16 Best Family Adventures in Colorado
Colorado is PERFECT for family adventures, and you’ll find everything from dinosaur museums to the biggest sand dunes in North America in this incredible state!
We love exploring in Colorado as each corner of the state offers up something unique (usually with an incredible view).
From the rolling plains in the east to the awe-inspiring Rockies in the middle to the desert environment in the west, Colorado has up a huge range of family adventures.
Below, you’ll find all of the Colorado family adventures that we’ve experienced and enjoyed with our children. Each section includes everything you’ll need to plan your own trip to that destination, including location, activities, and more.
So, pack your suitcase, grab your kids, and let’s head to the Centennial State!
The Camping Kiddos on the scenic drive at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park near Montrose, Colorado
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Map of Colorado’s Best Family Adventures
Looking to add in a few adventures as part of a longer road trip? Or, perhaps you’re aiming to visit all of the suggested adventures in one area!
Either way, the map below provides a bird’s-eye view of our favorite kid-friendly adventures scattered throughout Colorado.
No matter where you are in the Centennial State, you’re sure to find an outing that everyone will love.
16 Best Family Adventures in Colorado
Ready to explore with your kids?
Here are our kid-friendly suggestions across Colorado, in no particular order.
NOTE: We didn’t include specific listings for skiing or snowboarding in an effort to provide as many year-round options as possible. While elements of the activities below may be truncated or halted due to the winter weather, nearly everything on this list is open year round.
Glenwood Hot Springs
The Glenwood Hot Springs Grand Pool at sunset
Take part in a more than century old tradition when you come to bathe in the waters at Glenwood Hot Springs.
The large bathing area offers up multiple bathing pools with various temperatures, so that the entire family can find a comfortable spot. In total, the property makes up the world’s largest hot springs pool!
While we were visiting with our young kids, we spent most of our time in the historic Grand Pool, which, at 90 degrees, is about the temperature of a warm bath. This meant that our then 6-month-old could splash around without overheating.
There’s also the therapy pool, which is kept at 104 degrees. A more recent addition is the collection of 5 Yampah Mineral Baths, which combine options for cold plunges with the more traditional hot springs pools.
During the summers, families can enjoy the onsite splash pad and small water slides, too.
The town of Glenwood Springs is conveniently located off of I-70, making this a great stopover when traveling to or from Denver.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
It’s a theme park on the side of a mountain!
Just a few minutes from the historic Glenwood Hot Springs is the Glenwood Adventure Park, which has everything from cave tours to an alpine coaster.
It also has the most dramatic entrance to any theme park we’ve visited: to get to the park, you’ll need to take a gondola ride to the top of Iron Mountain, where you’ll then be able to access the food, activities, and tours included in your admission.
We enjoyed the cave tours, the oldest of which has been offered here since the late 1800s, predating the amusement park by decades. These are absolutely worth a break in your coaster riding to do while you’re here.
While Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park isn’t huge, it has plenty to fill out a day or two of your overall Glenwood Springs itinerary!
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The author working on a DNA extraction with her daughter and niece at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Plan to spend the entire day here, learning about everything from dinosaurs to DNA extraction!
This massive complex has 3 floors of exhibits, theatres, and hands-on experimentation areas.
At the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, kids can learn about dinosaurs, rocks and minerals, geography, health science, wildlife, and space exploration.
One of the highlights for my family was participating in a science project where we were able to extract DNA strands from a strawberry.
These experiments are free with your admission ticket.
On the 4th floor is a sky terrace where you can see beautiful views of nearby City Park and the Denver skyline.
Check out the rest of our guide to the best kid friendly things in Denver if you’re planning to spend several days here.
Colorado National Monument
Near the Upper Ute Canyon Viewpoint at the Colorado National Monument
Located in Grand Junction, the Colorado National Monument is an excellent example of the beautiful topography on Colorado’s western side.
It’s only about 40 miles from the Colorado-Utah border, so the National Monument looks more like what you’d find in Moab, Utah, than what you’ll see elsewhere in Colorado.
The scenic Red Rim drive is worth a few hours if you’re just passing through Grand Junction, but you could easily extend your time here by doing a couple of the hikes on-property, looking at the interpretive materials at the visitors center, or completing the free Junior Ranger booklets.
For easy hikes with kids, we recommend the Window Rock Trail or the Canyon Rim Trail, both of which are under a half-mile round trip and have little elevation gain.
It’s an easy, quick stop on a Denver to Grand Canyon road trip if you’re looking to see several places in this part of the United States.
Flying W Ranch
Come for the food, stay for the entertainment!
This long-standing Colorado Springs attraction has been welcoming guests to the family-owned farm since 1953.
Get there right when the gates open so you will have plenty of time to enjoy the activities scattered throughout the property. My kids love feeding the baby goats, practicing their aim at the archery range, climbing to the top of Christmas Rock, and riding the vintage train.
Another highlight was seeing the Native American dancing demonstration provided by a family of Sweetwater Plains Indians. They even invite the children in attendance to learn a few simple steps and join them for the final dance of the night.
While all of that would be well worth the ticket price, your evening is just getting started.
Next up, you’ll tuck into a huge dinner which includes biscuits, roasted chicken, brisket, baked beans, baked potato, and spice cake.
While you eat, a 5 piece band will entertain you with sing-a-long style cowboy favorites, some 1960s ballads, and more. The 5 performers were incredibly high energy and had the entire barn clapping and stomping along with each song.
My kids loved this entire outing, and it was well worth the late bedtime!
Garden of the Gods
This beautiful spot outside of Colorado Springs is one of those places that often gets mistaken for national park.
(It’s actually owned by the city!)
With its incredible views of Pike’s Peak, sharply jutting red rocks, and excellent visitors center, it’s no wonder that visitors think it’s more than just a city park.
If you have only a little time to explore here, use the self-guided audio tour of Garden of the Gods to better understand the unique geology and ecosystems along the scenic road.
If you have a full day—or two—sign up for one of the guided Jeep tours through the park, which will allow a deep dive.
Ask at the visitors center desk about the kid-centric walking tours of the property, which are held a couple of times throughout the week.
Also, don’t forget to buy a Junior Ranger booklet here! It’s only $2, but it’s a great way for kids to focus their learning about the animals, plants, and rocks they’ll find here.
Manitou Springs
This is one of the cutest towns in Colorado, and it’s an easy 15 minute drive from Colorado Springs.
When visiting with kids, make sure to allot plenty of time at the vintage penny arcade that spans a block between Cañon Avenue and Manitou Avenue.
They’ll also get a kick out of trying the mineral water that the town was originally known for. It tastes a bit like tonic water minus the bubbles, but the experience is worth it just to see their faces!
Treat your prince or princess to afternoon tea at the Queen’s Parlour Tea Room at Miramont Castle, shop in the adorable boutiques along Manitou Avenue, and try some tiger butter fudge at Mountain High Sportswear.
Then, burn off some steam at the playground near Fountain Creek at Memorial Park.
Do a combination Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs guided tour to get the best of both of these incredible areas!
Mesa Verde National Park
The incredible cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park are only accessible on ranger-led tours.
Cliff dwellings, incredible hikes, and hundreds of years of history, all packed into one incredible national park.
While the cliff dwellings are absolutely the highlight of this park, don’t miss out on the 30 miles of hiking trails here, too. The national park is spread out over 3 distinct areas, which can be confusing for the first time visitor—stop at the visitors center first before heading out to one or more of the sites.
Opt for a self-guided tour of Mesa Verde National Park, which offers flexibility to start, stop, and re-listen to sections that you find interesting. This tour also helps connect the park into a larger, cohesive property as you’ll learn about the history and geography as you travel between the areas.
To climb into the cliff dwellings, you’ll need to be on one of the ranger-led tours, which require advanced reservations on Recreation.gov. Don’t miss out on these! Kids and infants are welcome on these tours, but kids have to be able to climb the wooden ladders to the sites unattended, and infants must be in a carrier.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Taking a break from sandboarding in Great Sand Dunes National Park
Bring your sand board and a sense of adventure because this is as close as you’re going to get to living as Paul Atreides from Dune.
With sand dunes that tower over 700 feet tall, this park will take your breath away as you approach on the entrance road.
Once inside, you’ve got hours of fun on the dunes, as you can walk, sled, or board anywhere in the dune field. Just note that the sand can get very warm during the summer months, so start early!
You’ll have to bring your own sand board or sled as the park doesn’t rent or sell these.
There’s also hiking, 4x4 trails, a small visitors center, and a seasonal snow melt river to play in.
For more details on how to organize your visit, check out my complete 1 day in Great Sand Dunes National Park itinerary.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Hiking, moose, and the Rockies: what more could you want?
No trip to Colorado is complete without some time spent in the Rocky Mountains, and there’s no better place to do so than in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Located just west of Estes Park and east of Grand Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park covers a quarter million acres of pristine mountain passes, hiking trails, and alpine lakes.
Families short on time can get an overview of the park’s beauty by driving one of the park’s scenic roads like Bear Lake Road Corridor, Trail Ridge Road or Wild Basin Road. (Note: many of the park’s roads close in the winter and are impassable. Check the NPS site for details.)
Kids interested in history should plan a visit to the Holzworth Historic Site, where they can learn about homesteading, ranching, and life in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Make time to get out on a trail while you’re here, too—the park has more than 350 miles of trail! The Bear Lake hike (0.7 miles), Alberta Falls (0.6 miles), and Adams Falls (0.3 miles) are quick, easy hikes for kids.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Seeing the canyon at Gunnison Point
Narrower than the Grand Canyon, and nearly as tall as the Burj Khalifa, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is Colorado’s best kept secret.
Painted Wall overlook at Black Canyon of the Gunnison with the Gunnison River below
Located outside of Montrose, Colorado, this national park is awe-inspiring, yet (generally) uncrowded!
Walk to the viewpoint behind the visitors center to get a dizzying look at the canyon and the seemingly tiny river below.
The 8-mile scenic drive along South Rim Road is a must-do, as it takes visitors past multiple viewpoints at various points along the canyon’s cliffs.
East Portal Road is on the other side of the park, and it provides access to the canyon’s river.
Driving both this road and the South Rim Road provides a contrast between the ecosystems at the bottom and top of the canyon.
Don’t forget to stop by the visitors center when you first arrive at the park.
While it’s small, there are several hands-on exhibits that help kids learn about the park’s geology, history, and topography.
Don’t forget to pick up your free Junior Ranger booklet from the information desk here, too!
>> See how to arrange all of these items and more on a one day visit to Black Canyon of the Gunnison in our complete itinerary.
Museum of the Mountain West
A portion of the restored historic town at Museum of the Mountain West
I love history. And I love interactive history even more.
Find yourself immersed in the day to day life of people who’ve created and sustained the culture in the U.S. Mountain West region in this incredible museum.
Richard Fike, the founder and owner of the museum, has been collecting since he was a boy, and that obsession grew into what you see today.
Exploring some of the restored buildings, including a dentist and general store
He originally bought the property to serve as a place to store everything from vintage bottles to entire buildings that had been saved from the wrecking ball in Colorado, Wyoming, and beyond.
Eventually, friends encouraged him to open the doors to others when they saw the treasure trove of materials he had. Today, you can walk through more than 2 dozen fully restored buildings, including a hotel, jail, Victorian home, schoolhouse, and railroad office which make up the outside “town” area.
The enclosed section of the museum has mutiple facades from buildings saved across the West, and Fike has restored the interiors to look just as they would have historically. So, when you peek into the store from the late 1800s, you’ll see medicine bottles, tin cans, and more!
My kids loved this place, and they put one another in the jail at least 6 times a piece. It was also fascinating (and sad) to see things we’d just talked about in our homeschool, like an original ghost shirt from the Battle of Wounded Knee, complete with bullet holes.
Don’t forget to ask if Richard is around the property (as he often is). If you happen to be there when he’s there, he will gladly answer questions about anything in his collection.
Georgetown Loop Railroad
The Georgetown Loop Railroad on one bridge portion of trestle
No matter how old you are, a train ride is always a fun outing!
This historic railroad has been riding the rails since 1884, and you can come along for the ride on one of the daily outings.
Once you’ve boarded the train, your family will be treated to stunning views of the Rockies as you make your way along the 3-foot wide trestle through forests and over bridges.
During the summer, you can choose from the open air cars (which don’t have a roof) or a covered car (roof but no windows). Both offer up stunning views!
You can add on a mining tour to extend your experience, which allows visitors to go 500 feet below the surface into the now-defunct Lebanon Mine to learn about the gold mining industry that defines this area in the late 1800s.
Colorado’s Thomas Dambo Trolls
The Camping Kiddos, my dad, and me at Rita the Rock Planter troll
If you’re not familiar with Thomas Dambo’s trolls, you’re in for a treat!
These beautiful pieces of sculpture are made from natural materials and made to fit seamlessly into their surroundings. Dambo currently has more than 100 of these troll sculptures at various locations across the globe, and Colorado is lucky enough to have 2.
Each troll has a unique personality, story, and likeness, so you’ll need to visit both that are in Colorado.
Isak Heartstone is located in Breckenridge, while Rita the Rock Planter is located in Victor. They’re free to access with parking available at each.
Not only are they an easy day out from either Colorado Springs (Rita) or Breckenridge (Isak), but hiking to see a troll is a great way to get kids excited about hiking while you’re in Colorado.
Read more about finding Rita the Rock Planter here.
Ouray, Colorado
The Camping Kiddos and I at Cascade Falls in Ouray, Colorado
Waterfalls? Check.
Walkable downtown? Check.
Delicious, locally owned restaurants? Check.
Access to dozens of outdoor adventures? Check.
No matter what you come to this historic mining town looking to find, it’s sure to be there.
Despite its small size, Ouray, Colorado, packs A LOT of fun into any visit. On one end of the town, you’ve got the public hot springs, complete with a water slide, and on the other, you’ve got the northern end of the famed—and, honestly, terrifying—Million Dollar Highway.
In between are adorable shops selling everything from Bigfoot stickers to kids’ books (shout out to Ouray Books on 6th Avenue!), and restaurants. The pizza at Gold Belt on Main Street is worth taking a break for. Opt for a seat on the upstairs patio for views of the town and a glimpse of Cascade Falls.
Speaking of Cascade Falls, it’s an easy hike that’s good for the entire family, and it’s only 2 blocks from Main Street. Get the complete hiking guide to Cascade Falls in Ouray here!
Don’t miss Box Cañon Falls to the west of the town, and Bear Creek Falls, just past the start of Million Dollar Highway.
Ridgway State Park
Going paddleboarding in Ridgway State Park for my daughter's birthday!
When we checked into the Pa-Chu-Puk Campground, one of 3 at Ridgway State Park, the man running the entrance booth said, “Here in Colorado, we’re awfully proud of our state parks.”
PIN ME!
I thought that was a sweet sentiment, but it wasn’t until we’d spent a week there that I realized that the man was absolutely right.
We’ve stayed in many state park campgrounds, and none have been as clean and well taken care of as those in Colorado.
The RV lots are huge and private, and many have full hook-ups, concrete pads, and a grill.
Compared to the neglected feel of Bayou Segnette State Park in Louisiana, Ridgway State Park is pristine and a true example of what a state park should be.
Even if you’re not camping at Ridgway State Park, there’s plenty to do here.
>> Check out my complete Pa-Co-Chu-Puk campground review here! <<
The brilliantly blue reservoir offers boating and paddleboarding opportunities, and you can rent boards at the marina onsite. During the summer, there’s a roped off swim area on the beach, and a playground next to it for a fun family day out.
You’ll find free rentable kids’ backpacks at the ranger station filled with nature pamphlets, compass, guidebooks, and more. Kids can also rent fishing equipment here.
There are miles of hiking and biking paths, and you could honestly stay at Ridgway for a week and not do everything. (That was the case for us, despite trying hard to do it all!)
It’s also within easy driving distance of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and the Museum of the Mountain West, 2 highlights for us in this part of the state.
Read my full guide to the best things to do at Ridgway State Park here!
Final Thoughts on Colorado’s Kid-Friendly Outdoor Adventures
We love to visit Colorado as the state offers up so many different adventures for the outdoor-loving family!
From desert hikes near Cortez to the alpine lakes near Boulder, there’s something here for everyone.
Wherever you find yourself with your kids, make sure to anticipate Colorado’s often fickle weather.
It’s always a good idea to stash a lightweight rain jacket for each of your family members (I love the Arcadia jacket for women and my kids wear the Glennaker jacket for boys and the Switchback jacked for girls).
Also, pack hats, sturdy hiking boots, and a light sweater to help you handle whatever the Colorado outdoors might throw at you.
It’s also important to hydrate consistently as the state’s dry air can sap you of needed moisture when you’re hiking and adventuring. Include a water bladder in your day pack or bring along a water bottle for everyone.
Happy adventuring!
