North Central Colorado, CO

Travel Guide

Boulder featuring signage and night scenes
Boulder featuring signage and night scenes
Lakeside Amusement Park which includes rides
Boulder showing street scenes, a small town or village and night scenes
Denver featuring a square or plaza, a sunset and outdoor art
With its eclectic culture and countless outdoor recreation opportunities, this vast northern section of Colorado has much to offer for every visitor.

Visit North Central Colorado for a great vacation that is not limited to any one type of activity. The region is comprised of Boulder, Grand and Larimer counties. Here you’ll find natural beauty, historic towns, national parks and forests to explore.

See the region’s highlights by traveling the North Colorado Loop Trail. Drive along the Colorado River Headwaters Scenic and Historic Byway, the Cache La Poudre/North Park Scenic and Historic Byway, the Cache La Poudre River National Heritage Area and the Trail Ridge Road Scenic Byway. Along these 360 miles (580 kilometers) of varying landscape, you’ll pass through plains and foothills, mountain passes, river valleys and communities including Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Estes Park and Fort Collins.

Perhaps the region’s crowning glory, Rocky Mountain National Park offers outdoor enthusiasts more than 350 miles (560 kilometers) of hiking trails. Base yourself at Estes Park and drive the Trail Ridge Road into the park to explore alpine landscapes and glimpse resident elk and bears.

In the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland, Winter Park offers year-round outdoor activities, from summer mountain biking at Trestle Bike Park and winter fat biking at the Devil’s Thumb Ranch, to Nordic and alpine skiing at the Winter Park Resort in the colder months.

After strenuous outdoor activity, soothe weary muscles in North Central Colorado’s hot springs at the Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa. Soak in 20 mineral indoor and outdoor hot pools and private baths, taking advantage of the healing properties once touted by the area’s Ute and Arapaho Indians.

Find North Central Colorado where the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies meets the Great Plains. Enjoy Loveland’s famous Love Lock Sculptures and Devil’s Backbone’s vast grasslands perfect for horseback riding. Experience Grand County’s local summer theater and Boulder’s trendy dining scene. North Central Colorado engages and exhilarates all tastes.

Where to stay in North Central Colorado

Downtown Denver featuring modern architecture

Downtown Denver

4.5/5(3,700 area reviews)

Dive into this bustling financial and entertainment hub, featuring the 16th Street pedestrian mall, Larimer Square, and the Theatre District. Catch a game at Coors Field or Ball Arena, and explore the neighborhood's vibrant dining scene.

Downtown Denver
Aerial View of Cherry Creek Shopping and Dining District in the Denver Metro with Christmas Lights during the Holidays

Cherry Creek

4.5/5(238 area reviews)

Experience a blend of urban and residential vibes in Denver's Cherry Creek, where tree-lined streets meet shopping and dining at Cherry Creek North. Explore Fillmore Plaza, Manley and Pulaski Parks, or hop on the easily accessible public bus system.

Cherry Creek
LoDo showing a city

LoDo

4.5/5(864 area reviews)

Historic district with vibrant nightlife, LoDo offers a mix of clubs, art galleries, boutiques, and over 70 bars and restaurants. Must-visit spots include Coors Field, Ball Arena, and Denver Union Station. Enjoy its walkable, pedestrian-friendly streets.

LoDo
Around 200 high school students learning that with every sunrise there is a fresh start at Rocky Mountain Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. 

If you are looking for a great sunrise hike at the YMCA of the Rockies Bible's Point is the way to go! #Adventure #Hiking #Sunrise #Rotary

YMCA of the Rockies

While there might not be top attractions in YMCA of the Rockies, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Beaver Meadows Entrance Station and Sprague Lake.

YMCA of the Rockies
Denver_DenverTechCenter_6000921_0001

Denver Tech Center

Known for its ample dining options and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Denver Tech Center. You can visit top attractions like The Landmark Theatre Greenwood Village and Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, and jump on the metro at Orchard Station or Arapahoe at Village Center Station to see more of the city.

Denver Tech Center
On Continental Divide snowmobile tour in Winter Park, CO

Winter Park Village

If you're spending some time in Winter Park Village, Winter Park Ski Resort and The Gondola are top sights worth seeing.

Winter Park Village
Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown by IHG

3 out of 5
1715 Tremont Place Denver CO
$85 nightly
The price is $98 total per night from Feb 26 to Feb 27
$98 total
Feb 26 - Feb 27
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Denver. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7/10 Good! (1,752 reviews)
Staff were friendly and helpful the entire stay.

Reviewed on Feb 3, 2026

Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown by IHG
Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk

Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk

4 out of 5
488 Main St Black Hawk CO
$128 nightly
The price is $152 total per night from Feb 9 to Feb 10
$152 total
Feb 9 - Feb 10
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Black Hawk. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,227 reviews)
Staff was very courteous. Everything was very clean however, I have never experienced such a strong, horrible chlorine smell from one of the hot tubs, had to wash our bathing suits twice

Reviewed on Feb 5, 2026

Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk
Hyatt Place Peña Station/Denver Airport

Hyatt Place Peña Station/Denver Airport

3 out of 5
6110 NORTH PANASONIC WAY Denver CO
$95 nightly
The price is $110 total per night from Feb 15 to Feb 16
$110 total
Feb 15 - Feb 16
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Denver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,392 reviews)
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Reviewed on Feb 3, 2026

Hyatt Place Peña Station/Denver Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sentral Union Station

Sentral Union Station

4 out of 5
1777 Wewatta Street Denver CO
Stay at this aparthotel in Denver. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (876 reviews)
Staff was friendly and courteous! Room was clean!

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2026

Sentral Union Station
Kasa Union Station Denver

Kasa Union Station Denver

4 out of 5
1750 Little Raven St Denver CO
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Denver. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (872 reviews)
Clean and great location.

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2026

Kasa Union Station Denver
Streamside on Fall River

Streamside on Fall River

3 out of 5
1260 Fall River Rd Estes Park CO
Stay at this cabin in Estes Park. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (658 reviews)
Acomaditions were very neat and clean well maintained . If I had to complain about anything, it would be the short check in times.

Reviewed on Jan 31, 2026

Streamside on Fall River
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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