If you think Colorado is beautiful during the summer, wait until fall. The mountains become tapestries of gold, and the state becomes a virtual amusement park of incredible hikes, drives, and bike rides for visitors looking to bask in the fall colors.
These fall adventures call for equally idyllic places to stay. Here’s a roundup of some of the most unique places to stay in Colorado to bask in the fall colors — be it through historic hotels, urban getaways, hot springs retreats, or glamping.
Click on one of the links below to jump to a specific region:
- 🏙️ Best Places to Stay For Leaf-Peeping Within 30 Minutes of Denver
- 🍂 Best Places to Stay For Leaf-Peeping an Hour from Denver
- ⛰️ Best Places to Stay For Leaf-Peeping 2 Hours from Denver
- 🍁 Best Places to Stay For Leaf-Peeping More Than 2 Hours from Denver
Fall Colors About 30 Minutes from Denver (or Closer!)
Cliff House Lodge and Hot Tub Cottages
Morrison
A cool Colorado leaf-peeping getaway doesn’t have to involve an epic road trip. For a staycation, check out the Cliff House Lodge in Morrison, which features eight uniquely themed hot tub cottages a mile from Red Rocks and within an easy walk of all the shops and restaurants along this charming foothills community’s main drag. During your stay, be sure to swing by Bear Creek Lake Park for fun hikes surrounded by golden cottonwoods.
Capitol Hill Mansion
Denver
The historic streets of Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood make for idyllic urban leaf peeping, and the historic Capitol Hill Mansion puts visitors right in the middle of the action. This bed and breakfast, which was built in 1891, is both a Colorado and National Historic Landmark. Visitors have the opportunity to stay in eight unique rooms, as well as enjoy a daily breakfast from 7:30-9:30 a.m., fresh flowers, a two-hour cocktail hour in the evening, and views of the city skyline. During the visit, be sure to stroll through the various streets of Capitol Hill and take in the historic architecture.
Silver Lake Lodge
Idaho Springs
Each of the eight rooms in the Silver Lake Lodge is different, with themes ranging from the Timberline Retreat (which comes with 180-degree views), the Bear’s Den (which has plenty of bear decorations), and the Winterland Retreat (which is all about skiing and cowboys). Once you leave the room, you’ll be in the midst of an area dotted with fascinating remnants of its history as an 1880s boomtown, as well as plenty of surrounding aspens and drives full of fall colors. Be sure to visit the nearby Indian Hot Springs and walk historic downtown Idaho Springs.
The Golden Hotel
Golden
Golden is just 15 minutes from downtown Denver. But with its historic western main street and perch between North and South Table Mountains, the city feels worlds away. During the fall, it’s a perfect basecamp for leaf peeping, with easy access to the U.S. 6 Corridor, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, and Coal Creek Canyon. The luxurious Golden Hotel right off Clear Creek has everything you need for the perfect staycation, with 62 rooms and suites as well as an onsite restaurant right off the river.
Fall Colors an Hour from Denver
Armstrong Hotel
Fort Collins
The college town of Fort Collins is also home to one of the best tree canopies in the state, one that turns into a rainbow of colors during the fall months. Located right in the heart of Old Town, the 54-room Armstrong Hotel puts visitors right in the thick of the action. In addition to strolling the streets of downtown, be sure to check out the stately American elms on Colorado State University’s historic Oval, as well as the fall colors against the backdrop of nearby Horsetooth Reservoir.
The Boulder Creek Lodge
Nederland
One of Colorado’s best mountain towns for fall colors is relatively close to Denver. Situated outside of Boulder and at the base of Eldora Ski Area, Eldora’s West Mag Area and the nearby Peak to Peak Highway offer some of the best leaf peeping in the state. The Boulder Creek Lodge provides easy access to everything you might want to do.
Historic Windsor Hotel
Silver Plume
This hotel was originally built in 1884 for the miners who made their way to Silver Plume in hopes of finding their fortune. Today, it serves travelers looking for a different type of gold — more specifically, the fall colors that dot the Interstate 70 corridor and beyond. Each of the five rooms in this bed and breakfast is unique, and it serves as a unique launching point to everything from Guanella Pass to Loveland Ski Area.
Glen Isle Resort
Bailey
Travelers have been flocking to the Glen Isle Resort off U.S. 285 since 1901 — and they knew what they were doing. Even though it’s not too far from Denver, this tranquil spot offers beautiful views of the nearby river and surrounding mountain peaks. Stay in one of the resort’s peaceful cabins and use it as a basecamp to check out some of Colorado’s best drives, including nearby Guanella and Kenosha Passes. Hikers can also enjoy Pine Valley Ranch, the Colorado Trail, and Staunton State Park.
Fall Colors Two Hours from Denver
Stanley Hotel
Estes Park
Sure, this might be one of the most famous hotels in the state, but it’s for good reason. Overlooking Estes Park, the Stanley Hotel offers sweeping views of the fall colors in Rocky Mountain National Park and is a perfect base camp for fall adventures. Famously, this hotel inspired the classic Stephen King horror book “The Shining,” making it an ideal location for Halloween.
Hand Hotel Bed and Breakfast
Fairplay
The Hand Hotel has been serving travelers since 1932 and is now a hub for leaf peepers who want to see the sights of Summit County without dealing with I-70 (who can blame them?). It’s situated one block away from a free shuttle to Breckenridge and is also near a multitude of gold-medal fishing, the Beaver Creek Trails, and mountain biking. Visitors get a free breakfast in the morning, and each room is pet-friendly.
Hotel St. Nicholas
Cripple Creek
While Cripple Creek might most often be associated with the casinos that occupy its main drag, it’s also a hot spot for fall colors, with the stretch of Highway 67 between this mountain town and Woodland Park being one of the most scenic drives in the state. The Hotel St. Nicholas, which is housed in a historic 1890s hospital, fits the Old West vibes of the rest of the region and also offers panoramic views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains.
Vail Collective Retreats
Vail
Camping entails at least a bit of suffering, but that definitely doesn’t occur here. Instead, the accommodations at Vail Collective Retreats definitely fall under the category of glamping, which is basically luxury camping (yes, this is a thing). Sure, you’re sleeping in a tent — but that tent happens to have ultra-high thread count bedding, as well as a French press and warm pastries on call. Outside of the posh digs, visitors can check out nearby horseback riding, mountain biking, and fly fishing, all against a background of gold, brown, and red fall colors in the Eagle River valley.
Fall Colors More Than Two Hours from Denver
St. Elmo Hotel
Ouray
Situated in the heart of historic Ouray, the 10-room St. Elmo Hotel is a step back in time, offering stunning views of the 14,000-foot peaks that dot the San Juan Mountains in all directions. The town of Ouray is often called the Switzerland of America, and it offers some of the best leaf peeping in the state. Take a scenic drive on the Million Dollar Highway, hike the famous Perimeter Trail, or soak in the town’s famous hot springs. No matter what, you’ll have the perfect fall Colorado getaway.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Steamboat Springs
What’s better than visiting one of Colorado’s best hot springs? Staying right next to them! The cabins at the Strawberry Park Hot Springs come with access to these unique stone masonry thermal pools. The cabins near the springs are rugged, meaning there’s no wifi (which honestly is a good thing), and guests need to bring their own sleeping bags and pads. But, the stay is worth it — especially thanks to Steamboat’s proximity to Buffalo and Rabbit Ears passes and a plethora of amazing hikes meant for taking in the fall colors.
State Forest State Park Cabins
Walden
State Forest State Park is one of Colorado’s hidden gems, and there’s no way to enjoy the incredible fall colors and even more amazing wildlife than a visit to the North Michigan Rustic Cabins. These six cabins are on the shore of North Michigan Reservoir and can sleep between six and 21 people. They have solar-powered lights, but no other electricity, and guests need to bring their own blankets, bedding, and mattresses. Roughing it is worth it, though, for stunning views of the surrounding peaks and easy access to miles of hiking trails winding through the aspens.
Gable House Bed and Breakfast
Durango
Durango is in the thick of some of the best leaf-peeping in Colorado, and there’s no better base camp for your adventures than the Gable House. This elegant Queen Anne Victorian home was built in 1892 and sits on a quiet tree-lined street in a picturesque neighborhood. Each room has a private entrance and antique period furniture, and guests receive a full, hot breakfast each morning as well as an opportunity to learn about the region’s history with the hostess. During the day, check out the stunning aspen leaves in Molas Pass and La Plata Canyon, and don’t miss the scenic drive on Old Lime Creek Road.
No matter where you stay to take in the stunning Colorado fall colors, try to book it as early as possible, as many of these spots fill up fast!
