colorado national parks road trip itinerary

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Unforgettable Adventures on a 7-Day Scottish Road Trip Itinerary

Scotland is a small country with a big personality. From historic castles and rugged coastlines to whisky distilleries and world-class golf courses, Scotland has something for everyone. If you’re planning a trip to Scotland and want to make the most of your time, consider embarking on a 7-day road trip itinerary that will take you through some of the country’s most beautiful and fascinating regions.

Edinburgh and The Highlands

Begin your journey in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city. Spend a day exploring the city’s historic Old Town, which includes landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and St Giles’ Cathedral. In the evening, head to one of the city’s many pubs or restaurants for some traditional Scottish fare.

The next day, hit the road towards the Scottish Highlands. On your way north, stop at Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond National Park. Once you arrive in the Highlands, spend some time exploring picturesque towns like Pitlochry and Aviemore before settling in for the night.

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular destinations thanks to its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Spend two days on Skye exploring its many natural wonders like The Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, Fairy Pools and Talisker Distillery.

After leaving Skye behind head towards West Coast where you can visit Eilean Donan Castle in Dornie before driving through Glen Shiel to reach Applecross Peninsula with its stunning views across Inner Sound towards Raasay Island.

Loch Ness and Cairngorms National Park

On your final two days venture further into Cairngorms National Park where you can go hiking or skiing depending on season. You can also explore the famous Loch Ness and visit Urquhart Castle. End your trip with a visit to one of Scotland’s many whisky distilleries before returning to Edinburgh.

In Conclusion

A 7-day Scottish road trip itinerary is the perfect way to experience all that Scotland has to offer. From Edinburgh’s historic Old Town to the rugged landscapes of the Highlands and Isle of Skye, this itinerary will take you on an unforgettable journey through some of Scotland’s most beautiful regions. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or outdoor adventures, Scotland has something for everyone.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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Great Places to Stay Near Arches National Park

Arches National Park is an incredible geological wonderland located in Utah. The park covers 76,518 acres, with more than 2,000 sandstone arches. Pinnacles, balancing rock formations, Canyonlands and the Colorado River are some of the natural attractions. If you’re planning a visit, there are lots of places to stay.

Camping In and Out of the Park

Arches National Park lodging options include camping. There are campgrounds within the park and just outside of the park. Those within the park are more primitive. Camping amenities like picnic areas, grills, fire rings, flushing toilets, running water and showers are available at some campgrounds. Individual and group campsites are options. Some sites are suited to RVs. Reserve your spot months in advance if you’re planning to go during peak season (March to October).

The city of Moab is about five miles from the park, and is a resort town loaded with entertainment. Visit a microbrewery, shop or dine in one of the restaurants. Moab is a popular tourist area with gas stations, groceries and lodging available. Within Arches National Park you’ll only find a visitor’s center and bathrooms, so Moab is a likely choice for supplies and activities outside of the park setting.

Bed-and-Breakfasts or Condos

Bed-and-breakfasts are ideal for those who want a relaxed lodging experience. Space is limited, as most bed-and-breakfasts are only equipped with one to five bedrooms. But, you get breakfast and the comforts of home. Condos also give you a homey vibe. Many have pools available for you to use while staying there, and most have internet service. A comfortable stay might be just what you need after a day exploring the park.

Hotels, Motels and Resorts

Hotels, motels and resorts are accommodation options available nearby. You’ll have lots of choices for lodging, and plenty of space. Amenities usually include a pool and internet access, and some places allow pets. Soak in the pool after a day of canyoneering or hiking numerous trails in the park. The cool water takes the heat out of the desert atmosphere.

Guest Houses and Apartments

You can also stay in a guest house or an apartment. Many locals rent their homes to visitors. If you’re bringing your four-legged companion, check to ensure that pets are allowed. Traffic can be busy during peak season, so try to find a close location to the park for the convenience factor. After experiencing adventure in Arches National Park, you might enjoy relaxing at the guest house or apartment, and even cooking there. Most have adequate kitchens and cooking supplies. Stock up on groceries in Moab and you’ll be set.

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7 to 14 Day Colorado Itinerary: National Parks & Scenic Drives

Julie Last updated: October 9, 2023 United States 73 Comments

With four national parks, numerous national forests and state parks, plus historic towns scattered throughout the Rocky Mountains, Colorado makes an awesome road trip destination. On this Colorado itinerary, you will visit all four national parks (Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Rocky Mountain National Parks), linking them together with gorgeous scenic drives.

Table of Contents

About this Colorado Itinerary

This Colorado road trip is written as a 10-day itinerary. There is a lot to see and do in Colorado, and if you want to visit all four national parks, ideally you need at least 10 days. Even with 10 days, you will be moving very quickly.

However, if you have less time (or more time…lucky you!), I will give you suggestions on how to modify this itinerary at the end of this post.

On this Colorado itinerary, you will start and end in Denver or Colorado Springs (depending on which airport you choose), making one big loop through the state. You will drive 1,050 miles and this estimate does not include any additional mileage for detours or driving within the national parks.

On this road trip, all of the roads you will drive are either paved roads or gravel roads that are suitable for standard cars, so a standard 2WD car will do just fine.

You can also do this road trip in an RV. For some of the scenic drives, such as Pikes Peak and Mount Evans Scenic Byway, I recommend checking vehicle length restrictions before you go.

On this Colorado itinerary, you will visit:

This Colorado itinerary focuses on the four national parks in Colorado with several other notable destinations.

• Rocky Mountain National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

• Mesa Verde National Park
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Garden of the Gods

• Aspen & Snowmass
• Numerous scenic drives

10 Day Colorado Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Colorado, drive to Colorado Springs Day 2: Garden of the Gods & Pikes Peak Day 3: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Day 4: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Day 5: Mesa Verde National Park Day 6: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Day 7: Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park Day 8: Rocky Mountain National Park Day 9: Rocky Mountain National Park Day 10: Fly Home

How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (national parks, towns and cities, and scenic drives and the driving route). You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest.   If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

Colorado Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Colorado, Drive to Colorado Springs

On the Road: 85 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes from Denver International Airport; minimal time on the road from Colorado Springs Airport

You can fly into Denver International Airport or Colorado Springs Airport. Flying into Colorado Springs will save you some driving time today but it is a smaller airport with less options than Denver International Airport.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: On the final day of this Colorado itinerary, you will drive from Rocky Mountain National Park to the airport and fly home. When you do this, Denver International Airport will be the closer of the two airports.   To minimize the amount of driving that you do, you can fly into Colorado Springs Airport and fly out of Denver International Airport. However, you might find that it is cheaper to fly round trip out of one airport, rather than flying in and out of two different airports, which is something to consider when booking your flights.

At the airport, pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel in Colorado Springs. Get settled into your hotel and have dinner.

For dinner, I recommend going to Old Colorado City, which sits just to the west of Colorado Springs. Highly rated restaurants include TAPAteria (a Mediterranean wine bar), Pizzeria Rustica, Front Range Barbecue, Paravicini’s (Italian cuisine), and Jake and Telly’s Greek Cuisine.

Where to Stay in Colorado Springs

We stayed at the Staybridge Suites Colorado Springs North Hotel and recommend it. The Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn and the Holden House 1902 Bed and Breakfast Inn  get great reviews. If you like the idea of staying at a resort that has a pool, take a look at Garden of the Gods Club and Resort.

You will stay in Colorado Springs for two nights.

Colorado Itinerary Day 2

Garden of the Gods & Pikes Peak

On the Road: 65 miles, 3 hours

Today, you will visit the Garden of the Gods in the morning and drive up Pikes Peak midday. In the afternoon, hike the Manitou Incline or visit Seven Falls at Broadmoor.

Garden of the Gods is a wonderful state park that is located next to Colorado Springs. This park is quick and easy to visit. A maze of paved trails weaves between red and pink sandstone rocks. For those who want to explore further, there are 15 miles of hiking trails in the park. Rock climbing is a big thing to do here, and you can bring your own gear and climb or join a tour.  

With a few hours in Garden of the Gods, this is what I recommend visiting:

• Walk the Central Garden Trail, an easy, paved 1.6 mile walk through the heart of Garden of the Gods; park in the Main Parking Lot
• Drive the Juniper Way Loop, which circles around the heart of the park
• Drive Garden Drive to see Balanced Rock
• Visit High Point Overlook

Garden of the Gods is free to visit. The park is open from 5 am to 6 pm. For updated hours of operation and park conditions, visit the official website. 

High Point Overlook | Colorado Itinerary

Balanced Rock in Garden of the Gods | Colorado Itinerary

From Garden of the Gods, it is a short drive to get to the base of Pikes Peak (10 miles, 17 minutes).

Driving to the summit of Pikes Peak is one of the most popular scenic drives in Colorado. At 14,115 feet, this is one of the most prominent fourteeners in Colorado.

At the base of the mountain, you will pay a fee at the entrance gate ($15 for adults, $5 for children). Then you will drive up to the summit of Pikes Peak, which can take almost a full hour. Once you get above the tree line, the views really open up.

On the summit, there are restaurants, restrooms, and a gift shop. For those who want to learn more, join one of the ranger-guided programs where you can learn more about the history, geology, and wildlife of Pikes Peak. And don’t miss the hot, fresh donuts at the Summit House…they are delicious!

View from Pikes Peak | Colorado Itinerary

A visit to Pikes Peak lasts 3 to 4 hours, including the drive back down the mountain.

For updated hours, pricing, and road conditions/closures, click here.  

The Manitou Incline

The Manitou Incline is a brutal stair climb to a viewpoint over Colorado Springs. You must reserve your time slot in advance. Learn more here.  

If you are planning your visit in the summer months, and this sounds like something you would like to do, consider doing this first thing of the day, when the temperatures are cool. Visit Garden of the Gods in the late afternoon, when it begins to cool off.

The Broadmoor Seven Falls

This cascade of seven waterfalls is called “The Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado.” It takes 2 to 3 hours to visit the waterfall. Learn more here.

If you like the idea of ending the day with a nice meal, make a reservation for Restaurant 1858, a fine-dining restaurant at the Broadmoor. You can also have dinner in Old Colorado City or Colorado Springs.

Sleep in Colorado Springs.

Colorado Itinerary Day 3

On the Road: 170 to 200 miles, 3 to 4 hours

The reason I am giving you two days in Great Sand Dunes National Park is so you have enough time to pick up your sandboards or sand sleds. Sandboarding is one of the best things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park, especially if you are doing this Colorado road trip with kids.

Morning: Drive to Alamosa/Great Sand Dunes National Park

There are 2 routes I recommend choosing from, to go from Colorado Springs to Alamosa.

How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the driving route). You can click the check marks to hide the different driving routes. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest.   If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

#1: The Direct Route. You can drive directly to Alamosa, which takes two hours and forty-five minutes if you take I-25 (170 miles).

#2: The Scenic Route through Cañon City. There is a more scenic route, where you can add on the very short but thrilling Skyline Drive in Cañon City. This scenic drive is only 2.6 miles long, but it is very unique, as this narrow, one-way road bounces up and down along a razorback ridgeline.

Skyline Drive in Cañon City | Colorado Itinerary

If you choose the scenic route through Cañon City, the drive will take four hours with 200 miles of driving.

How to Drive Skyline Drive:   Skyline Drive is a narrow, one way road. From US-50 in Cañon City, turn right onto Skyline Drive. This one-way road heads south for 2.6 miles before ending back in town. There are no guardrails and the drop-offs on either side are 450 feet high. There are wider areas to allow other vehicles to pass.

Once finished the drive, take US-50 west to Highway 285 south to Colorado 17, until you get to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Alamosa.

Afternoon: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

This afternoon you will spend some time in Great Sand Dunes National Park, but first, you have to decide where to stay. This has a big impact on how much time you have and where to pick up your sandboards or sand sleds.

Where to Stay to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park

There are two locations to base yourself when visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park: just outside of the park and in the town of Alamosa.

If you stay just outside of the park, it’s slim pickings from the very small number of hotels and restaurants, not to mention the limited availability to rent sand sleds and sandboards. Your second option is to stay in Alamosa, but it is a 35-minute drive, one-way to get to Great Sand Dunes National Park. So, you have to decide if you want more amenities with a longer driving time, or a close proximity to the national park.

With only a one night stay, staying close to the park will save you a lot of valuable time. On this Colorado itinerary, you will visit Great Sand Dunes twice (this afternoon and tomorrow morning), and that adds up to over 2 hours of driving if you stay in Alamosa.

Accommodations in and around Great Sand Dunes National Park

If you want to stay in the park, you can camp at the Piñon Flats Campground or get a backcountry permit to park on the dunes.

Great Sand Dunes Lodge is nothing fancy but it gets good reviews and it does have a pool. Great Sand Dunes Oasis has motel rooms, a campground and 20 RV sites. They also offer sandboard rentals. 

Accommodations in Alamosa

We stayed at the  Holiday Inn Express and Suites.  It was clean and quiet and the Wi-Fi worked well. Other hotels that get good reviews include the  Fairfield Inn and Suites and the Hampton Inn.

How to Spend Your Time in Great Sand Dunes National Park

In the afternoon, have lunch, get checked into your hotel or campground, and then pick up your sandboards or sand sleds.

If you want to go sandboarding and sand sledding, you need to have a sandboard or sand sled that is made specifically for use on the sand. Snow sleds, skis, and snowboards will not work. Plastic saucers and cardboard will also not slide very well on the sand.

We rented sandboards at Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa. I recommend making your reservation about 5 days in advance because they can sell out. Here is the list of more companies that rent sandboards, including one company with a location just outside of the national park. 

Great Sand Dunes in the late afternoon | Colorado Itinerary

The late afternoon and evening are wonderful times to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park. In the summer months in the middle of the day, the sand can reach a scorching 150°F! During the summer, it’s best to limit your visit to the morning and late afternoon, and skip the midday, when temps are at their highest.

This afternoon, spend a few hours walking on the dunes and sandboarding or sand sledding. If this is your first time, it takes some practice to sandboard down the dunes, and there’s a good chance that you will end the day with sand in your hair, clothing…it gets into everything.

My advice is to pick a very small, shallow dune and work your way up from here. You don’t have to walk far into the dunefield to find the perfect dune.

And stick around for sunset…the sunsets here are beautiful.

For the full list of things to do, read our article 8 Amazing Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Consider packing a picnic dinner so you can spend more time on the dunes. We would pick up sandwiches at Subway in Alamosa and have dinner on the dunes.

Colorado Itinerary Day 4

Today you will spend the morning at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Midday you will drive to Cortez.

Morning: Great Sand Dunes National Park

The to-do list in Great Sand Dunes National Park is relatively short. Here are a few ideas on what to do this morning:

• Hike to the top of High Dune, one of the highest dunes in the park
• Continue to perfect your sandboarding skills
• Drive the Medano Pass Primitive Road (4×4 is necessary)
• Hike to Zapata Falls

Hiking to High Dune | Colorado Itinerary

The view from High Dune | Colorado Itinerary

Afternoon: Drive to Cortez

On the Road: 210 miles, 4 hours

Once you are finished at the park, return your sandboards or sand sleds. Have lunch in Alamosa and then start the drive to Cortez.

To get to Cortez, it’s a straight shot on US-160 for the entire drive. It is a pretty drive, as you weave in and out of canyons, through national forests and rural farmland, and through several small towns and cities. Pagosa Springs and Durango make nice places to stop, if you need a break from driving and want to stretch out your legs.

Once in Cortez, get settled into your hotel and have dinner. You will stay here for one night on this Colorado itinerary.

Where to Stay

The only lodging inside of the national park is Far View Lodge. The Morefield Campground is located just outside of the national park. There are campsites and 15 RV hookups.

Cortez is the largest town near Mesa Verde National Park. It takes just 15 minutes to drive to park entrance.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express but the Retro Inn at Mesa Verde and Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch get very good reviews.

Where to Eat in Cortez

The Mexican food at La Casita is amazing and they have outdoor seating (this was our favorite restaurant in town and we ate here several times). Thai Cortez serves good Thai food. Destination Grill serves great cocktails and very good burgers (and it’s within walking distance of the Holiday Inn). If you are craving pizza or pasta, we recommend Lotsa Pasta & That’za Pizza (Tim and Tyler liked their meatball sandwich). The Loungin’ Lizard is a bar/restaurant that also serves great food.

Colorado Itinerary Day 5

Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the United States. This park preserves the ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and archeological sites that are hundreds of years old.

You will spend the morning in Mesa Verde National Park and in the afternoon, you will drive north to Montrose. On this itinerary, you won’t have much time in the park, so you will have to start early and plan out what you want to do.

One of the best experiences in Mesa Verde is to take a tour of one of the cliff dwellings. These are only available as a guided tour and you should make your reservation in advance.

Cliff Palace | Colorado Itinerary

Square Tower House | Colorado Itinerary

I recommend spending your time on Mesa Top Ruins Road. Visit the sights along Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop and take a tour of a cliff dwelling. Just before you exit the park, visit the Park Point Fire Lookout for 360° views of Colorado.

For more information on Mesa Verde National Park, including the cliff dwelling tours and more information on what to do inside of the park, read our article Top 10 Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park.

Mid-Afternoon: Drive to Montrose

On the Road: 150 miles, 3.5 hours

To drive to Montrose, it is a very scenic drive. You will backtrack to Durango and then take US-550 north. This road, which is part of the San Juan Skyway, winds through the San Juan Forest and then twist and turns through the mountains before reaching the lovely town of Silverton.

The stretch of road between Silverton and Ouray is known as the “Million Dollar Highway,” since it reportedly took a million dollars per mile to build this road. Another legend has it that when the road was paved, it covered over a million dollars worth of gold and precious minerals.

Ouray | Colorado Itinerary

Along this drive, both Silverton and Ouray make great places to stop for dinner.

Once in Montrose, get settled in your hotel.

Where to Stay in Montrose

The Double G Ranch & Guestlodge is the highest rated property in town. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and had a good experience. They offer suites so this is a hotel to consider if you are traveling as a family. You will stay in Montrose for one night.

As far as where to eat, we had such a great meal at Camp Robber that we ate here twice. We also highly recommend The Stone House.

Colorado Itinerary Day 6

Today, you will spend the morning and midday in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In the afternoon, you will drive north to Snowmass Village and Aspen.

Morning: Black Canyon of the Gunnison

To get to the south rim of the Black Canyon, it is a 20-minute drive from Montrose.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a highly underrated national park. In some ways, it’s a smaller, less crowded version of the Grand Canyon. You can view the canyon from the overlooks, hike the short trails along the rim, or journey below the rim for the ultimate adventure. It is possible to visit both the North and South Rims in the summer and fall. However, on this itinerary, your time is limited, so I recommend sticking to the South Rim.

All you need is four to five hours to explore the South Rim. Drive South Rim Drive, visiting the overlooks along the way. I also recommend getting out to hike one of the short trails on top of the rim. The Warner Point Trail (1.5 miles) and the Oak Flat Loop Trail (2 miles) are great options.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you are looking to add more time to this Colorado itinerary, it is worthwhile to add an extra day to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. This will give you enough time to also visit the North Rim and/or add on an inner canyon hike.

Learn More about Black Canyon of the Gunnison:

• How to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison: North & South Rims
• Best Things to Do on the South Rim
• Complete Guide to South Rim Road
• How to Hike the Gunnison Route

Afternoon: Drive to Snowmass Village or Aspen

On the Road: 140 miles, 3 hours

It’s another afternoon of driving, as you begin to work your way through the Rocky Mountains to Rocky Mountain National Park.

This evening, you can stay in either Snowmass Village or Aspen. Which one you choose depends on how you plan to spend your time tomorrow morning.

On our most recent trip to Colorado, we spent several nights in Snowmass Village. From our room, we could look up at the ski slopes. Tim, Tyler and Kara went mountain biking in Snowmass, riding the gondolas to the peak with their bikes and then cruising downhill to the village. There are also many great restaurants to choose from in Snowmass.

Aspen is a lovely town filled with restaurants, boutique shops, and hotels. If you want to take a break from hiking and outdoor adventures, and you simply want to spend the afternoon and the next morning in town, spend the night in Aspen. Aspen is very dear to us…Tim proposed to me here on the ski slopes 25 years ago. 

Hotel and Restaurant Recommendations

Snowmass Village: In Snowmass Village we stayed at Capitol Peak Lodge in a gorgeous 3-bedroom apartment with views of the mountains. We liked it so much that we would absolutely stay here on a future visit. Il Poggio is our favorite restaurant in town.

Capitol Peak Lodge | Colorado Itinerary

Aspen: Aspen Square Condominium Hotel, The Gant, and the Limelight Hotel Aspen all get great reviews. For dinner, I recommend Jimmy’s and getting a table on the outdoor deck if the weather is nice.

You will spend one night in Aspen/Snowmass.

Colorado Itinerary Day 7

Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park

On the Road: 200 miles, 5 hours (not including Loveland Pass or Mount Evans)

Spend the morning in Snowmass or Aspen and then head north to Rocky Mountain National Park.

This is the last big driving day of the trip! And you will be driving along some of the most scenic roads in Colorado, with the option to add on several drives to mountain summits, similar to Pikes Peak.

Top of the Rockies, Independence Pass & Leadville

Top of the Rockies is a scenic drive in Colorado that has several parts to it. It includes three mountain passes and several very historic towns.

Starting in Aspen, drive Highway 82 east towards Granite. Along this drive, you will cross Independence Pass, the highest paved state highway, crossing the Continental Divide. The summit of this pass sits at 12,095 feet. Parts of this road are narrow and winding and there are very short distances where the road is only wide enough for one car to pass.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Independence Pass is generally open from Memorial Day to late October depending on snowfall. It is closed the remainder of the year. Get updates on road conditions here.  

Top of the Rockies | Colorado Itinerary

Once you get to Highway 24, turn left and take Highway 24 north to continue on the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway.

Leadville, at 10,152 feet, is the highest incorporated town in the United States. This historic town was a boomtown in the 1880s, with its silver mines drawing famous figures like Doc Holliday, Susan B. Anthony, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Horace “Silver Dollar” Tabor.

At Leadville, this scenic byway forks. For the most direct route to Estes Park, turn right on Highway 91, and you will cross the Continental Divide at the 11,318-foot Fremont Pass before arriving at Copper Mountain and I-70.

Optional: Loveland Pass & Mount Evans

Take I-70 east towards Denver. Before you get to Central City Park, you have two optional detours. Both of these scenic drives end high up in the Rocky Mountains.

Loveland Pass

This is the first optional detour you will get to. Loveland Pass is a high mountain pass that is located south of I-70, between Vail and Idaho Springs. To drive to Loveland Pass, it is 8 miles round trip from I-70 and takes about one hour.

To get here, it is a relatively short but steep drive. It is a steady 6.7% grade to the summit with numerous hairpin turns. At 11,990 feet, Loveland Pass is the highest mountain pass in Colorado that stays open during the winter season.

Loveland Pass | Colorado Itinerary

Mount Evans Scenic Byway

The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in North America.

In just 28 miles, the road climbs over 7,000 feet, ending near the summit of Mount Evans. Once at the summit, you get to enjoy panoramic views over the Rocky Mountains, views of the Continental Divide, and it is here that you have a very good chance to see mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

This drive is 50 miles round trip and takes 2 hours.

The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, depending on weather conditions. Get updates here.

To get here from I-70, take exit 240 in Idaho Springs, follow Highway 103 south until it reaches Echo Lake, then take Highway 5 to the top of Mount Evans. 

Peak to Peak Scenic Byway to Estes Park

Take I-70 to the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Starting in Central City, you will drive Highway 119 north to Nederland and then take Highway 72 to Estes Park. The byway runs along the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado’s Front Range.

On this drive you get to see Longs Peak, the tallest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. Mount Meeker, at 13,911 feet, can also be seen on this drive. Nederland is small, historic town and a nice place to stop for a bite to eat.

Once in Estes Park, check into your hotel and then have dinner.

Where to Stay & Eat in Estes Park

For recommendations on where to stay and eat in Estes Park, read our Guide to Estes Park. You will stay in Estes Park for 3 nights.

Colorado Itinerary Days 8 & 9

On this Colorado itinerary, you have two full days to spend in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. The Continental Divide runs north south through the park. You can cross the Continental Divide by foot or by driving Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved through road in the national park system.

With two days in Rocky Mountain National Park, you have enough time to hike one or two trails, drive Trail Ridge Road, and spend some time in Estes Park.

Here is a sample 2 day itinerary for Rocky Mountain National Park:

Day One: In the morning, hike to Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Bear Lakes from the Bear Lake Trailhead. In the afternoon, drive Trail Ridge Road, visit the overlooks, and walk the short but strenuous Alpine Ridge Trail.

Day Two: Take your pick from one of many hiking trails in the park. Since you just spent a week in Colorado, with the past few days in the Rocky Mountains, you should be acclimated to the higher elevation. If you love hiking, consider hiking to Chasm Lake, Mount Ida, or our favorite hike in the park, Sky Pond.

TIMED ENTRY PERMIT SYSTEM: To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. Each daily reservation costs $2 per vehicle, which is in addition to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly fee per vehicle. Learn more on our Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, the official National Park Service website. Or visit recreation.gov to make your reservation.

Read more about Rocky Mountain National Park:

• 10 Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park Itineraries for 1 to 5 Days
• 15 Great Hikes to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park

Trail to Chasm Lake | Colorado Itinerary

Sky Pond | Colorado Itinerary

Colorado Itinerary Day 10

Return to Denver or Colorado Springs & Fly Home

On the Road: 76 miles, 1.5 hours to Denver International Airport; 145 miles, 3 hours to Colorado Springs Airport

In the morning, drive to Denver International Airport or Colorado Springs Airport. In the afternoon, fly home.

How to Modify this Colorado Itinerary

With less time.

If you want to do this Colorado road trip but don’t have 10 days, what should you eliminate?

To make this a 9-day itinerary, remove one day from Rocky Mountain National Park. This gives you one full day in the park, which is just enough time to visit the highlights.

To make this an 8-day itinerary, eliminate a day from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. In the afternoon of day 2, after you visit Pikes Peak, drive to Alamosa and Great Sand Dunes National Park. Spend the morning of day 3 in Great Sand Dunes and in the afternoon, drive to Cortez and Mesa Verde National Park. Most likely, you will have to give up sandboarding on the dunes, since you might not be able to get to the rental facility before closing time on day 2.

To make this a 7-day itinerary, eliminate the day in Colorado Springs (Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak).

7-Day Colorado Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Colorado, drive to Alamosa/Great Sand Dunes National Park Day 2: Great Sand Dunes NP, drive to Cortez Day 3: Mesa Verde NP, drive to Montrose Day 4: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, drive to Snowmass/Aspen Day 5: Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park Day 6: Rocky Mountain National Park Day 7: Fly home

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Colorado Itinerary

With More Time

If you have more than 10 days for this Colorado itinerary, here is where I recommend putting your extra time.

If you like hiking, put more time into Rocky Mountain National Park. For each day that you add, you can do another great hike.

Add an extra day in Snowmass or Aspen. Since this is in the middle of the itinerary, this is a nice spot to slow down and relax. Or, if you don’t want to relax, hike Maroon Bells or spend the day mountain biking.

Add more time for Mesa Verde National Park. Rather than having half of a day at Mesa Verde, as it is written above, spend one full day in the park. On the next day, take your time on the San Juan Parkway and spend more time in Silverton and Ouray.

Add another day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison. One more day gives you enough time to hike an inner canyon route and/or explore the North Rim.

14-Day Colorado Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Colorado, Drive to Colorado Springs Day 2: Garden of the Gods & Pikes Peak Day 3: Drive to Great Sand Dunes, Spend the afternoon in Great Sand Dunes Day 4: Great Sand Dunes, drive to Cortez Day 5: Mesa Verde National Park Day 6: Scenic Drive to Montrose in the morning, Black Canyon of the Gunnison in the afternoon Day 7: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, drive to Snowmass/Aspen Day 8: Snowmass/Aspen Day 9: Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park Day 10: Rocky Mountain National Park Day 11: Rocky Mountain National Park Day 12: Rocky Mountain National Park Day 13: Rocky Mountain National Park Day 14: Fly home

Best Time for this Colorado Itinerary

The best time for this Colorado itinerary is in the summer and early fall, when all of the scenic drives and hiking trails are open.

The summer months are the busiest months to visit the national parks, but with warm temperatures and great weather, this is also one of the best times to go hiking.

In autumn, Colorado is beautiful, as the leaves change to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. This can still be a busy time in the national parks, in particular Rocky Mountain National Park, as visitors flock to the park to see the fall colors and elk mating season.

Once the snow arrives, usually by mid to late autumn, crowds begin to diminish. Temperatures are low in the winter, but so are the crowds. Several of the scenic drives that we list in this itinerary close during this time.

In the spring, warmer temperatures melt the snow and visitation picks up. Snow can linger on the higher hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park all of the way into July, depending on snowfall levels for that year.

Lake of Glass, Rocky Mountain National Park | Colorado Itinerary

Planning Your Trip

Accommodations.

Here is a list of where you will need to make your hotel or campsite reservations. If you plan to visit Colorado during the busy summer and fall months, I recommend making your reservations 4 to 6 months in advance.

• Colorado Springs: 2 nights
• Great Sand Dunes National Park: 1 night
• Cortez: 1 night
• Montrose: 1 night
• Snowmass/Aspen: 1 night
• Estes Park: 3 nights

National Park Fees

• Great Sand Dunes: $25 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
• Mesa Verde: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
• Rocky Mountain National Park: $25 per vehicle, valid for 1 day or $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days

America the Beautiful Pass

For this Colorado itinerary, it is worth it to purchase the America the Beautiful Pass. This annual park pass costs $80 and is valid for one year. Not only will you save money on park fees for this trip but you will also get free admission to any other national park or federal recreation sites that you visit within 365 days of purchasing this pass.

Purchase your pass at the first national park that you visit (in this case, at Great Sand Dunes National Park) or you can get it online.

Click here to learn more.

Important Links for the Colorado National Parks

Here are the links to each national park website. Check park conditions, road closures, and trail conditions as you plan your trip and just before you go.

• Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most visited national park in Colorado?

Rocky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in Colorado. In 2021, 4.4 million people visited this park. It was the 5th most visited national park in the USA that year.

What is the least visited national park in Colorado?

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the least visited national park in Colorado. In 2021, just over 300,000 people visited the park, making it the 16th least visited national park in the USA that year.

What are the four Colorado National Parks?

Here is a list of the four Colorado National Parks:

• Great Sand Dunes National Park

What is the best Colorado national park to visit?

The “best” national park in Colorado depends on your interests. If you love hiking and mountainous landscapes, Rocky Mountain National Park is the best park to visit in Colorado. With hundreds of miles of hiking trails, you can spend weeks here and never run out of things to do. If you prefer culture and history, Mesa Verde National Park is the top park to visit. If you plan to visit Colorado, Great Sand Dunes is the most fun for kids, with sand boarding and sand sledding and the #1 thing to do in this park. And if you like the idea of small, easy park to visit that is low on crowds but has big views, don’t miss Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

More Information about Colorado

COLORADO: To read all of our articles about Colorado, check out our Colorado Travel Guide.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For an overview of Rocky Mountain National Park and links to all of our RMNP articles, take a look at our Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide. To help you plan your trip, we also have articles about the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, the best hikes in the park, and how to plan the perfect itinerary.

GREAT SAND DUNES: In our article Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, we cover the top experiences, plus how to plan your time, where to stay, and more.

MESA VERDE: Learn about the best things to do and how to plan your visit in our Guide to Mesa Verde National Park.

BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK: Check out our Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Travel Guide for  important travel planning tips, sample itineraries, advice on when to go, where to stay, and more.

SCENIC DRIVES IN COLORADO: Pikes Peak, the Million Dollar Highway, and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is just a short list of the scenic drives you can do in Colorado. For the full list, read our article about the Best Scenic Drives in Colorado.

ESTES PARK: In our Guide to Estes Park, learn about where to stay, where to eat, and what to do.

Hiking to Mount Ida in Rocky Mountain National Park | Colorado Itinerary

If you have any questions about this Colorado itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information about the National Parks

NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries.

BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN THE USA:  Looking for your next big adventure? Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks.

USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? Check our our USA Road Trip Guide for travel ideas and sample itineraries.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

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Comments 73

I love your website! We followed the Mighty-5 road trip in Utah and it was spot on. Kids were a bit tired though after so much time on the road, so this time we’re thinking of slowing down a bit even though it may mean cutting some things. I’m thinking of cutting Mesa Verde and Gunnison NP, but adding more time in either Aspen, Gleenwood Springs or Keystone. In that “rest stop” we would likely stay for few nights and maybe do some local activities. Again, kids like a break from hiking, so maybe an adventure park, mountain biking, ziplining, hot springs or something similar. Would any of the locations mentioned above be better than others for that purpose? Any suggestions welcome!

Hello Marta. I’m glad you like our site! We have experience in Aspen and Glenwood Springs but not Keystone. On our most recent summer trip to Colorado, we spent a few nights in Snowmass, which is near Aspen. Mountain biking here was a blast. If you are looking for hot springs, Glenwood Springs is a good choice, but I don’t recall there being hot springs around Aspen. As for Keystone, a quick Google search will let you know what to do there. But between Glenwood Springs and Aspen/Snowmass, we are bigger fans of Snowmass/Aspen area. Cheers, Julie

Hi Julie – Big fan of your itineraries! I’ve closely followed them for our trips to Grand Teton/Yellowstone/Glacier, Grand Canyon/Bryce/Zion and Everglades/Biscayne/Dry Tortugas and the Keys! Thank you for making them so easy to follow. I’m planning our July 2024 trip to Colorado and hoping you may have some advice for me. We’re a family of 5 with three kids ages 8, 10 and 12. Aspen and Snowmass seem to be almost all booked up for next summer (booking.com says 96% booked!) and what’s left is insanely expensive! Any suggestions on what to do for a day or two to break up the drive from Montrose to Estes if we skip Aspen? Thanks so much!

That’s crazy about the hotels in Snowmass and Aspen. I wonder if Booking is telling you it is 96% booked because not all of the hotels have been released for that time frame yet, since it is still a year out. On our first trip to Colorado as a couple (way back in 1997), Tim and I stayed in Glenwood Springs and made the drive to Snowmass and Aspen each day to go skiing, since Glenwood Springs was a lot less expensive. It’s not ideal since it is an hour one way. You could book a place in Glenwood Springs and check Aspen & Snowmass hotel prices again in January, April, June. Good luck! Cheers, Julie

I want to thank you for this wonderful itinerary! We just got back from our 9 day Colorado road trip from Kentucky that was very closely modeled on yours. It was epic. The only changes were adding a day at Estes park instead of aspen (it was already very booked and very expensive when I was planning) and adding in a horseback trail ride to break up the long drive, a fly fishing excursion from the YMCA of the Rockies, and a MLB game in Denver on the way home. I appreciate all the helpful info and couldn’t have done it without this guidance. You give the perfect amount of info (not too much or too little). The only thing I wasn’t prepared for were the mesa verde tour tickets going like Taylor swift tickets (we got them just not the time I wanted and I was logged in at 8am on the dot!). I also could have done better at Rocky mtn, the hour+ wait for the shuttle from the park and ride threw off my plan for that day and we missed the bear lake hike I wanted to do. I will definitely consult you for our next trip!

Hello Louisa. Thanks for writing in with your experience and about the Mesa Verde tickets. I wouldn’t expect them to go that quickly either! I’m glad we could help you plan your trip and happy travels to wherever you are going next! Cheers, Julie

Hi Julie! We are planning to do your 10-day itinerary mid-October, thank you for all the guidance thus far!! Hopefully we won’t be risking snow/road closures! 🙂

Curious your input on three things: 1) If we wanted to add in a little “city life” exploring into the trip, how and where along the trip would you recommend doing so? Any specific activities you would recommend? 2) My boys (15yr and 12 yr old) are wanting to experience and swim in a natural hot springs. Are there any hot springs worth a stop along this itinerary? and 3) In mid-October, are there any spots along this itinerary that offer white-water rafting style adventures for families?

Thank you again for all of your time and effort spent helping us create wonderful getaways with our families!! Beyond grateful!!

Hello Emily. If you want to add in city life, the best place to do that is probably Denver. Since this itinerary starts and ends in/near Denver, you could add a day in here at the beginning or end of the trip. Two great spots to go to the hot springs are Pagosa Springs (you’ll drive through here between Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde) and Ouray (you’ll drive here between Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison). Ouray looks like a really cool small town so this would be my first choice. I don’t know about white water rafting, especially in October. You might want to do some more online investigating for that one, and to see if October is a good time to do it. Have a great road trip! Cheers, Julie

Thank you, Julie!! I wasn’t sure if you were going to suggest Denver or Estes Park, so I am glad I asked. Thanks again!!

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Best of Colorado Road Trip Featuring 5 National Park Sites

Fantastic towns, high peaks and national park sites dominate this tour through colorado..

Wander the state that has inspired artists, writers and a national anthem on this mesmerizing Colorado road trip.

Katherine Lee Bates wrote the lyrics to America the Beautiful standing atop Pikes Peak in Colorado. “Oh beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. For purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plain.”

The song that has become an American anthem was meant to sum up the country as a whole, but standing atop Pikes Peak, Bates knew what anyone who visits Colorado quickly realizes: here you’ll find some of the best the U.S. has to offer.

This road trip covers the best of the best as you visit all four Colorado national parks and countless incredible sights in between. See the spacious skies of Denver, before driving north towards Lyons and Estes Park on the doorstep to Rocky Mountain National Park, passing amber-colored fields along the way.

The park is home to spectacular peaks that are the embodiment of purple mountain majesties. Catch sight of them on Trail Ridge Road, before staying outside the park in Grand Lake. Head west towards Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park where you’ll discover a fruited plain on the road between Hotchkiss and Paonia, dotted with vineyards producing Colorado wine.

Make your way south to Mesa Verde and then east to Great Sand Dunes, seeing the incredible scenery by train as you ride up and over Cumbres Pass near Alamosa.

As you circle the state, you’ll experience what so many have come to love about Colorado. From peaceful deserts to crashing waterfalls, from tiny hamlets to college towns and from sand to snow that clings to the highest peaks even in the summer, you’ll discover a feeling that can only be described as magic.

Road Trip Map

Start: Denver

A Denver Local’s Perfect Day in the Mile High As more and more people discover how great Colorado is, my childhood friends and I joke that we’re unicorns, having been born and raised in the Denver area. There’s nowhere I can make recommendations on with quite as much authority as Denver.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Home to herds of elk, majestic moose and Longs Peak that summits at 14,000 feet, Rocky Mountain National Park is a hiker’s and wildlife-watcher’s paradise. In the summer, you’ll travel across the park on its highest road, Trail Ridge Road  that connects the park’s two gateway towns, Estes Park on the east and Grand Lake on the west. The road is closed in winter due to snow, at which time visitors travel south to reach the opposite side of Rocky.

Boutique Basecamps on the East Side

Great Getaways at Lyons Looking for a small historic town near Rocky Mountain National Park but far from crowds? Head to Lyons, a charming 2,000-resident artsy town with great cuisine. Here’s 10 reasons to stop .

Unplug at the YMCA Choose between the Estes Park Center on the park’s east side or Snow Mountain Ranch on the west side for great activities and lodging options welcoming to families and pets.

In the Park

2-Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Only have 48 hours? Make the most of your time by following  our itinerary covering both sides of the park .

2-Day Eco-Friendly Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary We’ve put together ideas for a two-day vacation to help you  become a more sustainable traveler .

GyPSy Guide Tour App Download the Rocky Mountain National Park tour app that’s like listening to a tour guide in your car. GyPSy Guide automatically plays interesting and entertaining commentary as you go .

West Side Stories

Grand Adventures Leaning up against Rocky Mountain National Park’s west side, Grand County, home to Winter Park Mountain Resort and Grand Lake, offers unparalleled outdoor opportunities.  See our list of thrilling, nature and water adventures .

Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains Retreat Just 20 minutes from the park’s West Entrance, which sits in Grand Lake, Colo., lies Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains , a new 200-acre resort with unparalleled amenities for the area. There’s actually so much to do on property that it may be hard to leave it.

Central City

Hidden Colorado Gems in Central City When gold was discovered in Central City, Colo. , in 1859, it transformed a pine-forested area tucked in the mountains into one of the West’s fanciest cities. Known early in its history as “the richest square mile on Earth,” it was home to an opulent opera house and one of the most luxurious hotels in the West.

Summit County

Natural Retreats Summit County In the heart of Colorado’s mountains, between gorgeous national parks like Rocky Mountain and Black Canyon of the Gunnison, is Summit County. Stay in your home away from home in towns like Breckenridge, Frisco and Keystone .

Colorado State Parks

See a Triple Waterfall Playing in the rainbows of mist from its 70-foot triple waterfall offers a respite from the summer heat as do shady campsites along the river at Rifle Falls State Park. Even for a day trip, make sure to bring a flashlight to explore the caves along the Coyote Trail, one of which has a 90-foot room. Read more about this park included in our list of 8 favorite Colorado state parks .

Colorado National Monument

On the central edge of Colorado sits Colorado National Monument , a spectacular, crumbling stretch of land filled with decaying red rock and deep canyons. Best known for its vistas from the 23-mile scenic drive (or road bike ride) on Rim Rock Drive, the park also is a great place to hike, watch wildlife (such as desert bighorn sheep, coyotes and golden eagles) and stargaze.

Singletrack, World-Famous Pizza and a Headless Chicken in Fruita The charming city of Fruita is the place to headquarter your trip to Colorado National Monument. An outdoor adventurer’s paradise, it’s still held on to its small-town feel. And, best yet, its vibrant downtown is located just minutes from the monument’s entrance.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Carved through solid granite over countless millennia, the canyon walls of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park plunge an awe-inspiring 2,700 feet to the river below in western Colorado. Intrepid hikers and rock climbers can venture into the depths on several very steep, unmaintained trails. Other visitors prefer to peer into the chasm from a network of trails lining the north and south rims. Anglers love this place for its gold-medal water for trout fishing.

Find Adventure in Every Direction in Montrose, Colorado Gateway to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park , Montrose is where trails, water sports and local food abound.

Best Small Towns on Colorado’s Western Slope are in Delta County Explore the uncrowded side of Colorado in small towns like Delta, Cedaredge and Paonia at the doorstep of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Mesa Verde National Park

48 Hours in Mesa Verde Only have 48 hours to explore Mesa Verde National Park? Stick to our detailed itinerary to hit all the most important stops. There’s more to do beyond the main attraction of touring ancient cliff ruins. Take a hike, gaze from a fire tower or have dinner with a view.

Living History Surrounding Mesa Verde National Park See incredible archaeological sites beyond Mesa Verde, sip local wines and learn about Native American culture in southwestern Colorado’s Mesa Verde Country .

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Twelve miles from Mesa Verde, this national monument often falls off travelers’ radar screens , making it a fantastic place to discover solitude and ancient history.

Two Hidden Towns Along the Silver Thread Scenic Byway

Charming Creede One of Colorado’s best-kept secrets, Creede offers incredible theater, downtown charm and fun outdoor activities . Take a stroll through this colorful historic downtown nestled in one of the most striking mountain settings you’ll ever see.

Keeping Up with South Fork Bring a car, ATV, jeep or bike. The area offers hundreds of miles of trails designated for motorized traffic and scenic drives . These trails and roads will take you to mountain peaks and amazing vistas of the San Luis Valley, to creek bottoms and dense forest growth.

Scenic Train Ride

Take a Journey through Time on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Board the train for a full day of jaw-dropping views from Antonito, Colorado to Chama, New Mexico. If you didn’t know better, you might think you’d been transported back to 1880.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

48 Hours in Great Sand Dunes National Park Make your time in the park count with our detailed itinerary . This other-worldly park boasts the tallest sand dunes in North America.

Only in Alamosa This unique town in southern Colorado is home to a beach with mountain views, a huge bison herd and some of the most unique craft beer you’ll find in the state. Here are our favorite things that you can only do in Alamosa .

4 Places to Shoot in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve It’s hard to understand this park’s scale. But don’t be daunted—we asked professional photographer Andre Costantini where to approach the dunes for the best photos .

Hike Through a Forest to Mosca Pass at Great Sand Dunes National Park Escape the summer heat on  this shady trail  overlooking the giant dunes in southeast Colorado.

End: Denver

Rent an RV with Outdoorsy Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. Or check out Destination Delivery: Have an RV delivered directly to a campground or parking site to camp in style without having to get behind the wheel. www.outdoorsy.com

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The Ultimate Colorado National Parks Road Trip

If you are like me and are on a mission to visit all the national parks in the United States, then the four located in Colorado are sure to be on your bucket list. I’ll give you the best Colorado National Parks Road trip itinerary so you can check these incredible parks off your list.

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Colorado National Parks Road Trip Overview

This is the route you will be taking for this Colorado National Park Road trip . Click on the image to be taken to google maps where you can zoom in and download it to your phone.

National Parks Visited on this Road Trip

This itinerary will take you to all four of Colorado’s national parks. There are also several national monuments located in Colorado, but the focus of this post will be the national parks. The parks located in this state are:

• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park

Other highlights on this road trip are driving the Million Dollar Highway and the option for a stop at the Garden of the Gods.

How to Do this Colorado Road Trip

This Colorado national park road trip can be done by flying in and out of Denver International Airport, renting a vehicle and following the itinerary in this post. If you need an adapted van, accessible vehicles can be rented through Mobility of Denver or United Access .

Another option is to make this itinerary as part of a larger road trip. You could easily combine the national parks in Utah or Wyoming as part of this road trip. If you choose this option, follow the itinerary in reverse, still starting in Denver but then following the clockwise direction and heading to the next state you choose.

Tips for Taking Your Colorado National Parks Road Trip

Get your national park pass, access pass.

The Access Pass allows US residents who are permanently disabled free entry into the national parks and other national sites. This can be obtained for free with a doctor’s note documenting a permanent disability at any national site.

Veteran’s Pass

A park pass is also available for Veterans of the United States armed forces and will allow lifetime free access to the parks and other national sites. Just show proof of service at any national site.

Senior Pass

A Senior pass is available to individuals aged sixty-five or older for a one-time $80 fee. This is valid for the lifetime of the individual for access to the national parks.

America the Beautiful Pass

This is a yearly park pass that anyone can purchase for $80 and lasts 12 months from the date of purchase. This is a great option if you don’t qualify for the above-mentioned passes and plan to visit at least 3 national parks within a year’s time.

Want to learn other ways to save money on your next trip?! Subscribe to my email list to get travel and money saving tips. Click on the image to sign up .

Download the Gypsy App

The Gypsy App is a great resource to make you feel like you have your own personal tour guide in the national parks. This app does not rely on cell data, service or Wi-Fi to run the tours so it’s perfect to use even in remote locations. It will provide interesting information on the history, geology, must-see sights and more about the park you visit.

This Trip is Best Done May-September

To avoid road closures and possibly snowy conditions, this Colorado National Parks Road trip is best done between the months of May-September. This time will offer pleasant and sometimes hot temperatures for exploring.

Plan for Gas, Food and Water

Some of the national parks in Colorado are out in nature and lack services in the area. Make sure to plan ahead and have a full gas tank, plenty of water and snacks or food while you explore these parks. The gas buddy app is a great free tool to help you find nearby gas stations.

Start Planning as Soon as You Have Your Travel Dates

Colorado is a popular state to visit, and lodging and car rentals can sell out quickly during peak season. To ensure the best and most choice in accommodation and vehicles, book as soon as you can. This is especially true if you require adapted vehicles or ADA accessible hotel rooms.

Check out this post , for more tips on planning your next national park trip.

Itineraries for Your Colorado National Parks Road Trip

Since many people only have one week to devote to a vacation, I have given you the best way to see all four national parks in that time. I have also given you options for popular sites to see if you have a little longer than seven days or if you want to combine Colorado’s national parks with a couple nearby parks in Utah.

7 Day Colorado National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: denver to estes park.

Drive Time: 90 minutes Where to Stay: Quality Inn near Rocky Mountain National Park offers clean rooms, some which are fully wheelchair accessible with a roll-in shower, free parking, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins is also an excellent choice, offering beautiful views, accessible rooms with a roll-in shower and a lodge feel.

If you want to splurge on a unique and possibly haunting experience, consider staying right at the Stanley Hotel . Make sure to book early however, as the most notoriously haunted rooms book well in advance. Wheelchair accessible rooms are also available at the hotel, just contact the Reservation Department at 970-577-4076 to make arrangements.

If you are traveling in a RV or trailer, a great nearby campground is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Estes Park . They have a range of fun amenities designed for families and are a short drive from the park.

Suggested Things to Do: I f you are flying to Denver, pick up your rental car and head to Estes Park to decrease your driving time for tomorrow. Take time to adjust to the altitude or take a ghost tour of the famous Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining”.

Day 2: Rocky Mountain National Park

Where to Stay: Stay in the same hotel or lodge that you spent night one in.

Suggested Things to Do: I t will be quite easy to spend a full day at Rocky Mountain National Park , even as a wheelchair user. Take the scenic Trail Ridge Road, one of the most popular drives in the park. If you are not bothered by the elevation, consider doing some hikes; Coyote Valley Trail, the first portion of Bear Lake, and Sprague Lake are all wheelchair accessible and offer lovely views.

Day 3: Estes Park to Montrose, Colorado

Driving Time: 6 1/2 hours Where to Stay: Stay Wise Inns of Montrose is close to the park and offers a hearty breakfast, free parking, and Wi-Fi. Alternatively, you could also choose the Hampton Inn Montrose, which is pet friendly, has a buffet breakfast and free parking and Wi-Fi.

If camping, Riverbend RV Park & Cabins is a scenic and convenient place to stay. There are cabin rentals (not accessible) or RV sites with hook-ups.

This is the longest day of driving in this Colorado National Parks Road trip itinerary. This is due to how secluded the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is. I assure you, however, that visiting this park is worth the drive. It is one of the least visited parks and can be considered a hidden gem.

Once you check into your accommodation, rest up and enjoy a nice dinner before your busy day tomorrow.

Day 4: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Drive Time: Ab out 30 minutes depending on the hotel. Where to Stay: Your accommodation should be the same as the previous night.

Suggested Things to Do: The full day is dedicated to this gorgeous national park. There are rims of the canyon to visit and three scenic drives available. There are no bridges connecting the two rims so allow about two hours to drive from one rim to the other.

I highly suggest getting an early start so you can enjoy all three scenic drives. This park is also a fantastic place to visit after dark for stargazing. It is considered a dark park as there is hardly any light pollution, allowing all the stars to appear brighter. For more information on visiting this national park, check out this post .

Day 5: Montrose to Durango/Mesa Verde National Park

Drive Time: 2 1/2 hours Where to Stay: Holiday Inn Express Durango Downtown- Animas River has a pretty location and offers breakfast, parking, Wi-Fi and more. The DoubleTree by Hilton Durango is another option and has onsite restaurants, breakfast, is pet friendly, and offers free Wi-Fi.

Alpen Rose RV Park is a good choice for those who plan to camp. This RV Park is close to all the major attractions and electric sites and other amenities.

Suggested Things to Do: Today’s drive features the scenic Million Dollar Highway which offers awe-inspiring views. Feel free to take your time and stop for some pictures.

Durango is a short 38-minute drive from Mesa Verde National Park, which for wheelchair users, can easily be seen in half a day. Mesa Verde National Park features cliff dwellings of the Puebloan people that lived here between 550 A.D. to 1300 A.D.

While the park has limited accessibility, the Mesa Top Loop has the most accessible viewing areas and scenic viewpoints. You can also visit the museum within the park.

Day 6: Durango to Great Sand Dunes National Park

Drive Time: 3 1/2 hours Where to Stay: Hampton Inn Alamosa is in a nearby town and about 30 minutes from the park. It has a delicious breakfast, with the option to get it to go. Free parking and Wi-Fi are also offered. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Alamosa is another good option and offers breakfast, free parking and is pet friendly.

Suggested Things to Do: Unfortunately, there is limited access for wheelchair users within Great Sand Dunes National Park . The visitor’s center does offer free use of an all-terrain beach wheelchair so that people with mobility problems can get a closer look at the sand dunes. Using this chair will require traveling with a companion that can assist in pushing.

There is a scenic drive, but a four wheeled drive vehicle is necessary to complete it. Part of the drive may work for other vehicles but monitor conditions as it is easy to get stuck in the sandy soil. Make sure to check out any ranger programs that are available as well.

Day 7: Great Sand Dunes to Denver

Drive Time: 4 hours

Suggested Things to Do: If you can get a late flight home, consider breaking up the drive and stopping in Colorado Springs to visit Garden of the Gods. This unique park has red rock formations that you can drive around to see and even has some accessible hikes.

Want to Visit All of the National Parks? Get Your FREE National Parks Checklist to Keep Track of Your Travels!

If You Have More Time for Your Colorado National Parks Road Trip

Colorado springs.

If you have longer than one week and want to see more of the incredible sights that Colorado has to offer, consider spending more time in Colorado Springs . There are several accessible things to do and short-day trips you can take. It’s a beautiful area that deserves at least a couple of days.

Colorado National Monument

You could also stop by Colorado National Monument on your way from Estes Park to Montrose. If you choose this option, plan to drive to Grand Junction and spend a night there as well as spend about 1/2 day visiting the monument.

Four Corners National Monument

Have you ever wanted to be in four states at once? Visiting four corners allows you to do just that as it is the official location where four states come together at one spot. For most people this is a quick stop to get a picture and then move on. It is about an hour drive from Mesa Verde National Park.

10 Day Colorado National Parks Road Trip with Some of Utah

If you have 10 days available for your Colorado National Parks Road trip and want to add in two more Utah national parks, then you can easily modify the itinerary mentioned above to suit your needs. This is how you can add Arches and Canyonlands National Parks to your trip.

Start the seven-day itinerary and make these slight changes.

Day 3: Estes Park to Moab

Drive Time: 7 hours Where to Stay: Best Western Plus Greenwell Inn offers clean and classy rooms with free parking and Wi-Fi as well as a continental breakfast. It is only 10 minutes away from Arches National Park. Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection By Hilton is a beautiful resort close to the national parks and offers free parking and Wi-Fi, breakfast, and a swimming pool.

For those who are camping, Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway is an RV park that offers lots of amenities and incredible views. They also have cabin and trailer rentals (not wheelchair accessible) that are available.

Suggested Things to Do: It will have been a long day of driving, so just settle into your hotel or campsite and relax.

Day 4: Arches National Park

Where to Stay: Stay in the same accommodation as you did on day 3.

Suggested Things to Do: Arches National Park has a scenic drive with many spots to get out of the vehicle. Stop at as many as possible and make sure you don’t mis Wolfe Ranch to see the remnants of an old cabin and a nearby rock wall with ancient petroglyphs.

If you plan to do any hiking, make sure to get an early start to your day to avoid the heat. The Delicate Arch hike is extremely popular to do at sunrise, but it is not wheelchair accessible. You can see many arches within the park however, from wheelchair-accessible viewing areas.

Day 5: Canyonlands National Park

Where to Stay: Spend another night at the hotel or campground you initially stayed at on day 3.

Suggested Things to Do: The Isle in the Sky portion of the park is not only one of the most popular areas in the park, but also the most wheelchair accessible. Along this drive there are scenic overlooks that will make you feel like you are in a western movie. Many views can be seen right from your vehicle.

The hike to Mesa Arch is quite popular, so get there early. Unfortunately, it is not wheelchair accessible. For those who can do the hike, however, it offers iconic views.

On your way back to your hotel or campground, be sure to stop by Dead Horse State Park. The story behind how the park got its name is tragic but the views are awesome. Essentially, a group of men herded up a large group of wild mustangs and corralled them into a fenced area near the edge of a cliff. They chose the ones they wanted and left the rest to die of heat and starvation.

Day 6: Moab to Montrose Colorado

Drive Time: 2 hours 43 minutes

Continue the original seven-day itinerary from Montrose to Denver.

Colorado National Parks Road Trip Packing List

Being prepared is essential when road tripping. Here are some must have items for your road trip . If you’d like my complete list of national park essentials, check out this post .

A road atlas is a must because GPS can be unreliable, especially in remote areas. It’s always a good idea to have maps as a backup so you can navigate your route. I like this one because it’s spiral bound, making it easy to use and it also has some national park information.

A first aid kit is essential for small injuries and cuts. This one is great because it’s easy to pack, has a lot of supplies and travels well.

Higher elevations, like the ones found in Colorado can make it easier for you to get dehydrated so it’s really important to drink lots of water. This insulated water bottle will keep your water cool so you can stay hydrated.

Similarly, higher elevations can make the sun feel more intense and you can burn easily. Protect your skin with sunscreen, even if it’s not typically a problem for you.

Make sure to capture all of your memories with an easy to use and lightweight camera. This is the one I use and it has a great zoom option for taking wildlife photos.

With a wide range of temperatures each day, it’s important to bring layers of clothing so you are prepared for all types of weather. I love this long-sleeved T-shirt because it shows your love of the national parks.

➡️ Remember this road trip for years to come or help inspire the next one when you pick an item from this list of best gifts for national park lovers to give to your loved one.

The National Parks in Colorado offer a wonderful way to experience the nature of the state while offering at least some accessibility to people with mobility problems. I hope that this road trip guide to visiting the Colorado National Parks has helped give you a fantastic itinerary so that you can check all four parks off your bucket list.

I'm Kristin and I was born with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy, which impacts my mobility and breathing. Despite this challenge, I have travelled across the United States and abroad and want to share my accessible travel information with others.

The Ultimate Colorado-Utah National Parks Road Trip

The national parks in Colorado and Utah are bucket list destinations for many travelers, and for good reason! The rugged terrain, inspiring views, rich histories and vibrant communities will create memories for you and your family that will last a lifetime. 

We’ve put together the ultimate 17 day Colorado-Utah national parks road trip itinerary, with an extra stop at Grand Canyon National Park for good measure. Take your time on this road trip of a lifetime, and enjoy immersing yourself in the colorful landscapes and stories of the American Southwest. 

While this is the route we recommend, you can always skip or add days as you see fit. If you don’t have enough time to see it all, please come and visit again!

Day 1: Denver to Great Sand Dunes National Park [4 hours]

To begin your national parks road trip start in Denver and head south toward Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Wed recommend taking CO Highway 285 so that you can stop for a short break in Salida . This river-centric little town is the perfect place to stop for lunch (we’d recommend Sweeties for sandwiches or Moonlight Pizza & Brewery for local pizza and beers), do a little shopping in the Creative District, and watch rafters, kayakers, and surfers enjoy the town whitewater park. 

After exploring Salida, finish the drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve ! The NPS here doesn’t rent out any sand boards, so you’ll need to make a stop before you enter Great Sand Dunes. Just four miles from the Visitor Center, visit Great Sand Dunes Oasis to rent sand boards or sand sleds then head into the park for an afternoon of fun on the dunes! In addition to the sandy fun and hiking found in the park, Great Sand Dunes is an International Dark Sky Park, making it an excellent spot to stargaze. You can camp in the park at Piñon Flats Campground (we’d recommend booking this campsite in advance, as it can fill up quickly), or any of the campsites surrounding the park for maximum stargazing exposure! 

Day 2: Great Sand Dunes National Park to Mesa Verde National Park [4 hours]

On your way to Mesa Verde National Park, stop by Root House in Pagosa Springs for your morning coffee. If you are feeling a little stiff from the day before (too much sand boarding?), take a quick soak in one of the many hot springs right in town. Once you feel refreshed and revived, keep on heading to Mancos . We’d recommend spending a full day in Mesa Verde National Park, so today would be a great day to explore the arts scene in downtown Mancos, grab a local cider at Fenceline Cider or dive into the outdoor recreation surrounding the neighboring town of Dolores . There are so many amazing places to stay in Mesa Verde Country, from historic bed and breakfasts to guest ranches, campgrounds and RV parks. Whatever your lodging preferences are, you’ll be sure to find something just right for you.

Day 3: Mesa Verde National Park

There’s so much to see and do in Mesa Verde National Park , so we’d recommend getting an early start with exploring today! Make sure to stop by the Visitor and Research Center on your way in, grab a map and some insights from park rangers about the Indigenous history that makes this area so special. Mesa Verde is the first national park created to “preserve the works of man”, and the cliff dwellings, petroglyphs and other archaeological sites will truly blow your mind! In addition to the incredible living history, this park will wow you with sweeping views, unique interesting wildlife and if you stay late enough, stargazing. 

If you are visiting from mid-May to mid-October, we’d highly recommend you take a guided tour of one of the cliff dwellings for the most intimate and hands-on experience! For an adventurous option, we’d recommend touring Balcony House —get ready to climb some ladders, squeeze through tunnels and explore ancient passages. Cliff dwelling tours do fill up quickly, so book in advance! You can reserve your spot 14 days before your visit. 

After a day of exploring the Indigenous heritage and history of the park, you’ll probably be ready to do a little rest! There are plenty of great spots to stay in the park—if camping is your thing, check out the Morefield Campground , and if you are looking for a comfy mattress and the luxury of sleeping indoors, head to the Far View Lodge for the evening. Either way, be sure to take some time to stargaze in the evening, and enjoy a sky very similar to the one the Ancestral Puebloans gazed up at thousands of years ago. Mesa Verde National Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park, and it sits at the center of the darkest skies remaining in the lower 48. The high elevation, arid climate, sparse population and clear skies will give you a stargazing experience like no other. 

Day 4: Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Cortez

Mesa Verde National Park is a world-class destination, but don’t sleep on the surrounding sites in the area! On day four of your road trip, be sure to check out Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. This rugged landscape contains the highest known density of archaeological sites in the United States, more than 6,000! Stop by the Visitor Center and Museum to begin your day and to get some pointers from the knowledgeable staff. Head to Lowry Pueblo for a family-friendly experience walking through ancient buildings and around sacred kivas, or enjoy a picturesque hike or mountain bike ride in Sand Canyon complete with views of cliff dwellings and Sleeping Ute Mountain.

After a fun-filled day exploring the quieter side of Mesa Verde Country, stop for dinner and a place to sleep in Cortez. The Farm Bistro offers incredible farm-to-table style dining with local meat and produce, and WildEdge Brewing Collective offers delicious and unique local brews. To further dive into the Indigenous heritage in the area, we recommend staying at Ancient Echoes at Kelly Place , a lodge and retreat tucked into McElmo Canyon surrounded by orchards, just a few minutes outside of Cortez.

Day 5: Mesa Verde Country to Canyonlands National Park [2 hours]

On your way out of town today be sure to grab a coffee and a pastry from the Silver Bean , plus groceries and water for the day. There are limited amenities in Canyonlands National Park , so be prepared to cook your own meals. 

 It’s just a short drive to Canyonlands from Cortez, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the views and experiences in this immense and inspiring national park. Canyonlands has an astounding amount of potential for the adventurous traveler, and there are plenty of guided tour options for everything from mountain biking to rafting, horseback riding and four-wheeling. For this itinerary, we will be focusing on the Needles area in the southeast corner of the park. There are plenty of paved lookouts here and even more hiking opportunities. For a moderate hike with great views, head to Chesler Park Viewpoint . Be sure to bring lots of water and sunscreen on your adventure! 

You can camp in the Needles Campground after a day spent exploring, but for a more unique experience, we’d recommend staying at Glamping Canyonlands , just outside of the park. They offer astronomy tours in the evenings, and who wouldn’t want to relax in a sauna after a day spent hiking in the desert? 

Day 6: Canyonlands National Park to Monument Valley [2-3 hours]

For day six of your road trip extravaganza, you are headed to Arizona! The iconic Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is open to the public from 8am to 5pm, so make sure to give yourself enough time to explore. We highly recommend taking a guided tour from a Diné-owned and operated tour guide for the ultimate experience and Indigenous perspective of this sacred landscape. 

To immerse yourself even further into the local culture and cuisine, stay at the View Hotel , the only lodging available inside of the park. There are hotel rooms, snug cabins, and RV park and camping options available, as well as a restaurant on-site serving traditional Diné dishes.

Day 7: Monument Valley to Page [2 hours, 15 minutes]

Today you are going to head to Page, Arizona, and will have some time to take photos at the picture-perfect Horseshoe Bend and even take a dip in Lake Powell! If you are feeling extra adventurous, you could take an Antelope Canyon tour as well—the options are endless. For a quick lunch stop (and potentially the best fried chicken in the West), stop at BirdHouse before you continue to explore the canyons around Page. 

For a water-based activity, we’d recommend taking a half-day Horseshoe Bend rafting trip to get a different perspective on the iconic viewpoint and then visiting the lookout at sunset for those Instagram-worthy photos. 

After a fun-filled day enjoying the red-rock wonderland surrounding Page, stay at the Shash Diné Eco Retreat for another culturally immersive experience. You can stay in a traditional Navajo Hogan or a more modern glamping tent or cabin. They also offer tours of Antelope Canyon and other luxury tours, and traditional Navajo storytelling and meals.

Day 8: Page to Grand Canyon National Park [2 hours, 30 minutes]

For the eighth day of your national parks road trip, you are going to head to Grand Canyon National Park ! For this itinerary, we are sending you to the North Rim for a quieter, less-visited and no less majestic experience. Keep in mind, this side of the canyon is only open from mid-May to mid-October, so plan accordingly.

Enjoy a scenic drive with panoramic views and hike along the North Kaibab Trail and down into the canyon. Please do not attempt to hike all the way to the river and back in one day, this full round trip is 28 miles. Be sure to bring plenty of water, and don’t hike during the hottest part of the day. Remember to pace yourself and be prepared. There are no easy hiking trails in and out of the canyon. If you’d like an even more unique experience, consider a mule tour ! 

End your grand day with camping at the North Rim Campground or staying at the Grand Canyon Lodge. The Dining Room at the Lodge offers panoramic views of the canyon, so we’d highly recommend grabbing a meal here. 

Day 9: Grand Canyon to Zion National Park [3 hours]

Head out bright and early to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy Zion National Park today! If you need a coffee or a snack before your day in the park, stop by Deep Creek Coffee Company in Springdale, UT, just outside the entrance to Zion National Park. The National Park Service also offers a free shuttle service from town into the park, which is a great way to save yourself some time trying to find parking. For the majority of the year, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is only open to shuttle buses or with a special permit (your park entrance pass is not a permit). Because of this, we recommend you plan on using the shuttle bus to get to your destination in the park (or if you’d just like to take a ride for the scenic views!).  

There are wheelchair accessible paths with great views near the Visitor Center, and at the final stop of the shuttle bus, Temple of Sinawava. For a moderate hike, we’d recommend the Watchman Trail . Hiking the Narrows or to Angels Landing are both very strenuous adventures, and require a bit more planning. Because of the popularity of Angels Landing, you will need a permit , and since the Narrows does go through the river, it’s important to check water levels and flash flood potential before you attempt this hike. 

After a day exploring Zion, camp at South Campground or Watchman Campground near the mouth of Zion Canyon by the Visitor Center, or head back into Springdale for dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants in town (we’d recommend the Whiptail Grill for great Mexican food!). If you’d prefer sleeping in a bed over camping, there are plenty of great lodging options right in town as well. 

Day 10: Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park [2 hours]

Today you are headed north to Bryce Canyon National Park , home of the largest concentration of hoodoos found on Earth! After your drive, grab a coffee and a breakfast burrito at Bryce Canyon Coffee Co. before heading into the park. There are plenty of amazing hikes in the park, but for an even more unique experience we recommend you go horseback riding into the famous Bryce Amphitheater! 

Once you’ve had your fill of red and pink cliffs and vivid blue skies, head out of the park and toward Escalante, UT where you’ll spend the evening. Stop for dinner at 4th West Pub , and then check into Yonder Escalante for a fun and unique stay in an Airstream! Jumping into the hot tub after a day of adventuring will really hit the spot, and finishing the day off enjoying their drive-in movie theater is the icing on the cake.

Day 11: Escalante to Capitol Reef National Park [1 hour, 30 minutes]

For your 11th day on this whirl-wind national parks road trip, head to the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park ! Lace up your hiking boots and head out on the Chimney Rock Loop for stunning panoramic views of Waterfold Pocket cliffs, and afterward pick some apples , peaches or apricots (season-dependent) from the historic orchards surrounding the Visitor Center. 

The stargazing opportunities around Capitol Reef are truly incredible, so we’d recommend camping and really enjoying the night sky. The Fruita Campground is often referred to as an oasis in the desert, and for good reason. The campground is adjacent to the Fremont River, and is surrounded by the historic orchards mentioned above. 

Day 12: Capitol Reef to Moab [2 hours]

You’ve been traveling for almost two weeks now on your national parks road trip, so when you get to Moab take a little time to relax! Explore the shops and restaurants around town, enjoy a massage and the stunning views surrounding the town. Have some energy to spare? Head out for a hike or a mountain bike ride on one of the many nearby trails. For dinner, check out the Desert Bistro and if you are craving something sweet, make sure to get a milkshake from Milt’s !

For a unique sleeping experience, try out Under Canvas Moab , a truly luxurious glamping experience. Located just a few miles out of town, this is a great spot to kick back and relax surrounded by the rugged red rocks and starry skies. Since you’ll be in the Moab area for two days, it may be just the spot to post up for tonight and tomorrow night.  

Day 13: Arches National Park

For your 13th day, head to Arches National Park to explore fantastic stone arches, towering pinnacles and giant rocks balanced precariously. On your way to the park, make sure to grab a coffee and a muffin from Red Rock Bakery and Cafe in town. Because of Arches’ popularity, you will need a reservation to get into the park between April and October, so plan ahead for today! 

For a short, wheelchair accessible hike (with some assistance) with views of the tallest arch in the park, head to the Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail . There are so many incredible trails and views in the park, but if you feel the need to visit Delicate Arch (understandably so), be prepared, understand your own fitness and health levels, and be ready to share the view with other visitors, especially if you decide to visit around sunset. Because Arches has become such a popular destination, it’s very important to practice Leave No Trace principles, never climb on the arches or scratch, carve or paint on the rocks (this is still a form of graffiti and requires an immense amount of work to remove). 

After your day of exploring some of the most iconic landscapes in the American West, you can either head back to town for a bit to eat and a second night at Under Canvas Moab, or you may want to camp in the park at the Devils Garden Campground . This is another very popular campground, so you will need to make reservations well in advance. There are plenty of other incredible campsites outside of the park if you can’t secure a spot in the park.

Day 14: Arches to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park [3 hours]

Today you are headed back to Colorado! It’s a little bit more of a drive today, so get an early start and stop at Backstreet Bagel for a bite in Montrose before heading to the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park . This park is an underrated gem with mind-blowing views of some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock and craggiest spires in North America. 

The South Rim Road is a scenic drive with 12 overlooks and can easily take between 2 and 3 hours to fully enjoy all the stops. This is a great way to see the majestic canyon walls from multiple viewpoints. For a good moderate hike, walk the Rim Rock Nature Trail . You’ll have great views of the Gunnison River, the local flora, and potentially some of the local wildlife as well! Camp at the South Rim Campground or head to Paonia for the evening (about an hour away), grab a delicious hard cider from Big B’s , and then camp or stay in a cabin in their orchard for the night.  

Day 15: Paonia to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park [4 hours]

You’ve got a longer drive today, so we have a few stops to break it up. Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at Sweetgrass Paonia then head north, soaking in the views over McClure Pass and stopping in Glenwood Springs for a soak in one of the hot springs right in town and some lunch at Slope & Hatch .

Once you’ve refueled and replenished, keep heading north to Grand Lake and the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Spend the afternoon stand-up paddle boarding on the gorgeous Grand Lake or Shadow Mountain Lake, then get your fix of Caribbean cuisine at One Love Rum Kitchen . For a convenient and cozy hotel, look no further than Western Riviera Lakeside Lodging . You’ll be able to walk anywhere in town from here and you’ll be able to enjoy stunning views of the lake right from your room’s balcony! 

Day 16: Grand Lake to Estes Park through Rocky Mountain National Park [1 hour, 30 minutes]

Today on your national parks road trip you are going to drive Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park , all the way over to Estes Park (with some fun stops in between!). Trail Ridge Road winds through mountain forests all the way up to alpine tundra, and you can expect spectacular views the entire time. This road is not open year-round, so make sure to check conditions before you head out. Rocky Mountain also requires a reservation during peak season, so plan accordingly.

Along Trail Ridge Road, stop for a hike on Tombstone Ridge . This hike usually takes around 2 hours and will give you sweeping alpine views. You will be hiking at elevation, so be sure to bring plenty of water and be ready for rapid changes in weather. 

Once you’ve gotten your fill of fresh mountain air, head down to your last stop on your national parks road trip, Estes Park. There are plenty of adorable shops in town, so we recommend exploring a bit before you head to dinner at one of the many locally-owned restaurants in town. If you want to camp, head to Mary’s Lake Campground for the evening, or spend the night at the historic Stanley Hotel , the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. 

Day 17: Estes Park to Denver [1 hour, 30 minutes]

Grab a morning beverage and maybe a new book from Inkwell and Brew before heading to Denver, the finale of your national parks road trip extravaganza. We hope you enjoyed all the sights and experiences along the way! 

Please note that this national parks road trip itinerary is a rough guide, and you may need to adjust the number of days spent at each location based on your interests and pace of travel. Additionally, availability of accommodations and camping sites may vary, so it’s a good idea to make reservations in advance, especially during peak travel seasons. Enjoy your adventure!

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Denver, Colorado to Utah National Parks Road Trip

One of our favorite road trips takes you from denver’s lively urban scene in colorado to the red rock wilderness of zion national park, utah’s first national park. from ancient native american rock drawings to incredible hikes through red-rock country, this unforgettable road trip takes you through some of the country’s least inhabited areas and offers something fun for for everyone..

Start: Denver International Airport

From DIA, visit Rocky Mountain National Park to the north, or Pike’s Peak to the south. Or explore Denver, known as the Mile High City, and its vibrant downtown full of great places to eat, stay and feed your cultural soul.

Denver, Colorado

Make advanced reservations for tea or have lunch in Denver’s beautiful historic Brown Palace Hotel built in 1892 in the Italian Renaissance style. The Brown Palace has attracted many notable guests over time, including the “Unsinkable Molly Brown” who reportedly stayed there one week after surviving the Titanic disaster, the Beatles, President Harry Truman and President Dwight Eisenhower, among many others.

Afterwards, make your way to the Denver Art Museum. It’s 2006 addition was designed by world-renown architect Daniel Libeskind and is fascinating to look at from the outside since the museum’s exterior features geometric angles made from titanium.

The Denver Art Museum has an incredible permanent collection and great temporary exhibits. When you need a break, try your own hand in creating masterpieces in the Paint Studio, a beautiful room full of easels, which is free to all museum patrons.

Within a five-minute walk is the fascinating History Colorado Center , which offers great, interactive exhibits for families to learn more about Colorado. Don’t miss the Howelsen Hill ski jump simulator that makes you feel like you are skiing off an extremely high jump and landing in front of a crowd of spectators in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

I-70 is the quickest way to travel west, punching through the spine of the Continental Divide via the Eisenhower Tunnel, and taking you past many of Colorado’s famed ski towns like Vail. Wilderness areas and ritzy ski towns abound throughout the central Rockies of Colorado. If you want to take a break and swim, the hot spring pools in Glenwood Springs will relax sore muscles and rejuvenate you for the next leg of your trip.

Grand Junction, Colorado

As you approach Grand Junction, keep an eye out for fresh peaches in local orchards, or find one of the growing number of vineyards and buy a bottle of wine. Wine, food and plenty of life’s finer things flow freely at the Colorado Mountain Winefest held annually.

Nearby is Colorado National Monument — a glimpse of the redrock country you’ll see in abundance in the Four Corners area and beyond into Utah. The monument has spectacular views of the valley floor and great ranger talks in the evenings, if you plan on camping at one of the scenic campgrounds in the monument.

Take I-70W at Grand Junction and continue to the Moab exit. Be sure to fill up your gas tank in Grand Junction as this route offers very few services.

Two must-see national parks along this route are Arches and Canyonlands located near Moab, Utah. Moab is a fantastic town to spend time in as it is a true adventurer’s town. It’s an 80-mile drive from Dove Creek, Colo., to Moab via US Hwy. 491. At Monticello, take US 191 N. to Moab, a fantastic town for outdoor enthusiasts to spend time.

From multiple bike rental shops, river-rafting companies and a main street full of restaurants for all budgets, Moab makes it easy to explore the incredible red-rock canyons around it. There are a variety of places to camp for the night or stay indoors at one of the myriad of hotels there. Plus, you’ll have all the energy in the world to see it all after drinking a fantastic latte in the morning at one of the town’s fantastic breakfast and coffee shops.

Read more about Moab.

Arches National Park

Several minutes from the heart of Moab is the entrance to Arches National Park . Stop at the visitor center to learn more about the park’s fascinating history before you drive up the steep road to the park. To really experience the park, get out of your car and hike the three-mile roundtrip trail to Delicate Arch, the arch on Utah’s license plates. Be sure to start early and bring a lot of water with you as there is no shade on this route.

A longer but thrilling hiking experience is the Devils Garden Primitive Loop. It’s over seven miles in length and has narrow ledges with a rocky surface that requires scrambling on slickrock. You pass by eight arches along the way, making the trail worth the effort.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Further beyond Arches, drive 40 minutes to Island in the Sky District along US 191 until you get to UT-313. On your way to Canyonlands’ Island District, stop by the state park where the final scene in the movie “Thelma and Louise” was shot.  Dead Horse Point State Park was named after a tragic event at one of the natural rock corrals back in the 1800s.

Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky District

Resting on a mesa 1,000 feet above the canyon floor in Canyonlands National Park , Island in the Sky District overlooks the Green River, the White Rim Trail and a crater as well as offers glimpses of an ancient granary and evidence of a historic ranch. Stay on UT-313 for 22 miles until you get to the visitor center. This district offers incredible scenic views of the park via a great paved road, but there are also a number of hikes you can do to explore by foot. Stop at the visitor center to find the hike the best suits your abilities. Head back to Moab.

Dinosaurs and History

Make your way south to Blanding, Utah on UT-191. On your way, stop at the Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument , a famous petroglyph panel. Ancient Puebloan people who lived in the area from 100 B.C, to 1540 A.D. carved many of the symbols, animals and figures into the rock. You will notice some of the art is lighter in color. It’s different because it is more recent, having been created by the Ute people who still live in the Four Corners region. There are toilet facilities here, as well as plenty of parking, including for RVs.

The Canyonlands Needles District is an additional 22 lonely but scenic miles past Newspaper Rock to the park. To see an ancestral Puebloan ruin in the Needles District, take Roadside Ruin, a .3-mile hike that takes about 20 minutes. For a 40-minute hike, check out Cave Springs, which will bring you by a historic cowboy camp and prehistoric petroglyphs. There are two ladders to climb on this hike. Check in with the visitor center there for more strenuous day hikes. The Needles District is a beacon for backpackers, so a number of people in this district are there for overnight trips.

Loop back to UT-191 and head south to Monticello. A half-mile before town, stop at the Canyon County Discovery Center of the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education . Explore hands-on learning stations and exhibits about the Colorado Plateau. Afterwards, stretch your legs on a leisurely hike on the campus trails.

Continue south on UT-191. In Blanding, stop at the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum  which invites visitors to understand the life and culture of the ancient Puebloans. A restored site includes pathways through ruins as well as the chance to enter a kiva the old way, via ladder. Rare artifacts are housed in the museum.

Also in Blanding is  The Dinosaur Museum where exhibits invoke the question, did all dinosaurs have feathers? The museum also has an extensive collection of dinosaur movie posters from around the world.

Monument Valley

Continue on UT-191 South and turn west on UT-163 at the city of Bluff. Located in Southeast Utah and the Northern border of Arizona, the drive through Monument Valley has been called the most scenic in America by many and it’s no wonder why. To get a closer view, stop by the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center to browse the museums and get a guided jeep tour. The View Hotel and its restaurant have spectacular views of the rock formations.

Page and Lake Powell

Continue south on UT-163 then turn west on Highway 160, and west on AZ-98 to Lake Powell . It’s the ultimate playground with nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline, perfect weather and some of the west’s most spectacular scenery. Rent a houseboat or enjoy our resorts and take a guided tour at Lake Powell Resorts & Marina, and explore the Glen Canyon Dam and slot Canyons near Page, Arizona . Nearby take a photography tour of famous Antelope Canyon , accessible only by Navajo Guide.

Kanab, Utah

To the northwest of Page, travel on UT-89 to  Kanab, Utah . Its location allows you to stay in one place while visiting a many parks: Grand Canyon North Rim, Zion, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, Lake Powell. There are many pro tour guides in Kanab, so you may consider making it your basecamp for a couple of days.

Zion National Park

Drive north of Kanab on UT-89 and take a west turn at Mt. Carmel Junction on UT-9. You arrive at Zion National Park through the Mount Carmel Tunnel  and drive the Mount Carmel Highway to Zion Canyon. Along the drive you will see and learn why people have been coming to this striking geologic area for thousands of years from ancient peoples to the Paiute Indians to Mormons, frontier explorers and tourists. Start your exploration at Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Here you can get recommendations from park rangers and hop on a park shuttle . Bucket-list activities include wading the Virgin River thorugh the Zion Narrows and climbing to Angel’s Landing . Lodging can be found in the gateway towns of Springdale or further to the west in St. George. A unique overnight experience can be had with Zion Backcountry Yurts .

From Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon is only 1.5-hour drive away. Head east on UT-9 and north on US-89, then east on UT-12.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Famous for its weird and wonderful hoodoos—bulbous rock pillars— Bryce Canyon National Park in southwestern Utah park also offers hiking, horseback riding , camping, and some of the country’s darkest skies for stargazing. Drive the park’s scenic road for access to a dozen stunning overlooks. Head to Ruby’s Inn for an out-of-the-ordinary night in a tipi, or rustic cabin.

From Bryce Canyon, take the incredibly scenic 2 hour-and-30-minute (with no stops) route on UT-12W. From the park, head east on UT-24 to Torrey, Utah.

Capitol Reef National Park

Walk by 200 million years of geologic history at Capitol Reef Country  in Torrey, Utah, as you check out Capitol Reef National Park ‘s scenic domes and narrow valleys. Its human history is much shorter, although humans have inhabited this area for more than 7,000 years, first as hunter and gatherers and much later as Mormon settlers. A mile or two of the park’s visitor center, you will see evidence of the Mormon setters who planted the apple, peach, pear, apricot and cherry trees growing alongside the road.

Stay the night at the Broken Spur Inn and wake up to a hot breakfast buffet with fresh-baked pastries and rolls.

Back to Denver

From Capitol Reef National Park, head northeast to join I-70 East. Skip over any Colorado attractions on the way? Now’s your second chance to explore the Rockies.

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Colorado National Park Road Trip: Explore 4 Parks in One Week!

Do you know about the other three fascinating National Parks in Colorado? Well, as huge fans of the famous Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, we are embarrassed to admit neither did we. So we set off on a Colorado National Park Road Trip to check out Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Read on for this truly epic road trip! Caution: you’ll want to start planning your adventure exploring the unexpected.

Itinerary for Your Colorado National Park Road Trip

This road trip to all 4 Colorado National Parks could easily be completed in one vacation week, starting on Saturday and ending on Sunday. In the itinerary below, you’ll find the travel days are pretty laid back. You won’t find yourself exhausted at the end of the week.

We’ve also made a few notes recommending extra days if you have more time as this trip would be a lot of fun to expand to 2 weeks!

1 Week Itinerary for Colorado National Park Road Trip

Day 1: Leave Denver and Drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park (have an extra day? Insert a day exploring Colorado Springs here) Day 2: Full Day to Explore Great Sand Dunes National Park Day 3: Drive to Mesa Verde, stopping along Highway 160. Consider a stop in Durango for a historic train ride. Day 4: Full Day to Explore Mesa Verde National Park Day 5: Drive to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, exploring along the way. Consider a stop in Telluride. Day 6: Full Day to Explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison Day 7: Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park (have an extra day? Explore around Gunnison and stop at the Taylor Reservoir for world-class trout fishing.) Day 8: Explore Rocky Mountain National Park (have an extra day? You could easily spend 3 full days in Rocky Mountain National Park… it’s that big!) Day 9: Explore RMNP in the morning and head back to Denver in the afternoon

Park # 1: Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park

When I told Brad that Great Sand Dunes would be the first stop on our Colorado National Park Road Trip he literally rolled his eyes. “Really! Why?” And my very lame answer was that I wanted to check it off our National Park list. I promised we’d be in and out in a few hours.

Little did we know that this park would be a day of play and more fun than a roll of bubble wrap. We were giggling like little kids before the day was over. Today we enthusiastically recommend a day in Great Sand Dunes National Park to anyone planning to road trip through Colorado.

Getting to Great Sand Dunes National Park from Denver

Great Sand Dunes National Park is about 4 hours out of Denver (our starting point), so we figured we could make it a quick lunch stop. For our Colorado National Park Road Trip, from Denver to get to Great Sand Dunes National Park, there are two driving options.

• Option 1  follows Interstate 25 through Colorado Springs. It’s a great choice if you have an extra day to spend in that fantastic city. (Love, love, love Colorado Springs!) But it can be a rather dull 4-hour interstate drive if you are not stopping along the way.

• Option Two  – The scenic route across the top of the mountains along Highway 285. This route was beautiful as we traveled along the mountain ridges. If we were to choose again, I would pick this stunning route all over. However, let me add a few warnings: Per GPS, both ways are 4 hours long. Of course, that’s not necessarily true in real life. This route is mostly two lanes and heavy truck traffic. If there is an accident (as we encountered), you might have to sit awhile. As in any rural area, bathrooms are few and far between! 4 hours without a bathroom stop doesn’t work for this gal, so when we found a little roadside diner, we bought coffee to use the bathroom.

Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park

See the tallest sand dunes in North America at Great Sand Dunes National Park, just north of Alamosa, Colorado. Here you’ll find some of the largest living sand dunes on Earth. Their height makes this place unique; 700 feet tall (almost two football fields!) and extremely steep (about 45 degrees).

If you’re into sandboarding, this is a great place to bring your board and enjoy the rolling waves of sand. The view from atop the dunes alone makes it worthy of a visit.

The best part of this park is you are encouraged to “mess up” the landscape! Usually, when you hike in a National Park, there is an overwhelming emphasis on leave no trace behind, right? Well, here, mother nature is going to clean up right after you. By that, I am referring to the number one activity on the sand dunes: sliding down the dune as if it were snow.

And graffiti is welcome. Stomp out your name in the side of a dune for fun pictures. By morning the winds will have blown and smoothed away all your markings. Two hours quickly turned into a full day as we climbed up and down the dunes, leaving our mark in the sand.

Plan Your Itinerary for Great Sand Dunes National Park

There are many other fun things to do, and it was a shame we only planned 1/2 day here. If you can swing a couple of days, you will get a chance for a truly unique experience. Here’s what you should include in your road trip itinerary for your Great Sand Dunes National Park stop.

• Climb to the top of the Sand Dunes, and slide down. You’ll find families enjoying the steep sand dunes with everything from cardboard boxes to those old-fashioned flying saucer sleds.
• Hike the dunes, which cover over 30 square miles. There are no trails since the wind wipes the surface clean daily, so wander wherever you like.
• Experience solitude in this dark sky park. The lack of ambient light at night makes stargazing opportunities here some of the best anywhere on Earth. The Milky Way is glorious most nights from mid-summer to early fall.
• Raft the Medano Creek – A sure-fire way to work up an appetite after a day in the sand is to take a walk along Medano Creek. This stream is carved deep into the sand, creating beautiful scenery and great places to wade. Spring and early summer mean the water is flowing fast, perfect for light family rafting and tubing.
• Hike forest trails – Yes, there are forested trails within the park where you can find excellent relief on a hot summer day. A popular hike is the Montville Nature Trail, a relic of an early settlement.
• Drive Medano Pass Primitive Road – 4 Wheel Drive with a high lift is required for this adventure due to the soft sands and creek bed crossings. This road is a challenging 22-mile route linking the Great Sand Dunes with Colorado State Highway 69 and takes 3-4 hours to traverse. Note the road is closed in winter and often in spring for high water. However, if you are game for this trip, you will likely find bighorn sheep and wilderness few experiences.

Tips for your Great Sand Dunes Itinerary

👍 The sand surface temperature can be up to 150 degrees on a summer day, so plan your adventure early or later in the day to avoid the extreme summer heat. And of course, wear sunscreen. Please make sure you are prepared for hiking in hot weather .

👍 Rafting and sledding can be very inexpensive family activities. You’ll see a lot of dollar store blow-up rafts in the water. And for sledding, if you don’t have a smooth bottom sled, a shiny piece of cardboard will work.

👍 Great Sand Dunes is fairly pet friendly . Just make sure you are clear on where dogs are not allowed in the park.

Park #2: Mesa Verde National Park

I first went to Mesa Verde in fifth grade, and the recollection of those structures is still vivid. So I was eager to show Brad this marvel on our Colorado National Park Road Trip.

There is something very different and unique about Mesa Verde. Perhaps it’s because the structures are in such good shape that you can clearly imagine the ancient cliff dwellers living and working in them.

Getting to Mesa Verde National Park

Having stayed too long at Great Sand Dunes, we scooted West on Highway 160 towards  Mesa Verde National Park . To get to Mesa Verde National Park from Great Sand Dunes, it is a straight drive West on Highway 160.

The trip takes about 4 hours if you don’t stop. But you will want to stop at several of the pull-offs along the way to enjoy the amazing views.

This gorgeous route through the Rio Grande and the San Juan National Forests is worth dawdling to enjoy. In hindsight, had we known how much fun we’d have at Great Sand Dunes and how beautiful this drive would be, we would have camped along this route. There were many National Forest Campgrounds along Highway 160.

Instead, we had an exhausting push for 4 hours to our Mesa Verde campground. So little time… so much to see!

Things to Do In Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park is a popular national park in Colorado. It’s also one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings, with over 5,000 archaeological sites that date back to 1300 CE. There are several tours for visitors and many great hikes on trails through the pinyon pine forest around Mesa Verde Village.

Visiting Mesa Verde generally takes a full day. Make sure you start with a full tank of gas as it is a long drive to the homes of the ancient Pueblo People. The winding road along the mesa is about 20 miles of stunning view after stunning view. And that’s before you arrive at any of the cliff dwellings.

Plan Your Mesa Verde Itinerary

Here are some tips for making your trip to Mesa Verde National Park as memorable as possible:

• Take a tour of Cliff Palace or Balcony House – these two structures offer amazing views! You can view the cliff dwellings for free from the overlooks, but I’d urge you to purchase a ticket to one of the ranger-guided tours and drop right into these homes. We toured Cliff Palace and were thrilled with the knowledge the ranger guides shared. And it’s beyond cool to walk through the rooms! These and 4 other house tours require the advance purchase of tickets. You can get tickets up to 14 days in advance at Recreation.gov .  Note there is no internet or cell service in the park, so make sure you print hard copies or take a photo of your ticket.
• Self-tour several Mesa Top Sites like Cedar Tree Tower and Sun Temple for a different view of cliff dwelling life. These ruins and others are found along the Chapin Mesa Loop.
• Hiking – There are almost a dozen hikes under 3 miles  that take you to other ruins and more amazing views. Consider hiking Petroglyph Point Trail to a petroglyph panel or a shorter walk to Farming Terrace Trail, where you can see how check dams were used in farming.

Tips for Visiting Mesa Verde

👍 There is no gas available in Mesa Verde National Park. Fill up before arriving at the park since you’ll be doing a lot of driving. Foodservice is limited in the park, so a cooler with beverages and snacks is a good idea. You can usually get lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants in the park, but on busy days the wait might belong.

👍 Pet access is very limited in Mesa Verde. No pets are allowed on most trails and in none of the ruins.

👍 Mesa Verde National Park is a very popular place, and it can get crowded during the summer months. Plan accordingly when making your trip here! We also recommend visiting the park on a weekday if possible; this will decrease your chances of running into large crowds!

👍 Download the Mesa Verde Tour from GuideAlong before you go. You’ll be driving a lot of lonely miles in this park with very little information about the sites you’ll be passing. GuideAlong’s Mesa Verde tour plays on your phone and covers over 100 points of interest with a very engaging narrative.

Park # 3: Visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

If we were to give Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park a human persona, it would be that of a wrinkled and wise old woman. As you drive through the park, you just know that this old woman has millions of years worth of stories to tell.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is perhaps the most unique among National Parks in that it is not especially crowded, yet it offers a wealth of unexpected beauty.

Getting to Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Travel time between Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison is only a 4-hour drive North-East through the gorgeous San Juan National Forest. However, we extended this trip into a full-day excursion by adding a stop to explore Telluride. We enjoyed a gondola ride to the top of the ski slope and lunch on the mountain top at Tomboy Tavern.

After that, we hiked part of the trail to Bridal Veil Falls, a stunning waterfall with a drop of 365 feet. Then we strolled around Telluride’s historic downtown. It was a great way to spend a relaxing day.

Much to my chagrin, Brad loves to follow a National Forest campground sign and see where it goes. After driving for 20 minutes down country roads, he was right again, and we found a great campsite near a small fishing lake. We slept under a bright full moon and the view of the mountains out our tent opening was unimaginable.

The next morning we started to set up for breakfast when the winds suddenly changed. You could tell something nasty was about to happen! We broke camp in 5 minutes, throwing everything into the back of our car and left camp just as the storm broke loose. Whew!

We found a little country store where Brad was able to get some coffee. You know, one of those places that sell everything including the kitchen sink. Since we were there, he also grabbed a fishing license because, well, you never know when you’ll need one.

The store owner gave us directions to a cute little restaurant for breakfast and then we were off to Black Canyons of the Gunnison National Park.

Things to Do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a must-see spot for anyone on vacation in Colorado. It’s an impressive gorge with views like no other. The Gunnison River carved a deep, steep-walled gorge through Precambrian rock and formed the canyon’s floor.

With its spectacular drops and the striped Painted Wall cliff, the magnificent Black Canyon may be viewed from routes and trails along the north and south rims.

Plan your Black Canyon of the Gunnison Itinerary

• Drive down East Portal Road to the Bottom of the Canyon – Here, you descend to the canyon floor and drive right up to the Gunnison River. It is incredible to stand at the bottom and look up at the towering canyon walls that this river has carved. It’s a very steep drive with a 16% grade, so I was glad we had our 4 wheel drive SUV when we drove back up. It’s rare to have access to the bottom of a deep canyon-like you find in this park. Don’t miss this drive! There’s a parking place for towed campers at the top to make it easier for RVers. We had planned to camp next to the river in the East Portal Campground, with 15 semi-primitive first come, first serve sites. But I backed out when there weren’t any other campers and bear signs were everywhere. Someday I might get over this bear phobia, but then again, maybe not!
• Drive Scenic South Rim – On our trip, it felt like we had the place to ourselves because there were so few cars in the pull-offs. Most pull-offs had short hikes that led to amazing overlooks. This was definitely a photo kind of day! Plan for a couple of hours for the scenic drive. With the lack of crowds, this is the place to step back and admire the work of nature.
• Watch for Wildlife – Perhaps because there are fewer crowds, or maybe the wild terrain created by the vertical walls, wildlife is abundant in this park. You are likely to see mule deer and cottontail rabbits in the brush. Mountain lions and bears also make their home here. The steep walls are home to bighorn sheep. We found a campsite for the night in South Rim Campground. Although, we had to pass on our first campsite choice because a deer was guarding it. Perhaps she had a baby nearby!
• View amazing stars at night – Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP is definitely in the middle of “nowhere”. The nights are very black, which earned it a designation as an International Dark Sky Park. September brings the Black Canyon Astronomy Festival, where you can learn from astronomers.
• Fish the Gold Medal Water & Wild Trout Water – Trout Fishing in the Gunnison River is famous. Of course, Brad had to try his hand before we left the park. You’ll find fishing lodges all along the river as you follow it East.
• Hiking – You’ll find many short trails that are family-friendly along the scenic drives. Hiking to the river is more challenging so make sure you prepare with the right equipment and trail information.

Tips for visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

👍 Since this isn’t a busy park, it’s not too hard to get a campsite. However, lodging is pretty limited nearby. Look East towards the town of Gunnison for lodging options, where you’ll find rentals and fishing cabins.

👍 As in many places on our Colorado National Parks Road Trip, cell service is pretty much nonexistent in Black Canyon of the Gunnison. If possible, pay your Entrance Fee online as the gates are staffed for limited hours. Don’t forget to print your receipt out.

Park #4 Rocky Mountain National Park

No Colorado National Park Road Trip would be complete without a stop in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s one of our favorite parks, and we’ve spent many vacations exploring it. Wildlife is abundant and hiking is terrific here. Sadly, we didn’t make it to RMNP on this road trip through Colorado, but there is no reason why you shouldn’t.

Getting to Rocky Mountain National Park

From Black Canyon of the Gunnison to Rocky Mountain National Park, it’s about a 5 1/2 hour drive over the continental divide. Just to break it up a little for you, it’s 4 hours to Denver. And then from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park, it’s only another 1 1/2 hours. Other than the traffic around Denver, this is an amazing drive. The scenery can’t be beat!

After we left Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, we stopped in the town of Gunnison just in time for lunch at the  Ol’ Miner Steakhouse . There is an excellent selection of restaurants along the main drag; you’re sure to find something for any palate.

Also, along the main street of Gunnison, you will find a variety of hunting and fishing outfitters tucked in between little specialty shops.

After lunch, we headed North out of Gunnison and grabbed a great campsite in the Gunnison National Forest along Rt 742. Fishing along the Taylor River is infamous. In addition to fishing cabins, there are ½ dozen National Forest Service Campgrounds along the river. These were all large wooded campsites, suitable for both tents and RVs.

We found the perfect spot and Brad wandered off to fish for a bit. According to the camp hosts, bears had been sighted in the neighboring campground the night before. I made sure Brad took the fish cleanings to the farthest away dumpster before we went to bed!

Not far up Rt 742, we landed at Taylor Reservoir. The marina offers coin-operated showers, which we immediately enjoyed! Then Brad spent several hours fishing while I enjoyed a book on the beach. It was the most relaxing day of the whole trip.

We continued to work our way towards Denver and crossed the Continental Divide at Cottonwood Pass. Our expectation was this would be “the road less traveled”. Yup, not really! The road was full of folks heading out from Denver for the coming weekend. We joked that every vehicle was a Subaru with either a bike or kayak or both on top!

Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park has something suitable for everyone of all ages and abilities to enjoy. The mountain views are astounding! You’ll find over 300 miles of hiking paths, wildflowers, animals, and starry nights.

Plan your Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary

• Drive Trail Ridge Road , the highway to the sky! This 48-mile long highway cuts through the heart of the Rockies. The views are amazing so don’t forget your camera!
• Take a Hike – The most popular activity at the park is hiking. Enjoy trails that range from super easy like Lily Lake or Sprague Lake Nature Trails to all-day hikes. Our favorite is the hike to  Sky Pond . Another popular hike is the trail to Ouzel Falls , which passes 3 different waterfalls. And the  hike to Cub Lake  is full of wildlife!
• Check out the Wildlife – Mule deer and  grazing Elk  are abundant in the park and easy to see. With a little more effort, you can  find Moose .  Spring brings Big Horn Sheep down from the high elevations. Of course, there are dozens of other critters, including black bears and marmots.

For more ideas on things to do- check out our post on 9 Amazing Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park ! Or if you are visiting in autumn you’ll want to read 7 Reasons to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the Fall . To make it easy for you we created a One Day In RMNP Itinerary , check it out.

Tips for Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park

👍 This park is extremely busy, so a little planning is required. The National Park Service continues to test ways to control traffic, including requiring timed entry passes for certain months and places. Make sure you check their website before heading out, so you don’t find yourself at the gate unable to get in on that particular day.

👍 Planning also goes for finding the best lodging near RMNP park and the best campgrounds in the Rocky Mountain National Park . It’s hard to get a last-minute hotel or campsite pretty much any time of the year. Summer is super busy, but spring the snow melts brings out new babies and rushing waterfalls that attract visitors. Fall Colors Explode in the Park so autumn is incredibly popular. So get those reservations as soon as you have your dates.

👍 You’ll discover a lot of hidden details about RMNP if you download GuideAlong’s audio tour before you go. We love that it helps navigate through the park while sharing the history or explaining the nature as you pass points of interest.

Tips for Maximizing Your National Park Road Trip

Colorado offers 4 national parks that are full of natural beauty and rich history. If you’re going on a road trip through Colorado, here’s what you should do to ensure you have a great time at each park.

1) Get a map from the visitor center at each park – they’ll have maps available free of charge plus lots of information including hours, fees, things to do, and more.

2) Check out the National Park Service website for each park before you go. You can find information about the history of each park, what you’ll see on your visit, where to stay nearby, hours of operation, entrance fees, and activities available at each park.

3) Print out or pull up the map on your phone before you go . You can use quiet road time between parks to plan ahead. Having a map in hand will help get you around the park easier.

4) Stock up on food and drink s – many National Parks, including Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison, do not have stores or shops nearby, so make sure you come prepared with a cooler filled with snacks and beverages. Even Mesa Verde is pretty limited in access to food services most of the time.

5) Have a plan for your days – plan your days around the things that interest you most, split up some of the more popular attractions over two days if you have time, plus don’t be afraid to stop and enjoy the scenery, activities or wildlife on your way around the park.

6) Don’t be afraid to ask – the park rangers love to share their favorite parts of the park with visitors. Their passion for National Parks is why they became a ranger in the first place.

7) Treat yourself to a sunset – in between exploring the day and checking out the views, you’ll be exhausted. Go ahead and find the perfect spot for a picnic dinner and take in a sunset. It’s been scientifically proven: sunsets make people happy, so this is sure to make everyone in your family enjoy their time even more!

8) Bring your camera – National Parks are some of the most photogenic places in the world, and you know we love a good pic! If you want to capture the memories, make sure you have a camera or phone with long battery life because there’s a good chance you’ll be snapping away almost the entire time.

9) Plan for camping or lodging – it can be hard to get last-minute lodgings in many places so avoid the risk of not having a place to stay by making reservations ahead.

10) Start early or stay late . The park will be less crowded in the early morning and evening hours, plus you can take advantage of great views when it’s not quite so hot.

11) Entertain Your Crew while on the road. Check out our article on the Best Travel Games for Adults for dozens of ideas to keep busy during long drives. I also like to take along a Novel Set in the National Park we are visiting to fill quiet time. If you are bringing your dog along, we have Tips for Successful Road Trip with Your Dog too!

A road trip to the National Parks in Colorado is a great way to see some of this state’s most beautiful and iconic landscapes. If you plan ahead with these tips on how to maximize your experience at each park, it will be easier than ever before!  Don’t forget that sunsets make people happy–so go out for an amazing picnic dinner after exploring one of these parks and enjoy this natural beauty right by its side.

For more of our National Park Road Trip Adventures, complete with itineraries and things for you to do check out these posts:

• Utah National Park Road Trip: 5 Parks in 5 Days
• West Texas and New Mexico National Park Road Trip: 7 Days, 4 Parks

This post was originally published November 27th, 2018. It was recently updated on September 16, 2021 to provide the most current information to ensure your successful road trip through the Colorado National Parks.

Don’t Let the Planning Overwhelm You!

Plan your perfect trip to Rocky Mountain National Park!

Check out our complete digital Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park. This is written specifically for the first time visitor to make your trip planning easy! Over 90 pages of things to do and see on your adventure. Plus get pro tips for planning your adventure.

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The Authors: Hey, we are Ladona and Brad, avid campers and hikers. We are crazy about getting outdoors at every possible moment and have decades of experience exploring nature. Our current goal is to visit all 63 US National Parks and just completed #42. WooHoo! Our mission is to help you plan your own adventures and create memories beyond your imagination!

The Authors: Hey, we are Ladona and Brad, avid campers and hikers. We are crazy about getting outdoors at every possible moment and have decades of experience exploring nature. Our current goal is to visit all 63 US National Parks and just completed #34. WooHoo! Our mission is to help you plan your own adventures and create memories beyond your imagination!