We love doing Colorado road trip vacations because they’re so different from where we live in Florida. Colorado brings brings huge elevation changes, epic landscapes and unique historic sites as you explore beyond Denver. Don’t get me wrong, we always plan some time in Denver too, but the road trip through the Rockies and their small towns make this a great summer travel plan.
Have you done a Colorado road trip? You can make it its own thing or you can add it onto either a Utah road trip or travel from another epic state, such as Wyoming. You will love this travel plan and don’t forget, you can change it up to suit your timing and interests. If you have any questions about planning a Colorado road trip or need suggestions on how to adjust this, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!
Colorado Road Trip Plan
Don’t get me wrong; I love Denver. It’s historic, it has an amazing food scene, and is full of so much art! But let’s just for a moment plan to leave the city and do a loop around western Colorado. Landscapes that rival Utah, mountain towns that make you forget the ocean, and people that are proud of their state make a trip out of Denver a can’t-miss road trip.
As you travel through Colorado, keep in mind that this state is known for its bizarre weather. I’ve enjoyed 85 degree hiking adventures and then woken up to snow the next day. Be prepared for all weather as you head out to explore beyond Denver.
Also, keep in mind that some of the places on our Colorado road trip itinerary are very high in elevation. Winter Park and Breckenridge both will get you up over 10,000 feet so when you’re up there, take it easy, drink lots of Gatorade and do let yourself fall victim to altitude sickness.
Start in Denver, Colorado
Fly into Denver (DEN). Because it’s a major hub in the USA you can get a direct flight to DEN from nearly anywhere in the USA or major Canadian city. Spend your first night in Denver or Morrison, CO. Since you can easily spend a day doing fun stuff in Denver before truly launching your Colorado road trip, make a plan to visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, walk around LODO and maybe even do the Downtown Aquarium.
If you want to spend more time in the city, check out our 4 Day Denver Itinerary. There’s lots to do from beautiful gardens to museums and trendy neighborhoods. You may fall in love with the city.
Sleep in: Denver or Morrison – Denver has a lot more options and you can stay anywhere on the outskirts as well. If you’re doing this as a Colorado camping trip you’ll find plenty of options closer to Morrison.
Day 1: Morrison to Boulder
Begin your day with some easy but beautiful hiking at Red Rocks Park. The sandstone is gorgeous and the wildlife is abundant. From there, head to Dinosaur Ridge for some more easy hiking to see fossilized footprints, dinosaur bones still in the hillside, and an in-process (halted) dinosaur dig. Enjoy lunch at Red Rocks or in nearby Morrison before heading to Lair O’ the Bear Park for a bit more nature and footbridges, including views of rocky gorges and out across the region.
Boulder has a great town area and it’s easy to enjoy on foot. Find dinner and enjoy sunset on the hills. I wish I had a Mork & Mindy tour of Boulder to recommend for you, but I don’t. Yes! That’s awesome show from the 1970s was set here, so maybe if you’re lucky you’ll be out wandering and come across a newly landed egg-shaped space ship.
Sleep in: Boulder
Day 2: Boulder to Estes Park
Wake up in Boulder and explore the town, finding breakfast on Pearl Street. Check out the museum of Boulder and then take a bike ride along the creek trail. As you head out of town, plan a short hike at the Flatiron Mountains. From there, drive towards Estes Park. Here you’ve got another beautiful downtown to wander through. Enjoy some Colorado barbecue for dinner and watch the elk wander through town.
Sleep in: Estes Park
Day 3: Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park
Head into Rocky Mountain National Park. You can either guide yourself or do a jeep tour, but be sure to check out Alberta Falls and the Cub Lake Trail. You’ll find that there are lots of great hiking trails, both easy and difficult, all through Rocky Mountain NP. You can easily start your day early and bring a picnic so you can spend all day watching for wildlife and hiking in the park.
When you’ve had your fill of moose, aspens trees (this is one of the most beautiful National Parks for fall colors) and beautiful streams, head back into town for a nice dinner. Enjoy another evening in Estes Park, walking along the river and trying to find the many bronze pikas that are installed all through the town.
Sleep in: Estes Park
Day 4: National Forests and Breckenridge
Ideally you’ll be able to drive through Rocky Mountain National Park to the western exit, but if it’s closed due to snow, you’ll just need to plan a little extra drive time to get to Hot Sulphur Springs. Grab lunch, visit the pioneer cemetery, and then head into the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Here you can hike along the Continental Divide, watch for wildlife, or if your timing is right, enjoy the best of Colorado leaf peeping. End this day in Eagle or Breckenridge, CO and enjoy the old west facades and lodging.
If you choose to stay in Breck (slang), you’ll have TONS of food and fun options. It’s a wonderful town and since there’s a ski resort, you can enjoy an evening ride on the gondola up the mountain, or just hang out in town. There’s great summertime nightlife in Breckenridge. Vail, Avon and Beaver Creek (more ski towns) are on the way to Eagle, so choose the town that you prefer.
Sleep in: Eagle or Breckenridge
Day 5: Glenwood Springs and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Today we have two cool Colorado road trip stops that are all about nature and the side of Colorado that I feel like a lot of people overlook. Glenwood Springs is not far from Eagle, CO so you can begin your day by driving into town and getting a pass for the hot springs. Have a nice soak, grab a snack and a to-go lunch for later before you leave town.
And now we get to visit one of the least talked about National Parks: Black Canyon of the Gunnison. You’ll want to have packed a picnic lunch for this day. Start with the South Rim Road scenic drive, stopping at overlooks and for short hikes. From here, head to the East Portal Road for more exploring and epic views. As you leave, you’ll get a chance to experience a bit of Curecanti National Recreation Area. Expect to end your day late, as you’ll want to make a lot of stops along the way for views and historic sites.
Sleep in: Gunnison
Day 6: Old West Towns and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Heading towards Pike’s Peak, today includes some really cool old west towns, but the first stop is at the Monarch Crest to take the scenic tramway up the mountain. Plan for some hiking at the top or just enjoy the views and head back down. On your drive, take a short detour to check out the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park (a big wow).
From here make your way to the old west mining town of Victor for the Vindicator Valley Trail mine loop, which may seem a bit haunted. Continue onto Cripple Creek to enjoy a late lunch and some mining history. End your day by exploring Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, including star gazing!
Sleep in: Woodland Park
Day 7: Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs
This is the last day of exploring and it’s really amazing with very little driving, and it’s a picnic day too. Begin by heading to the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to ride up the mountain. When you’re done, very nearby are the Manitou Cliff Dwellings which will leave you in awe of time and history. This area is very different from Montezuma Castle National Monument or Mesa Verde National Park. You’ll like it.
Explore the many rock formations and trail systems in the Garden of the Gods, and pay a visit to the nature center at the park if you have time. Finish your day at the Broadmoor Seven Falls to hike through a waterfall filled gorge. Enjoy dinner in Old Colorado City, where you’ll also spend the night.
Sleep in: Old Colorado City or Colorado Springs in general
Ending the Colorado Road Trip
Drive back to the Denver Airport (DEN) or continue to explore Colorado further. By now you have gotten to see how diverse and beautiful Colorado is and you may want to continue on, visiting Durango, Great Sand Dunes National Park and more! If you want to build out a further extension of this Colorado road trip, you can head towards the southwest corner where it meets Utah, Arizona and New Mexico at Four Corners. This is where you’ll find Mesa Verde National Park, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument and it’s the gateway to a Utah National Parks road trip.
If you head north, you can venture into Wyoming where you’ll have the change to visit Cody, Grand Tetons National Park and Yellowstone NP. I feel like this extension is the most iconic of western USA road trips. You’ve got cowboys, epic nature and landscapes that are just astounding. So many things to do and see!
Colorado Road Trip Map
This Colorado road trip isn’t going to take you far off the beaten path, so you should have cell service for most of journey. There will be times that you’ll lose service though, so just in case you should download an offline map of the area so you don’t get yourself into a pickle. HERE’S A LINK to the complete road trip route, so you should be able to easily get the offline version.
If you need to update your route to fit a shorter time limit, that shouldn’t be difficult. Skipping Glenwood Springs or Pikes Peak is an easy way to get some time back. If you want to add time to it so you’re not staying someplace different every night, Breckenridge is a great place to spend extra time, as there are lots of wonderful hikes and sites. Winter Park, despite its name, is also a great option in the summer time, especially if you want to experience Colorado mountain biking.
If you have any questions about planning a Colorado road trip or need ideas for adding on to this, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more, and road trip planning is kind of our specialty, so don’t hesitate to reach out!
