what to take on a trip to colorado

The Perfect Colorado Itinerary: National Parks & Scenic Drives

With 4 national parks, numerous national forests and country parks, plus historic towns scattered throughout the Rocky Mountains, Colorado makes an awesome road trip destination. On this Colorado itinerary, you will visit all 4 national parks (Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Rocky Mountain National Parks), linking them together with gorgeous scenic drives.

Near this Colorado Itinerary

This Colorado road trip is written as a 10-solar day itinerary. In that location is a lot to come across and do in Colorado, and if yous want to visit all four national parks, ideally you lot need at least 10 days. Fifty-fifty with 10 days, you volition be moving very chop-chop.

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

On this Colorado itinerary, you will get-go and finish in Denver or Colorado Springs (depending on which airport you cull), making one big loop through the state. You will drive i,050 miles and this estimate does not include any additional mileage for detours or driving inside the national parks.

On this route trip, all of the roads you will bulldoze are either paved roads or gravel roads that are suitable for standard cars, so a standard 2WD automobile will exercise just fine.

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

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 breathtaking drives and the driving route). You can click the bank check marks to hide or show layers. If you lot click the icons on the map, you lot tin get more than information most each point of interest.

If you click the star side by side to the championship of the map, this map will exist added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or calculator, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to "Your Places," click Maps, and y'all will see this map on your list.

Twenty-four hours i

Arrive in Colorado, Drive to Colorado Springs

On the Route: 85 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes from Denver International Airdrome; minimal fourth dimension on the road from Colorado Springs Aerodrome

You can fly into Denver International Aerodrome 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 solar day of this Colorado itinerary, you will drive from Rocky Mountain National Park to the airport and wing home. When you do this, Denver International Aerodrome volition be the closer of the two airports.

To minimize the amount of driving that yous practise, yous tin can fly into Colorado Springs Airport and fly out of Denver International Aerodrome. However, you might find that it is cheaper to fly round trip out of one drome, rather than flying in and out of 2 dissimilar airports, which is something to consider when booking your flights.

At the airport, selection up your rental car and drive to your hotel in Colorado Springs. Go settled into your hotel and take dinner.

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

Where to Stay in Colorado Springs

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

You will stay in Colorado Springs for 2 nights.

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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 Tiptop midday. In the afternoon, hike the Manitou Incline or visit Seven Falls at Broadmoor.

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is a wonderful state park that is located adjacent to Colorado Springs. This park is quick and easy to visit. A maze of paved trails weaves between red and pinkish 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 hither, and yous tin 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 i.half-dozen mile walk through the heart of Garden of the Gods; park in the Main Parking Lot
• Drive the Juniper Way Loop, which circles effectually the middle of the park
• Drive Garden Drive to see Balanced Rock
• Visit Loftier Point Overlook

Garden of the Gods is free to visit. The park is open up from five am to 9 pm. For updated hours of operation and park atmospheric condition, visit the official website.

Loftier Bespeak Overlook

Balanced Rock in Garden of the Gods

Pikes Peak

From Garden of the Gods, information technology is a brusk bulldoze to become to the base of Pikes Peak (10 miles, 17 minutes).

Driving to the peak of Pikes Tiptop is ane of the most popular scenic drives in Colorado. At 14,115 anxiety, this is one of the virtually prominent fourteeners in Colorado.

At the base of the mountain, you will pay a fee at the entrance gate ($10 for adults, $five for children). Then you will drive upwards to the peak of Pikes Superlative, which can take near a full hour. Once you go to a higher place the tree line, the views actually open upward.

On the summit, there are restaurants, restrooms, and a gift shop. For those who want to acquire more than, join ane of the ranger-guided programs where you lot tin can learn more nigh the history, geology, and wildlife of Pikes Peak. And don't miss the hot, fresh donuts at the Pinnacle House…they are succulent!

View from Pikes Meridian

A visit to Pikes Peak lasts three to four hours, including the bulldoze dorsum down the mountain.

For updated hours, pricing, and route weather condition/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. Acquire more here.

If you are planning your visit in the summer months, and this sounds like something y'all would like to do, consider doing this outset 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 Vii Falls

This cascade of seven waterfalls is called "The Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado." Information technology 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. Yous can also have dinner in Erstwhile Colorado City or Colorado Springs.

Sleep in Colorado Springs.

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Twenty-four hour period three

Cracking Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

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

The reason I am giving yous ii days in Great Sand Dunes National Park is so y'all accept enough fourth dimension to pick up your sandboards or sand sleds. Sandboarding is i of the best things to practise at Great Sand Dunes National Park, particularly if you are doing this Colorado road trip with kids.

Morning time: Drive to Alamosa/Great Sand Dunes National Park

At that place 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 manus corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the driving road). Yous can click the check marks to hide the different driving routes. If you click the icons on the map, you can go 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 business relationship. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to "Your Places," click Maps, and you volition see this map on your list.

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

#two: The Breathtaking Route through Cañon City. At that place is a more scenic route, where yous tin add on the very short merely thrilling Skyline Bulldoze in Cañon Urban center. This breathtaking bulldoze is only 2.six miles long, only it is very unique, as this narrow, one-way road bounces up and down along a razorback ridgeline.

Skyline Drive in Cañon City

If y'all choose the breathtaking 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, 1 way road. From US-50 in Cañon Urban center, plow right onto Skyline Drive. This one-way road heads south for 2.half-dozen miles before ending dorsum in town. There are no guardrails and the drop-offs on either side are 450 feet high. There are wider areas to let other vehicles to laissez passer.

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

Afternoon: Cracking Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

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

Where to Stay to Visit Neat Sand Dunes National Park

At that place are ii locations to base of operations yourself when visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park: just outside of the park and in the boondocks of Alamosa.

If yous stay just exterior of the park, it'south slim pickings from the very small number of hotels and restaurants, not to mention the limited availability to hire sand sleds and sandboards. Your second option is to stay in Alamosa, but it is a 35-minute drive, 1-manner to get to Cracking Sand Dunes National Park. So, you take to decide if you want more amenities with a longer driving fourth dimension, or a shut proximity to the national park.

With only a one nighttime stay, staying close to the park will relieve yous a lot of valuable time. On this Colorado itinerary, y'all will visit Great Sand Dunes twice (this afternoon and tomorrow morn), and that adds upward to over 2 hours of driving if you stay in Alamosa.

Accommodations in and effectually Smashing Sand Dunes National Park

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

Bang-up Sand Dunes Social club is zippo fancy just it gets good reviews and it does have a pool. Bang-up Sand Dunes Oasis has motel rooms, a campground and 20 RV sites. They also offer sandboard rentals.

Accommodations in Alamosa

We stayed at the Vacation Inn Limited and Suites. Information technology was clean and placidity and the Wi-Fi worked well. Other hotels that get skillful reviews include the Fairfield Inn and Suites, the Hampton Inn, and the All-time Western.

How to Spend Your Time in Great Sand Dunes National Park

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

If y'all desire 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 piece of work. Plastic saucers and cardboard volition too 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 accelerate because they can sell out. Here is the list of more than companies that hire sandboards, including 1 visitor with a location just outside of the national park.

Great Sand Dunes in the late afternoon

The belatedly afternoon and evening are wonderful times to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park. In the summer months in the heart of the day, the sand can attain a scorching 150°F! During the summer, information technology'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 beginning time, it takes some practice to sandboard downwards the dunes, and there'south a expert chance that you will end the day with sand in your pilus, habiliment…it gets into everything.

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

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

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

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Day iv

Cracking Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

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

Morning time: Great Sand Dunes National Park

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

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

Hiking to Loftier Dune

The view from High Dune

Afternoon: Bulldoze to Cortez

On the Road: 210 miles, 4 hours

Once yous are finished at the park, render your sandboards or sand sleds. Have lunch in Alamosa and so starting time the drive to Cortez.

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

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

Where to Stay

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

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

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Limited 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 take outdoor seating (this was our favorite restaurant in boondocks and we ate here several times). Thai Cortez serves practiced Thai food. Destination Grill serves dandy cocktails and very expert 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/eating house that also serves peachy food.

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Day 5

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park is one of the nigh unique national parks in the United states. This park preserves the aboriginal Puebloan cliff dwellings and archeological sites that are hundreds of years former.

You volition spend the morning in Mesa Verde National Park and in the afternoon, you volition drive north to Montrose. On this itinerary, you won't have much time in the park, and so you will take to outset early and plan out what yous want to exercise.

I of the best experiences in Mesa Verde is to take a tour of ane of the cliff dwellings. These are only bachelor as a guided tour and you should brand your reservation in advance.

Notation: Due to COVID-19, cliff dwelling tours are offered on a modified schedule. There are also route closures on i of the park roads. Yous tin can get updates on the National Park Service website.

Cliff Palace

Square Tower House

I recommend spending your fourth dimension on Mesa Top Ruins Road. Visit the sights along Mesa Acme Loop and Cliff Palace Loop and take a bout of a cliff dwelling. But earlier 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 data on what to do within of the park, read our article Top 10 Things to Practice in Mesa Verde National Park.

Mid-Afternoon: Drive to Montrose

On the Road: 150 miles, 3.v hours

To drive to Montrose, it is a very scenic drive. You volition backtrack to Durango and so take The states-550 north. This road, which is function of the San Juan Skyway, winds through the San Juan Forest 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 "One thousand thousand 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 meg dollars worth of gold and precious minerals.

Ouray

Forth this drive, both Silverton and Ouray make neat places to stop for dinner.

In one case 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 Limited and had a skilful feel. They offer suites and so this is a hotel to consider if you are traveling every bit a family. Yous will stay in Montrose for 1 night.

As far as where to swallow, we had such a great meal at Army camp Robber that we ate hither twice. We also highly recommend The Stone House.

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24-hour interval half-dozen

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

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

Morning time: Black Canyon of the Gunnison

To go to the south rim of the Black Coulee, information technology is a xx-minute drive from Montrose.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a highly underrated national park. In some ways, information technology's a smaller, less crowded version of the Grand Canyon. You lot tin can view the canyon from the overlooks, hike the short trails along the rim, or journey below the rim for the ultimate run a risk. Information technology is possible to visit both the Northward and S Rims in the summertime and fall. However, on this itinerary, your time is express, so I recommend sticking to the S Rim.

All y'all need is iv to five hours to explore the Due south Rim. Drive South Rim Bulldoze, visiting the overlooks forth the way. I also recommend getting out to hike one of the short trails on tiptop of the rim. The Warner Point Trail (ane.five miles) and the Oak Flat Loop Trail (2 miles) are great options.

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

Afternoon: Drive to Snowmass Hamlet or Aspen

On the Route: 140 miles, 3 hours

It'due south another afternoon of driving, every bit you begin to work your style through the Rocky Mountains to Rocky Mountain National Park.

This evening, y'all tin can stay in either Snowmass Village or Aspen. Which one yous cull depends on how y'all plan to spend your time tomorrow morn.

On our almost contempo trip to Colorado, we spent several nights in Snowmass Hamlet. From our room, we could await upwardly at the ski slopes. Tim, Tyler and Kara went mountain biking in Snowmass, riding the gondolas to the peak with their bikes and and so cruising downhill to the village. In that location are also many groovy restaurants to choose from in Snowmass.

Aspen is a lovely town filled with restaurants, boutique shops, and hotels. If y'all 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 honey to us…Tim proposed to me hither on the ski slopes 25 years ago.

Hotel and Eating house Recommendations

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

Capitol Summit Social club

Aspen: Annabelle Inn, Aspen Square Condominium Hotel, and the Limelight Hotel Aspen all get slap-up reviews. For dinner, I recommend Jimmy's and getting a table on the outdoor deck if the conditions is nice.

You will spend i night in Aspen/Snowmass.

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Day vii

Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park

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

Spend the forenoon in Snowmass or Aspen and then head northward to Rocky Mount National Park.

This is the last big driving mean solar day of the trip! And you volition exist driving along some of the near scenic roads in Colorado, with the option to add on several drives to mountain summits, similar to Pikes Summit.

Note: The map above does non include the route between Aspen and Twin Lakes over Independence Pass considering the route was closed due to snow when I created this map. I will update this map once the road reopens.

Superlative 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 e towards Granite. Forth this drive, you volition cross Independence Pass, the highest paved state highway, crossing the Continental Dissever. 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 route is only wide plenty for 1 motorcar to pass.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Independence Laissez passer is generally open from Memorial Mean solar day to belatedly October depending on snowfall. Information technology is closed the remainder of the yr. Get updates on road weather hither.

Top of the Rockies

Once you get to Highway 24, turn left and have 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 The states. This celebrated town was a boomtown in the 1880s, with its silver mines cartoon famous figures similar Doc Holliday, Susan B. Anthony, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Horace "Silver Dollar" Tabor.

At Leadville, this scenic byway forks. For the almost straight route to Estes Park, turn correct on Highway 91, and you will cantankerous the Continental Divide at the eleven,318-foot Fremont Pass before arriving at Copper Mountain and I-70.

Optional: Loveland Laissez passer & Mountain Evans

Take I-lxx due east towards Denver. Earlier yous get to Central City Park, yous take ii optional detours. Both of these scenic drives end high up in the Rocky Mountains.

Loveland Pass

This is the outset optional detour you volition get to. Loveland Pass is a high mountain laissez passer that is located south of I-lxx, between Vail and Idaho Springs. To bulldoze to Loveland Pass, it is 8 miles round trip from I-seventy and takes about one hour.

To get hither, it is a relatively short only steep drive. It is a steady six.7% grade to the summit with numerous hairpin turns. At xi,990 anxiety, Loveland Pass is the highest mountain laissez passer in Colorado that stays open during the winter season.

Loveland Pass

Mount Evans Scenic Byway

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

In just 28 miles, the route climbs over 7,000 feet, ending near the pinnacle of Mountain Evans. In one case at the elevation, you get to enjoy panoramic views over the Rocky Mountains, views of the Continental Divide, and information technology is hither that you have a very good take chances to run across mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

This drive is 50 miles circular trip and takes two hours.

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

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

Meridian to Peak Breathtaking Byway to Estes Park

Take I-70 to the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Starting in Central City, you lot 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'south Front Range.

On this drive y'all get to run across Longs Peak, the tallest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. Mount Meeker, at 13,911 anxiety, tin can also be seen on this drive. Nederland is small, celebrated town and a dainty place to cease for a bite to consume.

One time in Estes Park, check into your hotel and and so take dinner.

Where to Stay & Consume in Estes Park

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

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Days 8 & 9

Rocky Mountain National Park

On this Colorado itinerary, yous have 2 full days to spend in Rocky Mount National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park is 1 of the highest national parks in the Us. At that place are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over xiii,000 feet. The Continental Split runs north south through the park. You tin cross the Continental Divide by human foot or by driving Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved through road in the national park system.

With 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park, y'all have enough fourth dimension to hike i or ii trails, drive Trail Ridge Road, and spend some fourth dimension in Estes Park.

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

Twenty-four hours 1: In the morning, hike to Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Bear Lakes from the Acquit Lake Trailhead. In the afternoon, bulldoze Trail Ridge Road, visit the overlooks, and walk the curt merely strenuous Alpine Ridge Trail.

Day Ii: Take your pick from i of many hiking trails in the park. Since you just spent a week in Colorado, with the by few days in the Rocky Mountains, y'all should be acclimated to the higher elevation. If yous beloved hiking, consider hiking to Chasm Lake, Mount Ida, or our favorite hike in the park, Sky Pond.

TIMED ENTRY Let System: To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 27 to October 10, 2022, 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 summertime months). If yous do non take a reservation, you volition not be allowed to enter the park. Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. Each daily reservation costs $two per vehicle, which is in add-on to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly fee per vehicle. Larn more on the official National Park Service website. Or visit recreation.gov to make your reservation.

Trail to Chasm Lake

Sky Pond

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Day ten

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 Drome or Colorado Springs Airdrome. In the afternoon, fly home.

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How to Modify this Colorado Itinerary

With Less Fourth dimension

If you desire to do this Colorado road trip but don't accept 10 days, what should you lot eliminate?

To make this a 9-solar day itinerary, remove ane 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 viii-day itinerary, eliminate a day from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. In the afternoon of day ii, after y'all visit Pikes Pinnacle, drive to Alamosa and Bang-up Sand Dunes National Park. Spend the morn of solar day 3 in Great Sand Dunes and in the afternoon, drive to Cortez and Mesa Verde National Park. Well-nigh likely, you will accept to surrender sandboarding on the dunes, since you might not be able to go to the rental facility before closing fourth dimension on day 2.

To make this a 7-twenty-four hours itinerary, eliminate the twenty-four hour period in Colorado Springs (Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak).

7-Day Colorado Itinerary

Day 1: Make it in Colorado, drive to Alamosa/Great Sand Dunes National Park
Day 2: Cracking Sand Dunes NP, bulldoze to Cortez
Day iii: Mesa Verde NP, bulldoze to Montrose
Mean solar day 4: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, drive to Snowmass/Aspen
Mean solar day v: Bulldoze to Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 6: Rocky Mountain National Park
Day seven: Fly home

Bang-up Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

With More than Time

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

If yous like hiking, put more time into Rocky Mount National Park. For each day that you add, you lot 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 downwards and relax. Or, if you don't want to relax, hike Maroon Bells or spend the day mountain biking.

Add more fourth dimension for Mesa Verde National Park. Rather than having half of a twenty-four hour period at Mesa Verde, equally it is written above, spend one total solar day in the park. On the next day, have your time on the San Juan Parkway and spend more time in Silverton and Ouray.

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

14-Day Colorado Itinerary

Day 1: Get in in Colorado, Drive to Colorado Springs
Day 2: Garden of the Gods & Pikes Peak
Twenty-four hour period iii: Drive to Great Sand Dunes, Spend the afternoon in Great Sand Dunes
Twenty-four hours four: Cracking Sand Dunes, drive to Cortez
24-hour interval 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
Twenty-four hour period 8: Snowmass/Aspen
24-hour interval 9: Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park
24-hour interval x: Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 11: Rocky Mount National Park
Day 12: Rocky Mountain National Park
Twenty-four hours 13: Rocky Mount National Park
24-hour interval 14: Fly home

Best Time for this Colorado Itinerary

The all-time 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 swell weather condition, this is also 1 of the best times to go hiking.

In autumn, Colorado is beautiful, every bit the leaves change to brilliant shades of xanthous, orangish, and red. This tin still be a busy fourth dimension in the national parks, in item Rocky Mountain National Park, as visitors flock to the park to see the fall colors and elk mating season.

Once the snow arrives, normally by mid to late autumn, crowds begin to diminish. Temperatures are low in the winter, but and then are the crowds. Several of the scenic drives that nosotros list in this itinerary shut during this time.

In the bound, warmer temperatures melt the snowfall and visitation picks upward. 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

Planning Your Trip

Accommodations

Here is a list of where you will need to make your hotel or army camp reservations. If you programme to visit Colorado during the decorated summer and fall months, I recommend making your reservations iv to six months in advance.

• Colorado Springs: two nights
• Keen Sand Dunes National Park: ane dark
• Cortez: ane night
• Montrose: 1 night
• Snowmass/Aspen: 1 night
• Estes Park: 3 nights

National Park Fees

• Bang-up Sand Dunes: $25 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
• Mesa Verde: $30 per vehicle, valid for vii days
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison: $xxx 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 twelvemonth. Not only volition you salve coin on park fees for this trip simply you will likewise become gratis admission to whatever other national park or federal recreation sites that y'all visit within 365 days of purchasing this laissez passer.

Purchase your pass at the offset national park that yous visit (in this case, at Great Sand Dunes National Park) or you tin go it online.

Click here to learn more.

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Source: https://www.earthtrekkers.com/colorado-itinerary-national-parks-road-trip/

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