Theme parks in Colorado are absolutely worth visiting in 2025. Most people think of this state and picture ski slopes, hiking trails, and national parks. Those are great, but they're only part of the story. If you’re into thrill rides, water parks, or high-altitude coasters with views of the Rockies, you’re in the right place.
Indeed, Colorado has a long history of chasing adventure. Back in the 1800s, thousands came here during the gold rush, risking everything to find their fortune. Today, the rush hasn’t stopped. The mountains still pull people in, but the excitement comes from a different kind of ride. These include amusement parks built into cliffs, swings over canyons, and roller coasters that race through the clouds.
This guide will take you through the best parks to visit, how to plan your trip smartly, and where to find the kind of experiences you won’t get in other states. Some parks are located more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Others mix natural wonders with engineered thrills. Whether you're a parent, a traveler, or someone seeking a new experience, there's a park on this list that may surprise you.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
The best parks to visit in 2025, including high-altitude thrill rides, indoor parks for all-weather fun, and family-friendly spots locals love.
Smart tips for getting there, parking without hassle, and avoiding lines, whether you’re driving in or arriving by bus or light rail.
Parks that highlight Colorado’s natural beauty, featuring mountaintop roller coasters and canyon swings that feel like free-falling into the Wild West.
Overview
Theme parks in Colorado offer a diverse range of experiences, from high-altitude thrill rides and water parks to indoor fun and family-friendly attractions. The best park for you depends on your preferences for adventure, family activities, or unique settings.
Here's a more detailed breakdown: Must-Visit Theme Parks by Region
Colorado's theme parks are varied, ranging from urban amusement parks to mountaintop and indoor attractions.
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park (Denver): A downtown park offering both amusement rides like wooden and steel coasters, and water attractions including a wave pool and slides.
Lakeside Amusement Park (Denver): A historic park known for its vintage charm, featuring classic rides, a Ferris wheel, and traditional fair snacks.
Bananas Fun Park (Grand Junction): A casual, family-oriented park with go-karts, bumper boats, indoor laser tag, and mini golf.
Fun City (Littleton): An indoor amusement center providing electric go-karts, multi-level laser tag, and a full arcade.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (Glenwood Springs): America's only mountaintop theme park, offering thrill rides built on cliffs and real cave tours.
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park (Cañon City): A park centered around one of the highest suspension bridges, featuring aerial gondolas, zip lines, and a skycoaster over the canyon.
Springs Adventure Park (Colorado Springs): An indoor park with trampolines, a ninja warrior obstacle course, foam pits, and a rock climbing wall.
Great Wolf Lodge (Colorado Springs): A resort with an indoor water park, including slides, splash towers, a lazy river, and themed family suites.
Tiny Town Railroad (Morrison): A miniature village and train park known for its quiet charm, handcrafted buildings, and scenic mini-train rides.
Planning Your Visit
Smart planning can enhance your theme park experience in Colorado by helping you save time, money, and reduce stress.
Public Transportation and Car Access: Parks like Elitch Gardens are accessible by public transit, while others—especially those outside Denver—are best reached by car. Car shipping may be a convenient option for out-of-state visitors.
Parking Information: Several parks offer free parking, while others have a fee, and it's generally advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends, for better parking availability at scenic or high-elevation locations.
Seasonal Events: Parks often host special events like Fright Fest at Elitch Gardens, holiday light events at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, and themed family weekends at Great Wolf Lodge, so checking individual park websites for dates is recommended.
Multi-Park Trips: Many parks are conveniently located along major routes like I-70 and I-25, making it easy to combine visits to multiple attractions during a road trip, with a personal vehicle providing greater flexibility.
Parks Utilizing Colorado’s Landscape
Many Colorado theme parks integrate the state's natural beauty into their attractions, offering unique experiences that leverage mountainous terrain and canyons.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park: Perched over 7,000 feet above sea level, this park offers rides like the Defiance coaster and Giant Canyon Swing that provide both thrills and stunning mountain views, alongside real cave tours.
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park: This park is built around one of the highest suspension bridges, allowing visitors to walk across the Royal Gorge and experience attractions like the Cloudscraper Zip Line and Royal Rush Skycoaster over the canyon.
Tiny Town Railroad: Set in a natural, tree-lined environment, this park features a rideable miniature train that loops through handcrafted tiny buildings, providing a peaceful and relaxing experience.
From Gold Rush Trails to Roller Coaster Rails
Colorado has always attracted people looking for something exciting. In the 1800s, it was gold. People crossed mountains, faced brutal weather, and dug through rock because they believed the reward was worth it.
That adventurous spirit lives on. The pickaxes and wagons are gone, but thrill seekers are everywhere. Now the chase comes in the form of roller coasters built on mountain cliffs, canyon swings that launch you into open air, and cave tours that turn into theme park rides.
Some parks in Colorado sit higher than most cities in the country. At Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, you can ride an alpine coaster more than 7,000 feet above sea level. At Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, you can walk across one of the highest suspension bridges in the U.S., then ride a skycoaster right next to it.
Where the Thrills Are: Colorado’s Must-Visit Theme Parks by Region
Colorado offers plenty of variety. You’ll find big-name amusement parks near cities, mountaintop thrill rides in resort towns, and indoor action perfect for year-round fun. To help you plan your 2025 adventure, here are the must-see theme parks in Colorado, sorted by region.
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park (Denver)
A downtown staple with both amusement and water parks included under one ticket.
Highlights:
Twister III: Storm Chaser – A wooden coaster with a 100-foot drop
Boomerang and Brain Drain – Looping steel coasters
Big Wheel – A Ferris wheel offering skyline views
Disaster Canyon and Shipwreck Falls – Splash-heavy thrill rides
Wave pool and tube slides for summer cooling
Lakeside Amusement Park (Denver)
One of the oldest operating amusement parks in the country, known for its vintage charm.
Highlights:
Classic carousel and Ferris wheel by the lake
Small coasters, bumper cars, and family rides
Old-school food booths with fair-style snacks
Bananas Fun Park (Grand Junction)
A casual, family-focused park on the Western Slope.
Highlights:
Go-karts and bumper boats
Indoor laser tag and arcade games
Mini golf and splash pad
Fun City (Littleton)
An indoor amusement center built for high-energy entertainment.
Highlights:
Electric go-karts and mini bowling
Multi-level laser tag arenas
Birthday party rooms and a full arcade
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (Glenwood Springs)
This is America’s only mountaintop theme park, sitting over 7,000 feet above sea level.
Highlights:
Defiance – A vertical-drop coaster with mountain views
Cliffhanger Coaster – Built on the edge of a cliff
Alpine Coaster – Rail ride through the forest
Giant Canyon Swing – Sends you out over a deep canyon
Guided cave tours with real underground formations
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park (Cañon City)
A thrill-focused park built around one of the highest suspension bridges in the world.
Highlights:
Walk a 1,260-foot bridge above the Arkansas River
Ride aerial gondolas across the gorge
Cloudscraper Zip Line and Royal Rush Skycoaster
Cliffside climbing on the Via Ferrata course
Scenic play areas and outdoor shows
Springs Adventure Park (Colorado Springs)
Indoor park packed with action and made for families with kids and teens.
Highlights:
Wall-to-wall trampolines
Ninja warrior-style obstacle course
Foam pits and a rock climbing wall
Great Wolf Lodge (Colorado Springs)
Resort and water park rolled into one family-friendly stay.
Highlights:
Indoor water slides and splash towers
Lazy river and themed kids’ suites
On-site dining, story time, and scavenger hunts
Tiny Town Railroad (Morrison)
A miniature village and train park with quiet charm and space to relax.
Highlights:
Tiny handcrafted buildings kids can explore
Scenic mini train that loops around the park
Shaded picnic areas and wide-open lawns
The Insider’s Guide to Getting In, Getting Around, and Beating the Crowds
Before you head out to explore the theme parks in Colorado, here are a few tips to help you save time, money, and stress along the way.
Public Transportation and Car Access
In the Denver area, the RTD light rail and bus system can take you straight to Elitch Gardens. The W Line stops just outside the main gate. For other parks, especially in Glenwood Springs, Cañon City, or Colorado Springs, a car is your best bet. Some out-of-state visitors choose to ship their car ahead to avoid long rental lines and have more flexibility.
Where to Park and What It Costs
Free parking is available at Lakeside Amusement Park, Fun City, and Springs Adventure Park. Meanwhile, Elitch Gardens and Glenwood Caverns usually charge around $20 per vehicle. Royal Gorge Bridge & Park includes parking with admission.
Weekend mornings fill up quickly at the more scenic or high-elevation parks, so earlier is better.
Seasonal Events Worth Planning Around
Elitch Gardens hosts Fright Fest in the fall with haunted houses and spooky decor.
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park runs a holiday light event in winter.
Great Wolf Lodge offers themed family weekends like Snowland in December and SpringFest in March.
Always check individual park websites for exact dates and tickets.
Planning a Multi-Park Trip
Many parks sit along major routes like I-70 and I-25. That makes it easy to build a road trip that includes Glenwood Caverns one day, then Royal Gorge or Lakeside the next. Bringing your own vehicle, or shipping it ahead of time, lets you travel on your own terms.
Learn more about car shipping to Colorado
Parks That Use the Landscape
Some theme parks are loud and flat, surrounded by concrete. That’s not the case in Colorado—here, the landscape does half the work. These parks aren’t just near the mountains—they’re built into them. From canyon swings to cliffside coasters, these spots turn the state’s natural beauty into part of the fun.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (Glenwood Springs)
Perched more than 7,000 feet above sea level, this park delivers views and adrenaline in equal measure.
Highlights:
Gondola ride just to reach the park entrance
Defiance – A coaster with a 110-foot vertical drop and mountain views
Alpine Coaster – Rail ride through the forest
Giant Canyon Swing – Launches you over the edge of a cliff
Real cave tours with underground chambers and formations
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park (Cañon City)
A thrill park built around one of the highest suspension bridges in the U.S.
Highlights:
Walk 1,260 feet across the Royal Gorge
Cloudscraper Zip Line and Royal Rush Skycoaster; both ride over the canyon
Gondola with sweeping river and mountain views
Cliffside Via Ferrata climbing course
Tiny Town Railroad (Morrison)
A peaceful, small-scale park surrounded by trees and local charm.
Highlights:
Rideable miniature train through handcrafted tiny buildings
Natural setting with shady picnic areas
Calm, relaxing pace perfect for young kids
Final Thoughts
Colorado offers more than just amusement parks; it delivers experiences shaped by elevation, scenery, and local character. With the right planning, your visit can offer convenience, excitement, and a setting unlike anywhere else.
Ready to Hit the Road?
If you're planning to visit one or more theme parks in Colorado, having your own car gives you more freedom. You can skip the rental counter, visit parks on your schedule, and explore mountain routes without the limits of public transit.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the public transportation options to get to Water World from downtown Denver?
RTD’s G Line and local bus routes connect downtown Denver to Water World, with stops near the park entrance.
Do any Colorado theme parks offer free parking, or what are the typical parking fees?
Lakeside Amusement Park, Fun City, and Springs Adventure Park offer free parking, while larger parks like Elitch Gardens charge around $20.
Can you recommend theme park experiences in Colorado that are more focused on unique geological features or history?
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers cave tours and cliffside rides, while Royal Gorge Bridge & Park blends engineering with dramatic canyon views.
Do any Colorado theme parks host special events or festivals during the off-season, such as Halloween or Christmas celebrations?
Yes, Elitch Gardens hosts Fright Fest in the fall, and Royal Gorge Bridge & Park offers a winter holiday lights event.
