Ten Best Summer Solstice Sunrise and Sunset Spots

For those who dread the short, dim days during the winter months, the Summer Solstice is worth celebrating, especially in a place like Colorado, where it seems to get dark as early as 3:30 p.m. in the dead of winter.

Falling this year on Friday, June 20, the Summer Solstice is the official first day of summer and the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, meaning that the day gets more sunlight and fewer hours of darkness.

Astrologically, the sun moves into Cancer during the solstice, which may cause you to feel a shift toward family life and introspection, according to Reader's Digest. For many, the Summer Solstice itself is a time to reflect and look forward to fresh starts. And what better way to do that than by watching a beautiful sunrise or sunset?

Here are ten of the best sunrise and sunset spots in Denver and around Colorado.
City Park
2001 Colorado Boulevard
With views of both the Denver skyline and the mountains behind it, City Park, just northeast of downtown, is a great place to sit back and look at the horizon. Westword gave the park a Best of Denver award in 2024 for "Best Park for Free Live Music," as City Park Jazz produces ten free concerts every summer. Catch the Colorado Mambo Orchestra on June 22, Buckner Funken Jazz on June 29 and a full list of this summer's lineup here.
Guanella Pass
Georgetown exit off of I-70
Clear Creek County's Guanella Pass was listed in a recent Gunther Mazda survey that asked more than 3,000 people for the best sunrise spots in the U.S. At sunrise, the tundra lights up as marmots rustle through the bushes in this lesser-traveled alpine route between Fourteeners Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans.
Hogan Park at Highlands Creek
24495 East 35th Drive, Aurora
Feel like you're in a movie at Hogan Park, where you can enjoy art installations (including some from Burning Man), gardens, picnic areas and more — in addition to a vibrant sunset. 

Lookout Mountain
987 Lookout Mountain Road, Golden
Twelve miles west of downtown Denver, Lookout Mountain overlooks Golden and is a popular gateway spot for those looking for mountain views. Find a big rock to sit on and enjoy the show in the sky.

Old Stage Road
Colorado Springs
Also making Gunther Mazda's list of best sunsets in the U.S. is Colorado Springs' Old Stage Road, a moderately challenging trail that offers a remote route for sunrise seekers. Old Stage Road is a popular location for off-roading, scenic driving and solitude.
Red Rocks Park
18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison
Red Rocks isn't just one of Colorado's most famous concert venues; it's also a popular destination for hiking and enjoying mountain views. Check out interesting red rock formations and how they look with the glow of a sunrise or sunset playing off of them.

Rim Rock Drive
1750 Rim Rock Drive, Fruita
Take a road trip out to Mesa County to Rim Rock Drive, which came in ninth on Gunther Mazda's list of best sunsets in the U.S. Rim Rock Drive stretches through the heart of Colorado National Monument, offering panoramic views of Monument Canyon. Surrounded by a high desert landscape, it's an ideal spot to witness a sunrise.
Sloan's Lake
1700 Sheridan Boulevard
Sloan's Lake is Denver's biggest body of water, making the park a prime place to catch a colorful sunset or sunrise in the Mile High City. Enjoy views of the city skyline and count how many different kinds of birds you can spot at this serene spot, sans the commute. 
The Tank Solstice Festival
Friday, June 20, to Sunday, June 22
The Tank Center for Sonic Arts, 233 County Road 46, Rangely
Those wanting to celebrate the Summer Solstice with more than just a sunset should make the trek up to Rangely, where The Tank Center for Sonic Arts will be holding gatherings, demonstrations and performances. The Tank operates in a seven-story-tall former water silo as an experimental sound studio.
Table Mountain
Golden
Formed by lava flow sixty million years ago, North Table Mountain and South Table Mountain in Golden offer panoramic views, fresh air and unreal pops of color in the sky during sunset and sunrise. In 2020, Westword awarded North Table Mountain a Best of Denver for "Best Place to Practice Rock Climbing Outdoors."