Denver is a great launchpad for a family road trip. With its excellent road network and enormous diversity of landscapes and activities within easy reach, you can pack a lot into a Denver road trip without too many long stretches of boring highway.
That said, family road trips present many organisational challenges, even in a place as road-trip-friendly as Colorado. Good preparation is key to keeping tantrums, boredom, and logistical snafus at bay. So, here’s how to plan a family-friendly road trip around Denver that everyone will remember fondly.
Be well-prepared in advance
Map out the basics and necessities of your trip long before you pile into the car. First, decide whether you’re driving to Denver from home or flying in. If you want to start fresh in Colorado, flying in and renting a car in Denver might be the best option. There are plenty of cheap car rentals to choose from in Denver if you’re on a budget, or higher-end luxury options for those who want to travel in style.
Once you’ve sorted your transport, get together as a family and decide what you all want from your Denver road trip. What do you want to see, what could you miss out on, and what’s likely to ruin the journey for someone? Once you understand these baseline expectations, you’ll be in a better position to plan something that works for everyone.
Schedule family-friendly stops
The area around Denver is packed full of family-friendly stopping points that will break up the monotony of your road trip. Here are a few suggestions:
- Golden and Lookout Mountain (30 minutes west of Denver): Golden is a historic Gold Rush town with lots to see and do. You can visit Buffalo Bill’s grave and explore the attached museum, take in some railroad history at the Colorado Railroad Museum, and climb Lookout Mountain for spectacular views.
- Estes Park and Rocky Mountains National Park (1.5 hours east of Denver): If you’re in Colorado for nature and wildlife spotting, this is the route to take. You can spot elk in the forests, walk the family-friendly Bear Lake Loop, and encourage your kids to earn Junior Ranger badges at the park visitor centres.
- Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods (1 hour south of Denver): The Garden of the Gods is what people think of when they think ‘Colorado landscape’ – spectacular, wind-carved sandstone rock formations and sweeping views. The park’s paths are paved, making it ideal for families with strollers or wheelchairs. If your kids are bored with spectacular scenery, head into the nearby Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
- Georgetown and Silver Plume (1 hour west of Denver): Georgetown is a historic town with some beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture. You can ride the heritage Georgetown Loop Railroad through the Rocky Mountains and practice panning for gold like the Gold Rush settlers.
With some careful route planning and a good mapping app, you can easily link up several (or even all) of these destinations, plus several others, on a curve around Denver. There are plenty of family-friendly lodges or cabins you can book for overnight stays along the way.
Don’t do too much too soon
Depending on where you’ve come from, you may need some time to recover from the journey itself. It’s tempting to hit the road immediately, but you’ll regret doing this if your family is tired, disoriented, and jet-lagged. If you’ve flown into Denver, it may be an idea to make the first day a short drive to a relaxing destination where you can take stock and ease into the road trip spirit.
For the first couple of days, make short drives between light activities. Stop for a stroll or a picnic when you pass a park, or even spend the first day exploring downtown Denver before getting into the car.
If you’ve travelled from a different timezone and are struggling with jet lag, daylight is your friend. Natural light helps to calibrate your body clock, so spending as much time as you can outdoors (especially on sunny days) will help you to get over the lag much faster.
Pack properly
Packing can make or break a family road trip. Here are some tips to make sure you pack everything you need without overloading the car:
- Entertainment. Load up tablets with games, music, audiobooks, and movies to keep kids entertained during long stretches on the road. In-car games can also help keep the whole family entertained without being too distracting for the driver.
- Refreshment. Pack a cooler with non-perishable snacks and drinks. Nobody likes being hungry and thirsty in a hot car. Keep everyone full and hydrated, but do try to pack healthy options to avoid sugar meltdowns.
- Emergency kit. Bring a first aid kit, a spare tyre, wipes, tissues, any medicines you need, and sunscreen. Even in the snow, fair skin can burn quickly in Colorado. Portable chargers are also crucial in case you get stranded with a dying phone. If you’re driving an EV, bring along a portable charging kit in case you need an emergency charge between stations.
- Clothing. The weather in Colorado can change drastically from the plains to the mountains. Pack clothing that you can layer as you adjust to different temperatures. Bring a sturdy set of waterproofs for everyone, just in case of downpours, and thermals if you’re planning to head for the snowy peaks.
- Navigation. Remember that cell service isn’t always more reliable in remote areas. Map apps are great, but bring a physical map along as well for backup.
Proper preparation makes a great Denver road trip
The country around Denver is perfect for road tripping, but long hours in a car can be challenging for even the most chill-out families. With proper preparation, strategic packing, and a well-planned route, you can ensure your family’s road trip around Denver brings happy memories for everyone involved.
