A Chill Guide to Fall in Colorado: 11 Easy Things to Do
Fall in Colorado can be overwhelming sometimes. It feels like there’s so much to do in such a little amount of time.
It shouldn’t be that way at all. It’s the time to start slowing down, not speeding up. You want to live slowly, enjoy ciders, donuts, pick pumpkins—not drive all across the state to hike every popular fall foliage trail you see on Instagram.
If you’re wanting to experience fall without all the hustle and bustle, this list is for you.
I’ve put together some of my favorite easy ways to enjoy fall in Colorado, from scenic drives and fall foliage to cider, Oktoberfest, pumpkin patches, and even a free gondola ride.
Scroll to the bottom to see my favorite!
1. Ride the Free Gondola in Telluride
Best for: couples, casual adventurers, fall colors, tourists
Why go in fall:
This is exactly the kind of fall activity I love because you get incredible mountain views without having to work very hard for them. You should go in the fall because, not only do you get incredible mountain views, but also a rainbow of fall colors. Go in mid or late September to see the golden aspens at their peak.
What to expect:
The gondola is just a short walk from downtown Telluride and runs daily from 6:30am to midnight. If you go on the the weekend, you’ll likely have to wait in a short line. The ride itself is about 12 minutes to the top, taking you through the tree line all the way to the mountain village. Stay a while and grab a bite to eat on top.
Quick facts:
Location: W San Juan Ave, Telluride, CO 81435
Driving time from Denver: 6 hrs
Cost: Free
Time needed: 1 hr minimum
Best for fall colors: mid to late September
Dog friendly: yes
My tips:
Order coffee or hot chocolate from the Coffee Cowboy, conveniently located right next to the gondola, before or after your ride.
2. Walk at Clear Creek Canyon
Best for: families, nature lovers, locals
Why go in fall:
Walking the Peaks to Plains Trail is one of the most popular trail near Denver—and it’s even better in the fall! This is an easy escape from Denver to see some fall colors and stunning canyon views with the whole family. If you want to get outside and enjoy the fall weather without driving several hours into the mountains, this is one of my favorite options.
Learn more about the trail here: Everything You Need to Know About the Peaks to Plains Trail
What to expect:
You can expect an easy 2-3 mile walk on a completely paved path with little elevation gain. It’s great for families and kids since you can take strollers, wagons, and bikes along the Clear Creek Trail and the Peaks to Plains Trail.
Quick facts:
Location: Clear Creek Canyon Park, Gateway Trailhead, 21100 US-6, Golden, CO 80403
Driving time from Denver: 20 mins
Cost: Free
Time needed: 2 hr
Best for fall colors: early to mid October
Dog-friendly: yes
My tips:
Walk through downtown Golden afterwards! You can easily turn this into a relaxed fall day by grabbing coffee or lunch in Golden after your walk instead of rushing home after the hike.
Check out some of my most popular Golden guides:
A Local’s Guide to Dining in Golden, CO
The Best Hikes in Golden, Colorado — From a Local
3. Visit Fritzler Farm
Best for: couples, friends, families, food & drinks, local gems
Why go in fall:
Fritzler Farm is the ultimate destination for all things fall fun. They have pumpkin patches, corn mazes, rides, and all your favorite snacks. You can do all of your autumn activities in just one place.
What to expect:
A short description of the actual experience.
Quick facts:
Location: 20861 CR 33 LaSalle, CO 80645
Driving time from Denver: 50 mins
Cost: $25.95
Time needed: 3-4 hrs
Best for fall colors: open September to November
Dog-friendly: no
My tips:
Don’t leave without getting a pumpkin! Turn it into a fun fall activity with friends afterwards and have a pumpkin carving party afterwards.
4. Go to Breckenridge Oktoberfest
Best for: couples, friends, food & drinks, touristy things
Why go in fall:
If you love beer, pretzels, sausage, and German festivities, then this is the fall event you need to go to this year. It’s one of my favorite events to kick off the fall season and say goodbye to summer.
Breckenridge is already a fun place to visit in the fall, but Oktoberfest gives you another reason to make the drive up to the mountains. You get the fall scenery, the mountain-town atmosphere, and a giant celebration all in one.
What to expect:
Expect large crowds and waiting in long lines for food and beverages, but it’s all worth it. The bratwurst is absolutely delicious and you have a variety of traditional German beers to choose from.
Quick facts:
Location: Main St. Breckenridge, CO
Driving time from Denver: 1.5 hrs
Cost: Free entry
Time needed: 2-3 hrs
Best time to go: end of September
Dog-friendly: yes
My tips:
Get there early to get a good parking spot. Don’t leave without getting German Black Forrest cake!
5. Hike at Staunton State Park
Best for: couples, friends, families, casual adventurers, fall colors, nature lovers
Why go in fall:
Avoid large crowds and visit one of the more underrated state parks to see fall colors.
Staunton State Park has a really nice mix of forests, meadows, mountain scenery, and aspen trees, so it’s a great place to get outside without having to drive all the way into the most popular mountain towns.
The cooler fall temperatures also make hiking here much more enjoyable than it can be during the middle of summer.
What to expect:
There are several miles of trails throughout the park, so you can make your visit as easy or as challenging as you want.
For a chill fall day, I’d stick with one of the shorter trails and give yourself plenty of time to stop for photos and enjoy the scenery instead of trying to complete the longest hike possible.
Quick facts:
Location: 12102 S. Elk Creek Road, Pine, CO 80470
Driving time from Denver: 50 min
Cost: $10-$12; state park pass holders enter for free
Time needed: 2-3 hrs
Best for fall colors: September to early October
Dog-friendly: Yes
My tips:
Don't feel like you have to turn every visit to a Colorado state park into a huge hiking day. Pick a trail that fits your energy level, pack some snacks, have a picnic, and just enjoy being outside.
6. Drink Cider at Acreage
Best for: couples, friends, families, food & drinks, local gems
Why go in fall:
Cider and fall are the perfect pair.
Acreage is one of those places that feels especially appropriate once the weather starts cooling down. Grab a cider, find a spot outside, enjoy the scenery, maybe even watch the sunset, and let yourself have a slow afternoon.
This is probably one of the easiest activities on this list because there isn't much planning or physical effort involved.
What to expect:
Acreage is a restaurant where you can try different ciders and grab something to eat.
You can make this a quick stop or stay for a couple of hours and actually enjoy the atmosphere.
If you’re looking for a fall date idea that doesn't involve hiking, this is a good one.
Quick facts:
Location: 1380 Horizon Avenue, Unit A, Lafayette, CO 80026
Driving time from Denver: 35 min
Cost: varies depending on food and drinks
Time needed: 1-2 hrs
Best for fall colors: any time in the Fall
Dog-friendly: Yes
My tips:
This is also one of those places where I’d avoid rushing. Grab a drink, order some food, sit outside if the weather is nice, and actually enjoy your afternoon.
7. Tour Coors Brewery
Best for: couples, friends, food & drinks, touristy things
Why go in fall:
Sometimes fall weather in Colorado doesn't cooperate.
If it's cold, rainy, or just one of those days where you don't feel like hiking, head to Golden and take the Coors Brewery Tour instead.
It's also a fun way to combine an indoor activity with a visit to one of my favorite Colorado mountain towns.
What to expect:
The brewery tour takes you behind the scenes of the Coors brewery and gives you a look at the brewing process and the history of the company.
Of course, there's also beer tasting involved if you're of legal drinking age.
Afterward, you can walk around downtown Golden, grab something to eat, or take a walk along Clear Creek.
Quick facts:
Location: 502 14th St. Golden, CO 80401
Driving time from Denver: 30 min
Cost: $22.50
Time needed: 2 hrs
Dog-friendly: No
My tips:
Sample the super chilled Coors at the end!
8. Bike the Tenmile in Frisco
Best for: couples, friends, families, casual adventurers, fall colors, nature lovers
Why go in fall:
Glide through the yellow aspens this fall by taking a relaxing bike ride on the Tenmile recpath.
In the fall, the route through Ten Mile Canyon is surrounded by beautiful changing foliage, mountain views, and Tenmile Creek.
If you’re lucky, you might see a moose!
What to expect:
The paved Recpath runs through Ten Mile Canyon between Frisco and Copper Mountain.
You can bike as much or as little as you want, making it easy to turn around whenever you're ready.
The section between Frisco and Copper Mountain is a gradual climb, so an e-bike can be a great option if you want to keep things extra chill.
Quick facts:
Location: park at Kayak Park in Frisco, CO (West end of Frisco Main Street next to I70 Exit 201)
Driving time from Denver: 1.5 hrs
Cost: free, unless you need to rent a bike
Time needed: 1-2 hrs
Best for fall colors: late September to early October
Dog-friendly: yes
My tips:
Don't feel like you have to bike the entire route. I don’t think my bike ride lasted more than an hour and it was still very enjoyable.
9. Drive Kenosha Pass
Best for: couples, friends, families, casual adventurers, fall colors
Why go in fall:
If you want to see some of Colorado's famous fall foliage without committing to a strenuous hike, Kenosha Pass is the activity for you.
This is one of those places where the drive itself is part of the experience. Once the aspens start turning gold, the scenery along US-285 is absolutely beautiful.
And unlike some fall activities, you don't necessarily need to spend your entire day hiking to enjoy it.
What to expect:
Drive up US-285 toward Kenosha Pass and stop along the way to take in the mountain views and changing aspens.
If you want to get out of the car, there are hiking opportunities around the pass and along the Colorado Trail.
But you can also simply enjoy the scenic drive, stop for photos, have a picnic, and head back toward Denver.
Quick facts:
Location: Kenosha Pass, US-285
Driving time from Denver: 1-1.5 hrs (traffic can get heavy on the weekends)
Cost: free
Time needed: 2-3 hrs
Best for fall colors: Late September to early October
Dog-friendly: Yes
My tips:
Kenosha Pass is no secret, especially during peak fall foliage, so try to go on a weekday if you can.
10. Hike at Golden Gate State Park
Best for: families, friends, casual adventurers, fall colors, nature lovers
Why go in fall:
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is another great option if you want to see fall colors without driving several hours from Denver.
It's close enough that you can make it a half-day trip, but once you're inside the park, it feels much farther away from the city.
The combination of golden aspens, evergreen trees, meadows, and mountain views makes it a really pretty place to spend a fall afternoon.
What to expect:
There are plenty of trails throughout the park, so you can choose something based on how active you want to be.
Raccoon Trail is one of the most popular hikes at Golden Gate Canyon in the fall.
Quick facts:
Location: 92 Crawford Gulch Road, Golden, CO 80403
Driving time from Denver: 1 hr
Cost: $10-$12, free for state park pass holders
Time needed: 1.5 hrs
Best for fall colors: mid September to early October
Dog-friendly: yes
My tips:
Go early if you're visiting during peak fall foliage. Golden Gate Canyon can get very busy on fall weekends, and the park can reach capacity.
11. Ride the Georgetown Railroad Loop
Best for: couples, families, casual adventurers, fall colors, touristy things
Why go in fall:
Fall is arguably the best time to do the Georgetown Loop Railroad.
This historic train ride turns into the perfect destination for leaf peeping in autumn. Instead of hiking up a mountain to see the aspens, you can sit back on a train and enjoy the scenery.
Honestly, this is about as chill as a Colorado fall activity gets.
What to expect:
The Georgetown Loop Railroad takes you through the mountains between Georgetown and Silver Plume.
You'll get mountain views, forest scenery, and plenty of opportunities to see the changing aspens.
There are also different seasonal events throughout the fall, so check the schedule when you're planning your trip.
Quick facts:
Location: Georgetown or Silver Plume, CO
Driving time from Denver: 1 hr
Cost: $39
Time needed: 1.5 hrs
Best for fall colors: mid September to early October
Dog-friendly: no
My tips:
Book several weeks in advance as popular train ride times fill up quickly, especially during peak foliage. The Silver Plume station is usually less busy and is part of the same Georgetown loop, so you can book from that station if the Georgetown station is fully booked.
