13 Free/Inexpensive Things To Do In Colorado

1. HIKING!

Whether you love hiking or are new to it, Colorado has every hike for people ranging anywhere from Beginners to Experts with fantastic views around every corner. You can find great hikes by asking locals for recommendations or by simply going onto AllTrails.com and finding hikes within your area. AllTrails is a user friendly site that makes finding hikes as simple as using their webpage online, or even downloading the app where you can save your favorite hikes or hikes you're interested in doing and then of course gives you the fun option to mark the hike as "completed" once you've finished to keep track of the hikes you've done. This is personally one of my favorite hiking apps to use not just in Colorado, but for finding amazing hikes all around the world. The preview picture of the hike is typically what catches my eye and from there you can get directions and reviews to every hike they have to offer, as well as the option to download the hiking map prior to actually doing the hike to ensure you're on the right path during your outdoor adventure. *Depending on location there may be a $5-$10 parking fee - Check hike rules for dog restrictions*

2. Garden Of The Gods

This has to be one of the most amazing places I went to as soon as I moved to Colorado and it's completely free to go to and check out! The park is a huge loop, which you can choose to drive around or park at the entrance to walk in and enjoy the paved paths throughout the sky scraping limestone rocks that jut out of the Earth so majestically. There are also a few handicap parking areas as you drive through the loop which allow access to anyone in a wheelchair so that everyone can be sure to enjoy the park. As you walk past these beautiful red colored rock giants, you'll notice that there are certain areas where you can go off-trail and climb up onto the rocks to enjoy a snack and a drink as you take in nature's beauty around you. Across the street from the main entrance and parking area, there is a visitors center which gives you a bit of background knowledge on the Garden itself, as well as providing bathrooms and water for those who need it. *Free to the public - Dogs on leash allowed*

3. Pikes Peak

If you're interested in experiencing being at the tip top of a Colorado 14er, without doing the hike it takes to make it up one, then you're in luck. Pikes Peak has a convenient road that will take you all the way to the top without having to break a sweat. The trek is just under 20 miles long, but don't let that fool you into thinking you'll be up and back in under an hour. Most of the drive is a 25 mph limit, so it actually takes about 2-3 hours, depending on how many times you stop to take picture and take in the beauty of the climb. Word to the wise, make sure you fill up or have at least half a tank of gas before making the trip, as there is no gas station at the top of the peak itself. There is, however, a gift shop that has one of the best cake donuts you'll ever have in your life, along with other tourist items as well. I, myself, wasn't aware of these "world famous donuts" that are made daily at the top of the peak, but as soon as I made it to the top and got out of my car, I was captivated by the delicious smell. *Free to the public - Dogs on leash allowed*

4. Paint Mines

37 miles East of Colorado Springs, you can find yourself on a piece of land that will make you think that you might've just so happened to stumble upon Mars itself. The Paint Mines of Calhan offer easy hikes and beautiful views of various rock formations ranging in colors of yellows, pinks, purples and more. The parking for the park is on the side of the road to where the trails begin and typically packed on most days so you shouldn't have any second guesses on if you've made it or not. Throughout the park you'll find plaques with tons of interesting facts on the mines, some of which include how Native Americans used to use the colorful clays to make paints with. With 4 miles of trails to explore, and a few caves to disappear into, this colorful place will leave you amazed by the natural beauty of the world. *Free to the public - no bikes - Only service animals allowed*

5. Seven Falls

You really get your bucks worth with this seven for the price of one, waterfall adventure. After parking your vehicle and taking the shuttle bus to the entrance, you start off your experience with a 0.8 mile hike up a paved path, with two canyon walls hugging you from both sides. At the top of this is really when the hike begins with a drastic inclined staircase of 244 steps as you walk by the pool and seven waterfalls which create it. From there you can get a miraculous view from the top of the falls and choose to continue your adventure onwards with two pathways to choose from. The first forking right in the road is the midnight falls loop. With a simple 0.7 mile round trip, you'll get views of another waterfall which leads a creek down to supply the seven which you passed initially. Taking the fork left will take you to a bit of a longer route. With a round trip of the Inspiration Point trail being 3.0 miles, you'll get beautiful views along the way as you hike up to a clearing passing many Cairns (manmade piles of rocks) which will bring you to a clearing where you have a beautiful view overlooking Colorado Springs. Though it's a slightly longer trail, it's one I highly recommend, and didn't find it nearly as difficult as it sounds coming straight from the 0 elevation land of Florida just days before. Best time's to go and catch the best of the falls are spring to early summer, where the mountain run off from the melting snow is heavier than later in the summer. *Fee's are $14 adults, $8 children - Only service animals allowed*

6. Manitou Incline

Now, this one is not for the faint of heart and not easy in the least, but it is one of the cheaper things to do and experience in Colorado so I figured I'd add it to the list. This incline is said to be one of Colorado most intense inclines and takes people on average 2 hours to complete. Though it once was a railroad track up to Pikes Peak, it is now one of the most popular outdoor exercise activities to traveling athletes and locals alike. With a step count of 2,768 steps (recently added from renovations of the previous 2,744 steps) this stairway on the side of a mountain climbs over 2,000 feet in elevation to a breathtaking view and feeling of accomplishment when you reach the top. Though some people choose to hike back down the incline to get to the bottom, I've always preferred the method of hiking down Barr Trail which brings you straight back to the parking lot in which you left your vehicle at for a couple of reasons. The first is that the incline is VERY steep, and has an average grade of 45% and in some places even 68%, so a trip and fall on even one of those steps would have someone rolling for a minute. Second, is that although I'm only 26, I'd like to keep my knees in the best shape as possible for as long as I can and from my experience and research, going down stairs is probably the worst thing you could do for them. Overall, the experience and chance to say "I did that" is well worth the trek up this wild staircase in my opinion. *Fee's include parking - $5-$10 per vehicle - No dogs allowed*

7. Swimming and Beaches

Colorado isn't home to the warmest of waters, but if you're looking for a lake day with a view, you've come to the correct spot. Depending on location of where you are and where you're willing to travel to, there's more than likely a beach close to by, or not too far off.

Starting from the North is Seamans Reservoir. With an entrance fee of $7, this day spent by the water does include a short hike for the best views (how Colorado of it, really). With a short and simple hike of 1.5 miles and beautiful views of wildflowers and flowing grass, you'll find yourself at the base of the reservoir which has spots available to wade into the water at your own pace, as well as a few places to enjoy some "cliff jumping" for the braver kinds who choose to jump right into the cooler Colorado waters.

Next on the list we have Horsetooth Reservoir, which offers beautiful views of the Fort Collins front range on both sides of this man-made, summer paradise. With two ways to get access to the beaches of Horsetooth, either South Bay or through Lory State park - priced at a simple $9 per vehicle, you'll be sure to have a blast and meet many locals who escape over the front range to the reservoir on those hot summer days themselves.

Heading East from Horsetooth you'll come upon Jackson Lake State Park, which doesn't have the mountainous views like the rest of these bodies of water, but does fortunately have much warmer waters than you're likely to find anywhere else in this chilly water state. With a daily fee of $9, you'll have a blast soaking up the sun, warmer waters and enjoying a good old fashioned picnic day by the beach at what Reserve America chose it as one of Americas "Top 15 Park Beaches".

Taking a trip South will lead you to Boulder Reservoir, a favorite for locals and travelers for activities such as biking, running, walking, swimming and simply lounging around on the warm sandy beaches. Luckily here, fee's are only charged between Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend ($4 children, $7 adults, $5 seniors). With 700 acres of freedom and exploration, you'll be sure to have a blast in the area with the scenic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains to keep your eyes happy for days.

Taking things a little more South of Colorado, we come across Chatfield State Park. With an entrance fee of only $10 per vehicle, this happy little spot just southwest of Denver offers mountain views, standing grills for barbequing with friends and family, as well as 197 camping spots to get a chance to stay and enjoy this area for a few days rather than just one.

Lastly on our list takes us West into the Rockys themselves. Located in the beautiful Grand County, Grand Lake is Colorado's largest and deepest natural lake, however it is much smaller than its man-made neighbors. The town itself was one of Colorado's firsts mountain resorts and every August, Grand Lake is home to hosting the very well known Lipton Cup.

8. Manitou Cliff Dwellings

What's more interesting than seeing a peice of history in how people, just like you and I, used to live. The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are a relocated Ancestral Puebloan located just West of Colorado Springs. Though it's not free, $12 for adults and $7.50 for kiddos, you'll get an awesome tour through the history of the towns of people who travelled this land before us, and how cool is that?!

9. Brewery Tours

Who loves beer? Now who else loves seeing the magic behind the bottle? It's no secret that Colorado is filled with hundreds of amazing breweries, but what is kept more secret is that a lot of these breweries offer tours that you can take and more often than not, they're free! On top of going on the tour for free, many of the times the breweries will offer you a free pint, or a taster glass that you can fill up once or twice throughout the tour to try the breweries newest or best beer. A popular one to go to, which also happens to be my favorite, is the New Belgium brewery tour up in Fort Collins. You simply select a time for your tour online at their website, and then make sure you're on time and the tour is on it's way! What's nice about NB is that they offer you three taster beers during the tour, and then you can select a pint of whatever was bottled that day to either drink right there, or take home with you for later.

10. Bike Rides

Out of everywhere I've been or lived, Colorado has to be the most bike friendly state that I've ever come across. With tons of trails and paths carving their way through the city for people to make their way around without having to deal with the wild city traffic, Colorado gives life to the active lives of people choosing bikes as a form of transportation. These trails aren't just for bikers of course, they're for runners, walkers, rollerbladers and longboarders, but making your way down the paths and through the hidden world of the city gives just the same effect of biking your way through. If you're just visiting and maybe didn't bring your bike with you, don't worry! There are tons of bikes and scooters around the city that you can rent by the minute with just a click away on your phone app so you can enjoy the city bike life just the same as anyone else.

11. Red Rock Canyon

Not Red Rocks Amphitheater or Garden of the Gods, but more red rocks to add to the list here in Colorado! Red Rocks Canyon Open Space is a free area for people to come and hike, picnic or just simply hangout at for the day and bask in the beauty of a area to go and check out. Aside from a parking pass, which may or may not be required depending on the day/time of year, the open space is entirely free! There are 14 moderate trails here for you to check out and wander around in for the day, ranging anywhere from half a mile to upwards of 7 miles round trip, so choose wisely based on experience and hiking level.

12. Red Rocks Amphitheater

Colorado staple? Of course it is! Even people who've never come to Colorado and don't know anything else about Colorado have heard of this famous venue that artists come to play in from all around the world. Colorado's natural open air amphitheater is possibly the best venue that I've even been to for a concert, personally, and I bet hundreds would agree with me. Aside from it being a wonderful place to go for a concert, during the day the amphitheater is open to people who want to just come and take a look to check out this famous little spot, and for atheletes to come and run the steps and hike around this wonder of an area.

13. Estes Park

If you've never heard of this famous little town, you're in for a treat! Estes Park is the town that is right before the Northeast enterance to Rocky Mountain National Park and is riddled with cute shops, beautiful mountains surrounding the area and if you're lucky enough, some wanderous wildlife roaming around on the outskirts. Truly, I almost always get a chance to see the elk that roam the mountains when I travel up to Estes. My favorite shops to go and check out while I'm there are always the tourist shops, for the quirky fun shirts and hats, as well as stopping to taste the local jerky at the jerky shop, where you can go and try every piece of jerky that they have there! You can also treat yourself to some salted ants or crickets too, if that tickles your fancy. There's a ton of shops around Estes that offer all different types of tours through the national park, if hiking isn't your thing. One of the best days I've had up in Estes was renting an ATV for a few hours and going on the trails and climbing over rock paths with a four wheeler from Backbone Adventures. The amazing staff and long hour rates made our day of fun out on the trails a truly amazing experience that we'll remember for a lifetime.