Estes Park is a 30–40 minute drive, and this time of year is perfect for enjoying all the beautiful fall colors. It’s also a cute, fun mountain town to explore while you’re in the area. Please be kind and mindful of the wildlife during your visit—elk are typically in rut, so enjoy their beauty from a safe distance.
Fort Collins is a 20–30 minute drive from downtown Loveland. While you’re there, you can enjoy famous breweries such as New Belgium and Odell. The downtown area was the inspiration for Downtown Disney, with lots of charming shops, great coffee, and nearby walks and trails if you prefer something gentle over high-elevation hikes.
Rocky Mountain National Park is also a beautiful scenic drive, especially this time of year. You can take this route to Estes Park, through Nederland, and all the way into Boulder. Please keep in mind that during this season, you may need to register for a park access pass through recreation.gov for timed entry into certain areas of the park. Be sure to book those in advance.