Perfect Winter Road Trips for When You Need to Escape Denver
From cozy towns to stunning vistas, there are plenty of good reasons to take a quick break from Denver.
Sure, you could spend all your winter days shuttling between downtown and your favorite ski mountain, but there’s so much more to see outside of Denver—even in the cold months. If potentially hazardous driving doesn’t scare you, you should think about taking a road trip somewhere beautiful the next time you can. Whether you go an hour directly west into the Rockies or two hours south, stay within Colorado or cross state borders, you’re likely to witness stunning and serene winter landscapes, the quaintest of towns, and maybe even a hot spring or two. From Cheyenne, Wyoming down to Taos, New Mexico and laterally across the entire state of Colorado, a worthy road trip awaits. Just don’t forget your tire chains, shovel, and extra granola bars.
Drive time from downtown Denver: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Twin Lakes and Leadville are close enough that you can see the majority of both in a single day, but each has its own charm and opportunities for excitement. There are numerous activities—like ice fishing—to do on the lakes themselves, plus snowmobiling, fat biking, and snowshoeing around the area. Cross-country skiing is a hit on the Mineral Belt Trail, and nearby Ski Cooper is a local favorite for some downhill, Rocky Mountain powder action. Every visitor is also encouraged to explore the tiny town of Twin Lakes, which includes the quaint Twin Lakes General Store.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 2 hours
Hearing “road trip to Wyoming” has many Coloradans assuming it’s an hours-long affair. Though technically true, it’s only about two hours north from Denver to Cheyenne, where you have your pick of outdoor adventures and city excursions alike. Once in Cheyenne, it’s just a quick jaunt to Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, where you have your pick of snow sports among the trees, though North Crow Reservoir of Curt Gowdy State Park is where the best ice boating (yes, ice boating) happens. The city itself offers plenty to do by way of local art and entertainment, brushing up on Wyoming history, or really leaning into the Old West of it all, like boot-scootin’ at the Outlaw Saloon.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 1 hour, 45 minutes
If being transported back to the Old West is your idea of fun, making the trip to Leadville should be at the top of your to-do list. Founded in 1878 and sitting at a breezy 10,152 feet of elevation, Leadville is the highest incorporated city in North America and has tons to see and do. Bundle up and stroll down Harrison Avenue for quaint coffee shops, boutiques, outdoor retailers, and the Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon, one of Colorado’s oldest operating bars. Or, step outside the downtown area for outdoor adventure of all kinds, including standard-fare snowshoeing and cross-country skiing as well as snowmobile tours. If you’re planning a trip, aim for March when the town hosts its annual Ski Joring and Crystal Carnival.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Known widely for its epic skiing, Taos is a refreshing change of pace if you’re an I-70 weekend warrior. Local art and artisans thrive here, with many a gallery and shop for your eyes and wallet to consider, and those interested in learning about Taos and New Mexico history should take time to tour one of the local museums or visit Taos Pueblo, which is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 4 hours, 50 minutes
Sitting in the breathtaking and tranquil southwest corner of Colorado is this resort town prized for—you guessed it—its abundantly flowing hot springs. Soaking in the warm waters of the San Juan River is certainly a peak Colorado experience if you’re up for donning your swimsuit mid-winter. If not, plenty of fun can be had perusing Pagosa Street’s shops, restaurants, and museums, where you can dress in as many layers as you like and sip on something hot from Root House Coffee & Shop.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 1 hour, 10 minutes
While sandwiched between winter sport and ski havens like Frisco and Keystone, Silverthorne has plenty to offer on its own. If you’ve got the whole fam with you, the Rainbow Park sledding hill is tons of fun for everyone, and Raven Golf Course has less-traveled cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails than some of the more popular ones amidst the Rockies. Silverthorne’s also mighty proud of its newest hub, Fourth Street Crossing, which houses food destination Blue Bird Market and shops to check out, too.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 1 hour, 20 minutes
There’s a reason locals call this college town north of Denver “Fort Fun”—and it’s not just the bar and brewery scene (although those are definitely part of the reason). The FoCo Winter Farmers Market lasts through April, giving you that dose of local vendor support even on the coldest of days (as it’s held in the Foothills Mall). All your favorite winter activities like fat biking and snowshoeing are available from Horsetooth Reservoir to Cache la Poudre River Canyon, and live music is always playing somewhere in FoCo, like at Aggie Theater.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 2 hours
This kitschy gambling town southwest of Colorado Springs is filled with classic Old West vibes. Founded during the Gold Rush, it was originally a mining camp. There’s even a free roaming herd of donkeys that include descendants of the donkeys that were used in the original gold mining operations. Along with nine casinos where you can try your luck at becoming a big winner, the town is also home to several historic attractions including the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine and the Cripple Creek Jail Museum.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Steamboat Springs is yet another destination worth the extra bit of trek. Strawberry Park is one of Colorado’s favorite hot springs destinations and Fish Creek Falls offers frozen waterfall scenes that’ll make NatGeo jealous—plus you’ll get your exercise for the day, especially if you choose to ice-climb. Downtown Steamboat is charming, with its many shops and eateries, and coming up this February is the town’s Winter Carnival, where you can see bands on skis, shovel races, and skijoring.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Colorado Springs to the south of Denver is packed with activities, but one of the best is this 1,364-acre park where you can hike, bike, drive, or horseback ride your way around the massive sandstone formations. Plus, entry is free. The park sits at the foot of Pikes Peak, one of Colorado’s “14ers” (a mountain that rises to an elevation over 14,000 feet) and the literal “purple mountain” that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful.”
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 1 hour, 35 minutes
For iconic, postcard-perfect Rocky Mountain scenery, it doesn’t get any better than this national park. The 415 square miles of pure alpine beauty is more than worth the drive, but being properly prepared for winter weather conditions is a must (and remember: Trail Ridge Road is closed this time of year). Explore the vastness of the park via snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or a ranger-led snow walk through fresh powder and total winter serenity, and observe some of the most impressive natural landscapes you’ve ever seen. If you’re lucky, you might even see some elk or a moose.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 30 minutes
Quiet, close by, and full of tons of trail opportunities is the town of Conifer, easily reachable via US-285. Though there are a few restaurants and shops to check out downtown, it’s the expansive natural area surrounding Conifer that makes it a draw for outdoor adventurers. Meyer Ranch Park offers miles of skiing trails and sledding opportunities, and Flying J Ranch Park is your Confier snowshoe spot.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 2 hours, 45 minutes
It’s a bit of a drive for a “day trip,” but you won’t mind setting out early for this destination because when you reach it, you’ll be rewarded with the ultimate in relaxation: hot springs soaking. The town is home to three hot springs attractions: Glenwood Hot Springs is the original—it’s been welcoming visitors since 1888 and is home to the world’s largest hot springs pool. In 2015, Iron Mountain Hot Springs opened with 16 pools of various temperatures for your soaking pleasure. At the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, you can experience the area’s geothermal features in a different way, with a natural geothermal steam bath.
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Drive time from downtown Denver: 2 hours
As a warning, this destination isn’t for those with a fear of heights. The Royal Gorge Bridge, built in 1930, is the highest suspension bridge in the country, hovering 956 feet above the Arkansas River. And if traversing this feat of engineering isn’t thrilling enough on its own, the park is also home to other attractions including the aerial gondola which you can take back after your trek across the bridge. The gondola spans 2,200 feet across the gorge, 1,200 feet in the air for a truly scenic ride. Or take that same trip, sans the safety of the gondola and opt for the zip line instead—an experience that’s sure to get your heart racing. Most of the activities here are outdoors and subject to weather, but generally the park is open 365 days a year.
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