5 day colorado road trip itinerary

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5-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Map, Route, Highlights)

Published on September 2, 2022

Do you have 5 days to spend in Colorado and are you looking for an exciting road trip itinerary? Here is our recommended route!

1. Rocky Mountain National Park

2. glenwood springs, 3. colorado national monument state park, 4. black canyon of the gunnison, best time to do this colorado road trip, driving distances during this 5-day road trip, road trip itinerary statistics, similar road trip itineraries in colorado.

Disclaimer: While this article presents a 5-day itinerary, you can always re-arrange this trip into your own plan! Feel free to change the route and length of the trip! This post is merely a tool for you to continue planning your adventure!

Highlights of this 5-day road trip itinerary

Here are the highlights of this road trip! Of course, it’s up to you to decide what to include in your trip. Scroll down below to catch some of our similar road trips in the area!

Time to spend: 1-3 days

Main activity type: Hiking🚶🏿

No matter how much time you have, a road trip through Colorado isn’t complete without visiting the Rocky Mountains National Park! You can easily spend a couple of days here, as this area is filled with beautiful hikes, wildlife, and viewpoints! If you need a place to stay, Estes Park offers the best accommodations in the area!

Extra costs?

National Park Pass

• Google Maps

Time to spend: 1 day

Main activity type: Leisure🏊‍♀️

Glenwood Springs is a great place to relax and take a break from your driving. There are numerous hot springs here where you can fully relax your body and soak in the heat. There are also some hikes around, but most people stop here to do groceries at Walmart or enjoy a dip in the hot waters.

Entrance fee for springs

Main activity type: Viewpoint(s)⛰️

This is a classic road trip in Colorado. The Colorado National Monument features a beautiful winding road that takes you past beautiful viewpoints overlooking canyons, mountain tops, and rock outcrops. You can do some hiking while you’re there, but the main attraction here is the road itself with the many viewpoints you’ll pass along the way.

Apparently, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the least visited parks in the US. But we honestly can’t see why. It’s easily accessible, perfect for a one-day visit, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. We were so amazed with the views. It features a sequence of viewpoints that you can easily drive up to, and it takes about 5 hours to visit them all!

If you want to experience all of what Colorado has to offer, you should plan your road trip for the Summer. All the road and mountain passes will be open and clear in June, July, and August. If you’re okay with some closed roads due to the snow, you can consider road-tripping Colorado in May. You won’t find many tourists at this point! For example, the Trail Ridge Road in the Rocky Mountain National Park is generally open and ready for travel from the end of May through October. The road, which connects the west and east entrances of Rocky Mountain National Park, closes each year due to snow accumulation.

Here is a table with the distance (in miles) between every highlight included in this itinerary.

How to read distance table: The highlights in this itinerary are plotted on each row and column in this table. The intersecting cell between two destinations contains the number of miles you’d have to drive to get from one to another. This driving distance is calculated in Google Maps at the time of publishing this itinerary.

Avg. fuel price

$3.8 per gallon

Total route distance

Assumed driving distance (double the route)

Average driving distance per day

• 3-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Map, Route, Highlights)
• 4-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Map, Route, Highlights)
• 7-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Map, Route, Highlights)
• 10-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Map, Route, Highlights)
• 2-Week Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Map, Route, Highlights)
• 3-Week Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Map, Route, Highlights)
• 4-Week Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Map, Route, Highlights)

How we create these guides: Using Google Maps API and by analyzing trips from TripAdvisor, Google Map reviews, Reddit, etc, we come up with the most unique and memorable road trip itineraries!

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5 Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary: How to Plan Your Adventure (2023)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. At no cost to you, I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase through the links in this article. 

Are you planning 5 day Colorado road trip itinerary?

Let me show you how!

Colorado is one of the most scenic states in America. From the snow-capped Rockies in the heart of the state to the deserts on the western side to the tallest dunes in North America, Colorado boasts some of the most diverse landscapes on the continent.

It takes months to discover Colorado, but you can easily do Colorado itinerary in 5 days, if you plan it right.

I’ve done many road trips in Colorado. And let me tell you: it’s very hard to narrow down the list of places to visit. That’s why I created this article to help you plan your Colorado road trip.

Where to start your Colorado Road trip?

Most travelers begin their adventure Denver, the capital of Colorado and the largest city in the state. Denver is home to the largest airport in Colorado (DEN), which has connections to many other destinations in the United States.

You can also rent a car at the airport in Denver for your trip. Check my guide to renting a car in Denver

5 DAY COLORADO ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: SUGGESTED STOPS

Where to stay: The Crawford Hotel at Union Station

Where to eat: City O’City

Denver is the largest city in the state and is a perfect starting point for your Colorado road trip. It boasts a variety of restaurants and is well known for its micro breweries!

✅  Taking a guided beer tour is an excellent option to sample local brews.

Read my complete guide to the best things to do in Denver to plan your trip!

You can spend a few days discovering Denver neighborhoods like Lower Downtown (also called LoDo), where you can find the Union Station ; and Larimer Square . Also called the Mile High City , Denver is a perfect place to get used to the high altitude before continuing your trip to the Rockies.

➡️ Read my guide on how to take Uber in Denver Airport

Denver is also home to many great museums like the Denver Art Museum , Museum of Contemporary Art Denver , Clyfford Still Museum , and even Selfie Museum .

Best things to do in Denver

• Visit Meow Wolf – one of the newest and coolest museums in Denver, Meow Wolf is a must if you like creative art space. 
• Spot cool graffiti in RiNo – The River North known as RiNo is a gentrified area of Denver where you can find many cool graffitis, hip bars and cafes. 
• Check out the Botanical Garden – Home to North America’s largest collection of plants from climates around the world, Denver’s Botanic Gardens are a popular stop for many visitors. 
• Stroll along the 16th Street Mall – a 1.25-mile-long pedestrian area in the city’s downtown. Here you can explore restaurants and stores. 
• Colorado State Capitol – If you want to get a glimpse into the history of Colorado, check out its state capital located in the heart of downtown.

PRO TIP: Check out some of the most beautiful hikes near Denver. Nearby towns like Evergreen, Idaho Springs, and George Town are within one hour of Denver and offer great outdoor opportunities.

Boulder 

Where to stay: Hotel Boulderado

Where to eat: Leaf

Boulder is a Denver’s smaller cousin that sits at foothills of the Rockies.

Boulder has also been named one of the best places to live in the United States, and it’s not hard to see why. Boulder offers year-round opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking and a great restaurant scene with dozens of eateries for all tastes.

To begin your trip, go Pearl Street Mall, the main thoroughfare of the city where you can enjoy local beer, shop for some souvenirs and grab a tasty bite.

To burn some calories, hit one of the many trails in Boulder where you can enjoy the views of Denver in the distance on one side and snowy Rockies on the other. 

Best things to do in Boulder, Colorado

• Hike the Flatirons –  a popular spot for hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The 2.5-mile hike through the meadow in  Chautauqua Park  will bring you to the first and second set of Flatirons – and further up, if you want a good challenge.
• Test your stamina at Mount Sanitas – a steep trail with the quick elevation gain.
• Eldorado Canyon State Park – Outside of Boulder, you will find the incredible Eldorado Canyon State Park that boasts views of the snow-covered Continental Divide. 
• Go up the Flagstaff Mountain – this 5.4-mile trail will treat you to spectacular views of Boulder.
• Savor delicious tea at Dushanbe Tea House – one of the most popular restaurants in Boulder, this colorful tea house is a perfect place to discover the cuisine of the Central Asian Country.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Where to stay: Discovery Lodge

Where to eat: Ed’s Cantina and Grill

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is one of the best day trips from Denver and one of the most popular stops on your road trip. RMNP is home to some of the best hikes in Colorado, alpine lakes, and snow-capped mountains. 

A gateway to the Rocky Mountain, Estes Park is a charming town with many attractions such as the haunted Stanley Hotel, where you can book the ghost tour, the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, and Open Air Adventure Park. 

If you have extra time, spend a day in Estes Park. One of my favorite activities in Estes Park was kayaking on a small lake. 

➡️ Check my complete guide to the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park .

As of 2021, you need a reservation to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. To reserve a time slot, go to the Recreation.gov .

PRO TIP:  One place near Rocky Mountain National Park that should be on your radar is the Indian Peaks Wilderness – an area popular for multi-day trips and backpacking. One of the most stunning hikes in the Indian Peaks Wilderness is Mirror Lake that’s typically tackled in two days. 

(Optional Stop) Breckenridge

Where to stay: The Lodge at Breckenridge

Where to eat: Piante Pizzeria

Breckenridge is a popular weekend getaway for Denver residents. Many people come here to ski in winter and hike and camp in summer.

Breckenridge sits near Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne , that can be accessed by a 15-minute drive. Dillon Reservoir, a small lake not far from Breckenridge, is popular for kayaking and paddle boarding in summer.

✅ Don’t forget to wear layers when heading to Colorado mountains! Check out this article to find out what to wear in Colorado

Best things to do in Breckenridge, Colorado

Some of the best hikes in Breckenridge are Quandary Peak, one of the most popular Colorado’s 14’ers; McCullough Gulch Trail – a popular trail with spectacular backcountry views just outside of Breckenridge; Boreas Pass, and Mohawk Lakes.

Other fun things to do in Breckenridge are taking Breckenridge Gondola, exploring the Historic Main Street, where you can learn about the early days of Breckenridge; and visiting local distilleries where you can sample authentic Colorado beer.

Breckenridge also offers mountain biking, camping, rock climbing, and zip lining.

Independence Pass

Independence Pass is the highest road in North America is at more than 12,000 feet.

This 32-mile stretch connects Leadville and Aspen and boasts panoramic views of the Rockies and the Continental Divide, a natural boundary that separates North America’s river systems.

While the pass is closed in winter, it’s a popular stop for summer road trips in Colorado. June and July is the best time to visit Independence Pass if you want to see the blooming wildflowers.

Where to stay: Tyrolean Lodge

Where to eat: Pyramid Bistro

Aspen is one of the most famous mountain towns in Colorado. It’s home to ski resorts, hiking trails and the most expensive real estate in Colorado. Winter and summer are the busiest times in Aspen, but fall is equally beautiful when thousands of aspen trees turn gold.

✅ Check my complete guide to the best things to do in Aspen . 

A former silver-mining town, Aspen is home to interesting history and unbeatable outdoor opportunities. In summer, you can enjoy paragliding in Aspen, which you can book with one of the local tour companies. 

✅ Find out how to use Uber in Aspen to get around the area

The Aspen area is also home to Maroon Bells, the most photographed peaks in North America. From middle to late September, these iconic mountains are framed by the golden colors of aspen trees. 

Glenwood Springs

Where to stay: Hotel Glenwood Springs

Where to eat: Zheng Asian Bistro

Glenwood Springs is a close neighbor of Aspen, and if you include it in your 5 Day Colorado road trip Itinerary, you will need to skip a couple of other places, since it’s further from Denver.

The town sits right off Interstate-70, and most travelers know Glenwood Springs as home to some of the best hot springs in Colorado .

Located on the Western Slope, Glenwood Springs is a year-round destination where you can enjoy rafting on the Colorado River and exploring many hikes like the 6.8-mile Grizzly Trail.

Another popular stop in Glenwood Springs is Hanging Lake – a natural area nestled in the cliffs of the Glenwood Canyon.

Don’t forget to book a permit to access it.

Grand Junction 

Where to stay: Hotel Maverick

Where to eat: Namaste Nepal Restaurant

If you are starting your 5 day Colorado road trip itinerary on the Western Slope, Grand Junction is a perfect place to begin your trip.

While Grand Junction doesn’t have the spectacular Rockies, it’s a good starting point for your adventures in southwest Colorado. You can head south toward Telluride from Grand Junction once you arrive, or you can spend a night in Grand Junction to explore the area a bit more.

✅ Check my complete guide to the most spectacular places to visit in Southwest Colorado

Best things to do in Grand Junction:

• Dominguez Canyon – spanning four miles, this scenic area boasts many well-preserved Native American petroglyphs.
• Two Rivers Winery – located just west of downtown Grand Junction where you can sample locally produced wine
• Colorado National Monument – Colorado National Monument   is one of the most popular places to visit in Grand Junction. It’s home to steep-walled canyons, mesas, and plateaus with millions of years of history
• Grand Mesa – The largest flat-top mountain in the world, Grand Mesa sits nearly 6,000 feet above the valley floor. Located about 40 miles east of Grand Junction, it is worth a stop, if you want to get a respite from the summer heat of Grand Junction.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnision

Where to stay: Hampton Inn Montrose

Where to eat: Bluecorn Cafe

Most visitors who come to Colorado visit Rocky Mountain National Park.

But not many know about the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, a hidden treasure about 1 hour and 20 minutes south of Grand Junction.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is breathtaking, but the crowds are much thinner than in many popular destinations in Colorado. Although it doesn’t have hundreds of miles of scenic hiking trails, the jaw-dropping views of the deep canyon make for it.

GOOD TO KNOW : The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is not close to any other popular place in Colorado. If you visit it on a weekday, you might even have the whole place to yourself, especially if you come here in the afternoon.

Like Grand Canyon, this park has North and South Rims, with many overlooks and shorter hikes, and East Portal that takes you down to the river.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an international Dark Sky Park .

It means you can see spectacular dark skies here if you stay camping for the night. If you don’t have a camper, you can spend the night in Montrose, the closest town to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

PRO TIP: If you want to visit several national parks in Colorado, get America the Beautiful Pass. The pass costs $80, while the entrance to most national parks is $45. It allows you to visit many national and state parks in the U.S. National Parks System.

Where to stay: Mountain Lodge at Telluride

Where to eat: La Cocina De Luz

Telluride is my favorite place in Colorado, and I can’t recommend it enough for your 5-day Colorado road trip itinerary

Located in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride is one of the most beautiful mountain towns in Colorado, and it takes time and effort to get here.

But the effort is well worth it: Telluride is a getaway to adventure with incredible opportunities for adventure year-round.

You can spend weeks exploring some of the best spectacular places near Telluride like the Blue Lakes Trail, Sneffels Highline Trail , or numerous mountain passes in the high country. Plan at least a couple of days in Telluride for your Colorado itinerary .

Where to stay: Ouray Inn

Where to eat: Brickhouse 737

Nicknamed “Switzerland of America,” Ouray is a short drive from Telluride that makes a perfect stop on your Colorado road trip

If you love the outdoors, there are plenty of things to do here. The area boasts many hiking trails (one of the best areas for hiking in the Bear Creek National Recreation Trail); historic mining ghost towns, camping, and off-roading. 

If you have a day in Ouray, hike the Perimeter trail that follows the outline of this town and provides access Box Canyon Falls Park, and several waterfalls.

Ouray is one of those towns you should visit in summer, as you can drive on the San Juan Skyway; or The Alpine Loop, one of Colorado’s 26 scenic byways.

Alpine Loop is a 63-mile track connecting Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton and requires four-wheel drive. Another popular summertime activity in Ouray is hiking the Yankee Boy Basin and biking the Ridgeway Area Trail System. 

Don’t forget to visit the famous Ouray hot springs where you can soak up relax after a day of exploring.

One Million Dollar Highway

One Million Dollar Highway is a portion of the San Juan Skyway and is considered one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado.

One Million Dollar Highway covers the first 12 miles south of Ouray until the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass.

If your 5 day Colorado road trip itinerary covers southwest Colorado, you can’t miss this drive! But come prepared – this road has many hairpin turns and sharp drop-offs with no guardrails – after all theres’s a reason it’s called one of the most dangerous roads in America!

Many travelers take this highway to connect to Silverton and other parts of Colorado like Durango and Mesa Verde National Park.

Silverton 

Where to stay: Teller House

Where to eat: Avalanche Brewing Company

Silverton is a former mining town and a National Historic Landmark in southwest Colorado. It’s perhaps one of the most worthy stops for your Colorado Itinerary. 

Located along San Juan Skyway, Silverton is a place to unplug and enjoy the unspoiled mountain views. If you want to escape busy places like Telluride and Ouray, spend a couple of days in Silverton to enjoy some of the best hikes in Colorado like Ice Lakes Basin and Columbine Lake, or explore the scenic backcountry. 

Mesa Verde National Park

Where to stay: Far View Lodge

Mesa Verde National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its vast collection of dwellings and artifacts left by the Ancestral Pueblo people. 

The park boasts about 5,000 archaeological sites and over 600 cliff dwellings built into the cliff sites that were preserved when Pueblos occupied the area.

If you are a history buff, this is by far one of the best places to visit in Colorado, that’s worth a lengthy drive to the southwest corner of the state.

After learning the history of the ancient cliff dwellings, check out overlooks along the 6-mile Mesa Top Loop Road on Chapin Mesa, an area that has several hikes.

The cliff dwellings inside this national park are fragile, so make sure not to touch them.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Where to stay: Hampton Inn Alamosa

Where to eat: Locavores

The Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most striking natural sites in Colorado that spans over 30 square miles. It’s not a common stop on a Colorado road trip due to its remote location, but if you travel south of Denver, it’s a must stop!

Not only will you be able to hike around the shifting dunes, but you will also see Star Dune, the tallest dune in North America at 750 feet!

You can have a lot of fun sandboarding or using a sled to slide down the dunes. Stop in the nearby town Alamosa, which has several rental shops. Stay for the sunset to watch the dark shadows fall over the area.

Take your camera and snap a few photos of the clear dark sky. The Great San Dune is located in a rural area away from the sources of light pollution, a factor that ensures it has incredibly dark skies.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado is one of the best West Coast national parks.

Colorado Springs

Where to stay: Cozy Dream Cottage

Where to eat: The Burrowing Owl

Colorado Springs is the second largest town in Colorado, and although many people treat it as a stop for visiting the Garden of the Gods, it offers many cool things to do.

Colorado Springs is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Denver and home to Pikes Peak, one of Colorado’s most popular 14-ers, and many hiking trails. It’s a perfect place to spend a day on your road trip.

Best things to do in Colorado Springs

• Garden of the Gods the Gods – Garden of the Gods’ trails range from easy to moderate and don’t require advanced hiking skills. You can also take one of the Segway tours that will allow you to sightsee this place.
• Manitou Incline – a popular hiking trail outside Manitou Springs. The trail gains 2,000 feet in elevation over 2,744 steps in less than one mile.
• Pikes Peak – One of Colorado’s 52 fourteeners (mountains with an altitude of at least 14,000 feet), Pikes Peak stands 14,115 feet tall. Unlike most 14’ers in Colorado, Pikes Peak can be accessed via Pikes Peak Highway – an alpine road at 14,115 feet; or Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the highest locomotive-carrying railway in the United States.
• Seven Falls – Seven Falls is a series of seven waterfalls with a height of 181 feet inside the narrow box canyon. While there are many other waterfalls in Colorado, Bradmoor Falls is the only waterfall that made it to the list of National Geographic international waterfalls.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum – the remaining ruins of the Anasazi cliff dwellings that date 800 to 1000 years back, Manitou Cliff Dwellings is a museum under an open sky. The dwellings were originally discovered in southwest Colorado near Mesa Verde National Park and were brought to Colorado Springs in the early 20th century to protect them from looters.

• Old Colorado – Old Colorado, is a small historic neighborhood located in the middle of Colorado Springs. It’s an excellent place to learn about Colorado’s mining history.

Check my complete guide to Colorado’s second-largest city .

Renting a car for your Colorado road trip

I recommend renting a vehicle with Discover Cars for your Colorado road trip. I have used Discover Cars many times in my travels, and it offers some of the most competitive prices with a good selection of cars from compact ones to bigger SUVs.

TIPS FOR VISITING COLORADO

• Pick the best places to visit in Colorado – Check my complete guide to some of the best places to visit in Colorado to plan your itinerary.
• Fly into the correct airport – Most travelers who come to Colorado fly straight to Denver International Airport. But it’s not the only option. You can catch flights to other destinations in Colorado from Denver like Aspen, Grand Junction, or Telluride. 
• Choose the right timing – If you want to enjoy the outdoors, plan your road trip for the summer months. Winter and fall are equally beautiful, but you will be limited in terms of what you can do because of the colder temperatures and access to trails and scenic drives most of which close around mid-October and open in late May. 
• Get travel insurance – buying travel insurance is a smart move, if you want to spend a couple of weeks on the road. SafetyWing is a good option as it will protect you in case of accidents, and hospital visits. 
• Plan for weekdays – Colorado is popular, and many travelers come here for a road trip in summer. Weekends are super busy in Breckenridge, Aspen, and Boulder. For a better experience, plan your adventures around weekdays when it’s less busy, and you can enjoy the trails. 

5 day colorado road trip itinerary: FAQ’s

How many days do I need for a Colorado road trip?

5 days is not a lot of time to see Colorado. If you plan 5-day Colorado road trip itinerary, I recommend to focus on a specific area like the I-70 corridor, Southwest Colorado, or Front Range. Two weeks is a perfect amount of time to see some of the most beautiful places in Colorado without rushing, and enjoy Colorado’s hiking. 

What is the best time to visit Colorado?

You can plan your Colorado road trip for any time of the year. But it’s better to do it from May through late September when the weather is the best for hiking, camping, and mountain biking. While you  can  Visit Colorado in winter, you will not be able to spend as much time outside because of the cold temperatures.

Why plan you Colorado Road trip for summer?

Some of the best drives in Colorado like Independence Pass and One Million Dollar Highway, are closed in winter, so you will miss out on these gems. After Memorial Day, the snow is gone at lower elevations, but it remains higher up in the mountains. If you want to hike, plan your itinerary after mid-June. 

How to spend 3 days in Colorado?

If you have three days in Colorado, choose a specific part to avoid stretching yourself too thin. You can spend three days in the Denver area, visit Boulder, and take a guided tour of the Rocky Mountain National Park, to make the most out of your trip. 

How to spend 7 days in Colorado ?

Seven days in Colorado gives you slightly more room to plan your road trip. You can explore the Denver area, take a day trip to the RMNP and spend three other days in Breckenridge or Aspen, where you can hike and enjoy the spectacular mountain landscapes.

How to spend 10 days in Colorado?

Ten days in Colorado will allow you to see many gems of this state, but for an optimal Colorado road trip, plan at least 14 days. During 10 days in Colorado, you can explore the Denver area, spend some time in the Rockies and see the western part of Colorado.

5 Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary: final word

Colorado is a vast and diverse state with some of the best outdoor opportunities in the United States. It takes months to explore Colorado, and you can still have a lot left on your plate after spending a while here.

My guide provides a tentative itinerary with some of the best stops for a classic road trip in Colorado. If you want to learn more about Colorado gems, read my guide to some of the best places to visit in Colorado . 

Epic 5-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary For Summer or Fall

By: Author Robyn Robledo

Posted on Last updated: March 10, 2024

Hey! I’m so glad you found this 5 day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary! If you love adventure, epic hikes, and a touch of adrenaline, you’re going to love doing this 5 day itinerary for summer or fall when the trails are mostly free of snow.

I felt so inspired after doing this 5 day Colorado road trip with my kids that I decided to write it in story format. If you just want the beta and aren’t interested in the thoughts and feelings I had during this epic adventure, then scroll/jump to the bottom for a quick summary of the 5 Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary.

Table of Contents

Colorado Road Trip Day 1

We loaded up Gabi’s truck, Lolo, with climbing gear and our 4 Patriots solar generator and hitched up to Nomad, our new travel trailer, and left the campground in Palisades, Colorado.

We are nomads and therefore, leaving is not new to us. Much to my husbands chagrin, we don’t stay anywhere very long.But now that we travel in 2 RVs, he stayed in Palisades for a few days without having to be dragged along on this 5-day Colorado road trip. While he loves RV living, adventure travel involving freezing cold nights off grid, sunrise wake up calls to summit 14ers, and hikes along edges with 1,000 foot drop offs is not his idea of a good time.

Danny, who also prefers slow travel, also stayed back to enjoy the running trails and beautiful scenery of this Colorado State Park campground.

What was unique in this case though, was that I was sitting in the backseat as we pulled out. 

As an enneagram 8, ENTJ, letting someone else literally take the wheel is something I’m gradually learning to accept. And while the control freak inside me felt like a fish out of water sitting in the backseat doing nothing, the mom in me felt an overwhelming sense of pride and love seeing how capable and confident I’ve raised Gabi to be.

So, I sat back, relaxed, and enjoy reading as we hopped on the I-70 and headed west towards Leadville.

After a quick stop at Costco to fuel up and stock up on hiking snacks, and another quick detour to grab a beer and burritos at Vail Brewing Company , we turned onto the well maintained dirt Halfmoon Road with an hour of daylight left.

A few miles up, we found a huge clearing with stone campfire pits inviting us to gather, laugh, and tell stories.

“Why don’t we stay in sites like this more often!” says Tati as she jumps out of the truck and runs into the forest with Jiraiya to start gathering wood for the fire. 

I make an enormous pot of chili, while Jiraiya tends the fire and Isabelle takes out her throwing knives to practice on an innocent tree nearby.

Gabi has her camera & phone in hand, capturing every angle of Mount Elbert and every shade of pink in the sky.

This one night is enough to justify the trials and tribulations of parenting but it is not new to us and in this one short 5 day Colorado road trip, it’s just the warm up party.

I was worried about sleeping out here at the base of Mt Massive and Mt Elbert because our new trailer doesn’t have a propane heater set up and we couldn’t run a generator all night long. Instead, we layered up and hoped for the best.

Colorado Road Trip Day 2

My alarm goes off at 6:30 am, I glance at the iced up windows and I think, “How the hell am I going to get out of my down sleeping bag!”

But my inner temper tantrum never lasted long, and by 6:45, I had made coffee, packed bags, and was hurrying everyone to get in the truck.

It was a short drive to the Mt Elbert trailhead and we were on the trail by 7:20. An hour and a half later, we emerged from tree line, filled our water bottles with our favorite hiking supplement , and turned on our game faces. 

This was Tati and Jiraiya’s first 14er.

Mt Elbert is considered one of the easiest 14ers and I felt confident in their cardio and their grit. I knew that even if it was hard, they’d push through.

The snow on the trail made it a little challenging but overall, they made incredible time and we were standing on the summit at 14,400’ (the highest point in all of Colorado) two hours later. 

While we would’ve loved to alternate between staring at the white snow capped peaks to the west and the yellow aspens to the south for hours, the wind was cold and so after filling our bellies with dried mangoes and potato chips, we began the grueling trudge back down.

I was worried that Tati was going to complain but within minutes I hear her laughing as she is glissading down the snow to make the descent more fun and playful.  Oh if we could all maintain that childhood spirit into adulthood, what a better world it would be!

We made it back to the truck by 2 pm, drove back to our campsite and ate the leftover chili, then packed and hitched up and headed off for another adventure.

We found another free camping site just north of Salina. As we unhitched our trailer, I looked at Gabi and said, “It’s only 3:30 pm. We could go rescue Aang and be back by nightfall.”

We left Isabelle with the kids while Gabi and I drove to Canon City to get my beloved Ford F-350 that I left there back in April. It had broke down several times while we were there this past spring and so, we had to buy a new Dodge Ram 3500 and leave the Ford at the mechanic hoping it would sell after it was repaired. But it didn’t and my heart is attached to this truck for some reason and everyone knew I wanted it back. 

I was very worried that I’d get there and it wouldn’t run but, sure enough, it fired right up and I drove it back to Salina with a huge grin on my face. 

Colorado Road Trip Day 3

We had left Lander Sept 19th, about 2 weeks earlier than this 5 day Colorado road trip we were on, with the intention to spend a month in the San Juans (the area near Ouray and Telluride ) but the weather had been constant rain and so we had been stalling in Steamboat Springs , Rifle, & Grand Junction.

Well, when I woke up that next day, day 2 of this 5 day Colorado road trip, I saw 4 days of sun in the Ouray forecast and said, “ Let’s go for it! ”

It was a long four hour drive but when we pulled into Ouray and saw the beautiful jagged snow capped peaks and fiery yellow hillsides blazing with aspens, we were all so stoked .

We decided to make it a recovery day and went to soak in the Ouray Hot Springs in hopes of helping our legs recover for tomorrows adventure, one we’ve been dreaming of doing for many years .

Once fully pruned, we drove south out of town to look for free dispersed camping. I’m driving Aang and Gabi is driving Lolo while towing Nomad. “Are you sure you feel comfortable doing this?”

“Yes,” she says with confidence. 

It was only a few miles out of town but this section of road is extremely narrow, very windy, goes through two tunnels, and has a sheer cliff with no shoulder.

It’s the sketchiest part of the Million Dollar Highway and honestly, I haven’t towed my huge fifth wheel over it because it’s so dangerous.

Fortunately, it was almost dusk which helped because the road wasn’t too busy so she could go slow and hug the double yellow line a bit.

We arrived near Ironton Park, and headed down a dirt road scouting out the best campsite. I stop to get out of the truck to ask if the clearing in front of us is okay when Isabelle says, “Look on the hillside!”

Campsite Selection : When selecting a campsite, prioritize safety and proximity to natural elements like water sources and sheltering trees.

I look up and there’s a mama black bear with 2 cubs staring down at us. We watch each other for a good 5 minutes before the bears eventually loose interest and walk away.

We set up camp in the clearing under even more aspens and prepare a delicious meal of fajitas.

The weather report had changed and was now calling for possible rain in the forecast up on the mountains. The weather reports seem to flip flop often and so I say, “Let’s stick to our original plan of getting up early to hike and if we have to turn back we will.”

I snuggle next to Tati, hoping to get some sleep and stay warm enough, but it’s very, very cold this high in the mountains. 

Colorado Road Trip Day 4

Another 6:30 wake up call. I pop out of bed, open the RV door and see nothing but yellow aspens gleaming under a clear sky. 

“Let’s go troops.”

We are on the road again by 7am but this time it’s about an hour drive to the trailhead. 

Camp Bird Road is smooth initially, but Yankee Boy Basin Road demands high clearance 4WD for rough terrain. After parking, a hike up a short wheelbase 4WD road leads to the trailhead, with a steep 1.2-mile ascent to the summit. The final .7 miles involve a steep climb, transitioning from loose scree to larger boulders.

With snow, the initially slippery section felt like stairs, but steepness worried Tati. Considering turning back, she pushed on, bear crawling with support to the saddle. The epic views made any progress worthwhile, a gratitude for the vantage point attained.

The boulder-filled gully took 40 extra minutes, forcing a free solo climb over a 10-foot crack, hindered by wet shoes and frozen hands from snow.

Another 100 feet and we were there, standing on a peak we’ve been wanting to bag for a long time, Mount Sneffels.

I stared out at the density of mountains in awe. How are there so many peaks extending to what feels like infinity? I took in the beautiful Blue Lakes below me, Telluride ski resort to the west, and all the spatterings of yellow aspens to the north.

It was perfect and again, I wish I could’ve stayed for hours, but Tati was freezing and I was worried about the descent. And for good reason . It was sketchy and scary and slow.

The worst part was that the sun was melting the snow, causing rocks on the scree section to come loose and roll down the hillside right at us.

We took turns scanning the mountain above for falling rock while glissading down the mountain. I felt a huge sigh of relief when we reached the flatter trail and all celebrated with high fives. 

The rest of the hike back was filled with laughter and talking. Our hearts felt full and life was perfect.

After cookies and a beer, we drove south to Molas Lake & Silverton to check them out. As we were driving, a storm rolled in and we felt grateful that it had been delayed long enough for us to do the hike that day. 

Colorado Road Trip Day 5

The next day Gabi and Isabelle had plans to meet some people and climb so I asked Jiraiya and Tati, “What should we do?”

“We could do the Telluride via ferrata,” Tati suggests.

“Are you sure, Tati? It’s not too scary.”

“I think I can do it.”

We drive an hour over to Telluride, stopping to purchase a new climbing helmet , a PAS , a few new slings , and locking carabiners .

Tip: The sign for the via ferrata says you should use these types of dynamic lanyards my kids are have lots of experince climbing and I knew they weren’t going to fall so we improvised. (If you are new to climbing, you’ll want to follow the instructions on the sign.)

It’s 4wd road to get to the start of the via ferrata and I don’t want to beat up my truck when I’ve only had him back for 2 days so I park in the lowest parking lot and we walk the road for almost an hour to get to the start. We gear up and get started.

The beginning section is the worst, in my opinion. It’s a narrow trail with a sheer drop on one side and no cables on the other yet so the kids are super nervous and kinda freaking out.

“You’ve got this. Just focus on your feet and don’t look down. Your brain is going to project out a ton of random fears but you have to ignore it and use logic. You hike stuff this narrow all the time.”

Stay Focused: Concentrate on each step, focusing on the immediate path rather than the drop-off. Mindfulness helps alleviate anxiety.

I held Tati’s hand as we continued for another 45 minutes, alternating between narrow sections of trail with exposure and short sections of rock and cable that we’d traverse. Then, we arrived at The Main Event. 

The Main Event is really the only true via ferrata section where you are completely on metal rungs that act as ladders. It’s less than 50 feet long but there’s only air between you and the ground a thousand feet below so the mental game is a bit tough.

Staying close to me, Tati moved her carabiner to a new cable every few feet as I assisted her. I felt immensely proud witnessing her traverse the entire section without looking down, especially knowing her fear of heights.

Jiraiya was close behind and at first was telling me “I can do this.” But there was no option other than to go forward and by the time he was halfway across he was smiling. The kid is extremely competent and loves adrenaline and I knew that he tends to l project out irrational fear and that once he was in the act, he’d be fine. 

Take Breaks If Needed: Pause and rest at wider sections of the trail. It’s okay to take a breather to regain composure.

We took our time on the rest & I loved getting to enjoy the views while creating a memory with my two babies.

Throughout the entire day, only 4 other people were seen, allaying worries about encountering numerous other groups that could potentially slow down the process of clipping and unclipping.

Now that the Main Event was over, Tati was starting to feel confident in her abilities and enjoy the shorter sections of cables. 

We finished the via ferrata section by 2pm, hiked down to the car in 30 minutes, and headed to Telluride Brew Co and Counter Culture for beer and burgers. What a day and what a road trip !

Visualize Success: Imagine reaching the end of the trail successfully. Visualization can build confidence and alleviate anxiety.

As I drove back towards Ridgeway to meet Victor and Danny, who had just moved campgrounds to be with us again, I kept thinking… This was the most epic 5 day road trip ever (& I’ve done a lot of road trips!) 

I felt grateful for immersing myself in pristine nature atop two 14ers and experiencing the via ferrata to find secluded free camping. The amazing connection I shared with my kids made it perfect, and I sent a prayer out, hoping that one day, my husband would want to join me in these adventures.

While our road trip was over, the adventure never is.

You’ll find us camped at Ridgeway State Park for the next week. During our time here, we’ll be biking the RAT trails, climbing rocks in Ouray, driving along the Million Dollar Highway, hiking Ice Lakes near Silverton, exploring the Hope Lake Trail near Telluride, and enjoying downhill mountain biking at Telluride Resort.

We aren’t just nomads, we are Nomads With A Purpose, and my purpose is to raise these kids to be strong, capable, & passionate about life . What better way than through adventure?!

5 Day Colorado Fall Road Trip Itinerary

On Day 1: Drive to Leadville; Free Camp here

Day 2: Hike Mt Elbert; Free Camp here

Day 3: Drive to Ouray; Soak in Hot Springs; Free Camp here

On Day 4: Hike Mt Sneffles; same free camping

Finally, Day 5: Telluride Via Ferrata

Related Colorado Blogs

• Things to do in Ouray in October
• Things to do in Crested Butte in October
• Things to do in Telluride in October
• Things to do in Steamboat Springs in September
• Things to do in Canon City

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5 Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

• By Jim Monnett
• February 28, 2024
• In USA Travel

With 5 days and 525 miles, you can experience the breathtaking beauty and adventure of Colorado. The mountains and rivers are calling for an amazing road trip with your family and friends.

On this road trip, you will explore the majestic glory of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Colorado River valley. Each day is packed with options for a great road trip vacation. Keep reading for choices to build the best road trip ever. Here are 5 full days of fun:

Day 1: Rocky Mountain National Park

• Day 2: YMCA of the Rockies—Snow Mountain Ranch

Day 3: Glenwood Springs

• Day 4: Buena Vista and the Broadmoor Resort
• Day 5: Garden of the Gods

Come to Colorado to see the sights, challenge yourself, and enjoy the wonder of this most beautiful state. This 5-day Colorado road trip will do a loop through the state to see a bit of everything. Some days will have both "with children options" and "more adventurous options" for people wanting more exciting opportunities.

Beginning In Denver

Whether you are driving or flying, this road trip begins near Denver. You will drive in either from the Great Lakes states on I-76 or up from the southeast on I-70.

Your flights will bring you to Denver International Airport. Just 100 more miles farther you will arrive at Grand Lake and the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Flying Into Denver International Airport

If your road trip begins with a flight, try to either arrive by 10 a.m. or come in after work the night before and stay at an airport hotel. Most hotels have shuttles, or you can get your rental to begin early on day 1 for the 2-hour drive to the Rocky Mountains.

What Rental Car Should I Get?

You should rent an SUV for comfort and horsepower for mountain roads. A four-wheel drive vehicle option will give you the horsepower for any nonpaved roads you may need to traverse to reach a hike's trailhead. Confirm the SUV with the rental company when you book the reservation.

Driving To Colorado From The North, South, Or West

You don't have to begin this 5-day Colorado road trip through Denver. You can start it anywhere on the 525-mile loop. Here are the stops for planning your trip so you can begin at whichever point makes the most sense for you:

• Western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park
• Glenwood Springs
• Buena Vista
• Colorado Springs

The first day of your Colorado road trip takes you to the spectacular glory of Adams Falls. Make sure you pick up sandwiches and drinks for a picnic in the park.

This is an easy hike on the East Inlet Trail onto Adams Falls Trail with parking either in the village of Grand Lake (1 mile) or at the western entrance to the park.

You will see the falls from a midpoint where the waterfall descends down a series of steps as it falls down the gorge. Soon the unpaved trail brings you to the observation deck above the waterfall. After enjoying the waterfall, continue your hike up the trail into the western part of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park Entry Pass

For 2022, Rocky Mountain National Park requires a timed entry pass. You buy these passes ahead of time online on their website . Get the pass without Bear Lake Corridor, as that is on the eastern side of the park. Here are the 2022 entry options:

• Per automobile per day: $30
• Per motorcycle per day: $25
• Per person per day: $15
• Annual Rocky Mountain National Pass: $70
• Annual America the Beautiful National Park Pass : $80 (entry to over 2,000 parks nationwide)

Day 1: With Children Options

Grand Lake has some great options for families with younger children when the hiking is complete. You can rent kayaks or a motorboat at Grand Lake Marina for some time exploring the largest inland lake in Colorado. Or take the kids go-karting at Rocky Hi Speedway .

Day 1: More Adventurous Options

Rocky Mountain National Park offers lots of great hikes. Consider the Colorado River Trail to the ghost town of Lulu City (7.8 miles roundtrip) or the Green Mountain Trail to the Big Meadows with its abundant wildlife (4 miles roundtrip).

Another way to enjoy the park is by a motorized tour. You can rent a two-person side-by-side (like a small Jeep) or an ATV for self-guided tours to see the trails in a new way.

Day 1: Dinner And Sleep

You can grab a delicious dinner in Grand Lake at a dozen restaurants including the Sagebrush BBQ , or drive the 25 miles to YMCA of the Rockies—Snow Mountain Ranch to enjoy a great buffet in the Schlessman Commons dining hall.

Day 2: YMCA Of The Rockies—Snow Mountain Ranch

Don't let the name fool you; this is the place you want to stay. The YMCA of the Rockies offers lots of sleeping options from western lodge hotel rooms to cabins to yurts to RV and tent camping. Snow Mountain Ranch has over 5,000 acres with 30+ activities including:

• Alpine skiing and snowboarding
• Mountain biking
• Indoor pool
• Horseback riding
• Dog sledding
• Snowmobiling
• Summer and winter tubing

Day 2: With Children Options

The whole family will love all the activities at Snow Mountain Ranch. Begin the day with horseback riding and some joyful summer tubing on the Snowflex tubing slope. In the afternoon, try archery or fishing, and close out the day swimming in the indoor pool.

Day 2: More Adventurous Options

Rent a cross-country mountain bike so you can ride the trails through the birch and pine forests. You can push your fear of heights on the challenge course and the zip lines. Or head to the sand volleyball pit to play with the other guests.

Enjoy an early breakfast at the commons before hitting the road for a 2.5-hour drive to the town of Glenwood Springs. Enjoy a Mexican food lunch at Las Margaritas or Jilberitito's Mexican Food. For the afternoon you have options:

Day 3: With Children Options

Take a coat with you when you take the family to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The kids will be begging to experience the rides, but do the cave tour first.

For the young ones, try the 40-minute Fairy Cave tour where you will see the amazing rock formations with many colored stalagmites and stalactites. Return to the rides and choose the best ones for your enjoyment.

Day 3: More Adventurous Options

Two great options for the afternoon include the 3-hour Hanging Lake hike ( required permit ) or your own trip to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Register ahead of time for a Wild Cave tour where you'll be crawling through the cave with your own helmet and headlamp. Or, stay upright for the King's Row Cave tour inside Iron Mountain.

Outside, hold your breadth with the Giant Canyon Swing, the Defiance or Cliffhanger roller coasters, and the rider-controlled Alpine Coaster. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has lots more to offer and laser tag!

Day 3: Relaxation Options:

If you want a relaxing afternoon, Glenwood Springs has choices. Choose the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves for a sauna experience as the hot water flows below the floor, heating the cave rooms to 110-112 degrees. At Iron Mountain Hot Springs , soak up the hot water in one of the many relaxing pools.

Day 3/4: Travel To Buana Vista

You can stay in Glenwood Springs at one of its many lodges or cabins, or you may want to make day 3 a big day and drive the 2+ hours to Buena Vista, Colorado so you are ready for river rafting on day 4.

Day 4: Buena Vista

Your family of all ages will enjoy the Colorado River rafting trips available in Buena Vista. You can do the family float for 2 hours of wet laughter. Children 7+ years old may enjoy American Adventure's Brown Canyon Classic Tour .

Those 15+ years old may want to try the Numbers Classic tour with its white water rafting fun.

Day 4: Travel To Colorado Springs

After rafting fun, get back in your SUV for the under 2-hour drive to the wonder and beauty of Colorado Springs. Stay on the edge of the Pike National Forest at the historic Broadmoor Resort . You can stay in the national historic hotel itself or plan on staying at one of three wilderness lodgings .

For your late afternoon, take the family on the 2-mile roundtrip walk through the 1,250-foot high walls of the box canyon of Pillars of Hercules. You will marvel at the 181-foot-high Seven Falls.

Day 5: Garden Of The Gods

For your last day in Colorado, spend the morning enjoying the many activities of the Broadmoor resort from the Pikes Peak Cog Railway or mountain biking or learning to fly fish. In the afternoon, drive the 10 miles to the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center for a visit to this spectacular park.

Day 5: With Children Options

Your young ones might love the opportunity to relax in the giant outdoor infinity pool. Or, sign them up for a day at the Bee Bunch Camp—a day-camp experience that can include lunch.

Day 5: More Adventurous Options

You will love all the options at the Broadmoor resort from hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. You can try out the Wild West Experience , where you will journey to the South Cheyenne Creek area to learn archery, pellet gun shooting, and tomahawk throwing.

Close out your 5-day Colorado Road trip at the awe-inspiring Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark with its distinctive rock formations. Explore the park on foot, ride a segway or e-bike, or with a classic Jeep tour.

Remember to give yourself 90 minutes to drive back to Denver International Airport with time to return your rental car, wait at security, and make it to your gate for your flight home.

Colorado has so much to offer. This 5-day road trip itinerary will give you chances to hike, ride, raft, and even crawl through a cave as you explore Colorado. Talk to your loved ones as you plan the best possible road trip to magnificent Colorado.

Keep reading to see more great places to visit:

What to Do at Gulf Islands National Seashore

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois - A Visitor's Guide

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The Perfect Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (2024 Guide)

• Last Updated: February 4, 2024

Looking for the best Colorado road trip itinerar y? We’ve got everything you need to know to plan the perfect road trip through Colorado!

Colorado is definitely one of the most beautiful states in the USA. Full of unique national parks, hot springs, forests, ski resorts, vibrant cities, and more, any Colorado itinerary is guaranteed to be full of beauty.

This article will outline an ideal Colorado road trip itinerary. With a scenic drive around the state, you can combine all the highlights of the state into one unforgettable adventure.

Go horseback riding through the majestic Colorado National Parks. Strap on your hiking boots and hit the trails at Colorado National Monument.

Go sand sledding in Great Sand Dunes National Park, or admire the ancient cliff palace in Mesa Verde. Tour Union Station in Denver , check out a former mining town turned ski resort in Breckenridge , or take a scenic drive along the famous Trail Ridge Road.

This Colorado road trip is packed with excitement. There are also suggestions for ways to modify your Colorado itinerary to suit your schedule.

Whether you have one week or one month, here is a Colorado road trip itinerary that will suit any type of traveler!

If you need more inspiration, check out our list of the best things to do in Colorado !

Table of Contents

How long is this Colorado road trip?

Colorado springs, great sand dunes national park, mesa verde national park, black canyon of the gunnison national park, grand junction, glenwood springs, hanging lake, breckenridge, estes park and rocky mountain national park, return to denver, if you have less time…, if you have more time….

This Colorado road trip itinerary covers about 1,000 miles of central and western Colorado.

You’ll drive along a loop that begins in Denver. From there, head south to Colorado Springs, home to the famous Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods.

From Colorado Springs, you’ll continue southwest, hitting the top national parks before traveling north up to Grand Junction.

After Grand Junction, start heading east again towards Glenwood Springs, Breckenridge, and finally up to Estes Park in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. Then head back towards Denver with a stop in Boulder on the way.

In total, the entire loop is about 18-20 hours of driving. You can break the Colorado itinerary up however you like. We’ve included a recommendation for how long to spend in each location, though of course this can be altered to fit your schedule.

We recommend downloading Google Maps to help you with your road trip. You can use the map live or download a road trip map offline if you need. You can save all your destinations with a pin and create a Colorado road trip map to follow on your journey.

With the time recommendations we’ve given, this Colorado road trip will probably take around 3 weeks. There are also some ideas for those who have less time or more time at the end of the road trip itinerary!

No matter how long you have, this Colorado road trip itinerary encompasses the absolute highlights of this incredible state. You’re sure to see some gorgeous sights and have epic adventures regardless of your time frame.

The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re coming from another state or country, begin your Colorado itinerary by flying into Denver International Airport.

You can rent a car right at Denver International Airport. Denver is a pretty car-friendly city, so you may want your rental car with you while exploring Denver before your road trip.

However, you also have the option of exploring downtown using public transport and then picking up a rental car in the city when you’re ready to leave for your Colorado road trip. Either way, Denver is the best place to rent a car and begin any Colorado road trips.

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

• Recommended time here: 3 days

Start your epic Colorado road trip in Denver, the capital city of Colorado. Spending at least 3 days here if you have time is recommended, as there is so much to do!

Boasting a mile-high elevation, Denver offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains and a climate that attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Also known as the Mile High City, Denver is the perfect gateway to the adventure and beauty of western Colorado.

Denver’s neighborhoods each have a distinct character, from the historic charm of Larimer Square to the trendy vibe of the RiNo Arts District, providing residents and visitors with a rich tapestry of experiences to explore.

The cultural scene in Denver is as diverse as its landscape, with a thriving arts community, numerous museums, and a bustling music and entertainment scene.

The city is home to the Denver Art Museum, showcasing a wide range of international and contemporary art, and the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an iconic outdoor venue renowned for its acoustics and stunning natural setting.

Other highlights of the city include the Denver Botanic Gardens , the Downtown Aquarium, Union Station, the History Colorado Center, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. There is a museum or a gallery that will entertain anyone, and the nightlife is thriving as well.

Denver is really a must-visit on any Colorado itinerary, as it is the heart and soul of the state. No matter how long you choose to stay in Denver, consider getting a City Pass to save money on select attractions. Whenever you’ve finished enjoying the Mile High City, grab your rental car and hit the road!

• Distance from Denver: 73 miles
• Driving Time: 1 hour
• Recommended time here: 2 days

From Denver, you’ll head about an hour south to Colorado Springs . Nestled against the backdrop of the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Springs is a city that seamlessly blends natural beauty with urban amenities.

Home to the iconic Pikes Peak, whose snow-capped summit graces the city’s skyline, Colorado Springs is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Tackle one of the many hiking trails, ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, go mountain biking, or just admire the view of the famous Pikes Peak mountain from down in the town center.

The Garden of the Gods, a mesmerizing red rock formation, also stands as a testament to the city’s geological wonders, offering hiking and rock climbing amidst stunning landscapes. If you only have time to see one attraction during your visit to Colorado Springs, The Garden of the Gods should be at the top of your list! It’s a must on any Colorado itinerary!

The city’s historic downtown, with its charming boutiques, galleries, and cafes, provides a welcoming atmosphere. The Olympic Training Center, another notable landmark, underscores Colorado Springs’ status as the home of the United States Olympic Committee.

Visitors can explore the rich aviation history at the National Museum of World War II Aviation or take a scenic drive along the Pikes Peak Highway for breathtaking views.

With a diverse range of cultural events, a strong sense of community, and proximity to outdoor adventures, Colorado Springs captures the essence of Colorado’s enchanting landscapes and vibrant spirit. From here, it’s time to continue the road trip by driving south to the magnificent Great Sand Dunes National Park.

• Distance from Colorado Springs: 154 miles
• Driving Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Great Sand Dunes National Park, located in southern Colorado, is a surreal and captivating landscape that stands in stark contrast to the traditional image of mountainous terrain often associated with the state. It’s one of Colorado’s most unique national parks!

Surrounded by the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, with some reaching heights of over 700 feet.

The juxtaposition of these towering dunes against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks creates a breathtaking panorama that lures visitors seeking a unique and visually striking natural experience.

Exploring Great Sand Dunes National Park offers a variety of activities, from sandboarding and sledding down the dunes to hiking through the diverse ecosystems that surround them.

The park encompasses not only the expansive dune fields but also grasslands, wetlands, and the scenic Medano Creek. Spring and early summer bring a natural phenomenon known as surge flow, where the creek surges and recedes rhythmically, creating a refreshing oasis amidst the arid landscape.

Stargazers also find the park appealing, as the absence of artificial light allows for unparalleled views of the night sky. If you’re thinking of camping at any point on your Colorado road trip itinerary, Great Sand Dunes National Park is an amazing place to do it!

Great Sand Dunes National Park is a testament to the diverse and awe-inspiring wonders that nature can sculpt, offering a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for those who venture into its sandy embrace.

Looking to try more US road trips? Check out our Utah Road Trip Guide !

• Distance from Great Sand Dunes National Park: 199 miles
• Driving Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes

From Great Sand Dunes National Park, continue driving through southern Colorado until you get to the southwest corner of the state. Here you’ll find Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unparalleled archaeological treasures.

Mesa Verde National Park is home to an extensive collection of well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, which date back over 700 years. The most famous among these is the cliff palace, a complex of interconnected rooms and dwellings built into the sheer sandstone cliffs.

Ancient structures like the cliff palace provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloan people, showcasing their architectural prowess and adaptability to the challenging terrain.

Beyond the cliff dwellings, Mesa Verde National Park offers a wealth of archaeological sites, including pit houses, kivas, and mesa-top villages, each contributing to the rich tapestry of human history in the region.

The park’s diverse landscapes, characterized by expansive mesas, deep canyons, and high plateaus, make it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the network of trails that wind through the park, providing stunning panoramic views and access to archaeological sites.

Mesa Verde National Park allows travelers to admire the ancient civilizations and rich cultural heritage of the American Southwest. It’s a top destination to visit on any Colorado road trip itinerary!

• Distance from Mesa Verde National Park: 153 miles
• Driving Time: 3 hours
• Recommended time here: 1 day

From Mesa Verde National Park, continue the Colorado itinerary by heading north through western Colorado’s dramatic landscapes. Your next destination is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, a unique natural landmark tucked away in the area’s rugged terrain.

The Black Canyon is a striking testament to the raw power of erosion and the geologic forces that shape our planet. The park encompasses a dramatic and narrow gorge carved by the Gunnison River over millions of years, creating one of the steepest and most awe-inspiring canyons in North America.

The dark, sheer cliffs that line the canyon walls plunge dramatically, with some sections so narrow that sunlight only briefly reaches the canyon floor during certain times of the day. The name “Black Canyon” is derived from the limited sunlight that penetrates the deep gorge, creating an atmosphere of mystery and allure.

Visitors to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park can marvel at the breathtaking vistas from several scenic overlooks along the rim, each offering a unique perspective of the canyon’s depth and intricacies.

Hiking trails wind along the rim, providing opportunities for exploration and panoramic views of the rugged landscape. For the more adventurous, the park offers challenging routes leading down into the canyon, where the serenity and magnitude of the rock walls become even more apparent.

If you have 1 day to spend here, you can simply marvel at the stunning views. But if you’re someone who loves hiking and adventure, it’s worth spending an extra day to conquer some of the incredible trails.

Black Canyon is not just a geological wonder but also a haven for wildlife, with golden eagles soaring overhead and mule deer traversing the steep hillsides, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts’s Colorado itinerary and those seeking the profound beauty of the natural world.

Read Next: Learn more about the best day trips from Colorado Springs !

• Distance from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: 71 miles
• Driving Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

The next stop on your Colorado road trip itinerary is Grand Junction, a picturesque city that serves as a gateway to the stunning landscapes of the Colorado Plateau.

Situated along the Colorado River and surrounded by red rock canyons, Grand Junction boasts a unique blend of outdoor adventure, cultural richness, and agricultural charm. The city is renowned for its vineyards and orchards, producing some of the state’s finest wines and fruits and making it a great place for wine tasting on your Colorado itinerary.

One of the top things to do in Grand Junction is visit the scenic Colorado National Monument. A red rock wonderland offering breathtaking vistas, hiking trails, and opportunities for rock climbing, the Colorado National Monument is the best place to soak in the stunning canyons and expansive vistas of the Colorado Plateau.

Grand Junction’s charming downtown area is a vibrant hub featuring tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and a lively arts scene. Main Street is dotted with boutique shops, art galleries, and local eateries, creating a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. The city hosts various events throughout the year, including the renowned Colorado Mountain Winefest, celebrating the region’s viticulture.

With its proximity to outdoor wonders like the Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction provides a unique blend of recreational opportunities, cultural experiences, and a warm community spirit. These all help make it a top destination on any Colorado road trip.

• Distance from Grand Junction: 87 miles

Next on your Colorado road trip itinerary, you can start heading back east towards the Rocky Mountains until you get to Glenwood Springs. Nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, this charming mountain town is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor adventures, and rejuvenating hot springs.

The city is situated along the Colorado River, surrounded by lush valleys and towering peaks. Glenwood Springs gained fame in the late 19th century for its therapeutic hot springs.

Today, visitors can unwind in the historic Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, the world’s largest naturally heated mineral springs pool, which has been soothing travelers for over a century. Stay right at the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort if you want to treat yourself to some luxury on your Colorado road trip!

In addition to its relaxing thermal waters, Glenwood Springs offers a myriad of recreational opportunities. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the scenic Glenwood Canyon, embark on whitewater rafting trips down the Colorado River, or go mountain biking through the surrounding mountains.

The charming downtown area boasts Victorian-era architecture, boutique shops, and a variety of dining options. The historic Glenwood Vaudeville Revue and the iconic Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park further contribute to the town’s appeal, making Glenwood Springs a perfect destination for those seeking a harmonious blend of relaxation and adventure in a picturesque mountain setting.

You could easily spend more than 3 days here, but there are still more destinations to visit on your Colorado road trip!

Read next: 21 Best Things To Do In Colorado Springs

• Distance from Glenwood Springs: 10 miles
• Driving Time: 13 minutes

From Glenwood Springs, it’s only about 13 minutes to Hanging Lake. You could visit the lake during your time in Glenwood Springs, but it’s on the way to your next destination so it could be more convenient to visit on your way out of the city.

Hanging Lake is a natural marvel renowned for its pristine turquoise waters and captivating setting. Accessible via a moderately strenuous hiking trail, the lake is cradled within a geologic amphitheater, surrounded by towering cliffs and lush vegetation.

What sets Hanging Lake apart is the delicate ecosystem that thrives in this high-altitude oasis, with waterfalls feeding the crystal-clear lake and travertine formations that cling to the cliffsides.

The journey to Hanging Lake is as rewarding as the destination, with the steep, rocky trail offering panoramic views of the Colorado River and Glenwood Canyon. The trailhead, located just off Interstate 70, has become a popular destination, and visitors are encouraged to make reservations to manage the impact on this fragile environment.

Recognizing the need for preservation, the U.S. Forest Service has implemented measures to protect the lake, ensuring that future generations can continue to marvel at the unique beauty of Hanging Lake while also appreciating the importance of responsible stewardship in maintaining this natural treasure.

After soaking in the beauty of this lovely spot, continue heading east through the Rocky Mountains! Before you take on the highlights of Rocky Mountain National Park, stop in Breckenridge to visit one of Colorado’s top ski resorts.

• Distance from Hanging Lake: 95 miles
• Driving Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Breckenridge , a picturesque mountain town nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, is renowned for its historic charm, world-class skiing, and vibrant cultural scene.

Originally a mining town during the Colorado Gold Rush, Breckenridge has preserved its 19th-century character, with well-preserved Victorian buildings lining Main Street.

The town’s charming downtown is a hub of activity, featuring boutique shops, art galleries, and a diverse array of restaurants and cafes. Visitors can stroll through the historic district, where the Blue River runs alongside the vibrant streets, creating a scenic backdrop for year-round festivals and events.

Breckenridge is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, drawing winter sports enthusiasts with its renowned ski resort. In the colder months, the Breckenridge Ski Resort offers world-class skiing and snowboarding across a vast expanse of slopes, while the summertime brings opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and exploring the surrounding trails and alpine meadows.

With a welcoming community, breathtaking mountain vistas, and a rich blend of history and recreation, Breckenridge has become a sought-after destination that seamlessly combines the best of the Colorado Rockies with the warmth of a mountain town.

Read More: Don’t miss this post on the best things to do in Breckenridge !

• Distance from Breckenridge: 130 miles
• Driving Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes

From Breckenridge, take a small detour north to visit Estes Park. Known as the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a charming mountain town that captures the essence of the Colorado Rockies.

Known for its stunning natural beauty and a gateway to one of the nation’s best national parks, Estes Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The town is surrounded by majestic peaks, and the Big Thompson River meanders through the valley, providing a serene backdrop to the picturesque landscape.

Visitors can explore the quaint downtown area, featuring unique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafes, creating a welcoming atmosphere that complements the town’s mountain ambiance.

Estes Park serves as a base camp for those venturing into Rocky Mountain National Park, offering access to a vast network of hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and scenic drives. This is the perfect place to base yourself for exploring the iconic park!

A must-visit is Bear Lake, a serene alpine lake surrounded by picturesque peaks. Bear Lake Trailhead offers access to several stunning hikes, including the famous Dream Lake and Emerald Lake trails.

Driving along Trail Ridge Road is another one of the top activities in Rocky Mountain National Park. One of the highest paved roads in the United States, Trail Ridge Road provides amazing views of the alpine tundra and a chance to spot elk, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife.

Or you can book a guided driving tour of Rocky Mountain National Park in a glass-top luxury van. This allows you to sit back and relax while your guide educates you about one of the nation’s greatest national parks.

You could easily spend a week in Estes Park and take countless day trips into Rocky Mountain National Park. But Trail Ridge Road, Dream Lake, Bear Lake, and any hiking trails should all be at the top of your list, and you can easily do all of these in just a few days.

Once you’ve finished exploring Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, head over to Boulder to start wrapping up your Colorado road trip!

• Distance from Rocky Mountain National Park: 40 miles

Located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is a vibrant and progressive city known for its stunning natural surroundings, active lifestyle, and thriving cultural scene.

Boulder’s iconic Flatirons, a series of striking rock formations, serve as a backdrop to the city and offer an array of recreational opportunities, including hiking, rock climbing, and photography.

The city’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its extensive network of bike paths, green spaces, and an eco-friendly ethos embraced by the community.

Home to the University of Colorado Boulder, the city exudes a youthful energy and intellectual vibrancy. Pearl Street Mall, a charming pedestrian street in the heart of downtown, is a focal point for shopping, dining, and street performances.

Boulder also boasts a diverse culinary scene, with a focus on locally sourced and organic ingredients. The city’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its numerous tech startups, research institutions, and a reputation as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, yogis, and wellness seekers.

With a backdrop of mountain scenery, a lively cultural calendar, and a commitment to a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, Boulder is a great stop on any Colorado road trip itinerary. And it’s only 30 minutes away from Denver, so it easily fits into a Colorado itinerary.

Check our list of the 30 best things to do in Boulder for more ideas.

• Distance from Boulder: 27 miles
• Driving Time: 30 minutes

From Boulder, head back to Denver and return your rental car. Your Colorado road trip is over!

There were so many amazing places included in this Colorado itinerary, from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park to the charm of cities like Colorado Springs and Boulder.

There is always more to see when you visit Colorado. If you didn’t get to see all the Colorado national parks and ski towns that you wanted on this Colorado road trip, you’ll just have to come back!

For more fun things to do in the area, try these day trips from Denver .

Hopefully this Colorado road trip guide has been helpful!

For those who are short on time, here are some modifications that may come in handy while planning your Colorado road trip.

First of all, you can cut down the amount of days you spend in each location. We recommended around 2-3 days in each place, but you could get away with 1 or 2 in most places.

The driving times in between destinations are only around 1-3 hours, so you won’t be sacrificing too much time on the road.

The longest drive is from Great Sand Dunes National Park over to Mesa Verde National Park, which is just under 4 hours. Mesa Verde is pretty far out of the way in southwestern Colorado.

To save time on your Colorado itinerary, you could skip this national park and just go straight from Great Sand Dunes National Park to Grand Junction in 4.5 hours.

Or you could skip Boulder on your way back to Denver if you’re not a big fan of exploring cities. If you’re not big into skiing or snowboarding, you could also cut out Breckenridge since the ski resort is the main attraction here.

So even if you only have a week or two for a Colorado road trip, there are ways to make it work!

Read next: 21 Best Places To Visit In Colorado

If you have more time to explore Colorado, there are so many amazing road trip options for you. First of all, you could easily just spend longer in each destination listed on this Colorado road trip!

Or you can add other cool destinations to your Colorado itinerary.

For example, you could stop in San Juan National Forest on your way to Mesa Verde. Visitors to the San Juan National Forest can explore a network of trails that wind through dense forests, traverse alpine meadows, and reveal stunning vistas of the rugged San Juan Mountains.

Or if you want more skiing and snowboarding in your Colorado itinerary, add more mountain towns to your road trip.

You can stop at Telluride Ski Resort on the way to Grand Junction, taking the Million Dollar Highway to get there. The Million Dollar Highway, a legendary stretch of U.S. Route 550 in Colorado, is renowned for breathtaking and sometimes hair-raising mountain views on the scenic drive.

Or stop in Aspen on the way from Glenwood Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park. Or spend more time exploring the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, seeing destinations like Grand Lake and Adams Falls.

There are many different Colorado road trip routes you could take. The more time you have, the better! Have a great road trip.

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Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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The World on my Necklace

A Travel Blog by Katie Chavez

Ultimate Colorado Road Trip Itinerary to See the Best of the State

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Colorado is a land of epic mountains, abundant wildlife, historic mountain towns , natural hot springs, striking red rocks, more sunny days than Florida, and the BEST beer.

I always knew I would love Colorado , and it is no surprise that it is now one of my favorite places in the world, and a place that I am very lucky to call home – well, part of the time at least #nomadlife .

Since I first arrived in Colorado four years ago, I have been all over the state, crisscrossing road trips through the desert and over gravel mountain passes, up 14’ers, soaking in hot springs , to numerous charming mountain towns and haunting ghost towns, on beautiful and challenging hiking trails, and to more breweries than I can count.

There is so much to explore in Colorado that you could travel the state for a year and still not experience everything. It is an outdoor lovers’ dream that I just can’t get enough of, and there is so much Wild West history here too.

It is also a state that is best explored with your own set of wheels, you simply won’t see the best of Colorado without a vehicle. It is one of the best US Road Trips you can do, in a country that is made for road-tripping.

I have been wanting to put together a Colorado road trip itinerary for the longest time, an epic Colorado itinerary that will take at least three weeks to do, but would be better suited for a month or more of travel.

This ain’t no Denver /Vail/Colorado Springs jobbie, this is the real deal, super detailed, massive circular (kinda) road trip route that will take you to the best of the state, including hot springs, breweries, mountain towns, ghost towns, scenic drives, and awesome hiking trails – amongst other things.

It includes my favorite places to eat, the best drinking holes in town, and a handful of accommodation options per place, including budget hostel or camping options, vacation rentals, and a nicer lodge or hotel option, focusing on independent businesses that are historic or charming, rather than chain hotels. 

We have done a lot of incredible housesits all over Colorado, and this is an excellent way to travel as you get free accommodation and get to stay in someone’s home, which I think is so much nicer than staying in a hotel.

There are always loads of Colorado housesits on Trusted Housesitters. Sign up through my link to get 25% off your first year of membership – you can search for housesits before signing up.

Because it includes hiking trails and mountain passes that are only open from June/July till September/October, this road trip is designed for the summer and fall months.

This is the road trip that will make you fall head over heels for Colorado, and I warn you – once you have followed this Colorado road trip itinerary – you may just end up moving there.

So here it is, my super-duper, gigantic Colorado itinerary for an epic summer or fall road trip!

Ultimate Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

Colorado road trip route.

Check out my Colorado road trip interactive map here.

Here is my Colorado road trip route, with every overnight stop included as well as places to visit along the drive. As most people will be flying in and starting from Denver, this is where my Colorado itinerary starts and ends.

Denver – Boulder – Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park – Grand Lake – Hot Sulphur Springs – Steamboat Springs – Glenwood Springs and Hanging Lake – Grand Junction and Colorado National Monument – Montrose and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park – Crested Butte – Telluride – Ouray – Silverton – Durango and Mesa Verde National Park – Pagosa Springs – Great Sand Dunes National Park – Valley View Hot Springs – Salida – St Elmo Ghost Town – Buena Vista – Aspen and Maroon Bells – Leadville – Vail – Frisco – Breckenridge – Georgetown – Idaho Springs and St Mary’s Glacier – Denver

There are a few places that I really love in Colorado that I wasn’t able to fit into this route without a lot of backtracking, but check out my other Colorado posts to find out more.

This is the perfect route in my eyes, but everyone is different and likes different things. You can pick and choose from this Colorado itinerary and cut some things and add others to make it the perfect Colorado road trip for you.

I know not everyone has weeks to explore Colorado, so if you have less time and are looking for the best road trips from Denver for one week or even less, get in touch – I would love to help you out and give you some suggestions for the amount of time you have.

My Perfect Colorado Itinerary for 3 + Weeks

Denver 2-3 days.

Even if you aren’t a fan of big cities, I recommend spending at least two days in the city and surrounds of Denver.

The Greater Denver area is home to nearly half the population of the whole state, and I think to get a good understanding of Colorado you need to experience where so many Coloradans live.

I already have a detailed post about how to spend three days in Denver , so go and check that out for more details on places to go, where to stay, and where to eat in the city. Also, check out my Denver suburbs guide with a more in-depth look at what to do, eat, and drink in Denver’s best neighborhoods.

Denver highlights include soaking up 19th-century history in Larimer Square and LoDo, having an out-of-this-world experience at Meow Wolf, brewery and restaurant hopping in the Highlands, biking the riverside trails around the city, street art hunting in RiNo, hiking or catching a show at Red Rocks, hiking in Golden and tubing the river, and exercising and picnicking in expansive Washington Park.

Where to Stay in Denver: For budget options, Hostel Fish or Ember Hostel and The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa  or The Crawford Hotel for refined luxury. If you prefer vacation rentals, then check out  RiNo Luxury Flat ,  City Park One Bedroom , and Urban Refuge Carriage House.

Where to Eat in Denver: So many places! Go to Snooze or Sassafras for brunch, sample some creative small plates at Root Down where the focus is eating local, grab a burrito bowl at Illegal Pete’s, eat at a former mortuary turned eatuary – Linger, try delicious Native American fare at Tocabe, and make sure to check out a few of the food halls that Denver is known for including Avanti, The Denver Central Market, Zeppelin Station and Denver Milk Market to name a few.

Where to Drink in Denver: Again, so many places! Have pickle shots at the Retro Room, amazing craft beer at Denver Beer Company, Little Machine, Ratio Beerworks, New Terrain in Golden, Strange Craft, and Goed Zuur – a sour and wild beer-only bar, libations in the sun on the roof terrace at Avanti, and giant frozen margaritas on the patio at Rio Grande. And don’t miss one of the best speakeasies in the country – Williams and Graham.

Boulder 1-2 Days

Drive Time to Boulder: 30 minutes/27 miles

Boulder is both a mountain town and a college town and is a liberal place that is a great stop for eating and hiking, and a must on any Colorado Itinerary.

If you are short on time I recommend spending at least one day there, checking out the shops and buskers on pedestrian Pearl Street, wandering along pretty Boulder Creek, eating at one or two of the excellent restaurants in town, grabbing a beer at a local brewery, and doing a hike – Royal Arch in Chautauqua Park and the Mount Sanitas Loop are my favorites.

Where to Stay in Boulder: Boulder Adventure Lodge, Basecamp Boulder , or Hotel Boulderado. For vacation rentals, check out this Cabin on Boulder Creek , or this South Boulder Studio .

Where to Eat in Boulder: The beautiful, hand-painted Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse which was gifted by Tajikistan offers delicious teas and food from around the world, the Avanti food hall which has an awesome roof terrace with mountain views and various restaurants including a pizza place, Korean, and pupusas, and try the best pizza in Boulder at Pizzeria Locale.

Where to Drink in Boulder: There are tons of great breweries in Boulder, I would recommend Sanitas Brewing Co., VisionQuest, and Twisted Pine. Also make sure to check out the awesome Rayback Collective which has a cafe, bar, food trucks, and live music on site – it’s a great place to get a couple of hours of work done before knocking off for some beers.

Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park 2-4 Days

Drive Time to Estes Park: 50 minutes/37 miles

After stopping for a look around and a drink at Oskar Blues in the cute town of Lyons , you will arrive in touristy but very pretty Estes Park – the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park . 

You can either explore Estes Park for a couple of hours and then head into Rocky Mountain National Park to camp, or you can base yourself in Estes Park – it’s up to you and they are both good choices.

Pro Tip: If you are planning to visit the four National Parks in Colorado as well as Colorado National Monument – they are all in this itinerary – then get the America the Beautiful Annual National Parks pass.

The pass lasts for one year, covers your vehicle and anyone in it, and costs $80. It will save you $35 in entry fees compared to purchasing passes to each park separately, and you can use it for one year at National Park sites all over the U.S. Buy it at the entrance gate to Rocky Mountain National Park.

In Estes Park, make sure to visit the infamous Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for The Shining, and reputed to be haunted. To avoid the entrance fee, park your car in town and walk up there to look around for free.

Estes Park is a great place to get your Colorado souvenirs, and if it is a rainy day, catch a movie at the historic Park Theatre, the oldest theater west of the Mississippi.

Rocky Mountain National Park

There is so much to see in Rocky Mountain National Park that you could spend weeks hiking the different trails. For a short visit of only a couple of days, I recommend doing the Gem Lake trail, which is in a section of the park very close to Estes Park, then heading into the park via the Beaver Meadows Entrance.

The most trafficked part of Rocky Mountain National Park is the area around Bear Lake, and you need to go as early as possible if you want to get a park there, otherwise, you can park at the park and ride and take the free bus.

Spend at least a day in the Bear Lake area, making sure to do the hike to Emerald Lake via Dream Lake, the short Bear Lake trail, and the longer trail to Sky Pond if you have time – my favorite trail in the park.

On your last day in Rocky Mountain National Park, spend a day driving Trail Ridge Road, stopping at viewpoints, the Alpine Visitor Center, and doing the short Alpine Ridge trail and Tundra Communities Trail.

For a longer hike, the Ute trail is very worth it, even if you just do a section of it.

On the other side of Trail Ridge Road, stop to do the short but interesting hike to the Holzwarth Historic Site, and perhaps a longer hike on the western side of the park – I have hiked to Cascade Falls on the North Inlet Trail and it is a beautiful hike. 

If you want to spend a couple of extra days in Rocky Mountain National Park, consider visiting the lesser-known Wild Basin area of the park. To get to Wild Basin, you need to take State Highway 7 from Estes Park towards Allenspark, before turning off to get to the entrance station.

One of the top hikes in the Wild Basin area is to Ouzel Falls, if you are hot after your hike make sure to take a shower under the falls. I have heard great things about the Chasm Lake hike too. Stop in Allenspark for a beer and pizza at Rock Creek Tavern and Pizzeria before heading back to Estes Park.

Where to Stay in Estes Park: Estes Park Adventure Hostel offers dorm accommodation and a communal kitchen right by town. Hotel options are Murphy’s River Lodge , Blue Door Inn , or The Stanley Hotel . For vacation rentals, stay in this charming rustic studio cabin , or this cozy downtown one-bedroom loft .

Alternatively, camp at one of the campgrounds on the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park – Moraine Park or Glacier Basin. It is best to book these online in advance as they are full most nights in summer, especially weekends. 

Where to Eat in Estes Park: For good BBQ, try Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Brew, have a massive breakfast at Big Horn Restaurant, and have some beers and pub grub at The Wapiti Colorado Pub.

Where to Drink in Estes Park: After a day of hiking, try some local beers at Rockcut Brewing Co., Avant Garde Aleworks, and Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co.

Grand Lake 1-2 Days

Drive Time to Grand Lake: 1 hour 40 minutes/46.5 miles

Grand Lake is the gateway to the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, and is a bit more rustic and less touristy than Estes Park.

The town isn’t large so a couple of hours looking at the shops, checking out the lake, and eating at one of the restaurants there should suffice, although if you get in late after driving Trail Ridge Road, it’s a good overnight stop.

Stay longer if you want to base yourself there to do some of the trails on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park – the East Inlet trail is meant to be a stunner.

Where to Stay in Grand Lake: Shawdowcliff Mountain Hostel or Grand Lake Lodge . For vacation rentals, stay at this affordable Grand Lake condo , or this dog-friendly lakefront rental . If you want to camp, Elk Creek Campground and RV Resort is right by town. 

Where to Eat in Grand Lake: Sagebrush BBQ and Grill for great BBQ in a rustic setting, Grand Pizza for a massive range of specialty pizzas.

Where to Drink in Grand Lake: The Worlds End Brewpub has the best selection of craft beers on tap in town, and a nice patio to enjoy them in the sun.

Hot Sulphur Springs – Half day

Drive Time to Hot Sulphur Springs: 30 minutes/25 miles

If you are a hot springs junkie like I am, make sure to stop at the small town of Hot Sulphur Springs on the way to Steamboat Springs for a few hours, to take a dip in the pool complex of the same name. This is one of my favorite hidden gems in Colorado .

There are 22 pools and private baths, all of different temperatures, and it is a relaxing and unassuming place that doesn’t get a load of tourism. But don’t expect anything fancy.

You can stay at the Hot Sulphur Springs Resort as an alternative to Grand Lake, and you get unlimited access to the pools from check-in to check-out. The Canyon Motel in town is also a great option.

For vacation rentals, stay at this Modern-Rustic Luxury Rock House , or this Hot Sulphur Springs Cottage .

Steamboat Springs 1-3 Days

Drive Time to Steamboat Springs: 1 hour 20 minutes/70 miles

Beautiful Steamboat Springs gets missed off many a summer Colorado Itinerary and that is such a shame, because it is one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the state, and it’s home to one of the best hot springs: Strawberry Hot Springs.

I recommend spending at least one night in Steamboat Springs, to look around town, grab a beer at one of the brewpubs or breweries, eat a meal at one of the excellent restaurants, and hit the hot springs – evening is best.

Stay even longer and you can check out some of the hiking trails near town too – Fish Creek Falls is probably the most famous. This winter resort town is just as good in summer.

Where to Stay in Steamboat Springs: Stay at the Chalet Val d’Isere Bed & Breakfast , or  The Steamboat Grand . For vacation rentals, stay in this  quaint and luxurious studio , or this  downtown condo with balcony . Alternatively, stay at Strawberry Hot Springs in a caboose, a cabin, or camping. 

Where to Eat in Steamboat Springs: Winona’s for giant cinnamon rolls and big breakfasts, and Creekside Cafe and Grill for their very reasonable happy hour menu for snacks and drinks, and their garden patio overlooking a creek.

Where to Drink in Steamboat Springs: Mountain Tap Brewery for great local beer and wood-fired pizza, Storm Peak Brewing Company for eclectic craft beer, and The Barley Tap and Tavern for locally sourced beer and spirits.

Glenwood Springs 1-3 Days

Drive Time to Glenwood Springs: 2 hours 15 minutes/115 miles

Glenwood Springs is a historic town that is famous for its hot springs. My favorite part of town is the riverfront and Grand Avenue near the river.

Grab some food from one of the restaurants in this area, and if you love eclectic fashion, then check out the awesome Elizabeth Dean Boutique .

Skip the main Glenwood Springs Hot Springs and go to Iron Mountain Hot Springs instead, located on a hillside overlooking the river. These peaceful hot springs pools are absolute heaven and you should spend an afternoon and evening soaking here.

Calming music plays, and you can hop around the different pools of different temperatures.

Another big Glenwood Springs attraction is the hike to Hanging Lake, arguably the most famous hike in Colorado. Check here for up-to-date information about prices and reservations.

There are lots of other hikes in the area too, including the short hike to Doc Holliday’s grave, and the Roaring Fork River trail – both of which you can begin right in town.

Where to Stay in Glenwood Springs: Ami’s Acres Campround close to town, Hotel Denver , or Starlight Lodge . For vacation rentals, stay at Casa Del Sol with mountain views, or this modern one-bedroom in downtown Glenwood Springs.

Where to Eat in Glenwood Springs: Smoke Modern BBQ for delicious BBQ and mac and cheese, Grind for a wide range of burgers, beers and boozy shakes , and 19th Street Diner for a classic American Diner experience.

Where to Drink in Glenwood Springs: Casey Brewing Taproom for excellent craft beer – especially the sours, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub is a cozy spot for a local craft beer, and Doc Holliday’s Saloon is a historic western-themed tavern with drinks and pub grub.

Grand Junction and Colorado National Monument 2-3 Days

Drive Time to Grand Junction: 1 hour 20 minutes/87 miles

Grand Junction is the most populous city on Colorado’s Western slope and is the gateway to Colorado’s wine region.

Although Grand Junction is a pleasant city in itself and a great place to wander around and explore, the main reason people visit this college city is because of its proximity to Colorado National Monument . 

Spend at least a day hiking and driving the scenic roads through the red rock desert of underrated Colorado National Monument – my favorite hike was the Monument Canyon and Wedding Canyon loop trail.

Also, make sure to visit pretty Palisade, home to some of the best peaches in the country and surrounded by wineries, farm stands, breweries, and even a distillery – visit the best by following the self-drive Fruit and Wine Byway routes.

Where to Stay in Grand Junction: Camp at Saddlehorn Campground in Colorado National Monument or stay at Hotel Maverick or the Grand Vista Hotel . For vacation rentals, stay at this affordable suite near downtown, or the charming Sweet Apple Cottage .

Where to Eat in Grand Junction: The Goat and Clover Tavern for English pub food, Pablo’s Pizza for inventive pizzas.

Where to Drink in Grand Junction: Edgewater Brewery and The Rockslide Brew Pub for local craft beer, and The Feisty Pint for generous happy hours and Colorado beer, cider, and spirits.

Montrose & Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park 1-2 Days

Drive Time to Montrose: 1 hour/61 miles

Montrose itself is not terribly exciting, but it is the gateway to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and has a handful of good restaurants and breweries.

There is also an excellent living history museum – Museum of the Mountain West – that includes a number of 19th-century buildings, and all kinds of stuff from the past 150 years that the owner has painstakingly collected over his lifetime.

The entry fee includes a two-hour tour of some of the restored buildings and it was fascinating.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is one of the least visited National Parks in the U.S. and comprises a very deep canyon of distinctive black rock.

It is a small park at only 231 acres, but there is enough to keep you busy for a day or two – from various viewpoints to hiking trails.

Where to Stay in Montrose: South Rim Campground in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In Montrose, stay at Old School Lodge or Double G Ranch & Guestlodge . For vacation rentals, stay at this rustic mountain cabin , the beautiful Black Canyon Cottage on a private ranch, or this unique rustic treehouse .

Where to Eat in Montrose: Crash Burger for simple but delicious burgers, and Colorado Boy for inventive and delicious pizza.

Where to Drink in Montrose: Horsefly Brewing Company for local craft beer, burger and wings on their sunny patio, and Phelanies for top-rate cocktails.

Crested Butte 2-3 days

Drive Time to Montrose: 1 hour 45 minutes/92 miles

Crested Butte is my second favorite mountain town in Colorado – only just edged out by Telluride, and if you have the time then you should definitely add Crested Butte to your Colorado Itinerary, despite it being a big detour to get there.

Crested Butte is a vibrant and pretty mountain town that is surrounded by some of the most scenic wilderness in the U.S., with Maroon Bells right on its doorstep.

In the fall, drive Kebler Pass, Ohio Pass, or Cottonwood Pass for breathtaking fall colors, and hike Gothic Mountain for a summit hike with epic views and wildflowers.

Nearby Gothic Ghost Town is worth checking out, originally a silver mining town it now has a second life as a facility for the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory.

Where to Stay in Crested Butte: Crested Butte Hostel , Cristiana Guesthaus , or Nordic Inn. For vacation rentals, stay at this private guesthouse on Elk  or The Alley House , both in downtown Crested Butte.

Where to Eat in Crested Butte: McGill’s for their hearty breakfasts, awesome pitas at a great price from Pitas in Paradise, upscale pub grub at Irwin Brewing Company’s Public House, Sherpa Cafe for your Indian fix, awesome bagels from Butte Bagels, Secret Stash for perfect pizza.

Where to Drink in Crested Butte: Camp 4 Coffee for great coffee and breakfast burritos, The Dogwood for incredible craft cocktails, and local beer at The Eldo Brewery.

Telluride 2-4 Days

Drive Time to Telluride: 3 hours/157 miles

Telluride is one of my absolute favorite mountain towns in Colorado, and although it is a bit out of the way, you should definitely have Telluride on your Colorado Itinerary. This town is so dang gorgeous and has a vibrant and active community.

Telluride is also home to a number of festivals in summer, with the Telluride Bluegrass Festival being one of the biggest. If you want to visit during a festival, make sure to plan your tickets and accommodation in advance.

There are tons of things to do in Telluride and you should definitely hit up some hiking trails, take the gondola up to Telluride Ski Resort from town, and visit the nearby Alta Ghost Town.

Check out this post I wrote for more details about what to see and do in Telluride.

Where to Stay in Telluride: The Bivvi is an excellent affordable option with dorm and private rooms. Town Park Campground for camping right in town, Inn at Lost Creek in Mountain Village, or   the New Sheridan Hotel. For free camping, stay at beautiful Priest Lake. If you want a vacation rental, this bright one-bedroom with a patio overlooking the river and this cute studio are both great choices and both are right downtown.

Where to Eat in Telluride: Award-winning Brown Dog Pizza for delicious Detroit-style pizzas, Smuggler Union Restaurant and Brewery for a range of craft beers and pub-style food, and Baked in Telluride is the best budget option in town and had excellent pastries, soups, and sandwiches. If you are in Telluride on a Friday, don’t miss the weekly Farmer’s Market.

Where to Drink in Telluride: Telluride Brewing Company for inventive beer, Stronghouse Brewpub for craft beer, and rustic Last Dollar Saloon for its massive range of beers and awesome margaritas. 

Ouray 1-2 days

Drive Time to Ouray: 1 hour/50 miles

Rivaling Telluride in beauty, Ouray is another gorgeous historic mountain town that is absolutely picture-perfect and has a number of hiking trails nearby. It is a must-add to a Colorado Road Trip!

Other than just wandering around the town and swooning at the colorful flower boxes and historic buildings, I highly recommend you visit the Wiesbaden Hot Springs and Vapor Cave for a relaxing experience at a great price. This is one of the most unique hot springs in Colorado .

Wiesbaden is actually a lodge but you don’t have to stay there to visit the pools. There is a hot pool outside, and then under the lodge there is a small natural hot pool inside a cave with a waterfall – so cool!

Alternatively, Orvis Hot Springs is another great local hot spring set in a beautiful garden with a few outdoor pools, as well as private indoor pools which are included in the price. It is clothing optional.

A popular and very beautiful trail nearby is the Blue Lakes trail near the town of Ridgway to the north. This eight-mile out-and-back hike is moderate to difficult but so worth it to see these gorgeous lakes! For shorter hikes in town, hike along the river or do the Ouray Perimeter Trail.

Where to Stay in Ouray: Amphitheater Campground , Wiesbaden Hot Springs and Lodgings , Imogene Lodge , or Timber Ridge Lodge. For vacation rentals, this renovated historic home in the heart of downtown, and this modern studio apartment on the river.

Where to Eat in Ouray: Brickhouse 737 for eclectic American cuisine and cocktails – this is one of my favorite restaurants in Colorado!, Colorado Boy Southwest Pub for killer artisan pizza and Southwestern cuisine.

Where to Drink in Ouray: Ouray Brewery for award-winning beers on their rooftop with mountain views, or enjoy beers at Mr Grumpy Pants Brewing (also known as Ourayle House Brewery).

Silverton 1-2 days

Drive Time to Silverton: 45 minutes/24 miles

The drive from Ouray to Silverton on the Million Dollar Highway is one of the most beautiful in the country, especially in mid to late September when the fall colors are at their peak.

Silverton is a real wild west mountain town that is not polished like Telluride or Ouray, and in that lies its charm.

With unpaved streets and more historic buildings than you can shake a stick at, a walk around Silverton will make you feel like you have stepped back in time to the Gold Rush days.

This is another favorite Colorado road trip stop.

The best place to learn about the storied history of Silverton is at the San Juan County Historical Museum, which has loads of info about the founding of the town and mining history in the area, and it incorporates the old county jail.

Like most mountain towns in Colorado, there are a number of hiking trails nearby and it’s a great base if you want to get into the wilderness. I am dying to do the Ice Lake Basin trail myself.

Where to Stay in Silverton: Teller House or the   Grand Imperial Hotel. For camping, stay at Molas Lake Campground or Silverton Lakes RV Resort. For vacation rentals, stay at Stellar House in downtown Silverton, or this unique tiny house that is also downtown.

Where to Eat in Silverton: Rocky Mountain Funnel Cake Factory for decadent funnel cakes, The Bent Elbow for excellent American dishes, Handlebars Food and Saloon for their extensive menu and western decor, Eureka Station for pasties.

Where to Drink in Silverton: Golden Block Brewery for local brews, The Bent Elbow for their old-timey bar.

Durango and Mesa Verde National Park 2-3 days

Drive Time to Durango: 1 hour/48 miles

Durango will feel like the big smoke compared to the mountain towns you have been visiting, but it’s still a lovely small city with beautifully restored historic buildings and a lively student population.

Mesa Verde National Park is only a 40-minute drive away so unless you are wanting to camp in the park, Durango is a great base as there are a number of good restaurants, breweries, and bars in town.

Mesa Verde National Park is one of the highlights of this whole Colorado road trip itinerary, especially if you are into history like me. The cliff dwellings here are simply spectacular, and are some of the best-preserved archeological sites on the whole continent!

Along with doing some hiking and visiting the viewpoints over the different cliff dwellings, you absolutely have to visit at least one of the cliff dwellings up close and personal. I highly recommend taking tours of Balcony House, Long House, and/or Cliff Palace and doing the self-guided tour of Step House.

For hikes in Mesa Verde National Park, I enjoyed the Spruce Canyon Trail, the Point Lookout Trail, and the Soda Canyon Trail.

Along with visiting Mesa Verde National Park, another popular attraction in Durango and one of the most beautiful train journeys in the country is between Durango and Silverton – the Narrow Gauge Railway.

I am yet to do this myself but I have heard great things! You can do the return train journey with two hours spent in Silverton in one nine-hour day trip.

Make sure to save an afternoon and evening to soak at the excellent Durango Hot Springs which has over 20 different pools to choose from and a restaurant onsite.

Where to Stay in Durango: Morefield Campground in Mesa Verde National Park, or stay at The Strater Hotel or the General Palmer Hotel in Durango. For vacation rentals, stay at this cozy treehouse condo or this urban homestead in downtown Durango.

Where to Eat in Durango: Grab sliders, pizza, or tacos from one of the eateries at 11th Street Station which also has a bar and live music. Neopolitan pizza from Fired Up Pizzeria. 

Where to Drink in Durango: Awesome craft beer at Ska Brewing Co or Steamworks Brewing Company. Cocktails at the Old West-style Diamond Belle Saloon where the wait staff dress in period clothing.

Pagosa Springs 1-2 days

Drive Time to Pagosa Springs: 1 hour 10 minutes/60 miles

Pagosa Springs is a pleasant town set on the San Juan River and is most famous for its hot springs. There are a couple of different options in town, and if you love hot springs and want to try more than one.

I recommend the relaxing Overlook Hot Springs with various pools over three levels, and The Springs Resort and Spa which has pools sitting right on the river and is the premier hot springs complex in town (the price certainly reflects this).

If you want to stay longer, there are plenty of activities in the area like hiking, tubing, kayaking, fishing, and mountain biking to keep you busy.

Where to Stay in Pagosa Springs: Pagosa Riverside Campground , The Springs Resort and Spa , Fireside Cabins , or Healing Waters Resort & Spa . For vacation rentals, stay at this charming studio with mountain views, or this cozy downtown studio .

Where to Eat in Pagosa Springs: The Peak Deli for delicious breakfasts and sandwiches (the best breakfast burrito in Colorado!), Mountain Pizza and Taproom for pizzas and pour-your-own beer taps, Root House for coffee drinks and cafe fare.

Where to Drink in Pagosa Springs: Riff Raff Brewing Company for craft beer in a Victorian house.

Great Sand Dunes National Park 1-2 days

Drive Time to Great Sand Dunes National Park: 2 hours 10 minutes/108 miles

Great Sand Dunes National Park will make you feel like you are on the planet Tatooine, but without Luke Skywalker. You probably wouldn’t expect to see so much sand when you are so far from the ocean, but there it is. This is definitely one of the more unique stops on this Colorado Road Trip Itinerary!

This offbeat National Park is home to the tallest sand dune in North America, and you can hike up it. But if you don’t have nine hours, then hike up the highest dune on the first ridge instead, and then slide back down if you have something to slide on.

Along with all that sand, Great Sand Dunes National Park is also home to wetlands, grasslands, alpine forests, and tundra, and there are numerous hiking trails that will allow you to explore the diverse landscapes in the park.

In spring and early summer, cool off in Medrano Creek – it is only flowing during this short window each year.

Where to Stay for Great Sand Dunes National Park: For camping, Piñon Flats Campground in the park or Great Sand Dunes Oasis RV Park just outside the park. Nearby hotels are Great Sand Dunes Lodge or The Sunet Inn in Alamosa. For a vacation home, stay at this artsy Southwest house in Alamosa.

Where to Eat & Drink in Great Sand Dunes National Park: The only place to eat within 25 miles of the park is the Great Sand Dunes Oasis Restaurant. It’s best to bring your own food for your visit.

Valley View Hot Springs 1-2 days

Drive Time to Valley View Hot Springs: 1 hour 10 minutes/66 miles

If you manage to book a slot to visit or stay a night, you should definitely add the remote Valley View Hot Springs to your Colorado itinerary.

These rustic, clothing-optional hot springs are managed by a land trust, and you have to make sure you book in advance because only a certain number of people are allowed in each day.

Ring a week in advance to book and make sure you will be there on the day you say because the cancellation fee is hefty.

But believe me, this special place is worth the hassle. I met the most friendly and interesting people soaking in the various natural pools and the views are incredible down over the San Luis Valley.

Bring your own food because there are no restaurants or stores nearby. Be warned – if you are not comfortable around nudity then it is probably not the place for you, although it is perfectly acceptable to wear a bathing suit if you feel more comfortable.

Salida 1-2 days

Drive Time to Salida: 45 minutes/38 miles

Another day, another beautiful and historic mountain town – there really are so many in Colorado! Salida is home to Colorado’s largest National Historic District with 136 preserved buildings that have a wild west past.

You can either drop in for a short visit to Salida to check out the pretty main street and go for a stroll by the river or stay longer to do some hiking, mountain biking, or world-class white water rafting.

If it’s hot, you can swim in the river right in town, then grab a local beer at one of the town’s breweries.

Where to Stay in Salida: The Salida Inn and Hostel , American Classic Inn , or Silver Ridge Lodge. For vacation rentals, stay at cute Tenderfoot Cottage or turn-of-the-century Dvora’s Guest House , both downtown.

Where to Eat in Salida: Amicas Pizza Microbrew for wood-fired pizzas and beer brewed onsite, Tacos El Tapatio for authentic Mexican food. Brown Dog Coffee Company for good coffee and breakfast burritos in cozy surroundings.

Where to Drink in Salida: Try local craft beer at Soulcraft Brewing, Tres Litros Beer Company, and Moonlight Pizza and Brewpub. The Biker & The Baker is a great choice for wine and cocktails, and Benson’s Tavern and Beer Garden for drinks and live music.

St Elmo Ghost Town – Half Day

Drive Time to St Elmo Ghost Town: 50 minutes/32 miles

My favorite ghost town in Colorado, St Elmo is also one of the best-preserved in the American West. It is absolutely worth going a little out of your way to visit, whether you love history, photography, hummingbirds, or just exploring beautiful places.

On arrival, grab a pamphlet to take a self-guided walk of this late 19th Century historic town, where 43 buildings remain, including a saloon, a courthouse/jail, mercantile, and private homes.

Summer is an excellent time to visit if you love hummingbirds because there are dozens of them buzzing around the various feeders by the General Store in town.

There are also lots of chipmunks, I love those little cuties! In fall, the gold of the aspens surrounding the town is absolutely spectacular.

Another couple of ghost towns that are definitely worth visiting in the area are Vicksburg and Winfield.

Located in Clear Creek Canyon just north of Buena Vista, these two ghost towns are great for a wander and there is dispersed camping all along the gravel road. You can easily do this drive in a 2WD.

If you want to stay at St Elmo, you can camp at Iron City Campground right by it.

Buena Vista 1-3 days

Drive Time to Buena Vista: 40 minutes/20 miles

Buena Vista is another one of my favorite mountain towns, and I love the friendly locals, the cute downtown, and the proximity to hot springs, hiking trails, and other outdoor adventures.

I don’t see Buena Vista on many a Colorado Itinerary, but I think it should be on them all.

My favorite things to do in Buena Vista are to hang out around town looking at the boutiques and people-watching at a bar or cafe, walking along the river in fall to admire the fall colors, hiking alpine trails in the stunning Collegiate Peaks – like the popular Ptarmigan Lake, and soaking at one of the hot springs nearby – I love Cottonwood Hot Springs, but Mount Princeton Hot Springs is another popular option.

Like Salida down the road, Buena Vista is one of the best places in the country to go white water rafting so if that is something you are interested in, you should get on a rafting trip here.

I did a rafting trip through Browns Canyon National Monument and absolutely loved it!

Whether you are only passing through or you decide to stay a few days, you are going to love Buena Vista – we are even thinking of buying land here we love it so much.

Where to Stay in Buena Vista: Cottonwood Hot Springs Lodging for rooms, cabins, dorms and camping, Five Peaks , or Surf Hotel & Chateau. For vacation rentals, stay in this cute one-bedroom in the trendy South Main district, or this sweet cabin in the heart of BV.

Where to Eat in Buena Vista: The Buena Viking Food Truck is very popular with locals and visitors for their amazing burgers and sides, or try the pizza at Elkhorn Pizzeria.

Where to Drink in Buena Vista: Eddyline Brewery for local brews, The Lariat for cocktails and live music, art-filled local hot spot Buena Vista Roastery Cafe for craft coffee and tea drinks and baked goods.

Aspen, Maroon Bells and Independence Pass 2-5 Days

Drive Time to Aspen: 3 hours 15 minutes/162 miles

This is another big detour in this Colorado road trip itinerary. I have tried to take you on a mostly circular route but you shouldn’t miss Aspen and Maroon Bells – it’s worth the detour, I promise.

Take at least half a day to drive over scenic Independence Pass, the highest paved pass in North America which is only open in summer and fall.

Stop for photos or hike the Interlaken trail at Twin Lakes to the remains of a once luxurious resort, enjoy epic views at the Continental Divide Viewpoint, and learn about mining history at beautiful Independence Ghost Town .

This is also one of the best fall color drives in Colorado, and once you start the descent from the Continental Divide into Aspen, the golden display of aspen trees covering the mountains on both sides of the road will knock your socks off.

Aspen is a former mining town, turned hedonistic counter-culture town, turned ritzy mountain resort with some of the most expensive real estate in the country.

Unfortunately only the rich can afford to live in Aspen now but it is still a beautiful place to visit, with the gorgeous historical buildings and colorful flower baskets that you see in a lot of mountain towns in Colorado.

There is also a lot to do around Aspen with some incredible mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing.

No matter what, spend at least half a day in nearby Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness , which is one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the whole country. There are a number of hiking trails from short strolls to multi-day adventures.

Where to Stay in Aspen: Difficult Camping Ground , The Gant , or Tyrolean Lodge. For vacation rentals, stay at this newly remodeled studio condo or this similar studio – both in the heart of Aspen.

Where to Eat in Aspen: White House Tavern for premium sandwiches, snacks, and craft cocktails in a 19th Century Miner’s cottage, Grateful Deli for lovers of sandwiches and The Grateful Dead.

Where to Drink in Aspen: Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar for elevated cocktails, Aspen Brewing Co for local craft beer and pizza.

Optional: Backpacking Trip in Maroon Bells 2-3 days

If you are looking to add a multi-day hike to your Colorado road trip itinerary, I highly recommend doing one in Maroon Bells.

Two of the most popular hikes are the Four Pass Loop which takes three or four days to complete, and the two-day return hike to remote Conundrum Hot Springs.

But I recommend doing the Aspen to Crested Butte hike over West Maroon Pass and back on East Maroon Pass with a night in Crested Butte. If you do this you could cut the big detour to Crested Butte earlier in the road trip out.  

This was one of the best hikes I have ever done with incredible mountain scenery, wildflowers and wild berries everywhere, and you get to spend an afternoon and evening exploring the beautiful Crested Butte.

I wrote a detailed guide to this hike here . You can do this in two days or take your time as we did.

Leadville 1-2 days

Drive Time to Leadville: 2 hours 40 minutes/129miles

At this point of your Colorado road trip, you have been to a lot of mountain towns that were former mining towns and are full of history – but Leadville is one of the best.

Like Silverton, the buildings in Leadville’s historic downtown have been somewhat restored, but it still retains a real Wild West vibe and has a rough and readiness to it that I love.

Leadville sits at over 10,000 feet and the winters here are especially harsh, this attracts a special type of person and there sure are some colorful characters that call Leadville home.

If you are a fan of spending hours browsing through cavernous antique stores with old stuff piled everywhere (who doesn’t?!) then don’t miss Western Hardware Antiques, and the Old West memorabilia at the Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon has to be seen to be believed.

If you are interested in the history of Leadville, make sure to visit the Matchless Mine and Baby Doe’s cabin, do a tour of the Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin, and visit the National Mining Museum and Hall of Fame.

The second-highest mountain in the lower 48 states, Mount Elbert, is right by Leadville too so if you want to bag a 14’er this one is a great choice. 

Where to Stay in Leadville: For camping, stay at the Molly Brown Campground by Turquoise Lake, or Elbert Creek Campground if you are looking at summiting Mount Elbert. Another great budget option is to rent an ensuite room at The Mountain Hideaway Lodge , this is where we stay when we are in Leadville and we love the jacuzzi and sauna, the shared kitchen, and how close it is to town.

Hotel options include Inn the Clouds Hostel & Inn  and The Abbey. For vacation rentals, stay in one of Leadville’s tiny houses – my top picks are this one , this one , and this one . 

Where to Eat in Leadville: Treeline Kitchen for classic American plates done really, really well, and inventive cocktails. High Mountain Pies for great pizza.

Where to Drink in Leadville: The Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon for drinks in an Old West watering hole, and Two Mile Brewing Company for local brews.

Vail 1-2 days

Drive Time to Vail: 1 hour/38 miles

Drive Highway 24 via the cute town of Minturn to perhaps the most famous Ski Resort in the U.S. – Vail.

Vail is picture-perfect, but really – it’s more a ski resort than a real town. It doesn’t have the mining history of so many of Colorado’s mountain towns, and it shows. Rather than being full of historic buildings, it has been modeled to look like Switzerland or Austria, and although it is pretty, it’s all a bit fake if you ask me.

But – it’s still worth visiting as the setting is STUNNING and there are some great hiking and biking trails, including a lovely easy path that follows the river.

If you have ever wanted to hike with alpacas, you can do that in Vail, as well as horse riding, climbing, tubing, zip-lining, and riding an alpine coaster. And don’t miss the pretty Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.

Where to Stay in Vail: The Bunkhouse Hostel in Minturn, or Gravity Haus Vail or Tivoli Lodge in Vail. For vacation rentals, stay in the Birch luxury studio , or the Streamside Douglas one-bedroom villa .

Where to Eat in Vail: Up the Creek for relaxed dining by the river, Yeti’s Grind for coffee and breakfast burritos, Swiss Chalet Restaurant for fondue and Swiss eats.

Where to Drink in Vail: Vail Brewing Company and 7 Hermits Brewing Company for local craft beer, Shakedown Bar for drinks served with live music.

Frisco – Half Day

Drive Time to Frisco: 30 minutes/26 miles

On the way between Vail and Breckenridge, stop for a look around the lovely town of Frisco with its historic Main Street.

If you are into history, check out the free self-guided Frisco Historic Park and Museum which includes the Old Schoolhouse and Jail.

There are a number of hiking trails that start right in town, so stretch your legs on one of these before hitting the road again.

Where to Stay in Frisco: If you do decide to stay in Frisco, the Snowshoe Motel or Frisco Lodge are great choices. For vacation rentals, stay at Cedars Lodge studio condo , or this chic duplex – both downtown.

Where to Eat in Frisco: Butterhorn Bakery for the best breakfast in town, 5th Avenue Grille for delicious New American cuisine, Ein Prosit for German beer and sausages. The Mint Steakhouse in nearby Silverthorne is also a great choice – you cook your own protein and it is in the oldest building in Summit County.

Where to Drink in Frisco: Outer Range Brewing Company and Highside Brewing for great local craft beer.

Breckenridge 1-2 days

Drive Time to Breckenridge: 20 minutes/10 miles

Breckenridge is one of the big ski resorts in winter, but in summer it is host to a whole lot of fun warm-weather activities like world-class mountain biking, hiking, scenic drives, summer dog sledding, zip-lining, paddle-boarding, and river rafting, to name a few.

If you are looking for a party, then Breckenridge is great for that too. With over 100 restaurants and bars in Breckenridge and a young and lively population, Breck knows how to party.

And like Vail, Breckenridge is also home to a large number of festivals throughout the year – there is always something going on.

If you are visiting in the fall, don’t miss driving at least some of Boreas Pass, and do some of the fall hikes in the area including Aspen Alley for golden aspens and mining history.

And whatever time of year you are visiting, make sure to add a visit to the Breckenridge troll  to your Colorado road trip!

Where to Stay in Breckenridge: The Bivvi Boutique Hostel , Gravity Haus , or Mountain Thunder Lodge . For vacation rentals, stay at Peak 9 studio condo or this cute studio – both in downtown Breck.

Where to Eat in Breckenridge: Amazing Grace for killer breakfasts in a homey environment, American comfort food on the sun-soaked patio at The Canteen Tap House & Tavern.

Where to Drink in Breckenridge: Breckenridge Brewery & Pub for inventive beer and pub food, Broken Compass Brewery for their inventive and delicious craft beers – try their Ginger Pale Ale and Coconut Porter, and The Absinthe Bar for a wide selection of absinthe.

Georgetown 1-2 Days

Drive Time to Georgetown: 45 minutes/37 miles

Georgetown is a cute little town right off the I-70 near Idaho Springs, and is definitely worth a visit if you are into mining history or want to hike the closest 14’er to Denver – Mount Bierstadt.

The main street of Georgetown is full of historic buildings, and if you are interested in mining history – there are tours of the historic Capital Prize Gold Mine.

Drive the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway for stunning fall colors in September and gorgeous views all year round, and ride the Georgetown loop railroad on an old steam engine past several gold and silver mines from the past.

Where to Stay in Georgetown: Rose Street Bed & Breakfast or Georgetown Mountain Inn . For vacation rentals, stay at this cozy cottage downtown , or in this super affordable and cozy one-bedroom condo .

Where to Eat & Drink in Georgetown: Cooper’s on the Creek for elevated Colorado fare,   Guanella Pass Brewing Company for awesome local brews.

Idaho Springs – Half Day

Drive Time to Idaho Springs: 15 minutes/13 miles

Idaho Springs is yet another lovely historic mountain town and was founded during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in 1859. It is also one of the closest mountain towns to Denver .

As well as visiting the town itself, don’t miss hiking to nearby St Mary’s Glacier, and take a historic gold mine tour at Phoenix Gold Mine.

You can also drive to the summit of 14,270ft Mount Evans from Idaho Springs on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway.

Make sure to time your visit to have lunch at the excellent BeauJo’s for Colorado-style pizza. What is Colorado-style pizza you ask? You should find out for yourself, but I will say that it involves honey. Wash it down with a beer from popular Tommy Knocker Brewery.

And then from Idaho Springs, it is only half an hour back to Denver!

Phew, so that’s it for now! I still haven’t been everywhere in Colorado so the more places I go, the more I can add on to this giant Colorado Itinerary.

I hope this helps in planning your own Colorado road trip Itinerary, and that you come away loving Colorado just as much as I do.

If you liked this – check out some of my other Colorado posts:

• 15 Best Colorado Mountain Towns to Visit Any Time
• 15 Best Colorado Hot Springs For True Hot Springs Enthusiasts
• 10 Best Hidden Gems in Colorado
• Fun Things To Do in Buena Vista, CO: One of My Favorite Mountain Towns
• The Perfect 3 Days in Denver Itinerary
• 14 Best Denver Suburbs To Visit and What to Do, Eat, and See There
• 11 Best Mountain Towns Near Denver (1 Hour or Less)
• Absolute Best Hikes in Golden To Work Up a Sweat
• Visit Telluride: The Best Mountain Town in Colorado
• Hike from Aspen to Crested Butte: The Best Hike in Colorado
• 15 Fun Things To Do in Golden CO That Won’t Break the Bank
• Experiencing Cannabis Culture in Denver with a Cannabis Tour

59 Comments on Ultimate Colorado Road Trip Itinerary to See the Best of the State

This is an excellent itinerary! We’re planning to travel to Colorado this summer with my 14 and 17 year old for 9 days. We’d like to tour some of the colleges in the state. Do you have an itinerary for 9 days with teens? Thank you.

Hi Kate, I’m happy to put together a quick itinerary if you email me at [email protected] . Let me know dates and interests. Thanks.

I loved your information. We’re a group of 5 seniors going to Colorado for 2 weeks in September. We would like your help in making an itinerary for the trip. Given our ages we may not be able to do a lot of hiking

Hi Toni, I most offline hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal for the next 2.5 weeks but send me an email at [email protected] letting me know what you like doing, places you definitely don’t want to miss and any other info and I can help you with an itinerary when I’m back on the grid properly.

Gosh, I’m so lucky that I have found your posts. It’s absolutely the best. Thank you so much for your great efforts! ❤️

Wonderful article with great suggestions for things to do/see in Colorado. I also really appreciate your dining/drinking recommendations. My husband & I will be visiting for the first time later this month. What would be your plan for a 6-day tour starting & ending in Denver? We love scenic drives, history, short hikes and good eats. Thanks!

Hi Dawn, it depends on how much driving you want to do. If you don’t mind a lot of driving, I would head straight down to the southwest corner of Colorado and visit Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Durango, Pagosa Springs and Mesa Verde National Park. Visit Leadville on the way down and Great Sand Dunes National Park on the way back up.

This itinerary is so amazing, it’s so well-written along with your amazing pictures as well. enjoyed alot while reading this!

Thank you! I put a lot of time into it so I’m glad you enjoyed it

The mountain looks very amazing, all photos are so amazing! thanks for sharing your itinerary

No problem Toba 🙂

Coming from the view of a 31 year resident of Colorado I was a bit disappointed by the fact that this is a trip to tourist spots. I was hoping for a more off the beaten path trip. I live with the Colorado National Monument basically in my front yard. It is awesome to see,however, there are so many other great places to see when you get outside of the city.

These may be tourist spots for Coloradans but a lot of them aren’t as well known to people who aren’t from the state. I have written a hidden gems post about some of the less well-known spots.

I did a lot of research on my own, after driving around my first trip to CO in 2020. I planned a tour to go back, then discovered your article. I can tell you that it was very informative. I did have many of the stops that you described, but you gave names of places I didn’t know about and some of the smaller towns like Leadville, etc were interesting to read about. I am going again in Sept and want to do a lot of this but only in 10 days, so I will have to cut out some of the places I added to mine… too bad Steamboat Springs is up and out of the way, because I’d love to check it out. I was also thinking of going into Utah to see Arches National Park. I think I am always way too ambitious with my road trips! Thanks for sharing your journeys with us all!

Thanks for your feedback Crystal. I saw your email too and will reply in the next couple of days.

I am obsessed with this itinerary! Any ideas to shorten to 10 days for a summer trip with kids aged 9 and 13?

Thanks Marci! It depends on how much you want to drive and pack in. Send me an email at [email protected] with more details of what you are looking for and I would be happy to help.

Hello! Amazing post! Love all the hot spring you described! We are planning a trip to Colorado from California to meet up with family from Chicago. We have about 2 weeks together. Do you have suggestions as to what are the 3-4 places we should stay and have the greatest reach to nature, and activities? Thank you!!

Hi Siaumin – if you want to spend time in three places I would highly recommend basing yourself in Telluride, Crested Butte, Aspen/Carbondale and either Salida or Buena Vista. There is tons to do in these areas and they are my favorite places in Colorado.

Dear Katie!

I can’t believe you actually reply! THANK YOU!

Of course – I’m happy to help. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Wow! Great information here. I am planning a 9 day family trip starting in June 20 from Denver. Possibly, Denver, Estes Park, Rocky Mountains, Grand Lake, Vail, Aspen and C Butte to Denver. I know there are lots to see and do but any specific recommendations on my route? Am I missing another close by place to visit ?

Thanks Ed, sounds like a great trip! I would add Buena Vista/Salida as they are on the way back to Denver to Crested Butte, there are a couple of great hot springs here as well as one of the best ghost towns in the west (St Elmo). Enjoy!

Need advice on the best 4 day road trip starting & ending in Denver. Know Denver well So don’t need to spend much time in Denver.

Hi Pat, you could do a road trip to Denver – Boulder – Rocky Mountain National Park – Frisco – Leadville – Buena Vista – Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs – Denver over four action-packed days.

Thanks for the marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back someday. I want to encourage you continue your great job, have a nice day!

I’m coming into Colorado for just a week and want to see as much as possible!! Could you help me out? Flying into Denver!!

Hi Bethany, send me an email at [email protected] with places with your current travel plans/ideas for Colorado and I would love to give you suggestions and help you to plan a route.

What a great Guide to beautiful Colorado! I live in Pagosa Springs and your guide makes me want to start a 3-6 week road trip! Thank you for including Pagosa Springs and Mountain Pizza & Taproom!!

Thanks so much Bob! It means so much more coming from a Coloradan. Can’t wait till next time I can grab pizza at Mountain Pizza and Taproom again 🙂

This is a great post! My husband and I are both Colorado natives and we agree that this list absolutely nails it. You even mentioned the restaurant I work at 😉

Thanks so much, that means a lot! What restaurant do you work at?

Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Cheers

Sure, feel free to share it 🙂

Yay! I roadtripped through Colorado last summer and it’s definitely one of my favorite states! <3! I'd love to go back to explore more!

Glad you loved it too Farrah! There is always more to see – I have a big bucket list of new places in Colorado to explore this year (and lots of favorites to go back to!)

I love how detailed and informative it is! I definitely miss going on road trips and this one looks so much fun 🙂

Colorado is one of my favorite places in the world to road trip – I love a good road trip too

This post really spoke to me because I had to cancel my road trip through Colorado. I planned to go to a concert at Red Rocks. I will make a trip when things open up, though, and I’ll put your stops on my list! Thanks for this!

No problem, glad it is helpful

Such a great post and very helpful especially as I find myself waiting out current events in the state. I’ve been trying to find places to hike but it’s always difficult as I get altitude sickness at 9k. But, thanks to this post, I’ve found some places that I can’t wait to explore! Thanks

Happy to help! Enjoy

This is the ultimate guide! It makes we want to go there right now! I’ve booked for August, but is is looking less likely by the day. When I do – I’m headed straight for the giant sand dunes! Thank you for all the information I will need!

Thanks, I hope you make it there – if not this year then next.

Wow! What a thorough guide! Colorado has so many gems but the National Sand Dunes NP is my favorite. Such a random thing to find there. Now I have new spots to check out – thank you!

I went there for the first time last year and couldn’t believe I hadn’t been there before – so cool!

This makes me want to get off my ass and start hiking! You’re so lucky to live in such a wonderful state, thank you for sharing.

Thanks Rachael, I am very lucky!

This guide is so informative and comprehensive! Can’t wait to do a road trip in the US – looks like I need to consider Colorado as well 🙂

You definitely should! I have been to 42 states and Colorado is my favorite (of the lower 48 at least)

Wow Colorado is in my bucketlist and this guide is the best way to cover all the lovely places thanks so much for sharing

No problem! I hope you make it there

Love this! All of my best friends live in Denver so will have to check some of these places out when I go to visit!

You definitely should Kelli! Even if you only have time to do day trips from Denver – there are still so many options

This looks like an amazing road trip. One I definitely want to be a part of. I’ve been to Denver a couple times now and got out of the city too to explore Golden and some mountain towns on the way to a friend’s cabin. But I really love this state and can’t wait to go back and visit again. You’ve just given me some great ideas

Thanks Emma, there is so much to see in Colorado and you can easily make a shorter road trip using some of these places.

That is a very informative post and some areas are just mindblowing.

Wow this guide is massive! I can see how much work went into this, so thank you! I think my favorite would be Mesa Verde National Park, the cliff dwellings are so cool! But also, a ghost town!

Thanks, it was definitely a lot of work but I enjoyed it! Mesa Verde is amazing and so underrated

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The Best 5 Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary in Summer

Colorado is a huge state, coming in just a bit smaller than the country of Ecuador. Besides being huge, it is quite diverse. So if you only have 5 days in Colorado, here is the best 5 day Colorado road trip itinerary for a summer visit. And it’s all family-friendly!

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Since it is so big, you won’t be able to see everything in Colorado in 5 days. But I’ll show you the BEST things to see in a short time so you’ll go home with plenty of memories, and a longing to return.

Table of Contents

Where to head first:.

The first day of your 5 day Colorado road trip itinerary will be heading to the mountains. I know, you probably thought I was going to say Denver.

Denver is great, but the main attractions for families include the zoo, aquarium, amusement park, and museums. The museums are really cool, but I’m guessing you have those main attractions in your nearest major town at home.

So we are jumping straight to Colorado’s crowning gem: the mountains.

(Though if you do head to Denver, try out some of the Top 10 FREE things to do in Denver with kids or best activities in Denver for a family vacation .)

Day 1 of 5 days in Colorado

As you head into the mountains, make sure to pack lots of water to help you adjust to the elevation, and snacks to help the drive go quickly!

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is a very popular ski town in winter, but we especially love it in summer.

In Breckenridge you can enjoy hiking to waterfalls and lakes , to the woodland troll, playing at the outdoor adventure park at the top of the mountain (it’s just a free gondola ride away), and walk around town to get that mountain town feeling.

Tip: Take advantage of the free gondola here. Many mountain towns have gondolas and they are a bit expensive!

We absolutely love going to Breckenridge in the summer. It’s such a family-friendly town with fun things to do for all ages. Play in the water and rocks at the plaza, go ice skating at the ice arena, play and explore at High Line railroad and park.

For full details, check out the Best 10 Things to do in Breckenridge in Summer .

Where to Stay in Breckenridge

Stay the Night in Breckenridge at one of the top hotels. Or check out some awesome cabins (and Breckenridge really has some cool ones!)

Breckenridge has tons of community events and festivals year round. Check out the Breckenridge schedule to see if you’ll be in town during one of them!

Day 2 of the 5 Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

Vail is only about 45 minutes from Breckenridge , giving you a nice easy drive to your next destination.

Vail is known for its world class skiing. (It’s my favorite resort).

But just like Breckenridge, it’s a great place to visit during the summer . As you drive through the mountains during your 5 days in Colorado, make sure to stop in this Europen-style town.

As you walk through Vail Valley, you’ll notice the influences of Swiss-styles on the architectures and design. Plus, you’ll have the gorgeous mountains all around you.

When in Vail, go for a stroll down the rec path . You can even bike down Vail Pass, a favorite past time of locals.

Ride the gondola, take a stunning hike (Missouri Lake Trail is gorgeous and will gift you some waterfalls and lakes, Booth Falls is shorter but still gorgeous), catch a performance at the amphitheater, take the kids to the park , or shop at the local farmers market which runs every Sunday during the summer.

Where to Stay in Vail

Vail is a ritzy town. If you can splurge, it’s a beautiful, friendly place to stay. If not, just drive over to Glenwood Springs (it’s only about an hour away) and stay the night there instead.

If you’d like to stay in Vail, check out these great places:

Sonnenalp is a great hotel for families to stay at. You’ll get a nice pool (and poolside bar), kids club (included!), game room, and rooms that can sleep up to 7. This hotel is beautiful inside and out.

Four Seasons Vail is obviously a very nice hotel. The brand brings luxury, and this one brings an incredible spa. Kids will love the great pool and free kids club. You can book a standard room that sleeps 4 (and is still luxurious), or you can book multiple room units with living space and gorgeous kitchens that sleep up to 11.

Tivoli Lodge comes with less sticker shock than the Four Seasons. It’s still great for families as the rooms come with a small kitchenette to heat up your own breakfast, or you can head to the breakfast buffet ($).

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Day 3 of 5 Days in Colorado

Glenwood Springs

Glenwood is a short drive from Vail at just about an hour.

Glenwood Springs is a gorgeous mountain town not far off from I-70. It’s in the midst of Glenwood Canyon, the most beautiful part of I-70 that there is.

Within Glenwood Springs, you’ll find some pretty adventurous and unique things to do.

For starters, you’ll definitely need to stop at the Glenwood Hot Springs . This is the largest mineral hot springs pool in the world.

Then make sure you make an advance reservation to hike Hanging Lake, often noted as one of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado (and kids can go, too!)

The adventurous ones can take a pendulum swing off the edge of a cliff…for fun, of course. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is filled with thrill rides. If major thrill isn’t your thing, you can also just ride the mountain coaster or tour through the caves at the park.

After a day in Glenwood, you’ll want to drive down to Alamosa, which is about a 4 hour drive. The next few days of your 5 day Colorado road trip itinerary will be way different than mountain adventures, but will give you a great taste of Colorado. So it’s worth the drive to see what comes next.

Day 4 of Your 5 Day Colorado Road Trip

From Glenwood Springs to Alamosa, it will take about 4 hours to arrive.

Alamosa may not be on your radar, but this is just where you’ll be staying the night. I recommend driving here the evening after visiting Glenwood Springs because you are going to want to get going earlier in the morning for your adventures near Alamosa.

The main attraction near Alamosa is Great Sand Dunes National Park.

This national park is really like no other. The main event doesn’t feature any specific hiking trails, waterfalls, or lakes.

It does feature the tallest sand dunes in North America. Star Dune stands at over 700 feet tall, and you are free to hike to the top if you’d like.

Otherwise, you can rent a sand sled nearby and just enjoy the day on the dunes with the kids. This will be the most unique, and probably most fun, thing you do during your 5 days in Colorado.

We thought it would be fun to visit the sand dunes. We were surprised at how fun it was and ended up staying way longer than we thought.

Make sure to bring snacks and lots of water.

>>Everything you need to know about visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park<<<

And I recommended going earlier in the day. This is because the sand can reach burning temperatures midday during the summer, so you’ll want to go before it gets too hot.

If you visit in early summer or late spring, you’ll also notice that Medano Creek at the bottom of the dunes is full. This is a great place to cool down and play. You must at least pass over Medano Creek even if you don’t stop to play, so make sure to bring a small towel to dry your feet off with after crossing.

Where to Stay

Holiday Inn in Alamosa for a standard hotel.

Or stay at Great Sand Dunes Lodge with options of cabins and lodge rooms. It’s located just outside the national park.

>>Great Sand Dunes National Park made our list

of Top Ten National Parks to Visit with Kids! <<

Day 5 – the final day of your 5 Day Colorado Road Trip

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is about 2-1/2 hours away from Great Sand Dunes National Park or Alamosa.

Colorado Springs is another must on your 5 day Colorado road trip itinerary. It’s not in the mountains and there are no sand dunes. But there are so many other fun things to do.

I love Colorado Springs because it’s a mix of outdoor adventure and cool attractions.

No matter your preference in adventure, you have to visit Garden of the Gods. This free visit will walk you through a garden made of sandstone rock formations. The main garden trail is paved, stroller-accessible, and quite easy for even little kids.

For those wanting more outdoor adventures, check out Red Rock Canyon open space for some unique hiking. This terrain is a bit more arid, so bring a hat. You’ll even get a cool view of Garden of the Gods from a distance.

Hikers can also enjoy their free visit to North Cheyenne Cañon park . Here you can hike in the trees and along rivers, or even just pull over to see the cool Helen Hunt Falls on your drive up the canyon.

Besides hiking, families will also love visiting the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic museum, Seven Falls, riding the Cog Rail up to the top of Pikes Peak, checking out nearby Manitou Springs for the penny arcade or Manitou Incline (a largest staircase up a mountain you’ve ever seen).

Check out a full list of fun things to do in Colorado Springs with the whole family during your 5 days in Colorado.

Or if you have more time, try this 3 Day Colorado Springs itinerary .

Colorado Springs has some really nice and really family-friendly accommodations. Here are a few options:

Great Wolf Lodge – a huge indoor waterpark you can play at any time of year.

Garden of the Gods Resort – beautiful grounds, pools, and great location.

Cheyenne Mountain Resort – a more affordable option to Garden of the Gods, and a bit more family-friendly (playground, pools, waterslide, kids stay free)

Quality Inn and Suites – a budget-friendly option for families. Breakfast and wifi included, and still a great location (and seasonal pool)

Sample Schedule for your 5 Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

If you are having a hard time figuring out which things to squeeze into each stop, try this schedule out:

Day 1- Breckenridge.

Take the shuttle to the ice arena, where the Trolingston Trailhead is. Walk the short trail to see the troll.

Stop at High Line Park , which is in the same parking lot.

Take the shuttle to the gondola and ride for free up to Epic Discovery adventures at the top. Grab some lunch at the top of the mountain and then spend the afternoon playing at Epic Discovery.

Ride the gondola down. Head over to Iowa Hill where the kids can find old mining equipment on this less-than-a-mile loop.

Check in and stay the night at Grand Lodge Peak 7

Day 2 – Vail .

Rent some bikes and take the family to ride Vail Pass . If you have younger riders, then just bike on the rec path in Vail .

Stop for lunch and enjoy walking around Vail Valley, admiring the Swiss architectures and local shops.

When you feel fueled up, try the Booth Falls hike to see a spectacular waterfall. This will take a few hours, so make sure to start right after lunch. The hike is 4 miles. If you have younger hikers, another option is the easy Village Streamwalk along the creek and past the Botanic Gardens.

Check in and stay at Sonnenalp

Day 3- Glenwood Springs.

Take the morning to hike to Hanging Lake. Eat lunch when you return, and then head to Glenwood Hot Springs and just relax.

Grab an early dinner and then make the drive down to Alamosa.

Check in at Holiday Inn in Alamosa.

Day 4 Alamosa.

Get going as soon as you wake. Head Kristi Sports and rent a sand sled. Then drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park to play for the day on the dunes and in the creek (seasonal).

Make sure to bring a packable lunch in the car! You can eat at the picnic area just beyond the parking lot.

On your drive out, stop at Zapata Falls for a short and fairly easy hike to a cool waterfall!

Make the drive over to Colorado Springs about 2-1/2 hours) and check in to Cheyenne Mountain Resort .

Day 5 Colorado Springs .

Head to Garden of the Gods. (The earlier the better to beat a full parking lot).

Then go to Seven Falls to see the sequence of 7 waterfalls dropping in a canyon.

Grab some lunch, then head to the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum to see past Olympic memorabilia, test out some of your own athletic skills, and maybe even get a glimpse (or greeting) from future olympians.

That’s it! That’s a lot to pack in in just 5 days, but it gives you a great feel for all Colorado has to offer.

5 Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

There is truly so much to see in Colorado that this just gets your toes a little wet. But with just 5 days in Colorado, it really covers a lot of ground to be able to get a taste of Colorado without too much driving in between.

So when planning your 5 day Colorado road trip itinerary, make sure to include these fun, outdoor, adventurous, and unique places to your trip. And then visit again soon!

Have more time? Check out the many places you can go in Colorado for your next visit with this list of Road Trip stops all over Colorado.

Megan is a mom of 4 kids and they all love traveling! They've been traveling since they got married and figured out how to keep going once kids came into the picture. They try to travel as much as they can, which means keeping to a lower budget. Megan loves writing about her home state Colorado, visiting other family-friendly places and having experiences to keep those bonds strong and discover the world.

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