Where to Find the Best Mountain Views in Denver

Living in Denver, Colorado, gives you easy access to the mountains and all of the exciting outdoor activities that come with them. Denver sits 5,280 feet above sea level (hence the “Mile High City” nickname), but it’s no match for the towering peaks of the mountains nearby. You can spot Pikes Peak and Longs Peak from the 1-25 corridor, and looking west from the city, you’ll see the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, which includes Rosalie Peak, Epaulet Mountain, Mount Evans, Mount Spalding, Mount Warren, Rogers Peak, Gray Wolf, and Mount Goliath.

If you drive west on I-70, you can actually hike up many of them to get incredible views of the range up close, but you can also take in stunning, scenic sights without leaving the city. Whether it’s catching scenic glimpses from taller buildings or perfectly aligned city streets, all you have to do is look west. If you want a definite place to find a great view, there are many accessible spots around the city open to the public.

To help you find the best vantage points, we’ve compiled a list of 11 spots around Denver where you can take in awe-inspiring scenic views of the mountains, including:

• Sloan’s Lake Park
• City of Kunming Park
• The Colorado State Capitol
• City Park
• Inspiration Point Park
• The Denver Museum of Nature and Science
• Coors Field
• Peaks Lounge
• 54thirty
• City Park Golf Course
• Denver Museum of Art

Let’s get started!

Free spots in Denver to see mountain views

1. Sloan’s Lake Park

Located on the northwest side of Denver, Sloan’s Lake Park offers an extensive view of the Rocky Mountains. Thanks to its easy access, the lake is a popular spot for hiking, biking, running, and non-motorized water sports in the city. The daytime view is spectacular, but for an extra special experience, take in the sunset from a kayak or from the 2.6-mile loop trail around the lake if you’re in the mood to hike.

2. City of Kunming Park

Kunming Park in south Denver gives visitors a chance to see a full scenic view of the mountains from an elevated hillside. The park itself takes up a full block and is a great place to bring your leashed furry friends to run and play. Every evening, a handful of locals head to the park to watch the sun set behind the range. Bring a blanket and take in the gorgeous sights Colorado is known for.

3. The Colorado State Capitol

The Colorado State Capitol is easy to spot—just look for the gold dome on the beautiful historic building downtown. Thanks to its location, the dome of the capitol building offers unobstructed views of the mountains.

Book a spot on one of the free daily tours of the building to get the unique opportunity to climb the 99 steps to the top and look out on the city and the Rockies beyond it. Demand for tours is high, so be sure to reserve your spot well in advance.

4. City Park

At City Park, you’ll find an outstanding view of the Denver skyline against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. It’s known for being one of the best places to take photos, and while you can find first-rate views all over the park, the view from The Meadow is particularly picture-perfect.

More than four miles of trails weave their way through the park and around the lakes, but if you head to the southeast corner of the park, you’ll find one of the most scenic spots to picnic in the Mile High City.

5. Inspiration Point Park

Located in northwest Denver, Inspiration Point Park is a prime spot for scenic views. When it was created, the 25.5-acre park was intended to serve as a vista point to view the growing city to the east and the Front Range to the west. Thanks to the easy 0.8-mile loop, it’s a popular way for Denverites to see the mountains without having to leave the city.

Paid places in Denver to see the best mountain views

1. Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Located in the expansive City Park, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science has fascinating family-friendly exhibitions, an IMAX theater, and a planetarium. It also happens to have one of the must-see scenic views of the city skyline in front of the mountains from the Anschutz Family Sky Terrace. Keep an eye out for SCFD Free Days so you can get access to the terrace for free!

2. Coors Field

See the Rockies at a Colorado Rockies game! The Rooftop, the standing-room-only section of Coors Field open to all ticketed guests, is located on the top level of the ballpark and offers stunning views of the mountains, especially at sunset. Tickets for The Rooftop include a concession or merch credit, so it’s worth a visit even if you aren’t a big fan of baseball.

3. Peaks Lounge

The view from Peaks Lounge in downtown Denver is tough to beat. Located on the 27th floor of the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, the enormous windows showcase astounding city and mountain views. Enjoy fine dining and Colorado-themed cocktails at this one-of-a-kind establishment open to the public and hotel guests.

4. 54thirty

You can find 54thirty at the Le Méridien Denver Downtown hotel. Denver’s highest open-air rooftop bar boasts delicious shareable bites and craft cocktails that pair perfectly with unparalleled views of the mountains and the city.

5. City Park Golf Course

You’ll find the City Park Golf Course at the northern end of the park. It’s a challenging urban parkland-style course with remarkable views of the mountains behind the Denver skyline. Local tip: Check out the view from the eighth tee box.

6. Denver Museum of Art

The recently expanded Denver Museum of Art has clear views of the mountains from multiple floors throughout the museum. As you explore one of Denver’s best art museums, keep your eyes peeled for little lookout windows or patio areas to take in the sights as you take in renowned art from Colorado and all over the world. There’s also a new rooftop terrace on the seventh floor that you won’t want to miss.

Tips for making the most of Denver’s mountain views

As you explore the best mountain views in Denver, do note that the quality of the view depends on the season and the weather that day. Haze from neighboring fires miles away can greatly affect visibility, so go early in the day and check the Colorado Smoke Outlook before you head out. While these mountain views are gorgeous year-round, there tend to be fewer fires in the winter (and the snow-capped peaks make the mountains look even more spectacular).

Curious about which peaks you’re looking at? Download an app created to help identify which of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains you see based on where you are. PeakFinder, available for Apple and Android users, will show you a 360-degree panoramic view from the viewpoint of your choice. You can identify peaks in real-time, or take a photo and use the app to identify them later. PeakFinder also has a built-in directory, so you don’t need an online connection to see the peaks (a great option for when you’re on a hike!).

Apple users can also use PeakVisor. Its augmented reality feature allows users to point their phones at mountains and see the names of each peak overlayed on them.

Ready to make the move to Denver, Colorado?

In addition to the incredible views of the mountains, there are many other reasons to relocate to the city, including exciting events and festivals all year round and easy access to Colorado’s great outdoors, national parks, scenic drives, and fantastic spots for weekend trips or day trips. 

If you’re ready to discover why so many people have flocked to Denver in recent years, Landing has flexible lease terms for fully furnished apartments, including some with fantastic views. (It’s hard to beat a mountain view from your own living room!) Check out the available apartments in Denver and learn what a Landing membership can do for you today!