Best Colorado tours for fall and winter 2026
Fall brings gold aspens and the elk rut, and by mid-November the ski season starts. These are the tours from our comparison pages that fit each season.
Updated October 12, 2026 · We may earn a commission
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Fall: mid-September to October
From mid-September to mid-October the aspens turn gold and the elk rut is on in Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road usually closes for the season in mid-to-late October, depending on snow. The 2026 timed-entry season ends October 18, and the Hiker Shuttle runs weekends only from September 12 to October 18.
- Wildlife-focused small group
From Denver: Rocky Mountain National Park Tour
- Denver
- 8 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $199 pp
Check availability → - Boulder + Stanley Hotel stops, picnic at Sprague Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park Guided Tour - From Denver
- Denver
- 8 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $179 pp
Check availability → - Already staying in Estes Park; photography
Estes Park: Bear Lake Corridor Tour
- Estes Park
- 2.5 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $129.90 pp
Check availability →
Winter: mid-November to April
Colorado's ski season generally runs from about mid-November to April. If you don't want to drive I-70 in snow, these day trips from Denver include transportation. Snowshoe and tubing tours depend on snow cover, so routes can change.
- Ski day without a rental car
From Denver: Copper Mountain Ski Day with Lift & Rentals
- Denver
- 12 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $350 pp
Check availability → - Non-skiers and families
From Denver: Snow Tubing and Hot Springs Mountain Adventure
- Denver
- 7 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $225 pp
Check availability → - Half-day snowshoe, gear included
Snowshoeing Adventure in the Rocky Mountains Close to Denver
- Conifer (30 min from Denver)
- 3 hours
- Viator
From $107.99 pp
Check availability → - RMNP in snow, no driving
From Denver: Rocky Mountain National Park Winter/Spring Tour
- Denver
- 8 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $149 pp
Check availability → - Sightseeing day to Breckenridge
From Denver: Breckenridge and Rocky Mountains Guided Tour
- Denver
- 8 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $137.70 pp
Check availability → - December evenings in the city
Denver: Holiday Lights & Sights Bus Tour
- Downtown Denver
- 2 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $44 pp
Check availability →
Prices were checked October 11, 2026 and change by date and holiday. The booking site shows the live price. See the full lists for winter tours and RMNP tours.
Frequently asked questions
When do the aspens turn in Colorado?
Usually from mid-September to mid-October, with higher elevations turning first.
When does Trail Ridge Road close?
It usually closes for the season in mid-to-late October, depending on snow, and reopens in late May.
Can I ski from Denver without a car?
Yes. Guided ski days from Denver include transportation, and some include lift tickets and rentals. One Copper Mountain day we found starts at $350.