Colorado Summer Bucket List – 20 AMAZING Things to Do

Colorado is amazing enough to deserve its own Summer Bucket List. From mountain towns to National Parks to hot springs… here is your Colorado Summer Bucket List.

Free downloadable checklist at the end if you want to print one out and check off each adventure.

This is an outdoor travel blog, so these all involve the outdoors. That’s what Coloradoans love most – being outside.

I moved to Colorado a few years ago. I lived here as a Travel Nurse years ago and always, always wanted to come back. It’s home now, but I know there are countless things that I still need to do in this beautiful state. There are endless hikes, backpacking sites, alpine lakes, and parks that I need to experience.

For this post, I’m going to include some things I’ve already done and some things that are on my own Colorado Summer Bucket List. Whether you’re visiting Colorado this summer or live here, this list will help you plan an epic summer.

I’m not going to go into details for every item on this list. I’ll link to posts that do give you more details so you can plan your adventures. This bucket list is just the starting point.

Of note, the first 4 things on this list are visiting all 4 National Parks. I highly recommend buying an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. If you spend 3 or more days in National Parks, it’s worth your money.

Rocky Mountain National Park – Emerald Lake Hike

#1. Explore Rocky Mountain National Park

This park is amaaaaazing. I visited for the first time years ago, and I remember thinking it was the best smelling place I’d ever been. Just fresh air and trees. It has cool drives, incredible hikes, and scenic outlooks.

You do need a timed entry permit and a pass to enter the park.

Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park:

• Hike! There are countless options. My absolute favorite (also happens to be relatively easy) hike is The Emerald Lake Hike – it takes you past 4 incredible alpine lakes in just a 4-ish mile hike.
• Drive The Scenic Trail Ridge Road. It’s 48 miles long and reaches over 12,000 feet. Give yourself time to stop at the viewpoints. Plan for 2+ hours of driving.
• Camp or Backpack. Lots of options, but you do need to reserve ahead of time.
• Look (from afar) at the wildlife. RMNP is home to elk; keep your eyes peeled and admire them when you spot them.

Great Sand Dunes National Park – incredible

#2. Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park

This place is such a unique National Park. Huge sand dunes with a mountain backdrop. If you visit in mid-summer, the sand can get really hot. Try to visit early in the day.

You do need to purchase a pass to visit the park.

Things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park:

• Hike the dunes! It’s WAY harder than you think it will be, so don’t plan a lengthy hike unless you’re in great shape. I recommend just climbing up High Dune. It looks like the highest dune from the main parking lots. It’s not the highest, but I don’t think it’s worth trying to do the highest ones (they’re 6+ hour hikes). There are no actual trails, so High Dune is an easy destination goal. It’s 2.5 miles but will take you around 2 hours to hike. You get great views from the top.
• Hang out at Medano Creek if it has flowing water.
• Backcountry camp ON the dunes if you can snag a permit.
• Rent a sand sled (not necessary). They’re kind of fun to sled down the dunes, but it was just as fun to run down. The sleds/sand boards are kind of expensive and a hassle if there’s a long line to rent one. They are also a hassle to carry on the dunes. They’re just not necessary for experiencing the dunes. I really don’t recommend the sand “snow” boards; they didn’t work very well.

#3. Check Out Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

I can’t wait to see these huge black cliffs someday. Here’s a post with 10 ideas of what to do in this park.

#4. See Mesa Verde National Park

I am working on planning a trip to this incredible park.

Per the NPS website, “For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 26 Pueblos and Tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past. This World Heritage Site and International Dark Sky Park is home to over a thousand species, including several that live nowhere else on earth.”

HOW COOL.

Find 7 Things You Can’t Miss in Mesa Verde National Park here.

Colorado has SO MANY backpacking spots. This is Caribou Lake.

#5. Go Backpacking

I get overwhelmed sometimes when I google backpacking trips in Colorado. There are just so many extraordinary options. I recommend googling “backpacking trips near (insert wherever you want to go).” I guarantee you will find posts with long or short backpacking trips in Colorado.

Or check out the 17 Best Backpacking Trips in Colorado.

Plan a long multi-day hike. Or plan a 1 night trip to get your wilderness fix.

The summer after I gave birth to my little one, my friend and I did a Caribou Lake Backpacking Trip. It’s just a one night trip, but it’s SO beautiful, only 1.5 hours from the Denver area, and was a relatively easy hike.

#6. Visit a Colorado Mountain Town

Escape the summer heat of Denver and visit one of Colorado’s many incredible mountain towns. Again, an overwhelming amount of options.

Here are 10 top picks, listed in order of distance from Denver:

• Estes Park – 1.5 hours from Denver, right outside Rocky Mountain National Park. Cute shops, tons of elk, beautiful views, and some of the best cinnamon rolls in the USA.
• Breckenridge – 1.5 hours from Denver. It can be busy due to its proximity to Denver, but you can ride the free gondola, go fishing, do this incredible Alpine Lake Hike, and more.
• Vail – 1 hour 40 mins from Denver. This beautiful town has plenty of things to do in the summer.
• Buena Vista – 2 hours and 15 mins from Denver. Go white water rafting, hike one of the MANY trails, or visit some hot springs.
• Glenwood Springs – 2.5 hours from Denver. Check out the Glenwood Hot Springs, the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, and an adorable downtown area. Also, the Hanging Lake Trail is SO beautiful – you do need a permit to hike it.
• Basalt – 3 hours from Denver. I read a post that claims this is the best mountain town in Colorado. Check out summer activities here.
• Aspen – 3.5 hours from Denver. This little village is expensive and maybe a little pretentious, but it has incredible scenery and restaurants. Summer in Aspen sounds heavenly.
• Crested Butte – 4 hours and 15 mins from Denver. This town is known for its wildflowers, so that’s enough reason to experience it. Check out all their summer activities.
• Ouray – 5.5 hours from Denver. This is supposed to be the Switzerland of the USA, and from the pictures I’ve seen, that’s correct. Take a gondola ride, hike one of the many incredible trails, and soak in this beautiful place.
• Telluride – 6 hours and 20 mins from Denver. Summer in Telluride looks like an absolute dream. It’s just beautiful.

Near the top of Mount Massive, an epic 14er to climb

#7. Hike a 14er

There are over 50 14,000+ foot mountains in Colorado. Many Coloradoans love to spend their summer days hiking to the tops. It’s a popular thing to do, so check out parking and things prior to heading out. And start early to avoid afternoon storms. Check out Quandary Peak or Mount Massive!

#8. Drive up Pikes Peak or Mount Blue Sky

If you’re not much of a hiker, you can still make it to the top of a 14,000 ft mountain. You can drive up Pikes Peak or Mount Blue Sky (used to be called Mt Evans). Both are beautiful drives and the views from the top are fantastic.

Pikes Peak: Near Colorado Springs. You do need a reservation. Plan for 2-3 hours for the whole journey.

Mt Blue Sky Scenic Byway: Near Idaho Springs. You need a reservation for this one too.

#9. See a Show at Red Rocks – or do Yoga at Red Rocks

Red Rocks is the greatest place to see a concert. You’re surrounded by beautiful red rocks, it’s open air, the bands are pumped to play in such an iconic place, and it’s just amazing. Near Denver.

Check out their schedule/get tickets here.

If you’re not a concert person but still want to do something at Red Rocks, try Yoga on the Rocks!

#10. Visit Colorado Breweries

I don’t need to list a bunch of breweries for you. Just look on Yelp or GoogleMaps for the breweries close to you, and I promise you will find an amazing one. Colorado is known for their quality breweries, so you won’t be disappointed.

We live in Longmont, Colorado, and Left Hand is our personal favorite.

Garden of the Gods

#11. Explore Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods Park is a National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs. Huge, cool red rock formations. It’s really worth a visit if you’ve never been. It’s free too! This guide has everything you need to know.

#12. Climb the Manitou Springs Incline in Colorado Springs

While you’re in Colorado Springs, try this iconic Colorado challenge. This stair-like trail on the side of Pikes Peak has an elevation gain of almost 2000 ft in 0.9 miles. It’s 2,744 steps. For the average hiker, it takes 1-2 hours to get to the top. It’s HARD. It has become so popular that you now need reservations to climb it.

** If you take a trip to Colorado Springs, you can check off driving up Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Manitou Springs Incline in one trip. **

#13. Soak in Hot Springs

Hot Springs are magical. And Colorado has more options than I even realized. This post shares so many different hot spring spots. Rugged ones you have to hike to, private hot spring resorts, and public spots. I have personally visited Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs and loved it.

#14. Visit a Colorado State Park

Colorado has 42 State Parks. See which one is closest to you or visit one if you’re going to a new town for the weekend. Hike, camp, fish, and more.

#15. Go White Water Rafting – or Go Tubing in a More Relaxing Way

Colorado has some awesome places and guides to try white water rafting.

Buttttt if you’re not into white water rafting (I’m not), Colorado also has some relaxing places you can just buy a Walmart innertube and leisurely float down.

#16. Eat Good Food

Best done on patios if outdoor seating is available. There are good restaurants in every one of the mountain towns listed and all over Colorado. Check Yelp, drive down Main Street, or ask a local.

Maroon Bells – photo by Joshua Woroniecki

#17. Sunrise at Maroon Bells – My #1 on a Colorado Summer Bucket List

Gah. Maybe I should have put this as #1 because this is at the top of my own Colorado Summer Bucket List. Maroon Bells is BEAUTIFUL. You do need reservations now – all the info is here. This area is near Aspen.

There are outdoor adventures galore here: Maroon Lake is below the towering 14,000-foot Maroon Bells. There is a 1.7-mile nature loop that goes around the lake. You can also do a 1.8-mile hike (3.6 miles roundtrip) to Crater Lake.

This area is also the starting point for the 11-mile hike to Crested Butte and the Four-Pass Loop (a 26-mile trail that crosses four passes over 12,000 feet).

#18. Run a Race or just Run

Colorado has tons of running trails and races. My favorite running trails are usually the ones right outside my door, so find a favorite near you. If you’re traveling to somewhere new, make sure to pack your running shoes and Run while Traveling.

My favorite running route in Longmont is McIntosh Lake. 3.5 miles of beauty.

#19. Go to a Farmers Market

A LOT of towns have Farmers Markets – check for one near you, and you never know what you might find. You get to be outside and discover new food, drinks, and gifts.

#20. Attend a Festival

Beer Fest? Music Fest? Some Type of Food Fest? There are some good and strange ones (Stampede Fest?) in Colorado, but if this is your jam here’s a list.

Colorado Summer Bucket List Downloadable Checklist:

Colorado Summer Bucket List – click to download!

So What’s on Your Colorado Summer Bucket List?

All these things? What did I miss? Comment below! And share with a friend so you can start planning your epic summer together.

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