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 takes you from Denver International Airport straight to Union Station in about 40 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 significantly 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 just about 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 Second 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 Mill and Tunnel

30- to 45-Minute Drive

Idaho Springs is proudly part of Colorado’s gold country, and a day trip can center on the Argo Mill and Tunnel (AKA 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 (yes, you get to keep what you find). If you want to get a little higher up in the mountains, the Argo Cable Car was recently redone and offers dramatic views from the newly opened Miners Point, along with hiking and mountain biking trails. Afterward, 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 is a free public park tucked into the north side of Colorado Springs that houses towering, otherworldly red rock formations. The Perkins Central Garden Trail is flat, paved, and is a delightfully undemanding way to see the highlights in less than an hour. For a slightly 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 well worth it. The most common routes to Rocky Mountain National Park 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. (Make sure to get a Bear Lake Road reservation; this is one of the busiest parts of the park). A timed entry permit is required during the high season (late May to mid-October), 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 Crawford Hotel’s Colorado, Curated package includes a stay one of Denver’s Michelin-key hotels 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 and come with a picnic-style charcuterie selection from Ultreia.
• 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: a stroll through the amphitheater followed by a hike along the Red Rocks Trail to Morrison Slide, capped with a stop in nearby Golden for food and drink. The second is a full four-to-five-mile hike (with a complimentary packed lunch) inside Rocky Mountain National Park.