Free things to do in Colorado with kids (2023)

Before we moved to Colorado, I would google… free things to do in Colorado with kids. So by the time we moved here, I had a pretty good understanding where all the free places were.

Or if they weren’t free, they were cheap family friendly things to do in Colorado.

Now I google… free things to do in Colorado with kids… insert ‘region’ where we are headed off to for an adventure. But after so many times of doing that, I forgot what I had looked up. SMH!

I created this list for myself so I could stop looking up places that I had already researched and didn’t write down.

Below I list out all the cheap or free things to do in Colorado with kids. I also complied this list into a free eBook that you can download as well. I have that at the end of the post.

Free things to do in Colorado with kids

The below list consist of cheap or free family friendly things to do in Colorado.

Northwest free things to do in Colorado with kids

Museum of Northwest Colorado

If you ever wanted to know what it was like in the Wild West, this museum will take you back in time. They have old fire arms and paraphernalia, paintings, artifacts, photographs and documents! This place is 3 floors of old west history. A MUST if you are in Craig.

Sopris Alpaca Farm

East of Rifle there is a working farm full of Alpacas. And if you go in the Spring you might get to see crias, baby alpacas! While you are there you can feed he alpacas, shop in the boutique, make family memories and enjoy all the farm has to offer. They even have a bed and breakfast if you’d like to stay the night!

Glenwood Springs Fish Hatchery

A fish hatchery that has salmon! These salmon look just like sock-eye salmon that you find in the ocean but smaller. Bring your quarters so you can feed the fish there

Rifle Falls State Park

Rifle Falls State Park has a daily fee of $10. The falls is breath taking. They also have some RV electric campsites, but they get booked fast

Rifle Gap State Park

Rifle Gap State Park has a daily fee of $10. This park has some good fishing, German brown trout, walleye, pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass and yellow perch. They also have some RV full hook-up campsites, but they get booked fast.

Dinosaur National Monument

This place is pretty awesome for any one, dino lover or not. Located in Colorado and Utah (yes both states call this place theirs) they have 2 visitor centers, one in each state. They each offer something unique. There is a fee per person. Or if you have a 4th grader pass or an America the Beautiful pass, it’ll be free for you.

Hanging Lake

The most popular hiking trail in the state! The trail is 1.38 miles and a 1200 foot elevation gain. Bridal Vail Falls spills out of holes in the limestone into hanging lake. Truly a sight to see. You now need a permit to hike the trail. The fee, at this time, is $12 per person.

North Central free things to do in Colorado with kids

Gnome Road (Elf Lane)

If you are in the Red Feathers Lakes area, this is a must stop. Or should I say stroll. There isn’t an exact address, but check out the website for more details. There are gnomes, elfs, trolls and mushrooms that line the forest floor. You’ll even spot fairy doors on tree trunks!

Pikas in the Park

There are 12 bronze sculptures of Pikas throughout downtown Estes Park. Once you find all 12 head over to the Visitor’s Center to claim your prize.

Nevadaville Ghost Town

This ghost town is in Central City. About 20 minutes West of Golden Gate Canyon State Park. There are several old buildings still standing. All the buildings are on private property and are closed to the public but you can still walk around.

Rocky Mountain National Park

RMNP has such a special place in my heart. I just love this place. You still need a reservation to enter the park and to get into the Bear Lake Corridor. The park is also going to cashless entries. If you travel with cash, you will need to get a pass at the visitors center

Fish Creek Falls

Located in Steamboat, this short hike to the lower falls is only 1/4 a mile. Which makes it a very popular hike. There is a parking fee of $5, cash or check.

Carousel of Happiness

If you are in the Nederland area, this is a must stop. The animals are hand carved! And the history is inspiring. A magical place that will bring joy to even the grown ups. $3 per ride.

Northeast free things to do in Colorado with kids

Confluence Park

This is such a fun place in Denver. You can swim in the South Platte River. Or if you are feeling adventurous you can rent kayaks or tubes to float in the river. Other fun things to do there are hike, bike, skate and fish!

Clear Creek Waterpark

This isn’t your typical waterpark. This is a place where you can enjoy water sports, like whitewater river sports! You’ll find people in kayaks, canoes and tubes. There are many drop in and exit points along the creek. Please visit the website for more details.

Red Rocks Amphitheater

Red Rocks hosts all types of activities, not just amazing concerts. You’ll find athletes running up and down the steps or people doing yoga or other types of work outs. There is a music hall of fame located in the trading post. And if you are hungry they have concession stands as well as a restaurant.

Triceratops Trail

Triceratops trail is located right off the golf course at 6th and 19th street in Golden. If you are in Golden visiting this is worth a stop. You’ll get to see so many fossilized animal footprints in the rocks.

Pawnee National Grassland

This place is about an hour and a half outside of Denver to the North. You can go on a self guide bird tour. There are also hiking trails and tent camping spots. The Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Byway is a 68 mile trip through the grassland, beginning at Ault and ending at Sterling, CO.

Hammonds Candy Factory Tours

Just thinking about touring a candy shop makes my mouth water. They have tours every 30 minutes and they are completely free. TV’s are set up as well to educate you on the history of candy making!

Colorado Model Railway Museum

In Golden this museum also has train rides and a dinosaur exhibit. Adults $ 10 and kids $5. $4 adult train ride and $2 for kids.

Southeast free things to do in Colorado with kids

Garden of the Gods

Hands-down our favorite place in Colorado Springs. It might be in our top 5 favorite places ever. We love it so much that we even wrote about it as well. We also have a free scavenger hunt to go along with the drive around the park. There are so many boulders to climb on, trails to hike and if you get lucky you might see some Big Horn Sheep!

Manitou Incline

This trail isn’t meant for the faint of heart. There are 2,744 steps. And it’s nearly 2000ft in elevation, in less than a mile. You can take the “easy way” down, which is a rocky trail. Making the trip 4 miles long. Bring lots of water.

Manitou Mineral Springs

Sip from the mineral springs that brought native Americans to the valley of “boiling” water. You can take a self guided tour to the 7 springs around town.

Painted Mines

This is such a unique place to visit in the middle of a small town that looks to be mainly farm land surrounding the area. You pass a school, go down a dirt road and are met with a parking lot to the left. Walk along the path and take in the rolling hills. Then out of no where you see white cliff rocks with amazing colors layered in them.

Bishops Castle

The castle was built by one man. It is very unique and even has a dragon at the front of the castle. This castle is considered an open-construction site and caution is recommended. The stairs are a bit wobbly to the point where we didn’t want to continue up them, but many people did.

Vindicator Valley

This ghost town is located in Victor, near Cripple Creek. The trail is about 2 mile loop that takes you through old mines that are still standing and a couple of other structures. There are placards along the trail to give you more history on the place. Visit the website for more details.

Florissant Fossil Beds

You can see fossils, petrified Redwood trees and what Colorado used to look like MILLIONS years ago at Florissant Fossil Beds! There used to be Redwood trees in Colorado! That is crazy. We also made a scavenger hunt to use while you explore Florissant Fossil Beds.

Bent’s Old Fort

Forts are so cool. It makes you want to pretend you are a solider, hunkered down, fighting the bad guys. This fort isn’t close to anything really. But if you are traveling through the area, try and make it a point to stop in and relive history.

Dinosaur Resource Center

Such a fun place to take the kids. There are large dino bones and skeletons in the museum. There is a section in the corner for kids to dig and touch fossils. When you enter the museum there is even someone waiting for you to give you a tour and answer any questions you have. We spend hours here! $13 for adults and $9 for kids.

Glen Eyrie Castle

The castle offers tours for $12 per person. They also offer Afternoon Tea and High Tea during lunch time. It’s expensive but sounds super fancy. There is even a dress code for tea time.

Miramont Castle

This castle is located in Manitou Springs. We were exploring the area and happened to come upon it. We had no idea it was there. The castle offers tours $14 for adults and $10 for kids. They have High Tea and Victorian Tea and NO dress code, but do let you borrow fancy hats if you wish.

Bug Museum

John May Natural History Museum, AKA The Bug Museum. There is a very large Rhino Beetle hanging out along the highway right at the entrance of the museum. There are so many different types of insects there. Adults $12 kids $9.

Penny Arcade

Yes this is an arcade and yes some games still cost a penny, but not many. They have arcade games from the 30’s! Pac Man, Skeeball, Pinball machines, pony rides are outside for the kids. Such a trip down memory lane for us grown ups.

Pikes Peak Drive

This drive to the top of Pikes Peak is breath taking! There is a visitors center at the top you need to check out. Don’t be surprised to see snow up there in July. Pikes Peak is 14,115 ft in elevation. You will need a reservation and tickets are $50 a car load, or $15 per adult and $5 for kids. Dogs are free. 😉

Cliff Dwellings

The Cliff Dwellings are located off highway 24 in Manitou Springs. If you can’t make it to Mesa Verde this will hold you off until you can get there. We’ve been here many times and it’s so incredible to walk through the dwellings and imagine what it must have been like to live there. There is also a museum to check out as well. $12 for adults and $7.50 for kids. They have a coupon on their website for both adults and kids!

South Central free things to do in Colorado with kids

Barney Ford Museum

This is an amazing story of a runaway slave making a legend out of himself. The museum is now offering guided tours! They are running on donations right now, but it might end up being a fee soon. The museum is open in the summers. Check the website for more details.

The Grottos

The Grottos Trail is near Aspen. It is a hiking path that travels past waterfalls, rapids, and grottos. In the winter, the pools inside the caverns freeze, covering them in ice. Such a super cool thing to see. Obviously use caution as it can get slippery. In the summer this is a fun place to cool off and play in the water.

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Such a beautiful place, as you can imagine. A ginormous large garden that you can romantically stroll through. It’s best to start at the Visitor’s Center, then make your way to the playground and then the gardens. Let the kids get some crazies out before your stroll. The gardens are free, but a $20 donation per person is HIGHLY recommended, but it’s still free.

Colorado Ski Museum

The Colorado Ski Museum is a museum that takes you through the history of snow sports. There are several exhibits inside and the offer a walking tour for a fee in the Summer.

Cano’s Castle

Cano’s Castle is a roadside attraction in Antonio, South of Alamosa. The castle is said to be made out of beer cans and other scrap aluminum. There are 5 structures to this castle. Truly a site to see.

Breckenridge Troll

Isak Heartstone is a 15-foot tall wooden troll located on the Trollstigen Trail. The trail starts in the southeast corner of the Ice Arena parking lot, next to Illinois Gulch Trailhead. The newly constructed trail is easily navigated along a creek. It’s a quick fun stop while you are in town.

St Elmo

The best preserved ghost town in the West by far. Getting to the ghost town is simply breathing taking in it’s self. But once you get there it’s a step back in time. Some buildings are open to the public. And you can feed the chipmunks that hang around town. And if you are an off- road family like us, Tin Cup Pass is right around the corner.

Independence Ghost Town

This ghost town is located just 15 minutes East of The Grottos Trail listed above. They are located one the same road. Another great stop if you are in the Aspen area.

Ashcroft Ghost Town

About an hour West of Independence ghost town is Ashcroft ghost town. Another town that was vacant due to harsh winter conditions. In 2 years this town produced $190K worth of gold. The next year only $2k. I think they got it all. 😉 There is a $5 per adult fee to tour the town. It’s based on the honor system and there is someone on site.

Great Sand Dunes

At the Great Sand Dunes there are large sand dunes on your left and then forest and snow capped mountains on your right. It’s the strangest sight to see. We have a video up on our YouTube channel if you want to take a look.

National Mining Hall of Fame

There are many fun things to see here from a giant dinosaur footprint to meteorites to realistic walk-through mine replicas. $15 per person.

Southwest free things to do in Colorado with kids

Penny Hot Springs

Penny Hot Springs is located in Cardondale, 45 minutes from Aspen, so I put it in the Southwest category. The hot springs is located right off highway. The spring is located in the river and is sectioned off by rocks. You should read the history of the springs, it’s pretty funny. Typical 1960s stuff.

Dominguez Escalante Canyon swimming hole

The hike to get to the swimming hole is a bit long and if you can keep going you’ll be able to see the petroglyphs too! It’s probably best if you camp over night while you are out there. The hike is 12.5 miles and could take all day, if you stop and swim.

Durango Fish Hatchery & Wildlife Museum

When you pull up it appears that there is only the fish hatchery but next door in the brown building is the wildlife museum. It’s a great learning experience for the whole family. Highly recommended!

Geyser Spring Trail

Yep an actual geyser is in Colorado. Now it’s not like Old Faithful. It doesn’t shoot up into the air. This one just boils over the side of the pool a little. It is a tad bit smelly, but nothing too over powering. Check out the website for more details.

Mesa Verde

You’ll get to see where Ancestral Pueblo people who made Mesa Verde their home for over 700 years, and how the park continues to preserve and share their story.

Telluride Gondola

The towns of Telluride and Mountain Village are linked by a spectacular, 13-minute ride on a free gondola. Such a unique experience and highly recommended.

Telluride Public Library

Why in the world am I talking about the Library you might ask. You can get a library card, for free, and then rent items, for free. Some of the fun items you can borrow from the library are: lawn games, board games, thermal cameras, nature packs, strollers, kid carriers and so much more! Go check it out next time you are in town.

Animas Forks Ghost Town

This ghost town is only accessible by a Jeep trail. Also known as an off road trail. The ghost town is 12 miles from Silverton. There are some amazing off-road trails in this area. They have a plethora of Jeep rentals in Silverton and Ouray, if you are interested in this type of adventure. But that obviously isn’t free.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

The canyon is home to many wildlife include the “Ghost of the Rockies” mountain lion. There are many things to do in the park including hiking, fishing, scenic drives and if your are an extreme adventurous person you can get a Wilderness permit. That will allow you to hike, kayak and climb INSIDE the canyon!

Canyons of the Ancients

The museum preserves artifacts and records from excavations in the Four Corners area. So.many.artifacts. $7 per adult, kids are free!

Museum of the Mountain West

The mission of the Museum is to educate children and adults in the history and culture of the American West through the collecting, historic preservation, stewardship, restoration, and display of historical buildings and artifacts. They have guided and self-guided tours. Adults $12.50 and kids $5.

Underground Mining Museum

It’s actually underground! You get to see a mine! Self-guided walking tour using MP3 audio for an immersive experience. Great for the whole family, especially kids! Duration: Approximately 30 mins. Adults $9 kids $6. They have a guided walking tour which cost more and is longer.

Four Corners

Four Corners is not a National Park and therefore do not accept National Park passes. This is a Navajo Nation Park. They charge $8 per person. This is the only place where 4 states meet. And yes you can stand in 4 states at the same time!

Wrapping up

There are so.many.places to go in Colorado with kids! Even if you don’t have kids, these are still some places that you’ll want to check out. Above you can download the free eBook. It’s broken down into regions for easy reading. I hope this helps you find a great place to visit in Colorado!

What are some of your favorite cheap or free family friendly things to do in Colorado?