This 15-night/16-day route, beginning and ending in Denver, takes you through some of the most stunning vistas in the American West, from the Black Hills of South Dakota to the geysers of Yellowstone National Park to Colorado's High Country. With its central location and urban sophistication, Denver is the perfect place to launch your life-affirming, bucket-list adventure. 

 

Travel Tips 

This is, no doubt, an ambitious itinerary. You could easily spend days or weeks at any one of these stops. Think of it more like an American West grand tour. This itinerary features some of the best attractions in the region, while the driving distance between each segment isn't too long and the scenery constantly changes. But there are some things to keep in mind.

You'll be venturing through three national parks, which create some logistical challenges. To avoid crowds and wildfire season, it's best to head out on the trip early (mid-May to early June) or late in the season (late September to mid-October). Keep in mind that hotel rooms and cabins in nearby towns book up fast, sometimes a year in advance. You can stay at various lodges, resorts and rustic cabins, from budget to pricey, in Teton and Yellowstone, but it's a different story for Rocky Mountain National Park. You have to stay in Estes Park, outside the park, or Grand Lake on the opposite side.

 

Day 1: Arrive in Denver

Arrive at Denver International Airport (DEN), which offers nonstop service to more than 200 worldwide destinations, for a two-night stay in the Mile High City. 

 

Day 2: Downtown Denver

 

Your adventure begins with a full day of exploring Denver. 

Experience the walkable Lower Downtown (LoDo), the Victorian buildings of Larimer Square, the opulent Denver Union Station and the 16th Street pedestrian promenade with its free shuttle buses. Or, visit the unique, urban neighborhoods like Highland and RiNo (River North Art District).

Sample craft beer and farm-to-table cuisine. Throughout the city, at chef-owned must-try restaurants, rooftop patios and craft breweries.

Explore Denver's Western history at the History Colorado Center, the Black American West Museum and take a piece of that rich history home from the family-owned Rockmount Ranch Wear store in the heart of the city, where the first snap-button cowboy shirt was invented. Also, see the renowned Indigenous Arts of North America collection at Denver Art Museum.

See live music under the stars at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, where the stage is as captivating as the music itself. During the day, Red Rocks is a free city park with easy hiking trails.

 

Day 3: Denver Foothills/Cheyenne, Wyoming

Distance from Denver to Cheyenne: 100 miles (161 km)

Before you head to Cheyenne, the foothills to the west of Denver are full of history and offer gorgeous views. The 40-mile Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway connects the communities of Golden, Morrison, Lookout Mountain and Evergreen. 

Highlights: Buffalo Bill's Museum and Grave, Colorado Railroad Museum, Dinosaur Ridge

 

Day 4: Rapid City, South Dakota

Distance from Cheyenne to Rapid City: 290 miles (467 km)

Welcome to the "Gateway to the Black Hills." This is the land of Old West figures like Crazy Horse, Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok.

Highlights: The Journey Museum, Storybook Island, Deadwood, Dinosaur Park

 

Day 5: Rapid City/Black Hills National Forest

Each mountain range along this journey looks strikingly different, and the Black Hills are particularly beautiful. 

Highlights: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial/Indian Museum of North America

 

Day 6: Devils Tower National Monument/Cody, Wyoming

Distance from Rapid City to Devils Tower: 107 miles (172 km)

Distance from Devils Tower to Cody​: 310 miles (499 km)

America's first national monument, Devils Tower, is a sacred place for several Indigenous tribes. And then it's on to Cody, an Old West gateway to Yellowstone National Park.

Highlights: Devils Tower, Big Horn Mountains, Wild West heritage in Cody

 

Day 7: Yellowstone National Park

Distance from Cody to Yellowstone: 52 miles (84 km)

Yellowstone needs no introduction. You'll be exploring this mysterious place on top of the world's largest active supervolcano, where streams can run hot or cold and wildlife, particularly bison, can be seen pretty much everywhere.

Bear in mind that there are limited places to buy supplies. While there are some general stores in the park, they have limited hours. Cody and Jackson are the best places to find regular grocery stores. You could spend years exploring Yellowstone, but check out these popular highlights that are located relatively close together.

Highlights: Yellowstone Lake, Mud Volcano Trailhead, Artist Point

 

Day 8: Yellowstone National Park

Most of the geysers in the park are highly unpredictable. Some erupt at regular intervals, then go quiet for years or decades. Old Faithful is the exception, which attracts a spectacle several times a day. 

Highlights: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, hike to Fairy Falls

 

Day 9: Teton National Park/Jackson, Wyoming

The contrast between the rolling green mountains and canyon country of Yellowtsone to the jagged Tetons couldn't be more dramatic. It's hard to believe that the two parks could be neighbors. If you're not staying at a park lodge, your best bet is to stay in Moran or Jackson. Along the way, there are some short day hikes and wildlife viewing spots.

Highlights: Jackson Lake Lodge, National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson

 

Day 10: Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Utah

Distance from Jackson to Flaming Gorge: 242 miles (389 km)

This deep reservoir is an angler's paradise for lake trout, and the Green River that flows southward from the lake is known for stream trout and whitewater rafting. There are a couple of resorts that can get you set up.

Highlights: Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center, Green River

 

Day 11: Dinosaur National Monument/Grand Junction, Colorado

Distance from Flaming Gorge to Dinosaur: 60 miles (97 km)

Distance from Dinosaur to Grand Junction: 110 miles (177 km)

You can see more than 1,500 dinosaur fossils on the cliff face. Spend the night in Grand Junction and see the amazing rock formations.

Highlights: Dinosaur National Monument, Green and Yampa rivers, Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa, Rattlesnake Arches

 

Day 12: Palisade, Colorado/Wine Country

Distance from Grand Junction to Palisade: 14 miles (23 km) 

It's only a short drive to Palisade to experience Colorado's wine country and the famous Palisade peaches. You can easily spend a whole day checking out the wineries, enjoying farm-to-table dining and viewing wild horses. 

Highlights: wineries, farm-to-table dining, Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range

 

Day 13: Glenwood Springs/Estes Park, Colorado

Distance from Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs: 89 miles (143 km)

Distance from Glenwood Springs to Estes Park: 197 miles (317 km)

If you feel like relaxing, take a soak in the Grand Pool at Glenwood Hot Springs or Iron Mountain Hot Springs. Or hike the scenic Hanging Lake Trail to Spouting Rock. If you're in the mood for adventure, check out Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park/Fairy Caves.

Highlights: hot springs, hiking, theme park fun, whitewater rafting

 

Day 14: Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP)

Distance from Estes Park to RMNP: 5 miles (8 km)

RMNP has the highest continuous motorway in the United States, hundreds of lakes and 77 mountains taller than 12,000 feet.

Unless you're planning on camping in RMNP, Estes Park has a variety of accommodations such as cabins, hotels and campgrounds. Please note that during the high season (late May to mid-October), there is a timed-entry reservation system to access popular parts of the park. See our guide on how to enjoy RMNP. 

Highlights: wildlife viewing, scenic drives, hiking

 

Day 15: Return to Denver

Distance from RMNP to Denver: 64 miles (103 km)

While Denver is known for its high-energy outdoor fun, it's also the perfect place to relax after your epic adventure. Check out these spas and wellness centers or hang out in the city's vast parks and green spaces.

 

Day 16: Departure from DEN 

We hope you enjoyed your adventure. DEN's restaurant scene has an unusually high concentration of local outposts where you can take one last taste of the city before you head home.