Destination
Colorado, Family-Friendly Adventures
Colorado is a dream destination for families who love adventure. From towering Rocky Mountain peaks and scenic mountain towns to national parks, historic mining communities, scenic drives, and vibrant cities, Colorado offers an incredible variety of places to explore with kids.
Whether you are planning a Colorado road trip, a national park adventure, a mountain getaway, or a family vacation filled with sightseeing and outdoor experiences, there is no shortage of places to add to your itinerary.
This page is where I am collecting our favorite Colorado destinations, attractions, scenic drives, photo spots and family-friendly adventures — from Rocky Mountain National Park and the Front Range to Durango and the Million Dollar Highway — with more added as we keep exploring.
Destinations
The Map
Tap a pin to jump to that stop. Pink marks the places we have been; teal is still on our list. The San Juan and Pikes Peak stops sit almost on top of each other, so those pins step out to the side of their true spots.
Best Time to Visit
Colorado runs on two calendars at once, and the difference is elevation. Denver sits at 5,280 feet; the top of Trail Ridge Road is over 12,000. On the same June day the city can be in the 80s while the alpine tundra is in the 40s with snow still banked along the road.
Late June through mid-September is the window when everything is open at the same time — high passes clear, mountain towns are in full swing, and the alpine roads run end to end. Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park typically opens around Memorial Day and closes with the first heavy snow in October, and the Million Dollar Highway stays open all year but is a different drive entirely once there is snow on it.
September is the quiet favorite. The aspens turn gold through the last two weeks of the month, the crowds thin, and the mornings are crisp without anything being closed yet.
Two things worth booking ahead: Rocky Mountain National Park uses timed entry reservations in summer — for 2026 they run from May 22 through mid-October, with separate permits for the Bear Lake Road corridor and the rest of the park — and the Pikes Peak Highway requires a timed reservation from the Friday before Memorial Day through the end of September. Check nps.gov and the Pikes Peak site before you go, since both systems change from year to year.
What to Expect
Getting there: Denver International is the main gateway and about forty minutes from downtown. For the southwest corner, flying into Durango or Montrose saves you a very long drive.
Distances: Colorado is bigger than it looks. Denver to Estes Park is about ninety minutes, to Vail two hours, to Steamboat three, and to Durango roughly six and a half. Plan one region per trip rather than trying to loop the whole state.
Mountain driving: a car, always — and expect switchbacks, steep grades and passes over 10,000 feet. The Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton has sheer drop-offs and no guardrails in places. Go slow, use the pullouts, and give yourself far more time than the mileage suggests.
Altitude: this is the one that catches families off guard. Headaches, poor sleep and cranky kids on day one are normal above 8,000 feet. Drink much more water than feels necessary, take the first day easy, and sleep lower than you hike if you can.
Weather: summer afternoons bring thunderstorms in the high country almost daily. Start outdoor plans early and be off exposed ground by early afternoon. Pack layers even in July.
Budget: Denver and the plains towns are reasonable; the resort towns — Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Telluride — climb steeply in both ski season and peak summer. Book those early.
Things to Do in Colorado With Kids
Colorado is an especially incredible state for road trips, because the scenery can change dramatically from one destination to the next. You can spend one day exploring a major city, the next surrounded by alpine scenery, and the next driving through historic mountain towns and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. Here is what I am covering so far, with full guides on the way.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Northern ColoradoRocky Mountain National Park is one of Colorado's most iconic destinations and an incredible place to experience the Rocky Mountains with kids.
The park offers dramatic mountain scenery, alpine lakes, wildlife, scenic overlooks, and unforgettable drives through the heart of the Rockies.
And you don't have to be an avid hiker to enjoy the park. There are plenty of opportunities to take in the scenery, stop at viewpoints, photograph the landscape, and experience the mountains at your own pace.
Coming soon: visiting Rocky Mountain National Park with kids, scenic stops, what to know before you go, and tips for planning your family adventure.
Estes Park
The park's front doorLocated just outside Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is one of Colorado's most popular mountain destinations for families.
The town offers restaurants, shops, attractions, scenic views, and easy access to the national park, making it an excellent base for exploring the area.
It's also a destination worth experiencing on its own rather than simply treating it as a place to sleep before heading into the park.
More Estes Park family travel tips coming soon!
Durango
Southwestern ColoradoDurango offers a completely different Colorado mountain-town experience.
With its historic downtown, mountain scenery, outdoor adventures, and Old West character, it's a great destination to add to a Southern Colorado road trip.
Durango also makes an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding San Juan Mountains.
Coming soon: things to do in Durango with kids, family-friendly stops, and tips for incorporating the town into your Colorado itinerary.
Ouray
The San Juan MountainsKnown for its dramatic mountain setting, Ouray is one of those Colorado towns that feels like it belongs on a postcard.
Surrounded by the San Juan Mountains, the town offers incredible scenery and easy access to some of Southern Colorado's most beautiful landscapes.
It's an especially memorable stop when traveling along the Million Dollar Highway.
More Ouray adventures and family travel tips coming soon!
Silverton
High in the San JuansSilverton is a historic mountain town nestled high in the San Juan Mountains.
With its mining-town history, mountain scenery, and remote location, it offers a glimpse into a very different side of Colorado.
It's also an important stop along the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Durango.
Coming soon: Silverton with kids, what to see, photo opportunities, and tips for visiting this unique Colorado mountain town.
Fort Collins
North of DenverFort Collins offers a fun combination of outdoor recreation, family-friendly attractions, restaurants, and a lively downtown.
Located north of Denver, it can make a great standalone destination or an easy stop on a Northern Colorado road trip.
It's also a good option for families who want to experience Colorado without staying exclusively in a mountain town.
More Fort Collins family travel tips coming soon!
Denver
The Mile High CityColorado's capital is an easy starting point for a family adventure.
Denver offers museums, parks, restaurants, shopping, attractions, and plenty of opportunities to experience the city's unique mix of urban and outdoor culture.
Its location also makes it convenient for beginning a larger Colorado road trip into the mountains.
Coming soon: our favorite Denver experiences, family-friendly attractions, things to do with kids, and tips for adding the city to your Colorado itinerary.
Colorado Springs
Below Pikes PeakColorado Springs combines city attractions with some spectacular mountain scenery.
The area offers plenty of opportunities for families to explore outdoors while still having access to restaurants, shopping, attractions, and other conveniences.
It's also an excellent jumping-off point for exploring Pikes Peak and the surrounding region.
More Colorado Springs family adventures coming soon!
Telluride
Box canyon in the San JuansTelluride is one of Colorado's most spectacular mountain destinations.
Surrounded by towering peaks, the town offers incredible scenery and a memorable mountain-town atmosphere.
Its remote location also makes getting there part of the adventure, which can be especially rewarding on a Colorado road trip.
Coming soon: family-friendly things to do in Telluride, scenic stops, photo opportunities, and tips for visiting with kids.
Keystone
Summit CountyKeystone is a popular mountain destination with plenty of opportunities for families to enjoy Colorado's high-country scenery.
Whether you're visiting during summer or winter, the area offers outdoor recreation and mountain adventures for families looking to experience the Rockies.
More Keystone family travel tips coming soon!
Aspen
Below the Elk MountainsAspen is famous for its mountain scenery, but you don't have to visit solely for a winter ski vacation.
The surrounding landscape makes Aspen a beautiful destination for families throughout the year, with opportunities for sightseeing, outdoor recreation, scenic drives, and exploring the town.
Coming soon: family-friendly things to do in Aspen and how to incorporate it into a Colorado road trip.
Steamboat Springs
Northwestern ColoradoSteamboat Springs offers another memorable Colorado mountain-town experience.
Known for its outdoor recreation and beautiful surroundings, it's a great destination for families looking to spend time in the mountains.
The town also works well as part of a Northern Colorado road trip.
More Steamboat Springs adventures coming soon!
Vail
The Gore RangeVail is one of Colorado's best-known mountain destinations and offers much more than its famous ski slopes.
The surrounding mountains, village atmosphere, outdoor activities, and scenic landscapes make it an appealing destination for families throughout the year.
Coming soon: family-friendly things to do in Vail, scenic stops, and tips for planning a visit with kids.
Breckenridge
Summit CountyBreckenridge is another Colorado mountain town that deserves a spot on a family itinerary.
Its historic Main Street, mountain scenery, outdoor activities, and distinctive character make it a fun place to explore.
Whether you're visiting during ski season or planning a summer mountain adventure, there's plenty to discover.
More Breckenridge family travel tips coming soon!
Box Canyon
Just above OurayBox Canyon offers a dramatic look at the rugged landscape surrounding Ouray.
The canyon's steep walls and natural scenery make it a memorable stop when exploring Southwestern Colorado and the San Juan Mountains.
It's also a great example of the kinds of smaller scenic attractions that can turn a Colorado road trip into an adventure.
Coming soon: visiting Box Canyon with kids and tips for adding it to your Southern Colorado itinerary.
Million Dollar Highway
Ouray to SilvertonThe Million Dollar Highway is one of the most spectacular scenic drives in Colorado.
Connecting Ouray and Silverton along U.S. Highway 550, the route winds through the San Juan Mountains and offers incredible views around nearly every turn.
For families who love road trips, this is exactly the kind of drive where the journey becomes part of the destination.
Coming soon: driving the Million Dollar Highway, scenic stops, photo opportunities, and what families should know before tackling this unforgettable Colorado road trip.
Winter Park
Over Berthoud PassWinter Park is a popular mountain destination with plenty to offer families year-round.
Its location in the Rocky Mountains makes it an excellent place to experience Colorado's scenery and outdoor recreation while still having access to restaurants, lodging, and family-friendly activities.
More Winter Park adventures coming soon!
Manitou Springs
Next to Colorado SpringsLocated just outside Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs is a charming and unusual mountain community with plenty of character.
Its historic atmosphere, shops, restaurants, and surrounding mountain scenery make it a fun addition to a Colorado Springs itinerary.
Coming soon: Manitou Springs with kids, what to see, and how to incorporate it into a Southern Colorado adventure.
Pikes Peak
America's MountainStanding high above Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak is one of the state's most recognizable mountain destinations.
The journey to the summit offers incredible scenery and makes for a memorable family experience.
For families who want to experience Colorado's high-country landscapes without committing an entire trip to hiking, Pikes Peak can be an especially appealing addition to an itinerary.
More Pikes Peak family travel tips coming soon!
Boulder
Below the FlatironsBoulder combines mountain scenery with a lively college-town atmosphere, making it a fun destination for families exploring Northern Colorado.
With outdoor spaces, restaurants, shops, and easy access to the surrounding mountains, Boulder can work as a day trip from Denver or as part of a larger Colorado road trip.
Coming soon: more family-friendly things to do in Boulder and tips for visiting with kids.
Colorado Family Travel Guide — Coming Soon
