Colorado inspires images of snow-topped mountains, Aspen après ski, and rugged green forests.

Hiking, kayaking, and adventure sports are also on offer in this part of the United States which has a dozen National Parks filled with natural hot springs, sparkling lakes, and towering peaks that can be enjoyed year-round. With scenic rivers, incredible mountain views, hundreds of walking trails, and superb desert scenery, Colorado is a hit with photographers and adventurers alike. Add a flourishing food scene bursting with food trucks, fine dining restaurants, cutting-edge cuisine and historic buildings that have been turned into bustling neighbourhood dining precincts, and you’ve got a destination that tastes as good as it looks. With so much to experience in Colorado, one visit is never enough.

Our Colorado tours & holidays

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Things to do in Colorado

People in a river raft in Colorado

Raft the Arkansas River

Tackle the Zoom Flume, Big Drop, and ominously-named Widowmaker rapids on a scenic 20km rafting trip along the tumbling Arkansas River that’s easy enough for beginners but also has enough excitement for more experienced rafters. Starting at Fisherman’s Bridge, you’ll float through the beautiful Browns Canyon National Monument which is famous for its pristine canyons, rivers and forest and enjoy a mix of floating along and paddling through rapids. With expert rafting guides at your side and an enthusiastic crew of travellers on your raft, you're ready for fun.

Cyclists in the Arkansas River Valley

Cycle in Colorado

Ride the Arkansas River Valley, one of Colorado’s best mountain biking destinations, with an experienced guide to show you the most scenic and rewarding trails. There are hundreds of off-road trails that take you through the Rockies, alongside rushing rivers or through scenic farmland. Some trails travel through what was once goldmining country and are packed with local history. If you prefer a leisurely cycle around town, Boulder’s B-Cycle program lets you check out a bike at one of the city’s many bike stations with a quick tap of your credit card.

Aspen ski lift

Hit the slopes in Aspen

If you’re staying in Aspen, there are four different ski resorts to choose from: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. If you’ve got more enthusiasm than experience, the well-spaced glades and easy slopes at Buttermilk are for you. Snowmass has ski-in ski-out accommodation and a thriving après ski scene. Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands are best suited to more experienced skiers who like things a bit wild. If you aren’t keen on skiing and would prefer to stroll around town, the historic and charming city centre of Aspen delivers.

Bear Lake in Colorado

Go hiking in Colorado

Colorado has hundreds of hiking trails to suit every level of fitness. Take a walk on the wild side as you explore the picturesque landscapes of Rocky Mountain National Park, with fresh air, wildlife and mountain views abound. If you’re short on time (or energy), a short but picturesque hike to Bear Lake offers glorious mountain views. Colorado National Monument delivers a change of scenery, swapping forests and mountains for sandstone monoliths that conjure up images of America’s Wild West. An easy walk to Loveland Pass Lake delivers striking views of the Arapahoe Basin reflected in the lake.

Denver street art

Discover Denver's creative side

Denver is a hub for colour and creativity with loads of art studios, galleries, and street art to discover. Check out the Art District on Santa Fe which has galleries, artist studios and restaurants to explore or head to the River North (RiNo) Arts District where your leader will introduce you to a vibrant collection of works, from graffiti and murals to fascinating 3D installations, and explain how local artists have brought this beloved neighbourhood back to life. You’ll also find eight of Denver’s top museums in the Golden Triangle Creative District.

People walking on dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park

See the world's tallest sand dunes

Head to Great Sand Dunes National Park and discover the tallest sand dunes in America which are over 2,400 metres high and have been here for more than a million years. Along with sandboarding down the dunes and exploring in a 4WD, you can hike upstream along Medano Creek toward the mountains or admire the waterfalls and breathtaking views at the scenic Zapata Falls Recreation Area. If you visit after dark, the sight of the dunes draped in moonlight and a blanket of stars is absolutely breathtaking.

Colorado tour reviews

Colorado FAQs

Trips on or before 31 December 2022

If your Intrepid trip starts on or before 31 December 2022, you must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

Children under 18 are exempt. Children aged between 5 and 17 years old must provide proof of either vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

Getting to Colorado is relatively easy with a number of different transportation options available. These include flying into one of the commercial airports such as Denver International Airport, Colorado Springs Airport, and Grand Junction Regional Airport, embarking on a road trip from one of the neighboring states, or catching public transport in the form of a bus or a train with several routes taking you to various destinations within the state. 

Getting around Colorado is also relatively easy due to the number of different transportation options available. Driving is easy in Colorado with all major highways easy to navigate and maintained regularly. You can also fly between popular destinations within the state as there are multiple commercial airports that offer services to different cities. Colorado also has an excellent and reliable public transportation system in the form of bus and train networks that offer routes to popular destinations and regions within the state. Colorado is also home to the scenic Rocky Mountaineer train which travels between Colorado and the neighbouring state of Utah

Colorado's climate varies depending on where you are in the state but it is generally cool and dry. If you are visiting the eastern plains, daily temperatures can range between -15 degrees Fahrenheit in winter up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. In the Colorado mountains, the weather is generally cooler with the valleys becoming particularly chilly in the evening. Western Colorado is warmer and drier with temperatures similar to those you find in the eastern plains. Throughout the year, a large variance between daytime and night-time temperatures is common. 

Find out the best time to visit Colorado

What to pack for Colorado depends on what time of the year you're travelling in and where you're planning on going. For example, a Colorado mountain holiday will require much warmer clothes than a Denver city escape. Regardless of the season, there are some items you should always pack. Some of these items include sensible and comfortable walking shoes (most likely you'll be doing a lot of hiking during your time in Colorado), a sun hat or cap, and some sunscreen (especially in summer). If you're travelling in winter, be sure to pack trousers, sweaters, waterproof jackets, and thick coats to keep yourself warm. 

Find out what to pack for Colorado

If you stick to Colorado's popular cities like Denver, then your internet coverage shouldn't be affected. However, if you're planning on spending time in one of the state's many national parks then you could experience some disruptions. Most national parks have reception areas or tourist hubs where Wi-Fi access is available but if you're hiking through the park or you've stopped at a high-altitude viewpoint then your service is likely to be weak and unreliable. 

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. Major cities such as Denver offer excellent access for travellers with disabilities but some of Colorado's natural wonders can make walking difficult for travellers who are less mobile on foot. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

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