Weekend Trips from Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a great home base for quick getaways, and if you are thinking about putting down roots here, Pulse Real Estate Group can help you compare neighborhoods based on the kind of weekends you actually want to have. Below are weekend ideas from Colorado Springs you can do without turning the trip into a long-haul drive, plus the distance, so you can plan with confidence.

1) Royal Gorge and Cañon City (about 58 miles)

If you want a full day that feels like you went far, head to the Royal Gorge area near Cañon City. Plan around one main activity, then add a simple second stop so you are not rushing. A common pairing is the bridge and park, followed by downtown Cañon City for lunch and a walk.

2) Manitou Springs (about 6 miles)

Manitou Springs is the easiest “get out of town” day when you only have a few hours. Park once, walk around, and keep it simple: coffee, a short stroll through town, and one attraction you will actually enjoy. It is close enough that you can go early, come back for a break, then head out again for dinner in Colorado Springs.

3) Cripple Creek (about 45 miles)

Cripple Creek is a straightforward mountain drive with a clear payoff: a historic main street, small museums, and an easy day-trip pace. Go up late morning, grab lunch, spend a couple of hours walking around, then drive back before it gets dark. It is a good option when you want a change of scenery without committing to a big itinerary.

4) Pueblo (about 45 miles)

Pueblo is a good pick when you want something different from the Front Range routine. Make it a food-and-walk kind of day: pick one neighborhood or district, eat somewhere you have been meaning to try, then take a long walk before driving back. It is also an easy option when weather is iffy in the higher elevations.

5) Denver (about 70 miles)

Denver works best when you plan around one neighborhood or one event, not the whole city. Choose a museum, a game, a concert, or a single shopping area, then build the day around that. Driving back the same day is realistic, but if you stay overnight, book lodging early during weekends with big events.

6) Boulder (about 97 miles)

Boulder is a solid “walk, eat, and be outside” weekend idea. Start with a hike or a long walk, then head into town for a meal and a relaxed afternoon. The key is not over-planning; one hike plus one meal is plenty, and you will enjoy it more.

7) Salida (about 103 miles)

Salida makes a great overnight if you want a smaller-town feel without a huge drive. Plan for a slow pace: arrive, check in, walk around town, and leave room for a longer meal. On day two, do one outdoor activity, then head back to Colorado Springs before late afternoon.

8) Breckenridge (about 105 miles)

Breckenridge is one of the easiest mountain weekends from Colorado Springs if you want a clear “mountain town” experience with plenty to do. Treat it like a two-day trip so you are not pressed for time, especially in winter. Pick one activity you care about, then spend the rest of the time walking and taking it easy.

9) Rocky Mountain National Park (about 146 miles)

If you want a national park weekend, Rocky Mountain National Park is doable from Colorado Springs with an early start or an overnight near the park. Keep expectations realistic: choose one area of the park, do one or two hikes, and avoid trying to “see it all.” This is a better weekend when you can leave early and build in time for stops and weather changes.

10) Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (about 166 miles)

The Great Sand Dunes are one of those trips that feels worth the drive because the setting is so different from everything around it. It is ideal as an overnight so you can hit the dunes when temps are better and you are not watching the clock. Bring water, plan your timing, and assume you will move slower than you think on sand.

FAQ: Weekend Trips from Colorado Springs

How far can you comfortably go for a one-day trip from Colorado Springs?
For most people, 45 to 75 miles each way is an easy day. Beyond that, it is still doable, but it helps to pick one main activity and start early, especially on weekends.

Which trips are best if you do not want to deal with mountain driving?
Pueblo and Denver are typically simpler drives than higher-elevation mountain towns.

What is the easiest quick getaway when you have limited time?
Manitou Springs is the closest option and works well even if you only have a half day.

Which weekend ideas work best as an overnight?
Breckenridge, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Great Sand Dunes are better when you stay the night so the drive does not dominate the trip.

If I want to live in a spot that makes weekend trips easier, what should I consider?
Think about which direction you drive most often, how close you want to be to I-25, and whether you prefer quick access to mountain routes or city trips. A good agent can map this to specific neighborhoods and commuting patterns.

Connect With Pulse Real Estate Group

If Colorado Springs is starting to feel like “the right base,” the top Colorado Springs real estate agents at Pulse Real Estate Group can help you choose a home that fits your real weekends, not just your weekday commute. Tell them which trips you do most, and they can recommend areas that cut drive time, match your budget, and support the lifestyle you are building.