Colorado

Towns to Visit and Sleep in to Avoid Altitude Sickness

Our sea level family has unfortunately experienced altitude sickness when staying and sleeping high in Colorado and I’ve found that many families would love to go to the Rocky Mountains, but fear the same fate!  

Having spent some time acclimating in lower elevation areas, below 7,000 feet, we’ve found you can really have a 4 day itinerary and not even need to venture or sleep in the famous high altitude towns of Breckenridge, Vail, or Beaver Creek.  

By visiting and staying these towns, you can enjoy the Colorado culture and outdoors without the effects of high altitude headaches and nausea.  Once you’ve spent some days here and are hydrated, it makes sense to head up higher into the mountains.  

4 Days, 4 Areas to experience the Rockies (not including city breaks in Denver) 

📍 Estes Park, Colorado

A scenic and outdoorsy town at the foot of Rocky National Park with cafes, and parks.  1.5 hours from Denver

📍Boulder, Colorado 

  Incredibly scenic and walkable college town at the base of the Flatiron Mountains.  Hike, bike, play. 45 minutes from Denver 

📍Golden, Golden Colorado

Your last stop before the high peaks.  Home to two Dinosur footprint and fossil sights to hike through, a usable creek, and tons of dining and shops. 30 minutes from Denver 

📍Day Trips to Rocky Mountain National Park

Any of the entrances can be used as a starting point and we’ve seen Elk, Moose, and done simple hikes around the still snow capped mountains in spring.  1 hour 40 minutes from Denver 

❄️Pro Tip, Spring is the ideal time to visit Denver.  You’ll find mild warm temperatures in the towns listed above and snow capped mountains in the National Park