The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip Itinerary for the Summer

Colorado was a state I knew somewhat because of all the ski trips we had taken there over the years. However, I had never really explored Colorado’s national parks or hiked the majestic Rocky Mountains. This all changed in the summer of 2018 when hubby and I decided to spend our vacation there. I took it upon myself to sit down and obsessively plan what I considered to be the perfect Colorado road trip itinerary.

Finalizing Our Dream Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

I mapped it all out, then proudly presented hubby with a 23-day monster of a trip I had put together! Frankly, I knew it would be a long shot to get him to agree to it. I figured, if I went a tiny bit overboard, I would still get a pretty good deal after all the negotiations were over! Lo and behold, I was right! After hubby and I spent some time debating what to cut and what to keep, we ended up with an itinerary that both of us loved…And here you have it! I present to you what may be the greatest, two-week, Colorado road trip itinerary ever…Well, at least this is what I think! Check it out, and see if you agree! 🙂

15-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

Depending on where you live, and how you plan to get to Colorado, you may need a few extra days. Therefore, plan accordingly, as this itinerary only counts the number of days you will actually spend in Colorado. If you are flying into Denver and renting a car there, you may have to shift the order in which you visit the attractions. This shouldn’t be hard to do, though. Denver is only about 70 miles north of Colorado Springs, so you could start with a visit to Garden of the Gods.

Get to Colorado

The important thing is, just get to Colorado one way or another, and let the adventures begin! Since we drove from Houston, Texas, we decided to take a couple of days to get there. I suppose we could have started driving at the crack of dawn and made it in one shot, but we might be getting just a tad too old for that. So, to keep it on the safe and reasonable side, we gave ourselves 2 days to make it to Colorado.

Our Route

On day 1, we drove from Houston, TX to Amarillo, TX; On day 2, we made it from Amarillo, TX to Fort Garland, CO. Giving ourselves this extra time actually worked out really well because it allowed us to visit a surprise attraction along the way. Yup, with all the planning I did, I had not included Capulin Volcano National Monument in New Mexico on the itinerary, and I should have! We truly enjoyed this stop, even though we got covered from head to toe in swarms of tiny annoying flies…but…that’s another story!

Day 1: Great Sand Dunes National Park

After driving for two days, we really needed to get a good night’s sleep. On day 1 of our Colorado road trip itinerary, we were planning on exploring Great Sand Dunes National Park. As you can imagine, hiking in sand would require a little more than just the very basic functions of our leg muscles.

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HOTELS: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations near Great Sand Dunes National Park on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you! Booking.com is one of our favorite websites for finding great places to stay all over the world!

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Sledding/Sandboarding

Our kids were very much looking forward to this adventure! They knew there would be an opportunity to sled down the sand dunes, which was the most exciting part for them! Since sledding on sand dunes in the middle of summer is a hot and exhausting experience, we decided to get it done early in the morning.

As luck would have it, it rained the night before we visited the park, so the sand was damp, and the sledding never happened. We were slightly disappointed, but also glad that we didn’t drag all the gear just to verify what we already knew from the park rangers. You can’t get too far on wet or damp sand! Instead, we ended up climbing up to High Dune while watching others get stuck on their sleds and sandboards. After lunch, we did a couple more short hikes with beautiful views of the dunes, so it all worked out nicely in the end!

Day 2: Drive to Colorado Springs

After visiting Great Sand Dunes, our plan was to drive to Colorado Springs, while making several stops along the way. Naturally, I researched everything I could possibly find in the area, and chose the attractions that sounded the most interesting.

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HOTELS: In Colorado Springs, we stayed at The Academy Hotel Colorado Springs, which we really enjoyed. The main lobby was a fun place to hang out and the included continental breakfast was great. Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations in Colorado Springs on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you!

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Bishop Castle

Our first stop was Bishop Castle, an intriguing structure, built single-handedly by a man named Jim Bishop. He worked on it without any known plans or blueprints most of his life, one stone at a time. The castle features bridges, turrets, and even a fire-breathing dragon, also handmade by Jim Bishop. Surprisingly, admission was free, so it cost absolutely nothing to see this!

Our kids were beyond thrilled to get out of the car and go rattle some of the metal walkways throughout the castle. Admittedly, they did make a couple of older ladies a bit nervous! Ooops…sorry!

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Our next planned stop on the way to Colorado Springs was the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. This is definitely one place you should include when planning a Colorado road trip itinerary. Located near Cañon City, the Royal Gorge Bridge happens to be the highest suspension bridge in America, so it is most definitely worth a visit. To be exact, it is suspended 956 feet above the Arkansas River, far, far below. Besides the bridge, the park offers a number of rides you can take, including a hair-raising zip line across the deep gorge, as well as a gondola ride. We ended up taking the gondola, and this was an incredible experience. Once on the other side of the gorge, we let the girls loose in the kids’ play area there. Meanwhile, we relaxed in a shady spot with a coke and a beer. When this was all over, we enjoyed an extraordinary stroll back across the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Royal Gorge Train

I need to also mention here the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, and the fascinating train ride you can take from Cañon City, CO. It offers a variety of seating and class options, and, of course, amazing views from within the gorge. Unfortunately, we could not fit this adventure into our already-packed Colorado road trip itinerary. If you can spend an extra day near Cañon City, by all means, ride this train!

Broadmoor Seven Falls

After we finished our adventures in the Royal Gorge area, the plan was to head towards the Broadmoor Seven Falls. This is a gorgeous waterfall that cascades down 181 feet in seven steps, crashing on the rocks that shape its path. There are 224 steps on the side of the waterfall that lead to the top where amazing views and additional hiking trails await. After we climbed up and down a whole bunch of stairs, we were exhausted and starving. Luckily, Restaurant 1858, located right near the bottom of the waterfall, had an open table that wasn’t reserved. So, we concluded the day with not only the most expensive, but also one of the most delicious dinners of this entire trip. It was truly worth every last dime, nickle, and penny!

Day 3: Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Drive to Estes Park

On the following day, we planned to visit two of the most famous attractions in the Colorado Springs area: Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak.

Garden of the Gods

It was my goal to get us out of bed and to Garden of the Gods by…oh…8:00 am. Well, let’s just say, this didn’t happen because all of us overslept. Trust me on this one: You don’t want to repeat our mistake! Unless you really enjoy crowds and  lack of parking, set up your alarm and get there early! While the Visitors Center doesn’t open until 9:00 am, the park itself opens as early as 5:00 am, and admission is free, so you can just go on in. As a matter of fact, locals recommend that you visit around sunrise to take in all the beauty in peace. It sounds like a great plan, but it turned out to be a tad too ambitious for us. In any case, we still had a great time and really enjoyed seeing the park’s magnificent rock formations.

Pikes Peak

After we spent several hours in Garden of the Gods, the plan was to head straight for the summit of Pikes Peak. You can actually drive up there via the Pikes Peak Highway, reaching an altitude of over 14,000 feet! This is precisely what we did after purchasing tickets at the highway entrance. It took us a while to get to the top, but the drive was really quite spectacular. Our kids did experienced some altitude sickness, but fortunately they made it successfully up and down without losing their lunch!

In the past, you could also take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the top. Unfortunately, as of 2018, the railway no longer operates due to safety and structural integrity concerns. Hopefully, you had a chance to ride it at some point during its 126 years of operation.

Other Points of Interest in the Area

The Colorado Springs area certainly has a lot to offer, and because of that, you may want to plan to spend an extra day there. If you do, a couple other points of interest worth visiting are Red Rock Canyon and the Manitou Incline.

Red Rock Canyon

Just like Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon is a free, public park near Colorado Springs. As the name suggests, it offers sights of interesting red rock formations. You can also enjoy hiking on trails that are less crowded than the popular Garden of the Gods.

The Manitou Incline

The Manitou Incline is a steep hike in Manitou Springs where hikers climb over 2,000 feet following the remains of an old funicular railway. You need to be in pretty darn good shape to get to the top and not feel like you are about to die. Hikers start at an altitude of 6,500 feet at the base, and ascend to over 8,500 feet at the top, all in less than a mile. Apparently, this is where many locals get their morning exercise in the summer.

We did not have time to enjoy Red Rock Canyon and test our physical fitness on the Manitou Incline, but hey, you always have to leave something for next time!

Onto Estes Park

After we explored as much as possible near Colorado Springs, we headed up north towards Estes Park near Rocky Mountain National Park. We didn’t stop in Denver on this trip, since our main goal was to discover more of Colorado’s natural beauty. If you have the time and the will, you can certainly add an extra day and enjoy the wonders of the capital city.

Days 4, 5 and 6: Rocky Mountain National Park

The following three days of our Colorado journey were dedicated to exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. Since this is one of the most popular parks in the US, we expected crowds of people and lack of parking. I was hoping that spending three days there would give us enough time to cover it well.

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HOTELS: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations near Rocky Mountain National Park on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you! Booking.com is one of our favorite websites for finding great places to stay all over the world!

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So, we roughly planned our visit to Rocky Mountain National Park as follows: On day 1, we would explore the less crowded west side of the park; On day 2, we would venture into the most popular area near Bear Lake; On day 3, we would visit Wild Basin on the southeast end . I am happy to report that this plan actually worked out quite well. It even allowed us enough time to enjoy the town of Estes Park, which is lovely.

Day 7: Frisco

After adventuring in Rocky Mountain National Park for three full days, we made our way to the town of Frisco in Summit County. Frisco has been our ski vacation hub for many years, and we had always enjoyed staying there during the winter. We had never visited it in the summer, however, so we thought, why not stop by and say “hello!”

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HOTELS: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations near Frisco, Colorado on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you!

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Sapphire Point Overlook

While in Frisco, we discovered a truly incredible viewpoint above the nearby Dillon Reservoir. The name of the place is Sapphire Point Overlook, and it is located on the east side of the reservoir. While hubby and I were admiring the panorama, our daughters joined a bunch of other kids and fed the local chipmunks with peanuts. Afterwards, we walked on the short looping trail, which took us back to our car right before a huge storm rolled in.

Frisco Downtown Shopping and Dining

After the storm was over, we strolled around the cozy Frisco downtown area, and got some delicious food for dinner. We passed one of our most favorite spots there, the Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe, a cute, little place that serves the best breakfast around. This is where we were planning to start out on the following day.

Dillon Reservoir

Another fun activity you might want to consider is renting a boat from the Frisco Bay Marina and enjoying some time out on the Dillon Reservoir. It is a beautiful body of water surrounded by scenic mountain panoramas. This is again one of those things we didn’t have time for, but it is definitely on our to-do list.

Day 8: Independence Pass to Aspen and Drive to Glenwood Springs

On the morning after our fun day in Frisco, we had a delicious breakfast at the Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe, and then drove through Independence Pass to Aspen.  In case you aren’t familiar with Independence Pass, it is the highest paved road crossing the Continental Divide in the US. How high you wonder? It crosses the Continental Divide at an elevation of 12,095 feet! It is an absolutely spectacular drive, so be sure to include it in your Colorado road trip itinerary! Then, when you get there, take your time and enjoy the amazing views!

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HOTELS: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations near Glenwood Springs, Colorado on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you!

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After cruising through Independence Pass, we rolled into beautiful Aspen and spent a few hours there. We got lunch, strolled around the Aspen Pedestrian Mall in downtown, and enjoyed some ice cream while watching the local dogs play on the lawn at Wagner Park.  From here, our plan was to drive to the nearby town of Glenwood Springs, but before heading there, we made one final stop at Maroon Bells Scenic Area. Even though the late afternoon light is not the best for photos, we still loved seeing these majestic peaks and spending a little time at beautiful Maroon Lake. Once the sun got low in the sky, we hit the road again and made our way to Glenwood Springs.

Day 9: Glenwood Springs

Located about an hour away from Aspen, the beautiful town of Glenwood Springs has a lot to offer in terms of nearby tourist attractions and natural beauty.

Hanging Lake

On the morning after our arrival here, we had to get out the door really early because our first planned activity for the day was a hike up to Hanging Lake. This small, pristine lake is tucked away high up in the rocks of Glenwood Canyon, and it is literally hanging near the edge of a steep drop off.

I read somewhere recently that Hanging Lake is one of the most popular hikes in Colorado. Given that there is only one tiny parking lot near the trailhead, we had to get up at sunrise to get a parking spot. I am happy to report that we succeeded in this endeavor and were rewarded with views of stunning natural beauty. Without question, Hanging Lake is a place you should include on your Colorado road trip itinerary.

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UPDATE: Parking near the Hanging Lake trailhead off I-70 is no longer allowed between May 1st and October 31st. During the summer months, you need to purchase a permit and ride the designated shuttle. Park and take the Hanging Lake Shuttle near The Hanging Lake Welcome Center at 110 Wulfsohn Road, Glenwood Springs CO 81601. Be sure to reserve your permit and shuttle tickets in advance right HERE!

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Rifle Falls State Park

After spending some time up at Hanging Lake, we headed west to Rifle Falls State Park. Honestly, I didn’t know much about this place, other than it featured a triple waterfall and small limestone caves. A local resident highly recommended Rifle Falls State Park to us, so we decided to check it out. I am sure glad we did because it turned out to be a magnificent place that wasn’t too crowded.

Glenwood Hot Springs Pools

After all the hiking we did, we dedicated our afternoon to soaking our sore muscles in the amazing Glenwood Hot Springs Pools. Coming here is definitely a MUST if you are in the area. At Glenwood Hot Springs you will find two main pools. The larger one is 405 feet long, and offers pleasant 90 degree water temperature; The smaller, 100-foot-long, therapy pool is 104 degrees, which feels especially heavenly in the middle of winter. (I am speaking from personal experience here!) Besides the two main pools, there are also a couple of water slides and a kiddie pool to keep the little visitors entertained. Currently, Glenwood Hot Springs is undergoing some exciting changes as they are preparing to bring new water attractions. So, don’t be surprised if it looks a little different when you visit in the future.

Day 10: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and Drive to Grand Junction

We spent the following day at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, a truly unique local attraction. Described as “America’s only mountain-top theme park,” Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park caught my attention when I first started researching the area. It not only has a variety of fun rides, but also offers cave tours, and of course, amazing views. To get to the park, you actually have to take a gondola ride which, we thought, was really neat. If you have the time, definitely check it out! It is a theme park unlike any other!

After our full day of amazing thrills, caves and fun, we were ready to head out west towards Grand Junction. The kids really didn’t want to leave, but we tempted them with the promise of snacks and dinner.

Day 11: Colorado National Monument and Drive to Montrose

When we travel in the United States, we try to visit as many National Parks as we can. However, we also try not to overlook the National Monuments since they, too, offer incredible sights and stunning natural wonders.

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HOTELS: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations near Colorado National Monument on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you!

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While doing my research and planning this journey, Colorado National Monument caught my eye. It sounded like a beautiful place with amazing sandstone formations and deep ravines. So, I just had to add it to our Colorado road trip itinerary.  We made our way to Grand Junction for the night, and visited Colorado National Monument on the following morning. It was truly a fascinating place, one that was so different than everything else we had seen thus far. We found ourselves in a stunning desert, filled with monoliths and hair-raising canyons. The sun was bright and hot that day, but the experience – outstanding!

Quick Detour

After we finished exploring the unique environment of Colorado National Monument, we were ready to hit the road again. The plan was to drive straight to the town of Montrose. We did, however, make a quick detour back to Glenwood Springs to pick up hubby’s lost (and now found) wallet from Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Still, we made it to Montrose just in time to have a nice dinner and get a good night’s sleep.

Day 12: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Drive to Telluride

The following day was dedicated to one of the lesser known US National Parks, Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  This particular canyon gets so narrow and deep in places that very little sunlight can reach its bottom. Because many areas remain dark in the shadows, the canyon was named “black.” The Gunnison River carved this natural wonder over millions of years, and today, it continues to follow the same path between the steep canyon walls. The Black Canyon was an absolutely astounding sight, and we spontaneously decided to check out both the South and the North Rims. This made for a really long day, but the breathtaking views were worth the extra effort.

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HOTELS: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you!

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Day 13: Telluride, Mountain Village, and Drive to Cortez

On the following morning, we left Montrose early and drove to Telluride,  where we spent the day…And what a relaxing day it was! We strolled around Main Street, then took the free Telluride Mountain Village Gondola. The views up there were magnificent, and Mountain Village was so peaceful and lovely. After enjoying the beauty of the area for several hours, we headed to the final destination on our Colorado road trip itinerary, the town of Cortez.

I would like to mention here that Telluride has a lot more to offer in terms of attractions and hiking. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to squeeze in much else. However, if you have an extra day to spend here, consider hiking to Bear Creek Trail or taking Jud Wiebe Trail. These two hikes are local favorites, and the panoramas along the way will surely inspire you!

Day 14 and 15: Mesa Verde National Park

We spent the final two days of our Colorado journey exploring Mesa Verde National Park, which is also a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. In case you have never heard of Mesa Verde National Park, this is not only a park, but also a historical site. The main attraction here is the amazing collection of well-preserved ancestral puebloan structures. To visit some of the most popular dwellings, you will need to make a reservation for a tour at the Visitor Center on your way into the park.

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HOTELS: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations near Mesa Verde National Park on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you! Booking.com is one of our favorite websites for finding great places to stay all over the world!

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I really didn’t expect that we would need two days here. However, after studying the map and watching a few videos, it seemed like it might be a good idea. We spent our first day exploring the dwellings in Chapin Mesa; this was probably sufficient, since most of the notable structures are found here. On our second day, we drove to Wetherill Mesa, which we found rather inaccessible. The distances between attractions here are quite large and the sun was blazing. Nevertheless, we managed to see some of the dwellings before heading out of the park.

Take the Memories Home

There you have it, your perfect two-week Colorado road trip itinerary! While this great state has much more to offer, I really feel that we did more than just scratch the surface. This trip included all four of Colorado’s national parks, exciting hikes, fun attractions, and a little bit of downtime. At the end of it all, our bodies were tired, but our hearts, minds, and memory cards were full. Colorado is a magnificent destination, and whether you see it all, or just a small part, you are sure to leave inspired. No matter how much time you have, never stop exploring, because even a small adventure will make you richer in ways money can’t!

Resources to Help Plan Your Perfect Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

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Colorado General Resources

• Colorado.com – The most comprehensive Colorado vacation guide out there
• Colorado State Parks – Download this PDF brochure, and get to know Colorado’s 41 State Parks

Colorado National Parks and Monuments

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Colorado National Monument
• Dinosaur National Monument
• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Yucca House National Monument

Aspen Area Resources

• Explore Aspen – Get information about the attractions and points of interest in the Aspen area from the Aspen Chamber Website
• Independence Pass Travel Information – A good page to check if you are planning on driving via Independence Pass to or from Aspen.
• Maroon Bells Guide – Check out this article by Day Hikes Near Denver to get the ultimate guide to Maroon Bells near Aspen.

Colorado Springs Area Resources

• Bishop Castle – Here is the official website for this incredible architectural wonder
• Broadmoor Seven Falls – Stop by this website to get all the information about the magnificent Broadmoor Seven Falls, and to make reservations for a special dining experience
• Garden of the Gods – This is the park’s official website; get the latest information before you visit
• Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain – Stop by this page to get the latest information about driving on the Pikes Peak Highway, and riding the Pikes Peak Shuttle
• Red Rock Canyon – If you have time to visit Red Rock Canyon near Colorado Springs, visit this website for trail information, history, geology, and anything else you want to know
• Royal Gorge Bridge and Park – Visit this website, and scroll to the bottom to find out what thrills and attractions await at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
• Royal Gorge Route Railroad – Stop by this website to buy tickets for one of the most spectacular train rides in Colorado
• Things to Do in Colorado Springs – Visit this page by Visit Colorado Springs to discover all there is to do in the area

Glenwood Springs Area Resources

• Glenwood Hot Springs Resort – Check out this website to find information about the amazing hot springs pools, which you absolutely have to try; you may even want to stay in the adjacent lodge, and get a relaxing spa treatment
• Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park – This is the official website for “America’s only mountain-top theme park”; visit to see all the rides and incredible views that await there
• Hanging Lake – Stop by this page to read about how to get ready for your hike to beautiful Hanging Lake
• Rifle Falls State Park – Here is the most detailed information about Rifle Falls by Day Hikes Near Denver
• Things to Do in Glenwood Springs – Stop by this page to discover all there is to do in the area

Other Resources Mentioned in This Post

• Frisco, Colorado – Here is an excellent website for the town of Frisco with information about everything you would like to know
• Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe in Frisco – This is the website for our favorite breakfast place in Frisco
• Frisco Bay Marina – Here, you can find information about renting a boat on the Dillon Reservoir
• Telluride – Visit this website to discover all there is to do in beautiful Telluride
• Telluride/Mountain Village Gondola – Stop by this page to learn about the FREE gondola that offers amazing views and transportation from Telluride to Mountain Village and back
• Visit Telluride – Another excellent website dedicated to Telluride, Colorado

Disclaimer

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