Set against mountainous backdrops and enveloped in crisp, cool air, the best amusement parks in Colorado offer visitors the ability to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds them as well as the excitement that they have been craving. Throughout Colorado, theme park aficionados will find vintage amusement parks, modern theme parks and larger-than-life water parks, making this one of the best family vacation destinations in the country.
Below, we detail the seven best amusement parks in Colorado to best help you plan your thrilling adventure.
1. Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
- Address: 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO 80204
- Best for: Families seeking both fun and thrills
Situated in the heart of Downtown Denver, Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park has the distinction of being the only downtown theme park in the United States. The park opened to the public in 1890 as a full-fledged zoo, and at the time, the city of Denver was only 30 years old. As a result, Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park has always been part of the fabric of the community and generations of locals have lasting memories that they treasure from their time in this historic theme park.
Today, Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park is a seasonal summer attraction that invites guests to visit between May and October. There are more than 50 attractions at the park, ranging from zooming rollercoasters to kid-sized attractions, giving families the opportunity to have an entire day of fun together. In addition, the park offers drive-in movies and fireworks at night, capping off the theme park experience for anyone visiting Denver.
2. Lakeside Amusement Park
- Address: 4601 Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80212
- Best for: Families looking for a more relaxing atmosphere
For those seeking a classic theme park experience, Lakeside Amusement Park is one of the top Colorado amusement parks. This park opened its doors in 1908 and since then, people of all ages have been coming to enjoy a simple day of fun and thrills. Today, the park holds true to its roots, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy historic theme park attractions and experience an era gone by.
Some of the top attractions at the park include the scenic train ride that offers lake and mountain views, a looming drop tower and bumper boats and cars, which offer the type of timeless joy that people come to expect at their local amusement parks.
One of the things that families love about Lakeside Amusement Park is that it offers a more budget-friendly experience than other major theme parks around the country. Here, you will enjoy free parking and you also have the ability to pack your own picnic. It's an affordable day trip in Denver that can lead to unforgettable memories.
3. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
- Address: 100 Cave of the Winds Rd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
- Best for: Adventure-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park allows you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Colorado landscape while enjoying the endless delight of adventurous theme park attractions. At this family-friendly mountain theme park, you will be able to embark on outdoor excursions as well as try out the rides and attractions that have made this place one of the best amusement parks in Colorado.
The cave tours are perhaps the most popular activities at this mountain park and visitors have two tour options to choose from based on their experience level. Most families choose the Discovery Tour, which is a shorter tour that takes people into the parts of the cave that are easier to access and that still showcase some of its beautiful formations. It's an educational experience as well, giving insight into the geology that has formed the caves over millions of years.
In addition to the cave tours, visitors can enjoy a wide range of rides and attractions, such as a three-story rope obstacle course, an aerial ride that takes you soaring over the colorful canyon and a climbing wall that rewards those who conquer it with some of the best views in the state.
4. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
- Address: 51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
- Best for: Those seeking thrills with an adventurous vibe
Nestled in the mountains that are high above Denver, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park gives guests the opportunity to soak up the majestic beauty of the mountain range during the peak summer season in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Famously known as the only mountaintop theme park in the United States, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is easily one of the best amusement parks in Colorado.
In addition to providing educational outdoor experiences like cave tours, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park also boasts a mix of thrilling rides and family-friendly attractions. Popular attractions at the park include the Alpine Coaster, Giant Canyon Swing and the kid-friendly coaster known as the Wild West Express. The park's most recent addition, the Defiance Roller Coaster, has broken records due to the fact that this twisting steel coaster takes riders on a 102-degree drop down more than 110 feet. The ride itself lasts less than a minute, but it's one of the most unforgettable rollercoaster experiences in Colorado.
5. North Pole Colorado Santa's Workshop
- Address: 5050 Pikes Peak Hwy, Cascade, CO 80809
- Best for: Families with young children
Most Colorado travelers are surprised to find out that Santa doesn't actually live at the North Pole — he resides at the base of Pikes Peak at North Pole Colorado Santa's Workshop. This whimsical mountain park brings the spirit of Christmas to life throughout the entire year, inviting the youngest theme park visitors to delight in the magic of the season.
This mountain theme park offers year-round fun for those who love all things festive. With more than two dozen classic rides and attractions, families find that this is a perfect day trip during their time in Colorado. Some of the most popular rides in the park include the Christmas train ride, the Candy Cane Coaster and the thrilling Zipline. Of course, no day at Santa's Workshop would be complete without a visit with the big man himself and a taste of a few of the sugary sweets that are available at the village shops.
While many of the best theme parks in Colorado are limited to one season, North Pole Colorado Santa's Workshop has longer operating hours throughout the year. The traditional season begins in May and lasts until late October. The ever-popular holiday season begins in late October and ends each year on Christmas Eve, when Santa has to get to work.
6. Colorado Adventure Park
- Address: 566 County Rd 721, Fraser, CO 80442
- Best for: Those looking for outdoor winter adventure
Rather than offering the classic theme park attractions that the other top Colorado amusement parks have available, Colorado Adventure Park focuses solely on outdoor adventure. As a result, it attracts outdoor enthusiasts from across the state and around the country, particularly those looking to enjoy mountain thrills.
Colorado Adventure Park is a seasonal theme park that is only open during the winter months. It is famous for being the largest, fastest and safest winter tubing hill in the region, but it offers other activities and attractions as well. The best things to do at this park include snow tubing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking, so bundle up and be ready to enjoy the day in a true winter wonderland.
7. Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
- Address: 4218 Co Rd 3A, Cañon City, CO 81212
- Best for: Thrills and outdoor adventure
Open year-round, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is one of the best attractions in Colorado for those looking to blend outdoor adventure with high-flying thrills. The park is perhaps best known for the fact that it's home to the highest suspension bridge in the country and guests have the opportunity to trek across more than 1,200 wood planks — if they are brave enough. The bridge is suspended more than 900 feet in the air over the Arkansas River, making it a heart-stopping experience even for those who aren't typically afraid of heights. If you can muster the courage, the adventure across the bridge is well worth the effort.
In addition to the bridge, the park is home to thrilling attractions that allow guests to soak up the scenery in an entirely new way. The Royal Rush Skycoaster, for example, has a reputation for offering the biggest adrenaline rush in Colorado, as it takes riders to the top of a 100-foot tower, where they will enjoy an experience akin to skydiving in which they may reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. For a more peaceful experience with serene views, consider the Aerial Gondola, which will gently take you across the gorge where you can soak up 360-degree views of the Arkansas River below.
The park offers daily hours throughout the year, making it one of the most convenient attractions to add to your Colorado itinerary. Whether you choose thrilling excursions or serene moments, you will find that any day spent here affords you the opportunity to soak up some of the most incredible views in Colorado.
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