Quick Info
Distance: 50 miles from Denver. Drive time: About 1 hour. Best for: Beer lovers (WeldWerks), birders (Pawnee Grassland), Stampede visitors. Combine with: Fort Collins for a northern Colorado loop.
Greeley makes an easy day trip from Denver for those interested in craft beer, prairie landscapes, or seeing a different side of Colorado. The hour drive is straightforward, leaving plenty of time for exploring. It's particularly worthwhile if you're a beer enthusiast - WeldWerks alone justifies the trip.
Why Visit Greeley
Greeley offers several things you won't find closer to Denver:
WeldWerks Brewing: One of Colorado's best breweries. Juicy Bits IPA is nationally renowned. Worth the drive for serious beer people.
Pawnee National Grassland: High plains prairie experience. Great birding in spring. The Pawnee Buttes hike offers dramatic scenery completely different from the mountains.
Authentic Colorado: Greeley is a real working city with agricultural roots. It's not trying to be Denver - that's part of its appeal.
Beer-Focused Itinerary
Morning: Leave Denver by 10am. Drive to Greeley (1 hour).
Late Morning: Explore downtown Greeley. Grab coffee or brunch.
Afternoon: Hit WeldWerks. This is the main event. Sample the lineup, buy cans to take home.
Late Afternoon: Visit another brewery if you have a designated driver. Or walk off the beer in downtown.
Evening: Dinner in Greeley or head back to Denver.
Nature-Focused Itinerary
Early Morning: Leave Denver early (7am). Best for birding.
Morning: Drive to Pawnee National Grassland. Hike Pawnee Buttes before it gets hot.
Midday: Drive back to Greeley for lunch.
Afternoon: Visit Centennial Village or the Greeley History Museum.
Late Afternoon: Reward yourself at WeldWerks before heading home.
Northern Colorado Loop
Combine Greeley with Fort Collins for a full day:
- Denver to Greeley (1 hour)
- Greeley activities (2-3 hours)
- Greeley to Fort Collins (30 minutes)
- Fort Collins exploration (2-3 hours)
- Fort Collins to Denver (1 hour)
This works well for beer enthusiasts since both cities have excellent breweries.
Tips
Avoid rush hour: I-25 and US-85 can be slow during Denver commute times.
Fill up on gas: If heading to Pawnee Grassland, fill up in Greeley. No services in the grassland.
Check brewery hours: WeldWerks and others aren't open all day. Verify hours before driving.
Stampede timing: If visiting during the Greeley Stampede (late June-July 4th), book ahead and expect crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greeley worth a day trip?
If you like craft beer, definitely. For general tourism, it's more niche. Combine with Fort Collins or Pawnee Grassland for a fuller day.
What's the drive like?
Flat highway driving through northern Colorado plains. Easy and quick. Multiple route options (I-25 to US-34, or US-85 direct).
Should I visit Greeley or Fort Collins?
Fort Collins has more for general visitors. Greeley has WeldWerks specifically and Pawnee Grassland nearby. Both is best.
What about "the smell"?
Greeley has feedlots and a meatpacking plant. Some days you notice it, others you don't. It's part of the agricultural character.