Breckenridge: Day Trips and Tours from Denver

Colorado is just one breathtaking landscape after the other; a collection of mountains, deserts, mesas, forests and canyons. Outdoor lovers flock to one of the most beautiful states in the United States to breathe fresh air, lose themselves in the great outdoors and get their blood pumping.

One of the best places that capture all three of those is Breckenridge, a charming historic town with a wealth of ski slopes and year-round alpine activities. Take a day trip to Breckenridge from Colorado to escape the city and enjoy nature to the fullest.

Breckenridge is a must-see town in the Rocky Mountains and offers a full holiday experience in a neat day-trip package.

Here's all you need to know about Breckenridge, one of the most exciting day trips from Colorado.

How to get to Breckenridge from Denver?

Breckenridge is an easy 2-hour journey west of Denver.

From Denver to Breckenridge by car

The drive from Denver to Breckenridge is just over 120 kilometers long and shouldn’t take you more than 2 hours. You will drive on the I-70 West for more than an hour and turn left onto the C)-9 South.

Guided tour to Breckenridge from Denver

A simple way to enjoy a stress-free day tour to Breckenridge is with a guided excursion. You can enjoy luxuries like hotel pick-up, shuttle transfer and pre-planned activities, leaving you to simply sit back and enjoy the experience.

What is the typical itinerary?

The typical day trip to Breckenridge starts around 9 AM from Denver Union Station. The first point of interest is Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre where you will have some time to walk around and see the unique stage where greats like U2, Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix have all performed.

You will make a quick stop in the charming town of Idaho Springs for a coffee break before taking on the mighty Loveland Pass to cross the continental divide. Stop at Saphire point outlook to stand in awe of the grand scale of Colorado’s landscape.

Breckenridge, your main destination for the day, is a playground for young and old where you can hike, bike, ski, shop, sled and more. You can enjoy the town and all its amenities for around 3 hours before stopping at the Isak Heartstone troll to see the captivating 5-meter-tall sculpture.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Breckenridge?

You can join a lively group tour to Breckenridge or book a private experience for ultimate flexibility.

Guided tours to Breckenridge from Denver

For a cost-effective and comprehensive day trip to Breckenridge, you could consider a group tour. You will have plenty of free time to enjoy the outdoors of Breckenridge or to explore the quaint Victorian town and all its shops and eateries.

These tours often include a fun activity like sledding or a gondola ride to enjoy the snowy slopes of Breckenridge.

Private tour to Breckenridge from Denver

A private day excursion to Breckenridge is your opportunity to explore all the fabulous offerings of the town and surroundings with your best travel companions. You can go on a dog sledding tour, visit the forest troll, enjoy craft breweries and wineries and much more.

You can leave the itinerary up to the tour guide or choose some stops that you are particularly interested in for a tailored experience.

How much does a day trip to Breckenridge from Denver cost?

A basic guided group tour to Breckenridge costs from US$130 per person. This trip includes comfortable transportation to Breckenridge and back, your entry fee to Red Rocks Park, and water refills. You can also ride the gondola for free and enjoy sledding.

A private trip also includes all of the above and you are able to customize your itinerary with different pick-up times and locations. These tours are around US$800 for a group of 5 people but the price is affected by the size of your group.

What will you see and do?

Breckenridge is an adorable town and your day trip from Denver includes a few captivating stops.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

One of the most iconic and picturesque concert venues in the world, Red Rocks Park is a 10,000-seater venue in a striking setting — with giant red sandstone rocks rising from either side and the vast Colorado landscape creating the backdrop.

You will walk around the park and visit the hall of fame to learn about all the big names that have graced the stage.

Isak Heartstone

This whimsical sculpture by renowned artist Thomas Dambo is his 40th recycled wood offering. You can do an easy 400-meter hike to find the 5-meter-tall troll sitting in his forest dwelling. He has become a legend in Breckenridge and people come from far and wide to have their photo taken with the friendly forest creature.

Ski resorts

Breckenridge is most famous for its world-class slopes and ski resorts. You will have free time to enjoy the snow and sled in the winter wonderland. Feel like a kid again as you whizz down the slopes and frolic in the fresh white powder.

When is the best time to visit Breckenridge?

The best time for a day tour to Breckenridge is from November to April. These months see upwards of 7 meters of snowfall and the landscape is completely transformed. This is also the only time when you can sled or use the gondola.

What are the other day trips from Denver?

• Rocky Mountain National Park day trips from Denver
• Day trips to Pikes Peak from Denver
• Garden of the Gods day tours from Denver
• Day tours to Mount Evans from Denver

Travel tips

• Bring your own reusable water bottle as most tours offer free refills during the day.
• Dress warmly and wear shoes that you can walk in the snow with. Some tours offer Yaktracks that you can attach to your shoes.
• Group sizes are small so book the tour in advance to secure your spot.
• Your tour does not include food but you can bring your own or buy lunch in Breckenridge.