Colorado is renowned for its mountain landscapes, breathtaking vistas and craft brews. And you can enjoy those things, and much more, without having to pay anything at all. From scenic drives and ghost towns to world-class hikes and off-grid camping – even a festival celebrating a dead guy on ice – Colorado has a dizzying array of sights and activities that do not cost a dime.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
World-renowned for its natural acoustics and stunning beauty, Red Rocks is definitely an outdoor theater built between towering 400ft-high red sandstone rocks. Summer nights bring big-name bands and sold-out crowds but the amphitheater and surrounding area are open and liberated to visit throughout the day. Explore the venue, check out the panoramic views, then hit the many miles of trails through the surrounding meadows and remarkable namesake red rock formations.
Drive the Million Dollar Highway
Deep in the San Juan Mountains, the Million Dollar Highway is among Colorado's most mind-blowing scenic drives. Stretching between your towns of Ouray and Silverton, tight hairpin turns cut with the Uncompahgre Gorge where steep mountainsides loom large and shut, the valley below dotted with fir trees and wildflowers. Drive with caution – the road is formidable, even in good weather (and also the insufficient guardrails doesn't help!). And be sure to consider advantage of pullouts; the Red Mountain Pass (11,018ft) is a favorite because of its 360-degree views.
Climb Colorado's 14ers
Colorado hosts 50 plus peaks higher than 14,000ft (hence the name "14ers"), each a gift of breathtaking views from the top of the world. While hiking at altitude is no joke, the variety of 14ers in the state offer use of all levels of hikers. Whether you decide to hike rapid three-mile trail to Quandary Peak near Breckenridge, tackle a multi-day route to Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, or make a run at Mt Elbert – the tallest of them all – they all deliver big.
Hovenweep National Monument
Ancient culture, natural splendor and the imagination interweave at Hovenweep National Monument, an archaeological site on a vibrant desert landscape spanning the Colorado-Utah border. The site encompasses six Ancestral Puebloan villages, that have been inhabited from 500 CE to 1300 CE. Today, several dwellings, ceremonial kivas and sandstone towers remain, perched on canyon rims. A number of roads and trails lead visitors through the site, showcasing the remarkable masonry and style, an unforgettable testament to the skill and artfulness of its long-ago inhabitants.
Garden from the Gods
Garden from the Gods is a spectacular showcase of red sandstone rock – mammoth boulders, jutting fins and exquisitely thin pinnacles – with a mountain backdrop of Pikes Peak. Explore the park's intricate network of trails (some paved, most not), have a picnic and watch rock climbers test their nerve on towering walls. A visitor center has hands-on exhibits plus knowledgeable rangers who offer helpful suggestions and maps; guided tours of the park are offered for a small fee. On the outskirts of Colorado Springs, come on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Anderson Ranch Art Center
Anderson Ranch Art Center is a buzzing, magical place, as well as an artistic and cultural hub for the region. Located on a five-acre historic ranch outside of Aspen, visitors can watch globally renowned artists at work, wander through the sculpture gardens and relish the works within the contemporary memorial. Free cultural events – lectures, salons, workshops – are offered all year round too.
Experience dispersed camping
Dispersed camping – camping on federal lands, from established campgrounds – is really a one-of-a-kind way to experience Colorado's outdoors. Dispersed camping goes deep into Colorado's national forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands to savor the great outdoors with no crowds with no fees. With almost 23 million acres of public land in Colorado, there are many options – from mountain peaks and aspen forests to high desert mesas and river valleys. Visit ranger stations for maps – most dispersed camping areas are accessible by dirt roads – to check out tent symbols on the way. Picture postcard campsites await!
St. Elmo ghost town
St. Elmo is Colorado's best-preserved ghost town, an abandoned mining settlement tucked in to the base of the Collegiate Peaks. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, over 40 buildings remain, most dating towards the 1880s once the town was at its peak. Wandering beyond the saloon and billiards hall, courthouse and jail, visitors obtain a fascinating peek into Colorado's past, when silver and gold ruled these hills. Look for the little placards on each building for information about its history. Popular on summer weekends, a well-maintained dirt road takes people to St. Elmo year-round.
Frozen Dead Guy Days
Frozen Dead Guy Days is a fabulously quirky and macabre festival that pulls over 25,000 people to Nederland each spring. The three-day event celebrates Grandpa Bredo Morstoel, a Norwegian transplant who's cryogenically frozen inside a local Tuff Shed awaiting his big thaw (seriously). A hearse parade and coffin races, polar plunging and frozen turkey bowling make this a festival to keep in mind. Costumes are encouraged – the weirder the greater.
Great Divide Brewing Company tour
Colorado takes its beer seriously, treating craft brewing like a high art. One of the state's many masters, Great Divide Brewing Company consistently sticks out; the brewery has garnered countless awards for its exquisitely bold and balanced beers, including 18 medals in the Great American Beer Festival. Free family-friendly tours of its downtown Denver brewhouse are offered daily, first come first served (12 and also over only). This is a worthwhile stop for any behind-the-scenes peek at just how its masterpieces are created.
