Colorado’s front range has a diverse landscape, with an adventure for everyone to enjoy this fall season. With a number of activities just a short drive from Denver, it’s easy to escape the bustle of the city and opt for a thrilling outdoor activity. As the days become shorter, so does your time to take advantage of these once-a-year festivities; whether you’re looking for something exciting to test your nerves or something mellow to enjoy the final cool days, you’ll find no shortage of fun just up the hill!
Zipline
This fall try something new with your friends or family in Idaho Springs, Colorado. AVA’s Cliffside Zipline offers tours throughout October, and will even have extended hours on Halloween! A Starlight Zipline is the perfect option to enjoy the evening while avoiding the trick-or-treating crowds, and the daytime aerial adventures are a great way for families to boost their adrenaline before donning costumes for the evening. This adventure skips the traditional Halloween scares, but ziplining through the trees over the historic mining town below is sure to get your heart racing.
Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Denver has been a major agricultural hub throughout its history, so it’s no surprise that a quick drive in any direction will transport you to one of the area’s local farms. Stock up on specialty canned goods and produce before heading into the holidays. Snap some family photos while choosing the perfect pumpkin, and challenge yourself with a seasonal corn maze!
Scenic Train Ride
Georgetown Loop Railroad offers scenic locomotive tours only 45 minutes from Denver. It is one of the best ways to relax and enjoy the fall foliage and cooler temperatures of the mountains. To fully embrace the spirit of the season consider pairing your train ride with a spooky, lantern-lit mine tour, where you’ll learn about local folklore and superstitions of the miners who once worked the area.
Ghost Town Disk-Golfing
Just outside of the notoriously haunted town of Central City, the Ghost Town Disk Golf course offers a variety of terrain for disk golfing through an abandoned mining community. This high elevation course is a prime location for viewing the annual color change of aspens in the high country and is only a short drive to other historic attractions in Central City and Blackhawk.
Mountain Passes
Squaw Pass and Guanella Pass are local favorites for scenic fall drives in the front range. Sunshine and fall colors are quickly replaced by snow as you climb to elevation, so be sure to plan and dress appropriately. These short road trips, just an hour outside of Denver, have fantastic photo and hiking opportunities too and are worth allotting a little more time for.
Spending time in Colorado means getting outdoors, and while we’re between seasons there is still plenty of opportunities to plan your late fall adventures. Exploring the mountains is just a short trip from Denver, so don’t miss your chance to spend fall in the Rocky Mountains.