5 Best Day Trips in Colorado
Places to Visit Around Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a great place to call base camp when visiting the area, as the mountains are right at your fingertips as well as plenty of fun city activities. If you are visiting Colorado Springs or local to the area, there is no limit to the adventures and experiences available in our region. Even within a few hour’s drive of Colorado Springs are ultimate destinations that Colorado is famous for!
The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is one of the most popular day trips in Colorado, as exhilarating rides and stunning views await for all visitors. Continue reading in this months blog for ideas on road trips in Colorado to make your summer an awesome one:
1. Experience the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park has been a pillar of the Royal Gorge Region for nearly 100 years since the Royal Gorge Bridge was built in 1929. Visitors from around the world continue to cross America’s Highest Suspension Bridge and see the incredible views of the Royal Gorge and Arkansas River nearly 1,000 feet below! Find the park just over an hour’s drive from Colorado Springs, near Cañon City. Several thrilling rides, restaurants, and events keep things fun and exciting throughout the year at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park! One of the best attributes of our park is that we are open 365 days per year, making it possible to see the Royal Gorge Region during different seasons.
The Park features one of the longest single-span Aerial Gondolas as well, which is included in a general admission ticket. Riders can take the gondola from rim to rim as many times as they want during their visit and take in the bird’s eye view of the Royal Gorge. For the bravest, our Royal Rush Skycoaster is recognized as the World’s Scariest Skycoaster as riders swing 1,200 feet over the depth of the Royal Gorge and reach speeds up to 50 mph – talk about an adrenaline rush!To experience the ultimate Colorado adventure, join a tour on our Royal Gorge Via Ferrata. From your day trip in Colorado, you can conquer the gorge on our guiding climbing experience. This Colorado day trip to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park will give you a full day of adventures!
A day trip in Colorado to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park offers a grand list of adventures. Conquer the gorge on our Via Ferrata, a guided climbing experience great for the whole family!
2. Ride the Cog Railway Up Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is another popular day trip in Colorado. Located just outside of Colorado Springs, you can take the Pikes Peak Highway up the 14,115-foot mountain, or ride the new and improved Cog Railway. This is a railway system that starts in Manitou Springs and travels up Pikes Peak, also known as America’s Mountain, taking passengers through the mountains and alpine climate. Guests can relax, see views, and learn about the local area in the new Summit Visitor Center. Take your day trip in Colorado up Pikes Peak by railway for an incredible adventure.
3. Soak in Natural Hot Springs
One of the most relaxing day trips in Colorado is from Colorado Springs to Nathrop where you can find natural hot springs. Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort offers two large pools fed by natural hot springs water that vary in temperature, making it a great family day trip any time of year. Then, wander down to the creek where you can find warm and hot spots in the river to soak in. Relaxing in a natural forested creek is a unique experience, especially feeling the soothing warm water from natural hot springs.
4. Take a Gold Mine Tour
Experience Colorado’s wild west history when you take a day trip from Colorado Springs to the historic town of Cripple Creek. Here you will find remnants of mining shafts and equipment, influences of the mining boom from the late 1800s in the city’s architecture, and an active gold mine. Take a gold mine tour at the town’s most historic site, the Molly Kathleen Gold Mine. You will travel 1,000 feet underground with a guide and see rock formations and minerals, learn how the miners worked, and even try some of the old equipment! Tours are also available at the active mine, the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine.
Colorado adventures seem limitless, from biking and hiking to climbing and rafting! It is hard to pick and choose which outdoor activities to do when visiting so we created a list of some of the best Colorado day trips. One of the most popular day trips from Colorado Springs is the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. Here, you can find thrilling adventures like our Cloudscraper Zipline, America’s Highest Suspension Bridge, and Colorado’s best value climbing experience, the Royal Gorge Via Ferrata.
5. Go Hiking or Biking at Royal Gorge Park Trails
There are many iconic hiking and biking trails in the Royal Gorge Region, making it a great day trip in Colorado to check out new trails. Explore from three different trail systems in the area, Oil Well Flats, South Cañon Trails, and the Royal Gorge Park Trails.
The Royal Gorge Park Trails System, located just outside of the entrance of the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, traverses the gorge’s rim and surrounding hills. This area gives hikers and mountain bikers over 17 miles of singletrack to adventure on and see incredible views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Arkansas River in the distance.
Road Trip Destinations in Colorado
This list of best road trips in Colorado can jumpstart your spring and summer activities! The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is a must-see destination for the incredible Royal Gorge Bridge, the exhilarating rides, and the best Via Ferrata in Colorado. If you plan to spend more than a day at the park or desire to visit multiple times throughout the year, be sure to learn about the season passes we offer. Our season passes are great for those who frequent Colorado at various times of the year and for local residents who like to get out of the house and explore. A day trip in Colorado is never boring and you are guaranteed to find stunning views!