If you like being outdoors, there are plenty of day trips and hikes to do around the Denver Metro area. We also love to find places to get outdoors, take a hike, enjoy fresh air, and see beautiful views. Here were our favorite places around Denver to get outside and stretch your legs.
Garden of the Gods
- Drive time: ~1.5 hours from West Denver/Golden
- Bring: Water, Sunscreen, and a jacket
- Weather: Based on April, we had fog that diminished by mid-morning
The morning we headed out to hike at Garden of the Gods, it was very foggy. We arrived there around 9:30 am, looked around the museum and gift shop, and then headed out on our hike.
We took portions of the ridge and palmer trails and hiked the outskirts, and as we hiked the sky was clearing. This allowed us to enjoy so amazing views before we headed down into the garden trails up close to the rock formations. This was a great way to spend a morning. On our way out of the park, we happened upon a park ranger and chatted about the history of this place. It truly is unique as it was a family that owned it, but decided it should forever stay as a public park for all to enjoy!
Garden of the Gods is closer to Colorado Springs, and was about a little over an hour drive from the Denver Metro area. If the weather works out, you can even see views of Pikes Peak! We saw a little bit of it, but we were still dealing with some cloud coverage.
Rocky Mountain National Park
- Drive time: ~2 hours from West Denver/Golden
- Bring: Hats, gloves, winter coats, and traction for hiking in spring
- Weather: conditions can change quickly in April from snow, sun, or rumbles of thunder
Rocky Mountain National Park is about 2 hours away from the Denver Metro area. We took the scenic highway to get there and it was worth the views and wildlife spottings. Rocky Mountain National Park has so many trails to take and hike.
While we were there, we hiked the Emerald Lake Trail. It was so stunning and it was so neat every time you came upon another lake to explore. Now, in April, there are not timed tickets for this trail, but if you go during the summer months, there will be.
Also, the weather in April at Rocky Mountain National Park can be a blizzard, or mild. We did have to rent crampons for our hike, and it was snowing on our hike, and there was also snow and ice covered parts of the trail. You will need to get spikes or crampons to hike this time of the year.
In the summer months, because of how high this national park is above sea level, it is easier to get struck by lightning, so make sure you stay up to date with the rangers and the forecasts when on the trails.
Not only did everywhere we look have such natural beauty, we also saw a lot of wildlife too!
Red Rocks Amphitheater & Hike
- Drive time: ~15 minutes from West Denver/Golden
- Bring: Water, Sunscreen, and a jacket
- Weather: Based on April, water, sunscreen (not much greenery), a jacket and even gloves for at night
We didn’t get to enjoy a show at Red Rocks, but I wish we would have! We went over to hike during a soundcheck, and it does sound pretty cool at the iconic venue!
All seats except for the first few rows are all the same price, I was honestly shocked out how affordable it could be.
With the altitude, honestly just walking down the steps to the stage and back up will get you out of breath, but there are other paths and trails all around red rocks to check out!
NCAR/UCAR Mesa Lab Visitor Center & Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail
- Drive time: ~40 minutes from West Denver/Golden Area
- Bring: layers
- Weather: conditions can change quickly in April from snow, sun, or rumbles of thunder
I’m a meteorologist, so you know I had to check out the free visitor center at NCAR/UCAR Mesa Lab! They have so many fun exhibits explaining weather, climate and even space weather. They also have a library, and while I was browsing the shelves, I spotted several books I studied from in college!
My husband, who is an architectural engineer, also loved this stop because the building was designed by I.M. Pei in the 1960s and features some really unique architectural elements, which are highlighted in one of the exhibits.
What makes this an even more fun adventure is that the lab sits atop a hill with incredible views. Surrounding the lab is the Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail, where you’ll find weather explainers along the path as you walk. It’s an easy hike or stroll for all ages, and you get to learn about weather along the way. What could be better?!
Peak to Peak Scenic Highway
- Drive time: ~4 hours from West Denver to Estes Park and back
- Bring: snacks, layers, traction in spring
- Weather: best chances for accumulating snow along this route! Be prepared to drive in changing conditions and behind salt trucks
We took the Peak to Peak Scenic Highway almost by accident. We wanted to get to Rocky Mountain National Park without driving through the larger cities, and we ended up discovering one of the most scenic drives in Colorado!
When we drove it, there was very little traffic, and we were treated to incredible views of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains on our way to the national park. We also passed through several charming mountain towns that were fun to explore.
Along the drive, we spotted plenty of wildlife, including deer, elk, and even moose. We enjoyed the route so much that we took the Peak to Peak Scenic Highway again on our drive back to Golden!
Weather Note: We went in late April and let me tell you, I am a meteorologist, but the weather for this area that week was fascinating! I am glad I did not have to forecast for it! Every morning was kind of drizzly and foggy, but would clear up in the afternoon. Then late in the afternoon or evening, there could be a stray shower or storm. Now most weather forecast apps showed rain all day, but it was never a wash out.
I would recommend as long as there are no watches and warnings, to go for it, take the drive and explore because every time we went out, the weather allowed us to enjoy our adventures by the time we got there.
Do you have a favorite hike in Colorado? Spending just a few days near the Rocky Mountains made us want to go back and spend an entire week exploring the mountains!
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