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With its snow-capped mountains and variety of outdoor activities, Colorado is the best winter getaway in the United States. Here’s the perfect way to spend 3 days in Colorado!
Things To Know Before You Go
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Colorado for a winter getaway is between December and March. This is when there is the most snow on the ground, with February usually being the snowiest month.
Where To Stay
For the below itinerary, we recommend staying in Canon City for two nights and Denver for one night. These locations are central to the suggested activities and help cut down on the amount of driving you’ll need to do. You could also look at staying in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, or Salida.
What To Pack
You definitely need to pack your winter gear for this trip! With temperatures ranging from the mid teens to the forties, we highly recommend packing a parka as well as fleece lined leggings or snow pants. You should also bring snow boots to wear during the outdoor activities.
Transportation
You will need a rental car to get around Colorado. We highly recommend getting a rental car with four-wheel drive. Denver International Airport has an easy-to-access rental car center with more than ten rental car company options.
Day 1: Dog Sledding + Hiking
Dog Sledding
One of the most unique experiences to have during a winter getaway to Colorado is going dog sledding! Dog sledding tours are a unique way to see Colorado’s backcountry. We went dog sledding with Monarch Dog Sled Rides in Salida. Salida is about two and a half hours from Denver and one hour from Canon City. The tour lasts about an hour and a half and consists of meeting the dogs, harnessing them up, and then going dog sledding. Pricing depends on the type of sled and number of participants; visit their website for more information.
Hiking
If it’s not too cold, spend the rest of your day out on one of Colorado’s many beautiful hiking trails! Some of the best hikes in the Salida area are the Old Monarch Pass Loop and the Waterdog Lakes Trail. If you’re heading back to Canon City for the evening, consider hiking the Canyon Rim Trail at Royal Gorge!
Day 2: Royal Gorge Route Railroad + Garden of the Gods + Pikes Peak
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Start your morning with a scenic train ride aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad! Departing from the Santa Fe Depot in Canon City, this two-hour journey takes you along the Arkansas River. The train ride covers 24 miles back and out, reversing at the halfway point.
There are a variety of cabin and seat options, ranging from first class to coach. It’s important to note that only those seated on the left side of the train have a good view of the gorge and river. For the coach cabin, you are not able to select your seat ahead of time. Generally the earlier you book, the better chance you have for being seated on the left side. There is an open-air car available for all passengers to get some fresh air and see the sites. Make sure to head to the open-air car as you approach the Royal Gorge Bridge!
Garden of the Gods
Next up, drive an hour north to Colorado Springs to visit Garden of the Gods – one of the most famous parks in Colorado! Garden of the Gods is free and open to the public. The best way to explore the park is hiking one of the many trails available. A decent amount of the trails are paved. As you hike along, make sure to look out for the Balanced Rock and the Kissing Camels rock formations – two of the most popular spots in the park! Plan to spend 60 to 90 minutes at Garden of the Gods.
Pikes Peak
Once you finish at Garden of the Gods, head on over to Pikes Peak. Known as America’s Mountain, Pikes Peak is the highest summit of the Southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Visitors can drive along the Pikes Peak Highway to the summit. There are plenty of scenic viewpoints and points of interest, such as the Crystal Reservoir and Boulder Park. We highly recommend making the drive in a four-wheel car as some parts of the road are covered in snow and ice. We did the drive up Pikes Peak in February, but were not able to get to the very top since it was closed due to the snowy conditions. Budget at least two to three hours to spend driving up and down Pikes Peak. If you prefer not to drive, you can take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the top. The journey lasts about three and a half hours. Visit their website for more information.
Day 3: Explore Denver
Of course, you can’t spend time in Colorado without exploring the city of Denver! From museums to parks to breweries, there’s an endless amount of things to do.
If you’re looking for indoor activities, plan a visit to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Denver Zoo, or the Denver Art Museum. You can also stop by Union Station for some of Denver’s top restaurants.
If you want to go wildlife viewing, check out the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Just 10 miles from downtown Denver, this refuge has an 11-mile wildlife drive where you can spot bison, prairie dogs, and raptors. The drive takes about an hour to complete and is free to do.
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited February 2023 | Posted December 2023
