A Spontaneous Weekend Road Trip Through Colorado You Can Do in Two Days

When out-of-towners come to visit me, I always want to show them what I consider to be some of "The Best of Colorado" without going too far from our home base—my home in Lakewood. To accomplish this, I usually take them on a somewhat spontaneous weekend Colorado road trip that departs from my place in the Denver metro on Saturday morning and circles back by Sunday night. A Colorado weekend road trip itinerary, like the one below, gives visitors (and locals!) a chance to see a bunch of cool places and to take some photos of our state's natural beauty.

What To Know Before You Go On This Colorado Road Trip

In total, you will drive approximately 260 miles, so plan on approximately 6.5 hours of drive time. You can skip over or add any stops you’d like to the following itinerary to truly make it your own. Just remember to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy each stop and appreciate the views as you drive. You can also use this interactive map to customize your trip.

Stop 1: Denver

You'll start in the Denver metro from whatever starting point works for you. There are lots of great things to do in Denver, Boulder, and surrounding suburbs, but the point of this road trip is to get your visitors (or yourself!) up into the mountains.

Stop 2: Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave - Golden

The first stop on your route will be the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. This is just off I-70 and will give you a little taste of Old West history. Buffalo Bill Cody was an important person in our nation's history. Visiting his grave is free, and visiting the gift shop is free, too. The museum requires a small admission fee, but it is affordable. This road trip stop is worthwhile if you want to spend some time learning about this man and all of his adventures.

Stop 3: Black Hawk

Next, you'll leave I-70 for a bit to travel to Black Hawk and Central City. These two small towns were settled decades ago when gold was discovered during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush in 1859. In fact, Central City was once known as "the richest square mile on earth." After the boom, these two towns were small, quiet, and sleepy for approximately 100 years until Gilpin County legalized gambling. Now full of casinos, these are happening places once again. However, even if you don't like resorts or if you don't like to gamble, Black Hawk and Central City are worth visiting due to their historical significance. Plus, they're nestled right into the mountains. You're only a short distance from Denver here, but you'll feel like you are deep in the Rockies!

Stop 4: Georgetown

You'll get back on I-70 briefly to visit the small town of Georgetown. This is a charming community that truly captures the vibe of Colorado mountain towns that people adore. You'll love walking down the main street in the historic district and checking out the shops. You might consider taking the Georgetown Loop Railroad here as a fun added piece to this trip.

Stop 5: Sapphire Point Overlook, Dillon

Looking for an incredible view and photo spot? Bring a picnic lunch along with you and spend some time at Sapphire Point Overlook in Dillon. You'll get an amazing view of Dillon Reservoir and the many mountains around it and beyond it.

Stop 6: Breckenridge

Everybody loves Breckenridge! This mountain town is a wonderful place to stop and visit at any time of the year. There's so much hiking to do around Breck in the warmer months, and it's a world-famous skiing destination in the winter. Breckenridge is full of cool shops and great restaurants, and this is the perfect place to stay overnight if you break this road trip into two days.

Stop 7: Boreas Pass

From Breckenridge, you should drive over Boreas Pass. This pass is open most of the year, but as you might imagine, it's closed much of the winter. This was the route used in the late 1800s and early 1900s by a railroad that went from Breckenridge to Como on the other side of the mountains. Today, you can drive the dirt road that follows the original path of the railroad. This is also a popular place for dispersed camping. In the warm months, you'll love seeing all the wildflowers along the way.

Stop 8: Fairplay

You'll complete your traverse of Boreas Pass in Como, which is a very, very small town, but from there you can quickly travel to a larger small town, Fairplay, to the west. This is a great spot to stop for lunch on the second day of your adventure. Like the other towns on this loop, this small mountain town is full of Colorado history and friendly folks, and you'll love wandering around and exploring it.

Stop 9: Roxborough State Park

From Fairplay, you'll head east toward Denver. This drive is lovely and scenic, and you'll likely see some wildlife along the way—maybe even a moose. Once you drive down from the higher elevations, finish up your loop of Colorado greatness by visiting Roxborough State Park. This state park is full of red rock formations, but it's far less busy than Red Rocks Park in Morrison. Be sure to set aside some time to explore its trails. It's absolutely breathtaking.

Stop 10: Denver

Finally, head back to Denver to settle in for the night. This spontaneous loop road trip of Colorado will give you and your companions a taste of some of the best, coolest, and most memorable sights and places in Colorado outside of the Denver metro, and you're sure to remember this adventure always.

Best Time Of Year For This Weekend Route

While any time of year is ideal for a road trip in Colorado, this particular itinerary is ideal during the summer months when you don't have to worry about road closures on mountain passes, and many shops, restaurants, and attractions are open. Summer is also ideal if you want to extend your adventure and add a few extra hiking trails or destinations onto your route. When you spend so much time enjoying the beauty of Colorado's mountains, it's hard to stay cooped up in a vehicle.

This weekend getaway in Colorado is sure to be an adventure you won't soon forget. It will not only allow you to explore Colorado's natural beauty and bucket-list-worthy attractions, but you are sure to develop a deeper love for The Centennial State as you explore. Have fun and drive safe! There's so much to see and do in the great state of Colorado.