Denver Foothills Tour: Red Rocks, Lookout Mountain & Golden

Summary

Red Rocks Amphitheatre views, Lookout Mountain drive, downtown Golden strolls and buffalo sightings on a relaxed Denver day trip

You’ll ride from Denver’s historic Larimer Square out into Colorado’s foothills with a local guide, taking in Red Rocks Amphitheatre, buffalo herds near Lookout Mountain, and Buffalo Bill’s museum before exploring downtown Golden on foot. Expect fresh air, some laughs, and moments you’ll want to remember long after you’re back home.

What’s the experience like?

We started right in the middle of Denver at Larimer Square — I’d never noticed how the old brick buildings kind of glow in the morning light. Our guide, Mark, had this easy way of weaving little stories about the city as we drove out. He pointed out a bakery he swore made the best cinnamon rolls (I’m still regretting not stopping). The city faded fast behind us and suddenly we were winding up toward Red Rocks Park. The air smelled sharp and dry, like sage maybe? There was some band sound-checking inside the amphitheater — you could just catch bits of bass echoing off those red cliffs. I tried to imagine what it’d be like packed for a concert. Kind of gave me goosebumps.

After that, we rolled through Genesee Park to see the buffalo herd. They’re bigger than I expected — one wandered close to the fence and just stared at us chewing grass. Someone in our group tried to moo (don’t ask), which got a laugh out of Mark and even one of the other travelers who barely spoke English. It was weirdly quiet except for birds overhead and that low animal smell you only get around big mammals. Then we climbed higher up Lookout Mountain. The road twisted so much my ears popped; Mark said it’s called the Lariat Loop for a reason. At the top, there was this view back over all of Denver — hazy but beautiful in its own way.

We stopped at Buffalo Bill’s grave (I didn’t know he was buried up here) and poked around the museum for a bit — lots of old hats and sepia photos. I bought some weird root beer candy from the gift shop because why not? After that we coasted down into Golden, where you can still see folks wearing cowboy hats without irony. We had an hour to wander; I ended up sitting outside a coffee shop watching two older guys play chess on the sidewalk. Sun felt good on my face after all that mountain air.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Denver and Foothills Mountain Tour

• Drive through Historic Larimer Square
• Explore Red Rocks Amphitheater
• See buffaloes at Genesee Park
• Enjoy views from Lookout Mountain
• Drive Lariat Loop to Golden
• Explore historic downtown Golden

Top questions

How long is the Denver Foothills Mountain tour?

The tour is a half-day experience with several stops including Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Lookout Mountain, Buffalo Bill Museum, and downtown Golden.

Is pickup included for this Denver day trip?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; the tour begins at Larimer Square in Denver.

Are children allowed on this small-group tour?

No children under 7 are permitted; private tours are recommended for families with younger kids.

Does this tour visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre?

Yes, there is time to explore Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre during the tour.

Will we see wild buffalo on this Denver Foothills tour?

You’ll stop at Genesee Park’s Buffalo Herd Overlook where buffalo are usually visible.

How much time do we spend in downtown Golden?

You’ll have about one hour to explore historic downtown Golden at your own pace.

What’s included in the price of this day trip?

Bottled water is provided throughout the tour; other expenses like food or souvenirs are not included.

How many people are in each group?

The group size ranges from 4 to 14 passengers per tour.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water throughout your journey as you travel by comfortable vehicle with your small group and local guide from central Denver through Red Rocks Park, Genesee Park’s buffalo overlook, Lookout Mountain with entry to Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave, plus free time to stroll historic downtown Golden before heading back together.