Free and low-cost family activities in Colorado

42 entries for Colorado (3 programs and places, 39 Museums for All participants) plus the multi-state programs below. Last verified 2026-10-17. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete list.

Verify before you go. Free days, prices and eligibility change; confirm with the organizer.

Parks, places and programs in Colorado

Colorado state parks: daily and annual passes, and free entry for visitors 16 and younger

Low costOutdoorsColorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife daily passes range from $4 to $17 depending on pass type. The Keep Colorado Wild Pass is $29, available to Colorado residents when registering a vehicle with the DMV, and covers car, bike and foot entry to all state parks. On foot or bike it covers you plus up to three additional visitors age 16 and older; CPW says Coloradans 16 years old or younger can visit state parks for free. It does not cover camping, fishing or hunting requirements.

Who it's for: Everyone; Colorado residents for the Keep Colorado Wild Pass

How: Buy daily passes at the park or online; the Keep Colorado Wild Pass is added at DMV vehicle registration (opt-out available).

CPW's wording on free entry is for 'Coloradans 16 years old or younger'; confirm with the park for out-of-state children.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Colorado Centennial State Parks Pass (income-eligible residents)

DiscountedOutdoorsColorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers a $14 Centennial State Parks Pass to income-eligible residents. Residents can opt out of the Keep Colorado Wild Pass at vehicle registration and buy a Centennial pass at a CPW state park or office instead. CPW also lists special discounted and free passes for residents with disabilities, veterans or Purple Heart recipients, and disabled first responders.

Who it's for: Income-eligible Colorado residents

How: Use CPW's 'Do I qualify?' page; purchase at a state park or CPW office.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Colorado Day: free entry to all Colorado state parks (first Monday of August)

Free days / free for someOutdoorsColorado

CPW offered free entry to all Colorado state parks on Monday, August 3, 2026 for Colorado Day, and says state parks celebrate with free entrance on the first Monday of August. Other park fees, such as camping reservations and licenses, still apply.

Who it's for: Everyone

How: No registration required. Check CPW for next year's date.

The 2026 date has passed; shown so families know it recurs. Not a promise of future free days.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Museums for All participants in Colorado (39)

Per the official participating-museums list (retrieved 2026-10-17): visitors showing a SNAP EBT card and photo ID get reduced admission from free to $5 for up to four people per card. The official list does not state each museum's own price, so confirm hours and prices with the museum before you go.

Barney Ford Museum Breckenridge, CO
Breckenridge Welcome Center Museum Breckenridge, CO
Butterfly Pavilion Westminster, CO
Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus Denver, CO
City of Greeley Museums Greeley, CO
Clyfford Still Museum Denver, CO
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO
Denver Museum of Nature & Science Denver, CO
Dinosaur Journey Museum Fruita, CO
Edwin Carter Museum Breckenridge, CO
Fiske Planetarium at University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center Colorado Springs, CO
Global Village Museum of Arts and Culture Fort Collins, CO
Hamill House Museum Georgetown, CO
History Colorado Denver, CO
Longmont Museum Longmont, CO
Louisville Historical Museum Louisville, CO
Loveland Museum Loveland, CO
MCA Denver Denver, CO
Molly Brown House Museum Denver, CO
Montrose Children’s Museum Montrose, CO
Mountain Top Explorium Breckenridge, CO
Museum of Art Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
Museum of Boulder Boulder, CO
Museum of the West Grand Junction, CO
Pikes Peak Children’s Museum Colorado Springs, CO
The Powerhouse Durango, CO
Pueblo Heritage Museum Pueblo, CO
Pueblo Zoo Pueblo, CO
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site at Garden of the Gods Colorado Springs, CO
Rosemount Museum Pueblo, CO
Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center Pueblo, CO
Sexploratorium Denver, CO
Space Foundation Discovery Center Colorado Springs, CO
Steelworks Center of the West Pueblo, CO
Trailhead Children’s Museum Crested Butte, CO
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum Denver, CO
WOW! Children’s Museum Lafayette, CO
Wray Museum Wray, CO

Programs that apply in many states

Some of these list examples from specific libraries or states; check that the program is offered where you live.

Museums for All (SNAP EBT card admission)

Low costProgram / passMultiple states

Free to $5 admission for up to 4 people per SNAP EBT card at participating museums (1,600+ nationwide). EBT cards from any state are accepted.

Who it's for: EBT cardholders

How: Bring your EBT card and a photo ID. No registration. Each museum sets its own rate and some ask for walk-in purchase, so check the museum page.

Participating list by state: see source. Rates vary by museum.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free days / free for someProgram / passMultiple states

Free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders at participating museums. Next weekend: Nov 7-8, 2026.

Who it's for: Bank of America / Merrill cardholders

How: Show your active card and a government photo ID. One general admission per cardholder; special exhibitions excluded. Check the museum's listing on the Bank of America map.

Not a Bank of America endorsement; this is an informational listing with no affiliation.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Every Kid Outdoors (4th grade pass)

FreeProgram / passMultiple states

2026-27 school year pass: free entry at federal lands and waters (national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) for the 4th grader, all children under 16 and up to 3 adults in one private vehicle. Expires Aug 31, 2027.

Who it's for: Families with a 4th grader

How: The 4th grader completes a short online activity and prints a paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov (we never collect any information). Does not cover state parks, parking, camping or tours.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Library museum and park passes

DiscountedProgram / passMultiple states

Many public libraries lend or reserve free or discounted passes for museums, zoos, farms and parks. Examples: Boston Public Library lists Boston Children's Museum at $12 per person for up to 4; Oxford (MA) and Athol (MA) list free-admission passes to several museums; Attleboro (MA) lists a free RISD Museum pass.

Who it's for: Library cardholders (rules vary by library)

How: Search your own library's website for 'museum passes'. Each library has its own pass list, reservation system and return rules. Passes are limited and set by the participating attractions.

Example pages only; your library's list will differ.

Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

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