Colorado offers a wealth of natural beauty and hip, urban exploration — but each season offers something different. We asked Fora travel experts on Colorado for their takes on the best time to visit Colorado. Below, we cover when popular Colorado destinations are at their best, as well as when to visit the state to enjoy specific activities.
When to visit specific Colorado destinations
There’s no single best time to go to Colorado, or even a best month to visit Colorado. Different seasons offer their own array of adventures, and some destinations shine at certain times of year.
Denver: any time of year
Denver is Colorado’s coolest urban destination. Ornate façades, towering steeples and other grandiose architecture dating back to the late 1800s dominate much of the city’s center, but as you move toward trendy areas like LoDo and RiNo (both great picks for where to stay in Denver), you start to encounter more examples of contemporary design — plus craft breweries (there are hundreds), boutiques and niche eateries. Landmarks like Union Station and hidden gems like Dairy Block add more to the sightseeing experience, which is fun year round. Better yet, the city is highly walkable — or you can rent a scooter or bike.
If you want to visit sans crowds, though, opt for spring or fall, which are both outside of summer’s peak travel season. Winter can be a great time to visit for sightseeing, too, especially around the holiday season if you don’t mind larger crowds.
A pro tip from Fora Advisor and Colorado local Nancy McLaughlin: Take it easy until you're acclimated to the city’s higher elevation. Nancy also highlighted the city’s vibrant arts scene, fantastic museums — like the Denver Museum of Nature & Science — and access to “endless outdoor activities.”
Vail and other Colorado ski areas: winter (of course)
Image courtesy of Sonnenalp Hotel
Vail Ski Resort and other ski areas in Colorado are at their most popular in winter, when snow covers slopes and fireplaces light cozy après-ski scenes. There’s typically enough snow on the ground by late December (some resorts start earlier), with the ski season running through early-to-mid March. Options exist for every type of traveler. Vail and Aspen headline the ritzier resorts — both great options for a Colorado bachelorette party. Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Crested Butte are notable entries among Colorado’s more laid-back resorts.
Telluride: summer
Visiting Telluride in summer earned the most nods from Fora Advisors. (“Telluride, with its modern hippie vibe, is a personal favorite,” Fora Advisor Lucy Montgomery said.) The small, southwestern town is one of Colorado’s best places to stay. Summer brings a slate of fun events. To name a few, there’s a yoga festival, an Americana music festival and Telluride Reserve, a food-and-wine festival celebrating the area’s best vineyards, chefs and mixologists, and the Telluride Film Festival.
“These festivals create a lively atmosphere with live music, local food and culture,” Fora Advisor Shalegh Silkey said. “There are fewer tourists and a more peaceful, serene experience for exploring and enjoying the town.”
There are sights beyond Telluride proper, too. The surrounding peaks, river and forests are majestic and lush — excellent backdrops for hiking, fly fishing and paddleboarding.
“Make sure to experience a Gondola ride up to Mountain Village, where you'll see panoramic views of the town and mountain ranges in the distance,” Fora Advisor Connie Norwell said.
If you’re feeling adventurous, she added, “the summer months are the perfect time to check out the Blue Lakes Trail in Ridgeway, located just over an hour outside of Telluride.”
Small towns like Durango: summer
There are many small towns dotting rural Colorado, many dating back to the United States’ early Western expansion days. Durango, for example, is a walkable, historic town with a strong Americana culture and heritage. Enjoy country food, charming shops and access to nature — Mesa Verde National Park is less than an hour away.
“Towns like Durango are vibrant and welcoming during the summer, with shops and restaurants waiting to be explored,” Connie said. “Cool mornings and warm, sunny afternoons are perfect for starting your day with a hike before finding a patio to enjoy lunch.”
Vail: late summer, early fall
Vail’s allure in winter has placed it on a world stage, but winter isn’t the only time the town is worth visiting.
“Summer and early September are the perfect time to visit for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the humidity — or as an alternative to peak European travel destinations,” Fora Advisor Nicole Sansone said.
She explained that Vail was modeled after an Austrian village after World War II, as veterans returned home from snowy posts in Europe. In light of that history, Vail and nearby villages Beaver Creek and Lionshead celebrate Bavarian culture by hosting Oktoberfest festivals on weekends in summer.
“Take a scenic gondola ride up Vail Mountain for some serious Sound of Music vibes and you’ll understand why the town was modeled after an Austrian village,” Nicole added.
Many of Vail’s best hotels and ski resorts offer a different experience in warmer months. Horseback riding, hiking, offroading and other activities replace snow sports — but the spirit of après ski is kept alive in lively lounges and clubs.
The best time to visit Colorado by activity
Colorado’s penchant for adventure and outdoor activities brings travelers all year. We’ve gathered details on the best times to visit Colorado for hiking, water- and snow sports.
For hiking: late spring through fall
If you’re planning on hiking or other outdoorsy activities, fall offers the most agreeable weather across the state. It’s also dry, so there’s little concern about flooded paths or hazards created by snowfall or ice. Spring and summer are excellent times for hiking as well, but early spring may still see some snow on the ground at higher elevations, and brings inconsistent showers across the state. But the weather is typically mild otherwise — great for more rigorous paths. Summer is warmer, but outdoorsy activities are usually pleasant so long as the proper precautions are taken (breathable clothing, plenty of water) to mitigate the heat.
“I love visiting Colorado in the summer!” Fora Advisor Lucy Montgomery said. “The low humidity and sunny weather can't be beat and it's the perfect time to explore in a way that you can't when there is snow on the ground.”
Lucy noted that hiking, mountain biking and golf are all fantastic in summer. Hiking trails are abundant throughout Colorado, one of the most active states in the country. Even in urban settings like Denver, you’ll find options like the South Platte River Trail.
“Some of my favorite hikes are the Chautauqua Trails in Boulder, with views of the majestic Flatiron Mountains, and the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Morrison,” Nancy said. “With (most) of the winter snow melted away, hiking is without a doubt one of the best summer activities in Colorado.”
Nancy added that summer is a great time for encountering wildlife and wildflowers up close.
For skiing and snow sports: December to March
The best time to visit Colorado for snow sports depends on where you’re going. For top destinations like Vail, Aspen and Telluride, late December through mid-to-late March (it varies each year) are the best months for snow sports. January, Colorado’s coldest month, typically sees fresh snowfall atop existing blankets. By February, this creates the best overall slope conditions. It’s worth noting that individual ski areas in Colorado experience slightly different climates; a Fora Advisor can offer specifics if you’re looking to plan a trip.
For watersports like whitewater rafting: late summer
Summer is the best time to visit Colorado for river- and lake-bound activities like kayaking and whitewater rafting. July and August are the state’s hottest months, while September tends to see a sharp decline in temperatures by the end of the month. Beyond the comfortable temperatures, summer also sees the most consistent river flows (from melting ice). Despite this, some outfitters facilitate whitewater rafting in spring and fall.
The best time to visit Colorado: FAQs
Here are a few more details to round out the best times to visit Colorado.
What’s the best month to visit Colorado to see snow?
Snowfall tends to begin in December and carry on through March, which usually receives the most snow (sometimes to a hazardous degree). If you only want to see snow, Denver may be a good choice. You’ll get stunning views of the surrounding snowclad mountain ranges from the comfort of luxe hotels and trendy bars and restaurants. The city doesn’t receive as much snow as the mountains, obviously, but most winters bring at least a few snow days. Plus, Vail and Breckenridge are only a couple hours away by car.
What’s Colorado’s warmest month? What’s the coldest month?
July is Colorado’s hottest month on average, with temperatures in lower elevations regularly hitting 90℉. It’s a dry heat, however, and many Fora Advisors still listed hiking and other outdoorsy activities as things to do during this time (just be mindful of dehydration). January is usually Colorado’s coldest month. Fresh powder makes this one of the best times to visit Colorado for skiing and other winter sports.
When does the rainy season in Colorado begin?
Colorado is a sunny state, with an average of 300 sunny days per year. However, spring, and especially May, tend to see semi-regular rainfall. If you’re planning on visiting national parks or other outdoorsy settings, be cautious of flooded trails. These are typically well maintained throughout the year, and park rangers warn visitors of potential hazards when present.
Is there an off-season in Colorado? When’s the best time to visit Colorado to avoid the crowds?
Colorado doesn’t have a true off-season, as winter months attract snow-sport enthusiasts and warmer months bring casual travelers and outdoors enthusiasts. Many of the best Colorado resorts for families, couples and beyond are open all year. April to May and October through early December (before regular snowfall brings skiers and snowboarders), tend to be Colorado’s least busy months for travel. But these are also the best months to go to Colorado if you want to avoid crowds.
When’s the best time to visit for wildflower blooms?
Wildflower blooms in Colorado’s high-altitude meadows usually occur between late June and early August. Popular areas like Rocky Mountain National Park, Crested Butte — the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado" (and an underrated entry among the state’s best places to visit) — and the mountain trails around Aspen, Vail and Telluride offer stunning displays of colorful wildflowers. Lower-elevation areas, such as parts of the Colorado Plateau, sometimes see blooms in late spring.
Is there a ‘bad’ time to visit Colorado?
While there’s no bad time to go to Colorado, March does present a couple challenges that you should at least be aware of. March generally brings the end of the snow season, largely taking winter sports off the table by the end of the month. And yet, Colorado is still very cold during this time. The state is also a popular spring break destination, bringing lots of rowdy travelers. If you want a quiet getaway, your best time to go to Colorado may not align with this period. Otherwise, March can be a great time to enjoy the state, particularly toward the end of the month. Spring brings lush plant life back to lower elevations, setting the scene for lovely hikes.
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