The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip
Colorado is a state where the road trip IS the adventure. You could plan zero activities except driving from one location to the next along this Ultimate Colorado Road Trip and feel like you’ve seen and experienced a lot. That’s how stunning the drives in Colorado are.
Jonathan and I spent two months in Colorado as part of our 2021 Travel Season, and I can’t tell you how many times we looked at each other in awe of what we were seeing. The mountains, the canyons, the forests - it gets prettier and prettier around each bend.
This is why we believe a road trip is the best way to visit Colorado for the first time.
Before our trip, Jon and I were each excited to explore Colorado. We have many friends who live in Denver, and they all rave about the state. Plus, we’d only heard good things about Colorado from other travelers we’d met along the way… and, at a minimum, we knew Colorado was an outdoor, dog-friendly state (which was great for us and our pup Lincoln who goes just about everywhere we go).
So, when we officially made Colorado a part of our 2021 Travel Season, I couldn’t wait to see which town in Colorado we’d love most. But the strange thing that happened? There wasn’t “one best town”. Colorado is a state that’s amazing in its entirety. It’s not one town that’s special; It’s all of the towns and their proximity to one another.
It’s the scenery.
The drives.
The mountains.
The sheer amount of activity at your fingertips.
This is just another reason we highly recommend planning a road trip, particularly if you’re visiting Colorado for the first time. See if you fall in love with a certain mountain town or city… or see if, like us, you love the state as a whole!
In the following post, we’ll share our top picks for stops along your Ultimate Colorado Road Trip. You’ll see all four of Colorado’s National Parks, plus get to enjoy many of the state’s highlight activities and most well-known towns.
Depending on what you’re most interested in seeing and how much time you have for your trip, mix and match stops to plan your Ultimate Colorado Road Trip!
We recommend starting your Colorado Road Trip in Denver or Colorado Springs. Those will likely be the easiest cities to fly into and pick up a rental car.
(If you’re driving vs. flying, pick up the itinerary wherever is closest to you and make a full loop to return home. For example, on our road trip, we were driving from Dallas, Texas, so we drove from Dallas to Trinidad / The Great Sand Dunes and followed the loop from there.)
The best time to visit Colorado, especially for a road trip, is June through September. You’ll want to travel after the snow has melted and before it arrives so the roads are as clear and easy to traverse as possible.
We were visiting from the end of July to the end of September and loved the long summer days for exploration and sightseeing, plus catching a little bit of fall in September as the leaves changed (particularly while we were at higher elevation). If you want to take advantage of longer days, visit in the summer. If you want to see the leaves change, plan your road trip for September. Just know some roads and activities may be closed the later your plan your trip.
Ready to craft the perfect Colorado road trip? Here are 12 stops to mix and match and create the perfect road trip itinerary for you!
Table of Contents Hide
Denver
Start your Colorado Road Trip in the mile-high city of Denver. Denver is known as the “Mile-High City” for sitting at about 5280 feet (one mile).
We recommend staying a night or two in Denver to get accustomed to the elevation, especially if you’re arriving from a city with much less elevation. (We were driving from Dallas, which has an elevation of about 430 feet.)
This will help you adjust more easily to the altitude, especially before visiting other places in Colorado that sit at a higher elevation. (For example, the Great Sand Dunes sits at about 7,250 feet. Chances are high that you’ll still feel more tired hiking here than you do hiking at home, but adjusting to 5,000 feet first will help minimize chances of experiencing altitude sickness. Learn more about adjusting to the altitude in Denver here.)
Consider exploring these places in and around Denver:
Stoll through Larimer Square in Downtown Denver
Catch a concert or take a hike at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Hike, explore, and watch for wildlife at Rocky Mountain National Park
Note: While Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) will be a stop towards the end of this road trip, you can also visit from Denver. One of the main entrances to RMNP is Beaver Meadows Entrance Station outside Estes Park, which is about 1.5 hours from Denver.
Larimer Square
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is the next suggested stop along your road trip. Colorado Springs is only about one hour from Denver, so if you’d prefer to keep Denver as your home base and take a day trip to these destinations near Colorado Springs, it’s possible to do that.
Near Colorado Springs, you may want to:
Climb 2,477 stairs (and 2000 feet of elevation) at the Manitou Incline (reservations required) and explore the town of Manitou Springs
Visit Garden of the Gods
Summit or Drive to Pikes Peak
Visit the highest suspension bridge in America in Cañon City (the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park)
Manitou Incline
Great Sand Dunes National Park
If you want to see all four national parks in Colorado, then your next stop will be the Great Sand Dunes! The Great Sands Dunes National Park is about 2.5 hours from Colorado Springs.
Hop out of your car and stretch your legs by hiking as much or as little of the dunes as you’d like. There are no designated trails through the sand, so start walking up the first dune you see.
On our first visit to the Great Sand Dunes, we hiked to the “High Dune on First Ridge”. This isn’t the highest in elevation or the tallest dune in the park, but rather the dune that looks the highest from the main parking lot. This is a strenuous hike but a great destination for a beautiful view of the dunes. Just start walking towards the highest point you see once you arrive.
Elevation Note: The Great Sand Dunes has an elevation that starts at about 7,250 feet. You may need to take extra breaks with more rest as you hike. Take your time, and be sure to listen to your body as you explore. (I personally called this one of the top 5 hardest hikes I’ve ever done… the sand, nor the elevation, are to be underestimated!!)
Dog-Friendly Note: The Great Sand Dunes is dog-friendly. However, the sand in the middle of the day during the summer will get hot. Protect the pup’s feet - and yourself from the heat - by hiking earlier in the morning or later in the evening. Also, consider boots, extra water, and shaded hiking gear.
Star gazing is another amazing thing to do at the Great Sand Dunes.
If possible, we recommend two days and one night at the Great Sand Dunes, so you can see the stars from the dunes. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is open 24 hours and is certified as an International Dark Sky Park, which means it’s a beautiful place to star gaze.
Spend one night in Great Sand Dunes so you can watch the stars from the dunes (and look for shooting stars, too!), then enjoy the sunrise over the dunes the next morning.
Then, on your way out of the Sand Dunes, stop at Zapata Falls for a quick hike that takes you into a waterfall. It’s a short hike with big rewards! Bring shoes you don’t mind getting wet: the only way to the waterfall is through a creek.
(Note: The road to the Zapata Falls trailhead was rocky when we visited in July 2021. Our small sedan was able to make it there and back, driving slow, but you may want a high clearance vehicle for an easier time accessing this trailhead - and many other trailheads along your Colorado Road Trip.)
Want to explore as many towns in Colorado as possible along your road trip? Take the scenic route from Colorado Springs to the Great Sand Dunes by driving through the towns of Buena Vista and Salida. My sister was visiting Colorado around the same time Jon and I were there, and these two towns were some of her favorites to visit. She said Salida has a river running through it at the base of the mountain that people were tubing along, plus Salida had a fun downtown with lots of outdoor street seating. Buena Vista was also at the base of a mountain with many local restaurants and breweries.
Durango
Next, you’ll make the drive to Durango, Colorado. (FYI: On your way, you’ll pass Chimney Rock National Monument.)
When it comes to towns in Colorado we loved, Durango probably takes top billing. (Or Vail. But Durango is much more realistic of a place to spend a lot of time because Vail is, well, expensive!) Durango has an amazing, laid-back but very active downtown, and there are tons of things to do nearby.
If you’re visiting Durango for the day, consider walking through Downtown Durango and grabbing lunch or dinner at Steamworks Brewing Company, Grassburger, or 11th Street Station. Then grab dessert at Cream Bean Berry Ice Cream.
If you’re able to spend a night or two in Durango, consider hiking the Coal Bank Pass, walking the Sky Steps & Rim Trail, walking along the Animas River Trail, or our personal favorite: riding the Durango to Silverton Railroad on the Silver Vista Train. (If you’re doing a one-way, heading to Silverton, sit on the right side of the train.)
We also HIGHLY recommend driving the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton. Although a good set of nerves is required for the driver, this 23-mile road is GORGEOUS. Stop at the overlooks to take lots of pictures!
Coal Bank Pass to Engineer Mountain
Ouray, Colorado (start of the Million Dollar Highway)
Durango to Silverton Railroad
Mesa Verde National Park
The second national park you’ll visit along your Colorado Road Trip is Mesa Verde National Park.
You can actually visit Mesa Verde National Park (and the Four Corners Monument) from Durango. Mesa Verde National Park is only about 40 minutes from Durango.
If you’re up for a mini road trip, you can visit Mesa Verde National Park and the Four Corners Monument at the same time. (The Four Corners Monument is about 1.5 hours from Durango. Try to visit first thing when they open at 8am so you can avoid long lines for pictures.)
When you arrive at Mesa Verde, start at the Visitor Center. Ask about any trail closures and decide if you’d like to purchase a guided tour ticket to Balcony House, Cliff Palace, and Long House. (You must join a guided tour if you’d like to see these areas.)
Then, drive the Mesa Verde Scenic Road. Plan about two hours just for this drive so you can stop at various pull-offs and overlooks.
Along this drive, you’ll reach a fork. Weather permitting, you can continue your drive onto Wetherill Mesa Road (open from May through September), or you can continue your drive to Chapin Mesa. If you have time, explore both of these roads.
From Wetherill Mesa Road, you can visit the Step House and take a self-guided tour to view a cliff dwelling. You can also access the Nordenskiold #16 Trail to a cliff dwelling overlook.
From the Chapin Mesa, you can see Far View Sites, Spruce Tree House, Cliff Palace, and Balcony House. Remember that Cliff Palace and Balcony House require tour tickets. According to the National Park Service, the Spruce Tree House has the best preserved cliff dwelling. However, make sure to check what’s open at the visitor center if you only have time for one of these roads. While we were visiting, the Step House Trail was the only open trail to see a cliff dwelling.
Note: Dogs are allowed on most Wetherill Mesa trails (excluding the Step House Trail). Click here for more information and pet regulations in Mesa Verde National Park.
Step House Trail at Mesa Verde National Park
Four Corners Monument
Telluride
For the next stop along your Colorado Road Trip, you’ll drive about 2 hours to Telluride.
You can spend a night or two here, or you can enjoy breakfast or lunch in Downtown Telluride before continuing on to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
If you’re looking for a hike to do near Telluride, we loved hiking to Hope Lake, a 6-mile-out-and-back trail near Telluride.
Note: We drove the San Juan Scenic Byway while staying in Durango. It’s a long day, but a beautiful day, that takes you to Trout Lake, Hope Lake (if you’d like to add on this gorgeous hike), Telluride, and the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton.
If you drove the Million Dollar Highway from Durango, visited Mesa Verde National Park, and drove to Telluride, you will have driven almost all of the San Juan Scenic Byway by the time you arrive in Telluride. All that’s left is the drive between Telluride and Ouray. And you’ll drive to Ridgeway as you continue onward to Black Canyon of the Gunnison!
Telluride, Colorado
Trout Lake
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has to be one of the most underrated national parks in the US. It’s incredible!
This is national park #3 of 4 along your Ultimate Colorado Road Trip.
We visited Black Canyon of the Gunnison while driving the West Elk Loop from Carbondale, but we highly recommend giving yourself two days and one night in or near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
This national park is about 1.5 hours from Telluride and Grand Junction, Colorado.
There’s no bridge across Black Canyon, so you’ll have to plan for about 2 to 3 hours to drive from one side to the other. If you’re driving the West Elk Loop or coming from Crested Butte or Carbondale, you’ll first arrive at Black Canyon on the North Rim. If you’re driving from Telluride or Grand Junction, you’ll arrive at the South Rim.
From Telluride, you can drive to Montrose, then along the South Rim to High Point, then Gunnison, then stay on the North Rim before making a circle through Hotchkiss and Delta, Colorado, to Grand Junction. Pick up a map at the South Rim Visitor Center to choose the best route for you and see as much of the Black Canyon as you can.
From Crested Butte or Carbondale, start your exploration with the North Rim Road. Stop at Chasm View Nature Trail and follow the easy trail to views of the Painted Wall. Then hop back in your car to continue driving the North Rim Road and stop at all overlooks along the way.
Note: Dogs are allowed at overlooks and on the North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail.
Grand Junction
Grand Junction is the hub of Colorado’s Wine Country. Plus, a stop here will make it easy for you to visit Dinosaur National Monument and Colorado National Monument.
In between sipping wine at Grand Junction’s many wineries, take a day trip to see dinosaur fossils at the Quarry Exhibit in Jensen, Utah (about 2.5 hours from Grand Junction).
Of course, this is a Colorado Road Trip Itinerary, but we feel good about sending you to Utah because the majority of Dinosaur National Monument falls in Colorado. You can view dinosaur fossils at the Quarry on the Utah side, but the best views of this monument’s landscape will be in Colorado!
Our recommendation is to drive the 31-mile Harpers Corner Scenic Drive on the Colorado side.
From here, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the canyons and rivers within Dinosaur National Monument. There are plenty of overlooks and a few short hikes to enjoy as well. This road is accessible to most vehicles, but if you’re driving a high-clearance vehicle with all-wheel-drive, you may also want to drive the 14-mile Echo Park Road. As the National Park Service says, this road takes you into the heart of Dinosaur National Monument and through scenic canyon country.
Wine country AND scenic canyon country? This is the reason to stop in Grand Junction!
After your scenic drive(s) through Colorado, then make your way to the Quarry Exhibit Hall to view approximately 1,500 dinosaur bones.
At the end of your day viewing dinosaur bones or touring Colorado’s Wine Country, make your way to the Colorado National Monument. Drive the 23 miles of Historic Rim Rock Road and find your favorite spot to watch the sunset. Look for bighorn sheep on the mountainside!
Dinosaur National Monument Scenic Drive (Colorado)
Quarry Exhibit Hall, Dinosaur National Monument (Utah)
Colorado National Monument
Aspen
From Grand Junction, you’ll drive the stunning Glenwood Canyon on I-70 to reach your next stop in either Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Aspen, or Vail.
During our two months in Colorado, we stayed in downtown Carbondale for 10 days. Although we would have picked Aspen had it been within our budget, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Carbondale. We were able to hike the Maroon Bells (near Aspen- reservations required), drive an ATV to Crystal Mill (outside of Marble), relax at Iron Mountain Hot Springs (in Glenwood Springs), and drive the West Elk Loop. We also visited downtown Aspen and Snowmass.
We had a reservation for Hanging Lake, but unfortunately, a severe mudslide a few days prior to our arrival closed the Hanging Lake area for about a year.
You can’t go wrong picking to stay in any of these Colorado towns for a night along your road trip! From Aspen, you can also easily drive to the summit of Independence Pass.
Maroon Bells: Visit for sunrise, then hike to Crater Lake. Upon your return, view the bells at midday lighting as well.
Crystal Mill
Vail & Breckenridge
Continue along I-70 to the ski towns of Vail and Breckenridge. Even though you’re visiting in the summer, it’s worth seeing Vail Village and walking Main Street in Breckenridge.
Stay for a night in either town or simply pass through on your way to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Mount Evans is also your way to Rocky Mountain National Park from I-70. Mount Evans is North America’s Highest Auto Road at an elevation of 14,260 feet. Because it sits at such a high elevation, the weather can be unpredictable and surprising. We were visiting at the beginning of September, and while blue skies could be found at the bottom of the mountain, we were in a snow pellet storm at the summit.
(Note: Mount Evans requires reservations, and in early September, the summit to Mount Evans closes for the season.)
You can also visit Mount Evans from Denver. Mount Evans and Idaho Springs are about one hour away from the city.
Walking through Vail Village
Rocky Mountain National Park
The second-to-last stop along your Colorado Road Trip is probably the one you’ve been waiting for: Rocky Mountain National Park.
You can enter Rocky Mountain National Park from either Grand Lake or Estes Park.
From either entrance, we highly recommend driving Trail Ridge Road, a 48-mile drive between Grand Lake and Estes Park. Stop at the overlooks and marvel at all of the wildlife you’re likely to see!
If it’s open while you’re visiting, we also recommend driving Old Fall River Road. This drive typically opens in late May and closes in October. You won’t need a 4-wheel drive or high clearance vehicle, but this is a dirt road, so it wouldn’t hurt if you have one. The views are gorgeous.
Note: If you’re driving from Estes Park, you’ll want to drive Old Fall River Road on your way toward Grand Lake, then return following Trail Ridge Road. If you’re driving from Grand Lake, you’ll follow Trail Ridge Road out and return via Old Fall River Road.
For hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, we enjoyed the Deer Mountain Trail and Bear Lake Trail, the latter of which is where you can reach Bear, Emerald, Dream, and Nymph lakes. Arrive early to get a parking spot (or arrive in the early afternoon when morning hikers are leaving), or prepare to park your car and ride a shuttle to the trailhead. For Bear Lake, enter through Estes Park or drive Trail Ridge Road from Grand Lake. Reservations are required.
We’ve also heard great things about the Sky Pond Hike via Glacier Gorge Trail. When my sister was visiting, she loved Mills Lake to Bear Lake (and took several side trails to more lakes- Tyndall, Glacier, Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes). (If you like a rock scramble, consider Haiyaha.) Her recommendation (that we followed and worked great for us, too) was to start at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead if possible. She then hiked Alberta Falls to Mills Lake and onward, hiking clockwise to avoid some of the crowds to Bear Lake.
Bonus road trip: If you’re staying in Grand Lake, you may want to take a day trip to Steamboat Springs. (Especially if your Ultimate Colorado Road Trip includes visiting as many Colorado towns as possible.) If you’re visiting in the fall and have a high-clearance vehicle, consider driving Buffalo Pass for gorgeous fall foliage.
Note: Pets are not allowed on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Boulder
If you have time for one more adventure along your Colorado Road Trip, consider the trip to the Flatirons, Royal Arch Trail, and Pearl Street in Boulder.
Afterward, make your way back to your starting destination and begin the trek home!
Flatirons Boulder
How to Plan Your Colorado Road Trip
If you have 7 days, consider focusing on the four national parks and maybe one or two additional highlights you’re most interested in. Visit the Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Add a day or two in Denver or Boulder.
If you have 10 days for your road trip, consider visiting the four national parks, plus Denver, Durango, and one or two ski towns in Colorado. Visit the Great Sand Dunes, Durango, Mesa Verde National Park (from Durango), Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Maroon Bells & Aspen, Vail or Breckenridge, and Rocky Mountain National Park (from Estes Park or Denver).
If you have 14 days, see how much of this full road trip itinerary you can do!
Keep planning your trip to Colorado
Colorado Scenic Byways: Get our suggestions for roadtripping the San Juan Skyway here, view our West Elk Loop Itinerary here, and drive Dinosaur Diamond here!
Headed to Utah next? Click here for a Mighty 5 National Park Itinerary. Or you can view all of our road trip itineraries here.
Your turn! Please leave us a comment below.
We’re always looking for inspiration and would love to hear about your adventures too! What’s the best road trip you’ve ever taken (and why), or which one of these stops in Colorado would excite you most? Please share with us in the comments below!
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