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Colorado Amusement Parks

Colorado has its share of stunning natural attractions, but sometimes the kids are eager for a little more than panoramic mountain vistas. Colorado amusement parks are happy to oblige with opportunities for hanging upside down from a roller coaster, swirling down a waterslide or riding easy on a scenic carriage ride.

By: Colorado.com Staff Writer
Updated: March 27, 2024

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

Mind-blowing rides for those taller than 48 inches, plenty of slower family rides for those who aren’t, a rollicking water park, an arcade, lots of places to eat and a summer concert series make Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park in Denver Colorado’s largest. Go ahead, have a funnel cake, but maybe not before you ride the Sidewinder or the twirling Tea Cups. There are lots of places to eat, plus themed events and an October Fright Fest keep things festive through the summer and a wee bit beyond.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Walk through the gates of Glenwood Springs' Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and find yourself choosing from rides that take you above or swing you above a valley. There's also a laser tag, friendly troll statues, an alpine coaster, a zip ride and much more to keep each member of the family busy.

Water World

One of the country’s biggest water parks, Denver's Water World is a great way to cool down and have fun on a summer day. Splash through six-story-high speed chutes, white-water slides named after Colorado’s rivers, massive wave pools, a family-friendly gondola ride and that famous Colorado sun.

Lakeside Amusement Park

Located west of downtown Denver, Lakeside Amusement Park has been an old-time charmer since 1908. Today it's popular with families thanks to its affordable admission and kid-friendly amusements — for even the littlest kids.

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Located adjacent to the massive Royal Gorge outside Cañon City, walk across one of the world's highest suspension bridges, which rises nearly 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River, and then take in some of Royal Gorge Bridge and Park's other thrills, with many new offerings, including one of the world's longest single-span aerial gondola, kids' playground and carousel, zipline, via ferrata and Royal Rush Skycoaster. Learn more about things to do at the Royal Gorge.

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North Pole Home of Santa’s Workshop

At Santa’s North Pole Workshop outside Colorado Springs, Christmas lasts from May through December. Never lose that special holiday feeling with special visits from Santa, the Candy Cane Coaster, handblown glass ornament demonstrations, themed shows and more than 20 other family rides.

Great Wolf Lodge

One of the country's favorite family resorts recently opened a Colorado Springs outpost. Great Wolf Lodge's indoor water park, lodging, restaurants and other activities mean one-stop vacationing — and kids so wiped out at the end of the day, they're begging for an early bedtime.

Bananas Fun Park

Let your inner monkey run wild at Bananas Fun Park in Grand Junction, where mini golf, go-karts, laser tag, bumper boats and a water play center offers a full day of fun and excitement.

Summer in Colorado Ski Resorts

Many of Colorado's ski resorts turn the tops of their mountains into fun parks during the summer, featuring alpine slides, mini-golf, bungee rides, climbing walls and more. BreckenridgeCopper MountainSteamboatVailWinter ParkCrested Butte, Keystone and Purgatory are just a few of them. Find more things to do during the summer in Colorado ski towns.

Other Colorado Theme & Water Parks

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