Basecamp: LoDo—Day Trips to Red Rocks, Boulder, Idaho Springs, and Garden of the Gods

LoDo has always been its own destination. It's also one of the best places in Colorado to stay if the foothills and mountains are calling. The A Line train takes you from Denver International Airport straight to Union Station in about forty minutes, dropping you within walking distance of the neighborhood's hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. If you’ve got a car, I-70 is a short drive from downtown, and you can be in the foothills within about 20 minutes.

And for the day trips where you'd rather not navigate winding mountain roads yourself, guided tours are easy to book from right in the neighborhood. 

Here's where to point yourself when you're ready to head west, or south, or wherever the day takes you.

Red Rocks Park Hiking Trails
25- to 30-Minute Drive 

Most people know Red Rocks because of its renowned amphitheater, but the park that surrounds the venue is also a top-notch hiking destination. The Trading Post Trail is a 1.4-mile loop that winds through the sandstone formations and is an easy outing for almost any fitness level. The park also connects to the broader Matthews/Winters and Dakota Ridge trail network, which offers longer, more challenging routes and sweeping views toward Denver. Even without a concert on the calendar, it’s worth the drive to walk the amphitheater’s stairs and see the famous outdoor stage up close before or after a hike.

Boulder and the Flatirons
30- to 40-Minute Drive 

Boulder sits at the base of the Flatirons, the tilted slabs of sandstone that have become as much a symbol of Colorado as anything in the high country. The Chautauqua trailhead is the easiest way to start almost any hike here, with available routes ranging from a short loop to a steeper climb up the First and Third Flatirons for anyone who wants a real workout. Afterward, Pearl Street presents a wide variety of shops, bars, and enough restaurants to please just about anyone. 

Idaho Springs and the Argo Gold Mine
30- to 45-Minute Drive

Idaho Springs is proudly part of Colorado’s gold country, and a day trip can center on the Argo Gold Mine, a National Register of Historic Places–listed mill that operated from 1893 until 1943, when a flood shut down operations. Guided tours run on the hour and last for about 75 minutes, and every ticket includes a gold panning lesson—you get to keep what you find. From there, wander down Miner Street to find some lunch or an afternoon snack. If you have time (and remember to bring a swimsuit), Indian Hot Springs, located just a few blocks away, has mineral pools that have been in continuous use since the 1860s.

Garden of the Gods
1.5 Hour Drive 

Garden of the Gods tucks into the north side of Colorado Springs and is a free public park that houses towering, otherworldly red rock formations. The Perkins Central Garden Trail is paved and flat and is a delightfully undemanding way to see the highlights in less than an hour. For a more challenging hike, try the Siamese Twins Trail, where you’ll find a natural rock window framing Pikes Peak in the distance. 

Rocky Mountain National Park
1.5- to 2-Hour Drive 

This is the longest drive of the bunch—but it’s worth it. The most common routes will take you through Estes Park, either via US 36 or by the longer, more scenic Peak to Peak Highway. Once inside the park, Trail Ridge Road climbs above 12,000 feet, with pullouts for photos and, if you're lucky, elk sightings. Bear Lake is the easiest hike to reach postcard-worthy alpine scenery without a real lung-busting climb. A timed entry permit is required during the busy season, so this is the one trip on this list that requires advanced planning.

If You'd Rather Have a Trip Planned for You

For visitors who want to experience the mountains without any Googling, two LoDo hotels offer packages built around exactly these kinds of trips.

• The Maven Hotel's “Pillow to Peak” package pairs an overnight stay at the Maven with a choice of two guided mountain adventures. The first is a Red Rocks morning hike followed by an amphitheater tour. The second is a full four-to-five-mile hike inside Rocky Mountain National Park. 
• The Crawford Hotel's “Colorado, Curated” package includes a stay at Denver's only Michelin-starred hotel along with a guided day trip from Aspire Tours. Guests choose between a half-day excursion to Red Rocks or a full-day exploration of Rocky Mountain National Park.