10 Great Family Vacations in Colorado If You’re on a Budget
Front Range
The Front Range provides access to the biggest cities in Colorado, including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins.
Rocky Mountain National Park Camping, from $26/night
You’ll have access to Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the most beautiful places in the state. The Aspenglen campground contains several family sites for both tents and RVs accessible by road. Be sure to sign the kids up for the park’s Jr. Ranger Program. Also, enjoy hiking, picnic areas, and the best of summer adventure activities.
Hotel Colorado, from $115/night
The Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs is one of the most historic hotels in America. Family and group accommodations are available, with three or four beds across connecting rooms. The four on-site dining options are great, and you’ll also enjoy easy access to Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, as well as hiking, biking, skiing, and other area attractions.
Southwest
Southwestern Colorado includes two national parks, stunning bluffs and plateaus, and all the adventure of the San Juan Mountains.
Camping in Mesa Verde, from $30/night
The Morefield Campground at Mesa Verde National Park contains 267 campsites in a beautiful wooded canyon setting. You might spot deer or wild turkeys around the campground, and you can also enjoy access to an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at the campground’s Knife Edge Cafe. There’s plenty to do in the park, including hiking, viewing the cave dwellings, and full tours.
The Peaks Resort and Spa, from $199/night
The Peaks Resort and Spa in Telluride is a great place for a family getaway. You’ll enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools, complete with waterslide. There’s also a golf course, restaurant, and bar/lounge. Kids can enjoy plenty of activities, including a children’s spa. It’s also close to some of the best skiing in the area.
Southeast
Southeastern Colorado is a perfect place to visit sweeping grasslands and major chunks of state history.
Camping in Comanche National Grassland
The Comanche National Grassland is a prairie paradise, with over 400,000 acres of land. Most areas of the grassland are open to dispersed camping. Favorite spots include Picket Wire Canyon trailhead, Withers Canyon trailhead, and various picnic spots throughout the prairie. Enjoy historic sites such as the Santa Fe Trail; explore dinosaur tracks in Picket Canyon, and enjoy the prairie solitude.
Cheyenne Mountain Lodge, from $116/night
Cheyenne Mountain Lodge in Colorado Springs is an excellent resort for the whole family. You’ll enjoy hiking, tennis, boating, and a golf course, as well as a Kidz Club and splash pad. Rooms have all the best modern amenities.
Northwest
Northwest Colorado is all about the mountains. You’ll find world-class skiing and some of the best hot springs in the state throughout the stunning scenery.
Camping in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, from $10/night
Camping in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest means exploring scenic Colorado at its finest. There are a wide variety of options for camping, including tent campgrounds, RV hookups, cabin rentals, and plenty of dispersed camping options.
Mountain Thunder Lodge, from $181/night
There are plenty of ski resort lodges with a family-friendly atmosphere, but Mountain Thunder Lodge in Breckenridge is definitely one of the more affordable options. Some of the more family-friendly amenities include an outdoor pool, kids’ ski school, and group lodging in large suites and townhomes. You’ll also have access to skiing, as well as biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
Northeast
If you’d like the “Home on the Range” experience, Northeastern Colorado is the place to do it.
Camping in Pawnee National Grassland, from $12/night
Pawnee National Grassland has several campsites right at home in the prairie. You can enjoy tent camping, and there are a few spots for RVs as well. The grassland area offers hiking, bird-watching, picnicking, horseback riding, and stargazing.
Quality Inn & Suites-Sterling, from $63/night
Sterling has quite a few family attractions to offer, including the Logan County Fair and Overland Trail Museum. A stay at the Quality Inn and Suites will put you right in the action. You’ll also have access to a pool and continental breakfast.
