Packing List for Colorado Summers featured

This light and easy packing list for Colorado summers includes Colorado summer essentials and day hiking favorites (everything on this list fits in one personal item and a carry-on). 

I try to visit Colorado in the summertime when it’s easiest to pack light. I lunge, along with summer hikers in leggings and athletic tops dipping below their waists, past spruces and firs and pines. On city streets, I dress in denim, a 90s trend that re-emerges like crickets every year in Denver. I lounge in casual wear (oversized tees, jeans, baseball caps) because summer in Colorado offers a kind of chill that no winter day can. 

If you’re planning a trip to Colorado, here is my light and easy packing list for Colorado summers! Feel free to modify or adapt this list to fit your travel needs.

You can also find a printable PDF version of this list here!

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Colorado Summer Packing List: Essentials

Essentials FAQ

You don’t need a hiking backpack if you’re not hitting the trails! And if you’re planning on hiking short, easy routes, I would not recommend a bulky hiking backpack either. I usually use this canvas sling bag on half-day hikes because it fits my Hydroflask, wallet, book, and trail snacks. 

Capacity, size, and adjustable shoulder straps. This REI infographic is really helpful!

The best multi-day hiking backpack for you is the one that best fits your needs! Choosing a larger capacity backpack is incredibly personal, so if there’s a Backcountry or REI location near you, pop in and ask for a fitted rec. Give yourself the space to try on different backpacks, and see how they feel and fit.

Personal FAQ

July, but if you get a chance, visit in June! Colorado weather is nicer in June. 😊

A week! I usually spend the first and final day of my itinerary in Denver, and I dedicate the rest of my time to hiking and visiting small towns. 

Maroon Bells.

Colorado Summer Packing List: Toiletries

  • TSA-approved liquids bag
    • toothpaste
    • shampoo
    • conditioner
    • hand sanitizer
    • makeup
    • moisturizer
    • sunscreen
    • antibiotic wound ointment
    • eye drops and nasal spray
    • mosquito repellent
    • contact lenses
  • toiletries bag
    • toothbrush
    • floss
    • deodorant
    • comb
    • razor
    • lip balm
    • travel-sized Kleenex pack
    • glasses
    • feminine hygiene products (like pads or tampons)
    • Tums
    • pain reliever

Toiletries FAQ

The TSA has a really odd definition of liquids! Scientifically-speaking, moisturizers and ointments are semi-solids, but according to the TSA, anything spreadable is a liquid (so all liquids and spreadables need to go in your liquids bag).

All liquids are subject to the 3-1-1 rule—one passenger gets to bring one clear quart-sized plastic zip-top bag with (up to) 3.4 oz sized liquid-safe containers. I bought my liquids bag from Target, but you can find TSA-approved liquids bags on Amazon too.

A minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen. According to the World Health Organization, UV exposure increases by roughly 10% every 1,000 meters of elevation. So, sunscreen is necessary if you plan on hiking near The Rockies or driving up Pikes Peak. I use this brand of SPF 50 sunscreen! 

Personal FAQ

Staying hydrated, easing into higher elevations, avoiding alcohol, and using an OTC pain reliever. 

Much to my Asian father’s disappointment, I am not a doctor, so I can’t recommend any pain reliever brands! But I do recommend that you talk to your doctor if you aren’t used to higher elevations! Altitude sickness hit me hard in Colorado (especially on my first trip). I felt dizzy and nauseous, and while the landscape was distractingly beautiful, I would have loved to be more present. 

I thrive in humidity, so Colorado’s dryness took me by surprise. Bring eye drops and nasal spray if dry weather messes with your senses!

This one.

Packing All The Outfits

Packing list for Colorado summer outfits

I recommend using packing cubes to save space.

Outfits FAQ

Multiply your tops and bottoms. That’s the base for how many outfits you have! So, if you pack two tops and three pants, you have six days’ worth of outfits because each shirt can be worn with each pair of pants. Dresses count as one day’s outfit!

I rotate between two sets of hiking outfits. And I only pack one baseball cap, one swimsuit, and one pair of sunglasses. 

For underwear and bras, I take half the number of bras as my trip days and the exact number of underwear as my trip days. So if my trip is six days, I’d pack three bras and six pairs of underwear. 

Depends on your needs! I like the breathability of shorts, but hiking pants (or moisture-wicking leggings or non-cotton yoga pants) means fewer bug bites. 😊

Yes! Absolutely! If you’re on a trail, you can just hike in a sports bra and leggings. I wish I had the body confidence to do this! 

Personal FAQ

Y’all, the first time I visited Colorado in the summer, I could barely hold my camera in Independence Pass! My fingers were purple and pink, which could have happened because I’m from The South and have zero cold tolerance, but I haven’t regretted packing gloves, earmuffs, and a puffer jacket ever since. Just be sure to layer up because although Colorado mornings are cold, summer afternoons in Colorado tend to be warm. 

I wear Merrell Moab 2 hiking shoes for their cushioning, comfort, grip, and arch support.

These ones.

Packing List For Colorado Summer: Electronics

Colorado Summer Book Recs

Colorado Summer Packing List: Miscellaneous

sincerely anshula

Did you enjoy this packing list for Colorado summer? Am I missing anything essential in the packing list? Would you pack differently? Let me know in the comments below! As always, I love hearing from you.

Editor-In-Chief

Anshula grew up with a love of stories and places. Thirty-five states and 100 bookstores later, she's made her hobbit home in Middle Tennessee. Her Tookish side still takes over and leaves her chasing window seats, literary destinations, adventure books, sunrise coffee, and indie bookshops. She's appeared as a travel source on HuffPost, Reader's Digest, and MSN.

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14 Comments

  1. That’s a super detail list for packing stuff for summers in Colorado. Thanks for the share. You nicely mentioned the clothes also that you packed along with other essentials. Good content!

    Reply

  4. Aah yes a packing list is super important.I always have one for all trips to ensure I don’t miss out on anything. Your list is super helpful down to minute details. If I ever visit Colorado in summer would definitely keep this in mind.Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  5. Whenever I travel, I always subscribe to capsule wardrobe philosophy where I use basic pieces and colors and mix-and-match. I don’t mind wearing the same clothes twice because I do not like to sacrifice the comfort of packing light! Great tips you shared here. Perfect for the season.

    Reply

  6. That’s an excellent packing list, Jogging pants, leggings and some basic tees are a must in my packing list wherever I travel. However, your idea of packing boots did not convince me until I read that it came to use while you were at the freezing pass. The accessory list is amazing and Chapsticks are something that never goes out of stock.
    Well, I can not survive without my Shades in summer so a pair of those is a must for me. Thanks for sharing your list with us.

    Reply

  7. Truly, this is such a perfect light and easy packing list for Colorado summers. I love that you have written this in a concise, but very detailed and useful. I personally have struggled when packing, just like you I feel like I underpack and overpack, but when I get to my destination it didn’t matter at all. I have not been to Colorado, and this is really a big help. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

    Reply

  8. This is a really good packing list for a hike. I usually try and take as little with me as possible but I never seem to be very good at it! Jogging pants are definitely a must!

    Reply

  9. loved the way you opened up the post , could relate to few items in the packing list . i have my own list too as i do few treks into the mountains and to have a list is so important

    Reply

    1. Yes, it is so important to have a consistent list! It makes the packing process so much easier! xx – Anshula

      Reply

  10. A very useful packing list for summer not just in Colorado. But it will work for summer trips to a lot of other places. I love the way you have included only the most essentials here. I know so many people who struggle to pack light. I will pass your blog link on to them

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Neha! That is very thoughtful of you! Hoping you are having a warm and summery day! xx – Anshula

      Reply

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