Top Activities for Families in Colorado

With its expansive blue skies and a plethora of hiking, climbing, and exploration options, Colorado is an ideal destination for introducing children to the wonders of nature.

Yet, Colorado offers more than just stunning mountains and canyons – it is rich in history and culture that spans from ancient times to the present. You could spend weeks traveling across the state and still not see everything – but don’t let that deter you from packing up the car and embarking on an adventure!

Is Colorado a suitable destination for children?

The outdoor splendor of Colorado, paired with its numerous historical landmarks and family-friendly cities, makes it an excellent choice for families. With so many options, it's wise to select a few key destinations – starting in the museum-rich Denver – and connect them with a flexible travel itinerary.

Make sure to check road conditions before your trip. Mountain roads may close during winter, and I-70 can be congested on weekends and holidays. Having snacks and fully charged tablets will help keep everyone content during any delays.

If you're venturing into the mountains, be sure to pack layers and warm hats; temperatures can fluctuate significantly throughout the day, even in summer. Don’t forget sun hats, sunscreen, and water bottles, which are crucial for outdoor activities.

Whether you’re hiking in the high country or strolling through downtown Denver, if you or the kids start to feel unwell, it could be altitude sickness. Taking it slow, resting, and staying hydrated can make a big difference.

Children often enjoy discounts on tours, admission fees, and public transport – sometimes up to 50% off the adult price. Infants under two generally enter for free. If you’re visiting Denver, consider getting a CityPASS, which offers substantial savings on top attractions.

National parks provide a vibrant source of family entertainment

Colorado's four national parks are breathtaking and uniquely different, each offering camping, outdoor activities, engaging exhibits for kids, and exciting programs. Participate in ranger-led tours and campfire discussions – typically available daily – to delve deeper into the wonders of each park.

To the north, Rocky Mountain National Park stands as the state’s iconic destination, featuring hundreds of granite peaks, sparkling lakes, vibrant meadows, and lush forests. Renowned for its 300 miles of trails, it provides hikes suitable for all fitness levels and chances to spot wildlife, both large and small.

In the south, families are drawn to Great Sand Dunes National Park, captivated by its surreal dune landscapes perfect for off-trail hiking and sand sledding down steep slopes (complete with joyful tumbles). During late spring, the Medano Creek flows next to the dunes, creating a perfect spot for water play and building sandcastles.

Equally remarkable is Mesa Verde National Park in the southwest. This park is the largest and best-preserved Native American archaeological site in the country, where visitors can explore intricate cliff dwellings, view ancient rock art, and immerse themselves in the history of the Ancestral Puebloans, imagining life there before European contact. Get ready to climb ladders, crawl through tunnels, and peer over cliffs for a truly unique adventure.

Next, visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, also located in the Southwest, for breathtaking views into the nation's deepest canyon. Most viewpoints are accessible via paved roads and short hikes; this is a great choice for older kids, but may not be ideal for toddlers due to the limited guardrails.

Discover the wildlife at Colorado's sanctuaries and zoos

For young nature enthusiasts fascinated by large animals, a trip to one of Colorado’s wildlife sanctuaries is sure to delight. Close to Denver, the Wild Animal Sanctuary houses over 600 rescued predators – including lions, tigers, leopards, bears, and wolves – living in spacious, natural environments. A 1.5-mile elevated walkway traverses the area, providing easy viewing with minimal disruption.

Located just outside of Colorado Springs, the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center offers interactive learning programs featuring wolves, foxes, and coyotes. These experiences vary in duration and are both enjoyable and educational, often culminating in a group howl.

Bird of prey enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center near Pueblo. The center rehabilitates over 200 injured raptors each year and provides guided tours weekly. If you prefer traditional zoos, kids can feed giraffes, elephants, and rhinos at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo or explore the Denver Zoo, home to more than 700 species.

Dinosaurs are everywhere in the Centennial State

If you’re traveling with dinosaur enthusiasts, you’ve chosen the perfect state. Colorado ranks among the top spots in the nation for viewing fossilized dinosaur bones and tracks in their natural environments. Situated in northwestern Colorado, Dinosaur National Monument is a must-visit; here, guests can touch dinosaur skeletons and see over 1,500 prehistoric bones set into a stunning cliff face.

In southern Colorado, the Picketwire Dinosaur Tracksite boasts the largest documented dinosaur footprint site in North America, featuring over 1,300 visible tracks. Guided tours by 4WD are extremely rewarding (reservations needed). For more adventurous hikers, an 11.3-mile round-trip trail leads to this fascinating site as well.

Close to Cañon City, the Garden Park Fossil Area is one of Colorado’s largest Jurassic graveyards, with several walking paths winding through the bone beds. If you're in Denver, don’t miss Dinosaur Ridge, where you can easily view prehistoric footprints and fossils during tours.

Alternatively, at the Morrison Natural History Museum, guides engage young visitors with the exhibits, answering questions and encouraging kids to handle dinosaur fossils, many of which were found locally. Visitors can even assist in “cleaning” fossils in the Paleontology Lab.

Colorado's museums provide a wealth of educational entertainment

In Colorado’s larger cities, young explorers should visit the numerous interactive museums. Denver boasts the most captivating options; the Children’s Museum Denver Marisco Campus is essential for kids under 10, featuring creative exhibits and activities such as cooking classes, a maker space, and a dedicated area for toddlers.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is another must-visit destination in the city – a cutting-edge museum with exhibits that range from the intriguing to the unusual. An IMAX theater and a planetarium complete the experience. Additionally, the History Colorado Center showcases fantastic and ever-changing exhibits about the people and places of the Centennial State.

Numerous affiliate museums are spread throughout the state, all offering engaging experiences for visitors of every age. Notable options include the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose, the Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center near Alamosa, and the Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin in Leadville.

Uncover Colorado's take on the Old West

Throughout history, pioneering entrepreneurs and families scarred by the Civil War flocked to Colorado, drawn by the allure of gold and the hope of a new beginning. Today, visitors of all ages revel in exploring the state’s Old West sites, gaining insight into what life was like in those times.

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site is a fantastic starting point. This fort was once a lively trading post along the Santa Fe Trail, where staff dressed in period clothing share historical insights and tales about life on the prairie in the 1800s. To the south, the Trinidad History Museum features excellent exhibits on the Santa Fe Trail, and little ones can run around and explore the onsite gardens.

In Leadville, the town’s National Historic District showcases Colorado’s rich mining history. Visit the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum to learn about miners' lives and see a mock coal mine. Alternatively, take a surface tour of the state’s famed silver mine, the Matchless Mine, where children can pan for gold and hear the rags-to-riches tale of the notable Baby Doe Tabor.

For hands-on Old West adventures, explore Colorado’s ghost towns, where visitors can stroll past weathered log cabins, peek into crumbling shops and saloons, and envision life in a bygone era. Accessible sites include Ashcroft and Independence near Aspen, St Elmo close to Buena Vista, and the Boston Mining Camp along the Mayflower Gulch trail near Frisco.