It’s easy to find amusement at Colorado’s many fun parks: theme, water, aerial, adventure parks, as well as alpine coasters and slides. Soar high above the city in downtown Denver at Elitch Gardens, get drenched on hair-raising water rides at Water World or fly down an alpine slide in the Rockies. Read our amusement blog.
Theme and Water Parks in Colorado
These theme parks feature a myriad of rides and attractions for all ages. Zip around the track on roller coasters, enjoy the view from a ferris wheel or splash down at the water park. The Denver metropolitan area is home to a majority of the parks, most of which are seasonal.
 Denver |
 Glenwood Springs |
 Golden |
 Denver |
 Cascade |
 Cañon City |
 Morrison |
 Federal Heights |
Alpine Slides and Coasters in Colorado
Control your speed and destiny at these hair-raising alpine slides and coasters. A couple of them, includingAspen’s Breathtaker Coaster and Steamboat’s Outlaw Coaster, are open year round. The difference between a slide and coaster? You’re locked to the track on a coaster.
 Aspen |
 Breckenridge |
 Durango |
Glenwood Springs |
 Steamboat Springs |
 Steamboat Springs |
 Winter Park |
Aerial Parks in Colorado
Aerial parks provide a wide array of off-the-ground challenges. From rope crosses to swinging bridges, aerial courses are designed for all ages and skill levels. In addition to the aerial course each park has a zip line tour, to further the fun.
 Buena Vista |
 Dumont |
 Salida |
Axe Throwing in Colorado
Axe throwing is among Colorado’s most unique activities for keeping things interesting. Both Denver and Colorado Springs boasts axe throwing locations, some of which either have a beer bar inside or allow you to bring your own brews.
 Denver |
 Denver |
Caves and Caverns in Colorado
Explore dark and slightly spooky caves in Colorado year round. Both Manitou Springs and Glenwood Springs offer guided tours of their vast caverns, including a lantern led tour. Rifle Falls is simply a state park with some smaller caves that are open for self-exploration.
 Manitou Springs |
Glenwood Springs |
 Rifle |
Guide to Amusement Parks in Colorado
Lakeside Merry-Go-Round. Photo: sfgamchick
Most people’s first thought of something to do in Colorado is not ripping down a roller coaster or getting drenched at a water park. However, thanks to several great theme parks, this is something every visitor and local alike, can enjoy.
Due to Colorado’s climate, the majority of theme parks are only open in the summer, traditionally from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Some have a longer season, including the Royal Gorge Bridge, which welcomes visitors year round on most of its attractions.
In addition to amusement parks, alpine slides, aerial parks and caves, there’s still a boat load to do in Colorado if you’re looking for a thrill. From an exciting day of zip lining or go karts, to a fun day at the miniature golf, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy here.
Classic Theme Parks
Not surprisingly, the Denver metro is home to the biggest concentration of amusement parks in the state with two water parks and three theme parks to choose from. Ironically, downtown’s Elitch Gardens hosts two of these, featuring both a water park and Colorado’s largest amusement park. Historic Lakeside has operated on Sheridan Boulevard in West Denver since 1908.
East of Denver in the suburb of Federal Heights lies Water World. Open since 1979, it’s on USA Today’s top ten list of American water parks. It was even featured on an episode of South Park, under a different name. Heading just west to the foothills brings you to Heritage Amusement Park. It’s full of family-fun adventure, including go karting, zip lining and mini golf.
One of the Centennial State’s most unique them parks is hidden under the shadow of Pikes Peak in Cascade. It’s a Christmas-themed park called the North Pole, Home of Santa’s Workshop. It runs annually from mid May to Christmas Eve.
Spelunking in Caves
If caving or spelunking is your thing, then you can definitely partake year round. Thanks to the nature of caves, temperatures stay about the same all year. Colorado Springs has the Cave Of The Winds, which offers a unique lantern guided tour. Glenwood Springs is home to Glenwood Caverns, a theme park and Colorado’s largest show cave.
Summertime at Ski Resorts
When the snow melts off the ski slopes, a number of ski resorts transform into summer adventure parks. Alpine slides are hugely popular at Breckenridge, Durango, Steamboat Springs and Winter Park. Several resorts turn into bike parks as well.
No matter how picky your kids or friends are you’ll find an adventure to suit anyone’s tastes. If developed theme parks aren’t your thing, try biking down a mountain, tubing a river, or zipping through the air.
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Related Activities
On a hot, summer day, tubing can’t be beat! Choose from a range of rivers, or take it up a notch with whitewater rafting. Another option, go play paintball!
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