Winter trip

Question

Hi!

My husband, I and our kids ages 13, 5, 3 are planning a 2 night trip to Colorado.

We are planning on going the first week of January. We are from California and flying into Denver. We would like to stay somewhere where we can see snow and forest but not too far from denver due to how short our trip is. Ideally I'd like to stay less then 2 hours from airport.

I have been looking into Estes park. Is there anywhere else recommended instead? We are most interested in nature. I wouldn't mind staying in a city as long as the drive To the forest would not be too far.

The activities we are most interested in are sledding, making snowmen, and just enjoying scenery/ forest and wildlife viewing.

Thanks for any input!

Answer

For a short 2-night winter trip to Colorado in January with young children, staying within 2 hours of Denver while enjoying snow, forests, and wildlife is very doable. Estes Park is a great choice, as it sits at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park and typically has snow in January. It offers easy access to winter activities and scenic drives, along with charming small-town amenities.

Other options to consider that are also within a roughly 2-hour drive from Denver include:

Evergreen: Located about 40 minutes from Denver, Evergreen offers forested landscapes, opportunities for sledding, and a peaceful winter atmosphere. Bear Creek Lake Park and nearby hiking areas provide family-friendly snow play options.
Georgetown: Around 45 minutes to 1 hour from Denver, Georgetown is a historic mountain town with access to the surrounding mountains for snow activities. The area has sledding hills and snowshoeing opportunities, plus easy drives through scenic mountain passes.
Idaho Springs: Approximately 40–50 minutes from Denver, Idaho Springs is another mountain town with close access to snow-covered areas. Activities can include tubing and snow play in nearby open areas or small ski hills for children.
Winter Park (if you are okay with slightly over 1.5 hours): Known for its ski resort, Winter Park also offers snow play areas, tubing, and easy forest scenery for wildlife viewing. The town has family-friendly amenities and can be suitable for younger kids even if you are not skiing.

Activities for your family during a short winter getaway:

Sledding and tubing: Many small local hills and resort areas provide gentle slopes for younger children.
Snowman building and snow play: Open areas in parks, national forest edges, or resort grounds are perfect for interactive snow activities.
Wildlife and scenery: Drive through Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park, or explore forested areas near Evergreen and Winter Park, keeping an eye out for deer, elk, and other wildlife.

Tips for traveling with young children:

Dress in warm layers, waterproof outerwear, and winter boots suitable for snow play.
Plan for short outdoor activity sessions to prevent children from getting too cold.
Check road conditions in advance; mountain roads can be icy or snowy in January.
Consider lodging that is convenient for both scenic access and family-friendly amenities such as kitchens or easy dining options.

In summary, Estes Park is excellent for your goals, but Evergreen, Georgetown, Idaho Springs, and Winter Park are also solid alternatives for a short, snow-focused winter getaway within about 2 hours of Denver. Each offers access to forests, snow activities, and beautiful scenery suitable for a family with children of various ages.

Winter trip

More Colorado (CO) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions