The Centennial State is so rich in natural beauty and diversity that it just begs for you to get outdoors and explore all it has to offer. No matter what season of the year you visit, you are sure to find amazingly fun things to do in Colorado with kids.
The best places to visit in Colorado are ones that combine the state’s beauty and heritage. When planning what to do in Colorado, look no further! This top list of things to do in Colorado with kids is your go-to guide.
The Best Things to Do in Colorado with Kids
Bag a Fourteener
Parents, take a deep breath. Thrill-seeking families will love all the extreme sports and activities available in Colorado. The most “Colorado” adventure is to hike or climb your way up one of Colorado’s 54 “fourteeners,” mountains peaking out at over 14,000 feet!
There are hikes of various lengths and difficulty. Here are some of the easiest hikes to the top of these high peaks.
You can drive your way to the top of Mt. Evans, whose peak is at 14,264 feet. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in North America.
You can also drive to the summit of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, outside of Colorado Springs. This is a popular trip because the views of the surrounding peaks and lakes are wonderful.
See Colorado from the Sky
Take to the heights in a hot air balloon, or paraglide out over the landscape below. Colorado is a great place for hot air ballooning because conditions are often ideal for balloon flights and the scenery is reliably beautiful.
In Boulder, Fair Winds Hot Air Balloon Flights will take you high above the Flatirons and Boulder Valley. In Colorado Springs, balloon rides showcase views of Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and the Front Range. Children as young as six can enjoy this experience.
Up in the Rockies, there are balloon companies that fly high above Breckenridge, Aspen, Snowmass, Winter Park, and the famed Continental Divide.
Get Off Road on a Four Wheel Adventure
Rent a jeep or ATV/UTV and take on the rugged terrain with all four wheels driving. Some of the most famed 4×4 trails in Colorado include Imogene Pass, Black Bear Pass, Engineer Pass, and the Alpine Loop near Ouray and Silverton.
Way up in Leadville, Leadville Offroad Adventures will help you discover trails like Mosquito Pass, Weston Pass, and Ball Mountain, which offer high-altitude off-roading with amazing views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Colorado Springs is a popular location for Jeep tours, with Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, and Red Canyon being some of the popular spots to explore.
In Southwestern Colorado, Durango is a hub for outdoor adventure and is a great option for those who want to tour places like La Plata Canyon, Bolam Pass, and Hermosa Creek. Keep your eyes out for old mining sites as you explore.
Soak and Soar in Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs is a historic town known for its namesake hot pools and lots of opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is a massive pool fed by the Yampah spring. Since the main pool is warmed to 90°F, you can swim here no matter the weather. They also have a therapy pool that is kept at around 104°F.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Sopris Splash Zone and Shoshone Chutes are open and extremely popular with families. They have a splash pad and whitewater river open-air tube ride that are free to enjoy. Kids between 36 and 41 inches can ride in a double tube with an adult.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is a mountaintop theme park with an Scenic Gondola rides, cave tours of Glenwood Caverns, Alpine Coaster, Giant Canyon Swing, and Haunted Mine Drop.The swing launches daring riders 1300 feet out and over the Colorado River trailing below- perfect for any thrill seekers in your group.
Near Glenwood Springs you will also find Hanging Lake, one of Colorado’s most famed and scenic hiking destinations. The hike is three miles round trip to a magical lake with cascading waterfalls. There is significant elevation gain along the way (1200 feet) but the reward is a scene you won’t soon forget. Be sure to reserve a permit for this hike and arrive early because trailhead parking fills up fast!
Zip Over the Forest
Ziplining has quickly become a favorite attraction for adventurous families with teens and preteens, and there are several great places throughout the state to enjoy this experience.
Head to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park in Cañon City to experience the Cloudscraper Zip Line, the highest in North America. Riders will soar 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River while taking in dramatic views of the Royal Gorge. Kids as young as 10 can experience this zip line.
At the Colorado Adventure Center in Idaho Springs, there are six zip lines that are part of the Cliffside Zipline experience over Clear Creek Canyon. They also have river rafting and a ropes course with over 60 elements on site.
The largest zip line course in the USA, Soaring Treetop Adventures, is in Durango. It is accessible to kids and adults from age five and up! You will arrive at this course by train on the Durango & Silverton “Narrow Gauge” Railroad which makes this experience even more unique. Lunch is included.
The Top of the Rockies Zip Line in Leadville is the only place in Colorado where you can zip over a running train. You can also combine this zip line tour with a train ride which is always popular with kids.
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is in the southwest corner of Colorado. It is home to the remains of Colorado’s oldest inhabitants, the Pueblos. The park offers easy, short hikes to ancient ruins.
There are also longer guided tours to some amazing must-see cliff dwellings from 1500 years ago! Active families can climb ladders, crawl through tunnels, and physically get into the cliff palaces. Cliff House and Balcony House are two of my family’s favorite tours.
Cliff dwelling tours are available May through October. Be sure to check out our full guide on all the best things to do in Mesa Verde National Park with kids.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park offers abundant animal life, gorgeous scenery, and plenty of family hiking trails and campgrounds. The Rocky Mountains can easily be accessed from Estes Park.
Families can explore hundreds of hiking trails, horseback ride, and mountain bike trails. As a matter of fact, we have a great guide to the best hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park for families. Many of Colorado’s world-famous hot springs can be easily accessed from the Rocky Mountains.
Nearby, visit Hovenweep National Monument to explore six ruins during a 1 ½ hour, peaceful and easy walking tour for all ages and stages.
The Canyons of the Ancients, which boast the largest density of known archaeological finds in the nation, is easily accessed from the Anasazi Heritage Center, a federal museum and ruins site (and a good spot to use restrooms and enjoy the picnic grounds!)
Great Sand Dunes National Park
At Great Sand Dunes National Park, the highest sand dunes in North America, your climb is rewarded with a year-round, non-dependent-on-weather “sand” board or sled down the hills. You can rent sand boards from stores nearby like Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa or the Oasis Store just outside the park entrance.
In the late spring and early summer, kids will have a blast playing in the seasonal Medano Creek which flows at the base of the dunes. This shallow creek is perfect for children to splash in, build sandcastles, and enjoy what feels like a beach in the middle of the mountains.
Of course, no visit to a national park with kids is complete without participation in the Junior Ranger Program. At the visitor center, kids can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, complete the fun and educational activities inside, and earn a treasured Junior Ranger badge.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The least visited (but incredibly spectacular) national park in Colorado is Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of the steepest and narrowest canyons in North America. The canyon is 2,700 feet deep, with some sections only 40 feet wide at the bottom. It was formed by the Gunnison River over millions of years of relentless flow.
The park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, making it an ideal location for stargazing. Since the park is so far from light pollution, the Milky Way is often visible.
Oak Flat Loop Trail is a two-mile loop that offers some of the best views of the inner canyon. Keep your eyes out for mule deer, elk, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons as you explore.
Hit the Whitewater
In late spring and summer, the Rocky Mountain snow melts creating a whitewater river-rafting paradise.
The Arkansas River is America’s most rafted river. Outfitters offers trips varying from family-friendly class II waters all the way to extreme class V rapids for experienced riders. Rest assured, you can enjoy a variety of types of boats for experiences from lazy to crazy.
The Colorado River near Glenwood Springs, Animas River near Durango, Cache la Poudre near Estes Park, and Yampa River near the Utah border and Dinosaur National Monument, are all popular spots for family-friendly river rafting as well.
Fishing picks up when the waters begin to tame, so be sure to take advantage of the plentiful rivers of Colorado. Fly fishing is quite popular and there are tons of outfitters that will provide all the gear and instruction your family needs.
Related: Find family-friendly rafting trips in Colorado | across the US
Hit the Rails
Enjoy Colorado’s scenic beauty without the stress and frustration of driving. Start your enthusiasm for trains by visiting the Colorado Railroad Museum, designed as an 1880’s train depot with replica trains and an awesome array of hands-on activities for the little ones.
When you are ready to journey for yourself, ride one of the state’s numerous train rides boasting open-air cars, incredible scenery, and impressive bridges.
The Royal Gorge travels first-class along the Arkansas River and has numerous dining options available, even fine dining for a special occasion. The Cog Railway in Colorado Springs travels to the top of Pikes Peak (14,000 feet).
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates year-round through the San Juan National Forest and includes entrance into their freight museum with ticket purchase.
Related: Check out eight Scenic Railways across Colorado to explore.
Visit the Denver Zoo
Colorado has your animal fix covered! The Denver Zoo is lauded as the most popular cultural attraction in all of Colorado. Free summer programs are the highlight for many visitors; kids will love the petting zoo and getting a sneak peak at the park’s nearly 1000 species of animals.
One of the largest exhibits at the Denver Zoo, Toyota Elephant Passage allows visitors to see Asian elephants, rhinos, Malayan tapirs, and clouded leopards in habitats that mimic the jungles and grasslands of Southeast Asia.
Predator Ridge is another spot you won’t want to miss. African lions, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs live in this exhibit which is designed to replicate the savanna.
Butterfly Pavilion
Just outside of Denver in Westminster is Butterfly Pavilion, a 5-acre invertebrate zoo that showcases the amazing diversity of insects, arachnids, and other invertebrates (including plenty of butterflies) from around the world.
The highlight of the Butterfly Pavilion is its Wings of the Tropics exhibit, a 7,200-square-foot tropical rainforest conservatory filled with over 1,600 free-flying butterflies from around the world.
The Crawl-A-See-Em is also fun for families. This exhibit introduces visitors to some of the less-appreciated critters like spiders, scorpions, and beetles.
There are also touch tanks filled invertebrates that live in tide pools such as seas stars, horseshoe crabs, and sea anemones.
Downtown Aquarium
Don’t worry- Colorado has plenty of love for all those species that live under the sea as well. The Downtown Aquarium has a nice mix of underwater exhibits, interactive experiences, and entertainment. Sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, and plenty of colorful tropical fish await.
The Stingray Reef Touch Tank is wildly popular and feeding times are scheduled throughout the day. The aquarium has a 4D theater that shows nature-themed films. Outside the aquarium, there’s an Aquatic Carousel and the Aquarium Express Train to ride.
One of the most unique features of the Downtown Aquarium is the Mermaid Show, where performers dressed as mermaids swim in the large aquarium tanks alongside the fish. The Mermaids perform throughout the day, and kids can even meet them after the show for photos and autographs.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, in scenic Colorado Springs, sits at an altitude of 6,800 feet and boasts over 200 animal species. The zoo’s African Rift Valley is home to a herd of giraffes that roam freely and there are giraffe feeding experiences available for visitors. The exhibit is also home to zebras, ostriches, and colobus monkeys.
There are several other exhibits featuring animals from Australia, Asia, and the Americas.There is a great exhibit focused on the wildlife of the Rocky Mountains such as grizzly bears, Canada lynx, mountain lions, moose, and river otters.
For a change of pace, ride the historic carousel or take the Mountaineer Sky Ride to the top of the zoo to play on the kid-friendly playground.
See which nearby Colorado resort made our list of the best hotel pools in the USA!
Genesee Park’s Buffalo Preserve
If you’re looking for buffalo, head about 20 miles west of Denver to Genesee Park’s Buffalo Preserve where you can get up close & personal with a herd of about 40 wild buffalo, for free!
These bison are descendants of the original herd of seven that was brought to Genesee Park from Yellowstone as part of Denver’s efforts to reintroduce and protect the species. There are hiking trails in and around the preserve. One of the most popular trails is the Genesee Mountain Trail, which offers moderate hiking through forests and meadows with opportunities to spot the bison.
Spend Time at a Dude Ranch
The iconic scenery, big sky, and beautiful weather make Colorado a rancher’s dream. If you can splurge for an all-inclusive resort, try your hand as a cowboy at a dude ranch.
Family programs, camp-outs, cattle drives, entertainment, and exceptional dining will draw your family together with a lifetime of cherished memories. Lost Valley Ranch in Sedalia, Colorado is one of our favorites.
Or Have a Cowboy Experience for the Day
If a day trip is more likely to fit the bill, check out one of Colorado’s numerous ranches and farms open for tours, horseback riding, sleigh rides, and chuckwagon dinners.
Saddleback Ranch in Steamboat Springs offers year-round experiences, including horseback rides, cattle drives, and even snowtubing and snowmobiling.
Up near Vail, 4 Eagle Ranch offers horseback riding and chuckwagon dinners. We enjoyed a sleigh ride dinner in the winter where we were kept warm with heavy blankets as we made our way to a rustic dinner location and enjoyed a tasty dinner with music. It was a memorable experience for sure.
Explore the Best Dude Ranch Vacations for Families
Dinosaur National Monument
Located on the Utah/Colorado border in northwestern Colorado, Dinosaur National Monument is a “must visit” for any family with kids who love learning about paleontology. In addition to an impressive wall (on the Utah side) of 1,500 dinosaur fossils embedded in rock. Species on display include Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Apatosaurus bones, all partially exposed and easy to view up close.
There are also several trails inside the park which lead you to petroglyphs and pictographs created by the Fremont people over 1,000 years ago.
The highlight for my family was the opportunity to river raft through the monument on the Green River. We booked a one-day Split Mountain trip with OARS. We have rafted many places around the world and this experience ranked up with some of the best. The scenery was jaw-dropping and we saw a herd of bighorn sheep right on the shore which was such a treat! The rapids were quite tame, making this trip perfect for first timers.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
If you can’t make it out to the monument, there is a great place in Denver to learn about dinosaurs. Giant dinosaurs, a planetarium, and a space odyssey are must-sees at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, which consistently receives rave reviews from parents.
Little ones will enjoy the Discovery Zone where kids can dig for fossils, play with water flows, and build structures. They also have insects on display and an art station.
They also have a great gems and minerals exhibit with a cave replica filled with minerals and crystals as well as a dark room where fluorescent minerals glow under UV light.
The Children’s Museum of Denver
At the Children’s Museum of Denver, educational hands-on activities take place in such clever and creative ways that your kids might not even know they are learning.
Some of the highlights include Altitude, a three-story climbing structure designed like a mountain adventure, a Teaching Kitchen, Art Studio, Bubbles exhibit, Fires Station No. 1, and Joy Park which is an outdoor play area that is open seasonally.
Related: Check out the top ten best children’s museums across the US.
The Denver Mint
Sitting at an altitude of 5,280 feet, Denver was founded by miners less than 150 years ago and is still full of youth and excitement.
Downtown, take the free, 45-minute US Mint tour. Tickets must be picked up the same day at the Tour Information Window on Cherokee Street between Colfax Avenue and West 14th Avenue. The ticket window opens at 7am and tickets are first-come, first-served basis. They are limited to five per person. Children must be at least seven to take this tour.
This mint is responsible for producing billions of coins every year and on the tour you can watch the amazing transformation of money and learn about minting history. After the tour, make time to visit the gift shop which has lots of unique coin sets and souvenirs.
Good to know: Hand bags, food, and drinks are not permitted on the tour. Cell phones must be powered off.
See a Concert at Red Rocks
The Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater is probably the most iconic outdoor venue in the country. The venue hosts year-round concerts set in front of stunning red rock mountains. Acts like U2, the Beatles, and Dave Matthews Band have all performed memorable shows here.
If an act you are interested in seeing isn’t in town during your visit, you can still come on an off day and tour the beautiful red rocks. After, stop at the nearby Dinosaur Ridge where you can touch dinosaur bones and walk in their footprints!
We’re just scratching the surface: Check out the Top 10 Things to do in Denver for more family fun in the Mile High City.
Hike Among the Red Rocks at Roxborough State Park
You don’t have to visit a concert venue to enjoy Colorado’s red rock. Roxborough State Park southwest of Denver is a great place to hike among red sandstone formations that are over 300 million years old.
The Fountain Valley Trail, the park’s most popular trail, loops through some of the most scenic red rock areas inside the park. Keep your eyes out for mule deer, foxes, and red-tail hawks.
Garden of the Gods
Down in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is another wonderful place to explore the red rocks. This National Natural Landmark is free to visit. Be sure to take the 5.5-mile scenic drive and stop at famous rock formations such as Balanced Rock, Kissing Camels, and Siamese Twins.
If you want to stretch your legs, there are several trails that go past the formatons. If you have a stroller, take the Perkins Central Garden Trail which is paved.
Rifle Falls State Park
Not far from Glenwood Springs, you can experience the closest thing you can get to a jungle at Rifle Falls State Park. Take the short five-minute hike in the morning to the falls for a sweet, sunlit view of three majestic waterfalls surrounded by lush foliage. There are limestone caves in the caves under the falls that can be explored with a flashlight.
Glide Through the Powder at Colorado Ski Resort
With the impressive and vast terrain of the Rocky Mountains, plus nearly 465 inches a year of snow, Colorado is a skiing and snowboarding wonderland. The state has 26 ski resorts. Many of these resorts feature kid’s clubs, ski schools, and awesome packages for families.
The winter season in the mountain towns like Keystone, Aspen, and Vail can extend well into spring. Skiers have the chance to enjoy an impressively long season. Ski resorts are plentiful and chock full of amenities.
If, like me, the idea of your kids (or self) flailing head-over-heels in a cartoonish avalanche of snow scares you away, never fear. The soft mountains of snow are also just right for good, old-fashioned (and not so terrifying) cross-country skiing, sledding, making snowmen and snowball fights.
Check out our Ultimate Ski & Snowboarding Guide for Families
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