Why Colorado in Fall Is Pure Magic — and How Top Save Money on Your Trip

We went looking for the “gold” of the aspens, and found the perfect family memories. I’ll tell you how it was with two children (10 and 16 years old) and how we are already planning our next winter trip.

I’ve seen the pictures. We’ve all seen them. Those unreal shots of entire mountains on fire. But seeing it on screen is one thing, and seeing it on screen is another…

When we pulled into the pass, my breath was taken away. It was like nothing else. Imagine a valley bathed in not just yellow, but a thousand shades of it, from pale lemon to rich, molten gold. Our 10-year-old son, who had been complaining about the long drive five minutes earlier, could only exclaim, “Wow!” And our 16-year-old daughter… she put her phone down. Seriously. She put it down to take her own picture.

It was that moment. Pure, unadulterated Colorado magic.

A few weeks ago, in “Where To See Fall Colors In Colorado,” I shared our meticulous planning and research for exactly when and where to go to see the golden aspens. Now we’re back, and I can say with confidence: no photo can do it justice.

RELATED: Where To See Fall Colors In Colorado

Our team is me, my husband, a 16-year-old daughter who needs “epic” views for social media, and a 10-year-old son who needs action, not just “trees.” This wasn’t just a trip to see the leaves. It was an experience that brought us together—and, thanks to smart planning, didn’t break the bank.

Gold Hunting in Colorado and Things to Do with Kids

The real star of the show in Colorado is the aspen. Unlike the maples to the east, which burn red, the aspens explode with pure, shining gold. When you stand in the middle of an aspen grove, it doesn’t look like an ordinary forest.

First, the sound. The wind, passing through thousands of small round leaves, creates not a hum, but rather a rustle, like a soft bell or applause. We stopped at one of the viewing platforms, and that was all we heard.

Second, the contrast. The bright blue, almost purple Colorado sky. The dark green patches of evergreen pines. And against this background are the fiery rivers of aspens running down the mountain slopes. It looks as if the artist poured a bucket of gold onto the canvas.

One of our absolute favorites, which I now recommend to everyone, was Chaffee County Road 344. It’s not just any road, it’s a true fall experience. It winds through rugged mountain terrain, and around every bend, there was a view that made us stop. It was there that we saw entire forests of postcard-perfect aspens with incredibly bright yellow, almost glowing leaves. It was the perfect place to just get out of the car, take a deep breath of that cool air, and take a million photos.

Of course, convincing the kids that “just looking” was fun was a challenge.

• To our 16-year-old, “treetop driving” sounded boring. But that all changed when we arrived at scenic mountain towns like Estes Park and found some dramatic passes (like the one on Road 344!). She took on the role of “art director” for our photos. Her advice: let your teen control the playlist in the car and choose the “perfect shot” points.
• Our 10-year-old needed some exercise. “Another hike to look at the leaves?” he whined. But a hike to a crystal-clear mountain lake where he could throw rocks and look for animals instantly changed his mood. The highlight was when we saw a huge elk grazing leisurely right next to the road. Now that was an adventure!

RELATED: A Day in Petrified Forest: Nature’s Time Capsule

Our “Secret Sauce” for Savings and Happy Kids

Let’s face it, Colorado can be expensive, especially for a family of four. But we used two main tools: Groupon and Expedia.

Big win for the kids (Groupon): After a few days of “mommy and daddy” mountain hiking, we promised the kids a treat. That was our trump card. We booked a day at the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park in Colorado Springs. And it was an absolute hit! We found a deal on Groupon and saved 36% on admission. The kids loved the water park and the slides, and we loved not having to pay full price. It was the perfect “recharge” for the whole family.

Flight and package planning (Expedia): We started tracking flights to Denver on Expedia a few months ago. They often have incredibly cheap flights—we’ve seen options starting at $29 one-way (that’s $58 round trip). Booking early and being flexible on dates works wonders.

But the real savings are in the packages. Expedia offers “Colorado Vacation Packages 2025” starting at $560. When we added our car rental and first hotel to our flight, we effectively “saved 100% on the flight”—that’s how much of a bargain the package deal was compared to booking everything separately.

Savings on accommodations (Groupon + Expedia): We didn’t sit around. For a couple of nights in less touristy areas, we used Groupon’s hotel deals. We found great options starting at $50 per night, which saved us up to 35% on accommodations.

For our main booking for a few nights, we compared prices with Expedia, which had a huge selection of Colorado hotels starting at $73. This helped us find the perfect family room with good ratings.

Our top tip: Always check both sites. Expedia is great for large “packages” (flight + car + hotel), and Groupon is great for incredible “flash” deals on hotels for 1-2 nights and, of course, on-site entertainment.

RELATED: Family Friendly Guide to Exploring Rogers Gardens This Fall

From Autumn Gold To Winter Silver

This fall trip inspired us. We just fell in love with these mountains. So much so that we’re already planning a return trip. This time, in the winter.

We’ve set our sights on Breckenridge Ski Resort. The kids are already dreaming: my daughter wants to finally try snowboarding, and my son can’t wait to get on his skis. We know that winter vacations in the mountains are a different level of expense, but we’ll take the same approach.

We’re already monitoring Expedia for package deals (lodging + ski passes, which are often cheaper) and will be checking Groupon closer to the date for discounts on equipment rentals or even group lessons at a ski school.

RELATED: A Perfect Day In Sedona: Your Complete Guide To The Best Shopping, Dining, And Red Rock Views

Magic to Experience

Colorado in the fall is not just about the breathtaking scenery. It’s the fresh, cool mountain air that fills your lungs. It’s about the sense of adventure, with every turn in the road revealing an even more incredible view. It’s about time spent together, away from schoolwork and work calls.

This was one of those trips our family will remember for years to come. And the fact that we were able to do it smartly and without breaking the bank makes those golden memories even sweeter.

Don’t delay. Start planning your “snow” adventure in Colorado, because you’ve already missed out on the “golden” adventure. It’s worth it.