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Best Time to Visit Denver

Published: April 05, 2023

Written byAAA Travel Editor, CW

It’s been said that people come to Colorado for the winter and stay for the summer. Well, that same adage applies to Denver too.

The reality is, there’s really no one best time to visit Denver. Because the Mile High City delivers incredible experiences and natural beauty all year round. With a unique climate, an average of 300 sunny days per year, and some of the best skiing and hiking just outside the city limits, Denver delivers in all seasons.

But, in an effort to narrow things down, we’ll review the best times to visit Denver, depending on your interests and budget.

Why Visit Denver?

Before determining the best time to visit Denver, ask yourself why you’re visiting in the first place. You might be a winter sports lover. Maybe you like hiking and the great outdoors. Or perhaps you love culture and nightlife. In any case, Denver’s got you covered.

Here are the best times of year to visit based on your interests.

istockphoto.com / ZargonDesign

Best Times of the Year to Visit

Skiing and snowboarding are quite possibly the biggest draws to Denver and the Centennial State in general. So if these are your interests, you’ll want to come during ski season, which stretches from December to March. And if the conditions are right, it can sometimes last until April or May!

istockphoto.com / Sparty1711

January – April

You may find that the best conditions for skiing and snowboarding are between January and April. By this point, the holiday buzz has passed, and the brutally cold days are behind us. February powder, in particular, is known to be deep, reliable, and good quality. And lovely Spring skiing conditions in the mountains during March and April make this window one of the best times to visit Denver.

istockphoto.com / Douglas Rissing

September – October

Consider visiting Denver in September or October for hiking and the great outdoors. During these months, you’ll find many warm, sunny days, as this is also the prime dry season. Therefore, you most likely won’t be dealing with mud and rain.

October begins with an average high of 72 and ends at around 59. So the temperatures are still warm enough for camping and other outdoor activities.

istockphoto.com / Douglas Rissing

June – August

Festivals and events are most common during the Summer months of June, July, and August. Along with long, warm days, a Denver Summer will bring concerts and shows galore. Check out the nearby Red Rocks Amphitheater for scheduled events.

Summertime in Denver also means heat. And river rafting, swimming holes, and water parks are the solution. Denver and its environs are chock full of nature, including natural bodies of water where you can cool off.

istockphoto.com / yongyuan

September – November

For a city escape without the crowds, consider visiting Denver in one of the shoulder seasons. November, in particular, is a great time to visit if you want to experience the city, its nightlife, and its culture without contending with hordes of tourists. The weather is still nice and temperate, thanks to Denver’s unique climate. Highs can range from 61 to 49 degrees, rarely falling below freezing – even at nighttime.

You’ll be able to explore some of the best cultural centers, like the Denver Art Museum, on your own time and at your own pace.

istockphoto.com / Aventure_Photo

Best Time to Visit Denver on a Budget

The costs of lodging and flights tend to drop around the same time the temps do in Denver. For this reason, you’ll find the best deal in the late Fall and early Winter months. Typically, the lowest prices for a trip to Denver come up around the window between the end of the Fall foliage and the start of the holidays and ski season.

The early months of Spring, also known as mud season, are another great time to visit Denver on a budget. During this period, the days are too warm for skiing, and rain is common – hence the mud. On the plus side, crowds are fewer, and it’s not uncommon to experience an unseasonably warm day. Denver temperatures are known to be unpredictable. In fact, daytime temps in March reach above 80 degrees Fahrenheit every few years.

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