What to do in Colorado in the Fall
It’s no secret that the months of September, October, and November make up my favorite time of year and luckily, I live in a beautiful state that truly lives up to its Colorful-Colorado-moniker throughout the fall season. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to make the most of harvest time, almost like a final hurrah before the snow arrives with winter.
To help make it the best autumn yet, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite things to do throughout the state. So if you’re ever wondering what to do in Colorado in the fall, I’ve got you covered.
Read on for the best leaf-peeping hikes, autumn-aesthetic eateries, and pumpkins themed activities galore.
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Pick your own sunflowers at Garden Sweet Farm
719 W. Willox Ln, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Tucked away in Northern Colorado is Garden Sweet Farm, the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon picking your own fall flowers or apples. It gets busy so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time (only $5)! When you arrive, you’re given everything you need to leave with a stunning bouquet. Garden Sweet sustainably grows unique, seasonal flowers, so be sure to check them out during other seasons too!
Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms
8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 801
Hosted by the Denver Botanic Gardens is their delightful annual autumnal event, the Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms. Because there’s nothing better than a pumpkin during the fall - amiright?? Admission prices vary by age (adults are $18 and kids are $12) and the price of pumpkins starts at $8. In addition to the 10-acre pumpkin patch, there is a corn maze, local artisan vendors, live music, and food trucks! And it wouldn’t be a Colorado festival without beer, so don’t worry, there are beer and hard cider vendors as well!
Corn Maze at Fritzler Farms
20861 CR 33, LaSalle, CO 80645
Whether it’s day or night, Fritzler Farms is the place to be! Daytime offers family-friendly activities like their iconic MASSIVE corn maze, photo-worthy pumpkin house, beer garden, and pumpkin patch (there’s seriously so much more, this only scratches the surface). Nighttime brings Scream Acres, an immersive haunted house experience throughout the farm property. Ever wanted to try out a Haunted Corn Maze? Now’s your chance!
Leadville Railroad Scenic Train Rides
326 E 7th St, Leadville, CO 80461
If you want to experience peak fall foliage but you don’t want to go hiking, this activity is for you! Departing from Leadville, Colorado, this 3-hour train rides winds through the stunning San Isabel National Forest in the Rocky Mountains and offers premium views in the fall. Dog-friendly, family-friendly, just friendly all around. Enjoy drinks on-board and fun commentary from the conductor. Afterwards, explore the wonderful small town of Leadville (the highest elevation town in the United States) for a perfect day!
Hike:
Kenosha Pass
Located about an hour and a half from Denver is one of the best places to hike through the changing fall foliage, Kenosha Pass. You’ll be surrounded by colorful aspen trees from start to finish. With two trail options in the easy-to-moderate category, pretty much everyone can enjoy this hiking area. Dogs are allowed on a leash and the trail is out and back, ranging from 1 to 14 miles (depending on how long you want to hike for). I have family members who do this hike every year as a fall tradition!
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
I visited Golden Gate Canyon State Park last weekend and had a phenomenal time as the aspen trees were in their peak foliage window. It can get pretty crowded this time of year (can you blame everyone for wanting to bask in the fall beauty?) so arrive early and plan accordingly. For the best fall vantage points, I recommend Racoon Trail (a moderate 2.5-mile loop) or Snowshow Hare Loop (a difficult 3-mile loop). Throughout the park, which charges a $10 (cash) entrance fee, are campgrounds and more trails to explore.
Golden: Peaks to Plains Trail
Enjoy the beauty of Clear Creek Canyon along the Peaks to Plains Trail in Golden, Colorado. A 6-mile, wide multi-use trail winds through colorful aspen trees along Clear Creek, offering beautiful panoramas of fall foliage backdropped by the Rocky Mountains. More of a walk than a hike, the Peaks to Plains Trail is a great family-friendly option. Afterwards, head into the charming town of Golden for a beer and a snack at The Golden Mill!
Eat & Drink:
Salt & Acres
9490 Co Rd 25, Fort Lupton, CO 80621
Drive through a cottonwood-tree-lined gravel road flanked by a tranquil pond and a vineyard to reach one of the best kept secrets in Colorado. Salt and Acres is a picturesque 45-acre property in Fort Lupton offering a tasting room, restaurant, and event spaces. We went to the Harvest Market last weekend, which spanned the property with local artisan vendors, hayrides, pumpkin patches, and an outdoor movie night. This is such a special place to enjoy and we will definitely be back soon for Sunday brunch or for a date night!
Bread Bar
1010 Main St, Silver Plume, CO 80476
Venture over to the living ghost town of Silver Plume for a drink at Bread Bar, a super chic mountain-inspired cocktail bar housed in at the site of a 1800s-era bakery. You’ll get a glimpse into the area’s historic mining past while enjoying magnificent views of the Rocky Mountains, close to the Continental Divide. Check out their event calendar and pick an evening with featured live music!
Coffee on the Rocks
510 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Estes Park will always hold a special place in my heart (it’s where my family spent every Thanksgiving growing up) and one of my favorite places to visit in Coffee on the Rocks, a quaint coffee shop and wine bar with a massive duck pond in it’s backyard that has benches and little areas to sit, sip, and enjoy the view. Backdropped by the Rocky Mountains, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a cuter place to enjoy the crisp fall air and autumnal foliage.
Sweetheart Winery
5500 W US-34, Loveland, CO 80537
Nestled next to a babbling brook in Northern Colorado is Sweetheart Winery, one of the best hidden gems to spend an afternoon with your girlfriends. The property is filled with adirondack chairs and picnic tables, and has uninterrupted views of the mountains and Devil’s Backbone. Bring a picnic and enjoy with a tasting flight of their housemade wines, or grab a curated charcuterie board to share, with live music playing in the background. This venue hosts private events and weddings, so double-check that it’s open to the public on the day you’re planning to visit.
