Boulder
Go to Boulder for hikes on the red sandstone Flatirons, a car-free downtown on Pearl Street, and an easy drive to Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Boulder is a city of more than 100,000 people in Boulder County, Colorado, where the Great Plains meet the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The Flatirons, tilted slabs of red sandstone, rise above its western edge. Pearl Street Mall is a car-free downtown strip of shops and restaurants, and the University of Colorado Boulder shapes much of the town's character.
RTD runs buses in and around town, so a car is optional for the downtown core. Trails start at the edge of town and climb into open space, and Chautauqua Park is a common starting point for Flatirons hikes. The Estes Park entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is roughly an hour's drive away, so many travelers add a park day to a few days in town. Late spring through early fall suits the trails best, and winter brings snow to the higher routes. Plan two or three days, and a fourth if you want the national park.
Boulder in five
- Hike the Flatirons earlyChautauqua Park trailheads fill quickly on weekends. Start early and check the city's open space page for conditions and parking rules.
- Stroll Pearl Street MallThe pedestrian mall has shops, street performers and restaurants. It is the center of town, close to hotels and the transit hub.
- Fly into DenverDenver International (DEN) is about 45 to 60 minutes by car or RTD bus. Check routes before you land.Denver
- Pair Boulder with Rocky Mountain National ParkThe park is about 1.25 to 1.5 hours away via Estes Park, and timed entry may apply in peak season. Check the NPS site.Rocky Mountain National Park
- Check entry rules before landing at Denver InternationalBoulder trips begin at Denver, where officers decide admission whatever your ESTA says. Visa Waiver Program passports need an approved ESTA; others need a visa.ESTA explained
Things to do in Boulder
See all attractions in Boulder
Need to know
- Airport
- Denver International (DEN), about 45–60 min by car or RTD bus
- Getting there
- Fly to DEN, then bus or car to Boulder
- Getting around
- Walking, bikes and local buses
- Best base
- Downtown, near Pearl Street
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 days; more with the park
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear6 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh2°Low-8°Cold, sunnyJanuaryClear
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, sunny
- FebruaryClear8 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low-8°Snow, sunFebruaryClear
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, sun
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh9°Low-3°Spring snowMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring snow
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh13°Low1°Mild, unsettledAprilPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, unsettled
- MayRain14 rainy days1 snowy day1 day with stormsHigh18°Low6°Mild, greenMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 1
Mild, green
- JunePartly cloudy8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low13°Warm, trailsJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, trails
- JulyPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low16°Hot, stormsJulyPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storms
- AugustClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low15°Hot, stormsAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storms
- SeptemberClear6 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low12°Warm, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, clear
- OctoberClear6 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh17°Low4°Fall colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberClear5 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh10°Low-2°Cool, dryNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- DecemberClear5 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-5°Cold, sunnyDecemberClear
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, sunny
Average daily high and low in Boulder, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Boulder
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 48%
- Wind
- 17 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 64%
Boulder
04:22 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°3°64%Monday: Rain. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Tue8°2°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed10°3°39%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Thu14°2°14%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Fri15°4°8%Friday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat13°2°11%Saturday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sun16°2°3%Sunday: Clear. High 16°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
Updated 01:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Sep–OctGreat American Beer FestivalDenver, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Rocky Mountain National Parkabout 1.25 to 1.5 hours by carAlpine drives and wildlife; entry rules vary by season.Read the guide
- Denverabout 40 min by car or busMuseums, food and a larger city.Read the guide
- Eldorado Canyon State Parkabout 20 min by carSheer cliffs, climbing and short hikes.
Before you go to Boulder
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Boulder, checked
- Most visitors from visa-waiver countries need an approved ESTA before they fly to the US. Check eligibility and apply only on the official site.Source
- Check current US entry requirements, including visa and passport validity rules, on the US State Department travel site before you book.Source
- Cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over in Colorado, but it is not allowed in public places and cannot be taken out of the state.
- Fire restrictions and trail closures change through the year. Check current rules with Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks before you hike.
Plan around Boulder
Parks, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideAspenA Colorado mountain town, about 4 hours away
Read the guideDenverThe gateway city, about 40 min away
Read the guideRocky Mountain National ParkAlpine drives and timed entry
Read the guideColorado SpringsPikes Peak and Garden of the Gods
Read the guideESTA, explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideBoulder FAQ
How many days do you need in Boulder?
One day covers Pearl Street and a Flatirons hike. Two days add a trip to Eldorado Canyon or a day in the mountains.
Is Boulder worth visiting?
Yes for outdoor access, food and a relaxed college-town feel. It works well as a base for Rocky Mountain National Park.
When is the best time to visit Boulder?
May to June and September to October. July and August bring afternoon storms and heat, and winters are cold but sunny.
Do you need a car in Boulder?
Not in town; buses and bikes cover the core. For Rocky Mountain National Park and mountain towns, a car is easier.
How far is Boulder from Denver?
About 40 minutes by car or 45 to 60 minutes by RTD bus from the airport, depending on traffic.