Denver Scenic Tour: Rocky Mountains and Boulder

This full-day tour takes you on a journey from Denver to some of Colorado's most stunning natural landscapes and vibrant towns. Starting in Estes Park, enjoy the picturesque views of Lake Estes and the surrounding mountains. Then, explore the Rocky Mountain National Park, known for its dramatic peaks and scenic trails, including visits to Bear Lake and Sheep Lake. Afterward, head to Boulder, where you can tour the University of Colorado Boulder campus, visit the NCAR Mesa Laboratory to learn about atmospheric science, and stroll along the Pearl Street Mall, filled with public art and local shops. Depending on the season, the itinerary offers the choice of taking a scenic drive through Black Hawk or the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, offering breathtaking views of the Continental Divide and nearby forests. The day ends with a return to Denver, leaving you with memories of Colorado's natural beauty and cultural richness.

Meeting Point

2200 W Alameda Ave unit 18

2200 W Alameda Ave unit 18, Denver, CO 80223, USA

09:00Departure Denver: We will pick you up at the entrance of Greater China Supermarket

8686 Park Meadows Center Dr

8686 Park Meadows Center Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA

08:30Departure Denver: We will pick you up at the Costco Parking Lot by following our address on your map；

What's included:

• Vehicles transportation (Vehicle used based on the number of guests attending that day)
• Ticket to Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Driver.

Not included:

• Meals;Food and beverage.
• Personal expenses and other expenses not listed in the Cost Includes.

What to expect:

Duration: between 10 hours and 12 hours

Denver

Denver, Colorado

Starting from Denver, we will first head to the famous resort town of Estes Park to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery of Estes. Then we will arrive at the Rocky Mountain National Park, which is famous for its many peaks and high mountain roads. Following, we will go to the famous university town of Boulder, visit the University of Colorado Boulder, the NCAR Mesa Laboratory, and take a stroll on Pearl Street Mall. Finally, return to Denver.
Before 05/31/2025 Itinerary:
Denver → Lake Estes (20 mins) → Rocky Mountain National Park (Bear Lake and sheep Lake, including tickets, 4.5 hours) → Boulder: University of Colorado Boulder (40 mins), NCAR Mesa Laboratory (40 mins), Pearl Street Mall (1 hour) → Denver

06/01/2025-10/15/2025 Itinerary:

Denver → Black Hawk (30 mins) → Peak To Peak Scenic Byway (1.5 hours) → Lake Estes (25 mins) → Rocky Mountain National Park (Bear Lake and sheep Lake, including tickets, Peak Visitor Center, 5.5 hours) → Denver

Pass by without stopping

Lake Estes

Lake Estes, Colorado 80517, USA

Lake Estes
On the edge of Estes Park, Colorado, Lake Estes is a 185-acre (75 ha) water reservoir held up by the Olympus Dam. Lake Estes sits at 7,522 feet in elevation with approximately 4 miles of shoreline within Larimer County.

20 minutes

Rocky Mountain National Park

1000 US Highway 36, , Estes Park, 80517-8311, Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park (Bear Lake and sheep Lake, including tickets, 4.5 hours)
Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado spans the Continental Divide and encompasses protected mountains, forests and alpine tundra. It's known for the Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road, drives that pass aspen trees and rivers. The Keyhole Route, a climb crossing vertical rock faces, leads up Longs Peak, the park’s tallest mountain. A trail surrounding Bear Lake offers views of the peaks.

6 hours, 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

University of Colorado at Boulder

, , Boulder, 80309, Colorado

University of Colorado Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), colloquially referred to as CU or Colorado, is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado. It is the flagship university of the University of Colorado system, and was founded in 1876, five months before Colorado became a state. The sandstone used in the construction of nearly all the buildings on campus was selected from a variety of Front Range Mountain quarries. In 2011, Travel + Leisure named the Boulder campus one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States.

40 minutes

NSF NCAR Mesa Laboratory

1850 Table Mesa Dr, Boulder, CO 80305, USA

Before 05/31/2025 Itinerary:
Denver → Lake Estes (20 mins) → Rocky Mountain National Park (Bear Lake and sheep Lake, including tickets, 4.5 hours) → Boulder: University of Colorado Boulder (40 mins), NCAR Mesa Laboratory (40 mins), Pearl Street Mall (1 hour) → Denver
NCAR Mesa Laboratory
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Mesa Lab sits nestled against the foothills to the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, Colorado. NSF NCAR's Visitor Center connects scientific research about Earth system science, including weather and climate change, to the public through state-of-the-art exhibits, a variety of public tour options, and custom school field trips.

40 minutes

Black Hawk

Black Hawk, Colorado

06/01/2025-10/15/2025 Itinerary:
Denver → Black Hawk (30 mins) → Peak To Peak Scenic Byway (1.5 hours) → Lake Estes (25 mins) → Rocky Mountain National Park (Bear Lake and sheep Lake, including tickets, Peak Visitor Center, 5.5 hours) → Denver
Black Hawk
Black Hawk is nestled adjacent to Central City in Clear Creek Canyon west of Denver. While Black Hawk occupies less than two square miles and has fewer than 100 residents, the former mining and mill town welcomes visitors who come to experience the area's history, scenery and entertainment.

30 minutes

Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

Highway 7, 72 and 119, Estes Park, Colorado

06/01/2025-10/15/2025 Itinerary:
Denver → Black Hawk (30 mins) → Peak To Peak Scenic Byway (1.5 hours) → Lake Estes (25 mins) → Rocky Mountain National Park (Bear Lake and sheep Lake, including tickets, Peak Visitor Center, 5.5 hours) → Denver
Peak To Peak Scenic Byway
Less than an hour from Denver, Boulder, or Fort Collins, this 55-mile-long route provides matchless views of the Continental Divide and its timbered approaches. The string of popular attractions along the way - Rocky Mountain National Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, Eldora Ski Resort - combine recreation with nature preservation. The gravel roads crisscrossing the main highway led to high-country lakes, trailheads, campgrounds, the Moffat Tunnel's east portal, and ghost towns at Hesse and Apex. Established in 1918, this is Colorado's oldest scenic byway.

1 hour, 30 minutes