valid for 1 day) or $35 (valid for 7 days)
- Opening Hours: Open 24 hours, year-round.
- Tip: Timed entry reservations are required from late May to late October ($2 reservation fee).
- Highlight: Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the U.S.
2. Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)
- Ticket Price: Free entry!
- Opening Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tip: Arrive early to avoid crowds and find parking easily.
- Highlight: Stunning red rock formations and easy walking trails.
3. Mesa Verde National Park
- Ticket Price: $30 per vehicle (May–October), $20 (November–April)
- Opening Hours: 24 hours for park entrance; tours usually run from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tip: Book a ranger-guided tour to see the ancient cliff dwellings up close.
- Highlight: Cliff Palace and Balcony House.
4. Pikes Peak Highway
- Ticket Price: $15 per adult or $50 per carload
- Opening Hours: Generally 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (seasonal variations)
- Tip: Check weather before you go — it can snow even in summer at the summit!
- Highlight: Drive up or take the scenic Cog Railway to the summit.
- Denver: For city lovers, with hotels ranging from $100–$300 per night.
- Estes Park: Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, cabins and lodges from $120–$250 per night.
- Colorado Springs: Family-friendly with lots of options near Garden of the Gods ($90–$200).
- Aspen or Vail: Luxury mountain resorts (prices vary wildly, $200+ in off-season, $500+ in winter).
- Tip: Always book early for summer and winter trips — hotels fill up fast!
- Driving: We should be ready for mountain roads — steep, winding, and sometimes icy.
- Parking: Cities like Denver offer public garages; mountain towns have limited parking, so early arrivals are smart.
- Shuttles: Some parks, like Rocky Mountain, offer free shuttle buses during peak season.
- Public Buses: RTD is the main system in Denver and nearby suburbs.
- Altitude Sickness: Colorado is high! We should drink plenty of water and take it slow the first couple of days.
- Weather: Be ready for sudden changes — sunny mornings can turn into afternoon thunderstorms, especially in the mountains.
- Packing: Always bring layers, even in summer.
- Wildlife Safety: We should keep our distance and never feed animals.
Lykkers, Colorado is full of stories waiting for us to discover. Every winding trail, colorful town, and mountain sunrise invites us to slow down, look closer, and make memories that stay with us long after we leave. From the lively streets of Denver to the quiet majesty of Rocky Mountain peaks, there's a new adventure at every turn.
Which corner of Colorado are you excited to see first? Share your travel dreams with us — maybe our paths will cross in the mountains one day!
10 Best Places to Visit in Colorado - Travel Video
Video by touropia