On this nine-day adventure, you’ll experience Denver, a vibrant outdoor city, then hit the road to see three of Colorado’s national parks, relax at a high-alpine ski resort village, get a taste of Colorado’s wine country and go for a ride on a historic narrow-gauge railroad. You’ll see everything from mountains to canyons to sand dunes to Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Looking for a place to stay in Denver? Check out these hotel deals.

 

Travel Tips

In a little over a week, it's possible to see some of Colorado's most spectacular sites and attractions. But, to be honest, nine days is the minimum you'll need for this tour. You could easily tack on extra days to see more of Denver, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. And because this itinerary involves three national parks, you'll need to plan weeks or even months in advance for accommodations. You'll find everything from luxury resorts to rustic cabins and campgrounds. The best time of year for this trip is mid-May to late October. If you time it right, you might also see some spectacular fall foliage. 

 

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 and 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: Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP)

 

Distance from Denver to RMNP: 67 miles (108 miles)

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 4: Vail/Grand Junction

Distance from Estes Park to Vail: 137 miles (220 km)

Distance from Vail to Grand Junction: 148 miles (238 km)

As you're heading down Interstate 70, Vail makes for a nice side trip. Modeled after European ski towns, it's a great place to stroll, enjoy patio dining and shop during the warmer months. You can take a scenic gondola ride, stop by the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and visit the Colorado Snowsports Museum. The museum has a special exhibit dedicated to the Army's 10th Mountain Division. The 10th trained nearby at Camp Hale during World War II, and some of its members started ski resorts, including Vail Mountain, after the war. 

Here's another cool side trip. In between Vail and Grand Junction, stop at Glenwood Springs for a soak in the Grand Pool at Glenwood Hot Springs or Iron Mountain Hot Springs.

Highlights: hiking, outdoor dining, gardens, ski resort culture

 

Day 5: Palisade/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. Stay at the Wine Country Inn, an 80-room Victorian-style hotel set in working vineyards.

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

 

Day 6: Durango

Distance from Palisade to Durango: 173 miles (117 km)

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad transports you back in time behind steam-operated locomotives through the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. Five trains operate during the peak of the season on the daily 90-mile round-trip excursion. You'll get to see vistas that are only accessible by train.

Highlights: train rides, hiking, whitewater rafting, zip-lining 

 

Day 7: Mesa Verde National Park

Distance from Durango to Mesa Verde National Park: 56 miles (90 km)

This World Heritage site is known for its Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. You'll learn all about the people who lived here more than 700 years ago. The Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde's largest cliff dwelling, contains 150 rooms and 23 kivas (round, sunken rooms of ceremonial importance) and had a population of about 100 people.  The park is also home to some extremely rare plant species and wildlife like the Mexican spotted owl. 

Highlights: cliff dwellings, wildlife

 

Day 8: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve/Garden of the Gods/Return to Denver

 

Distance from Mesa Verde to Great Sand Dunes: 220 miles (354 km)

Distance from Great Sand Dunes to Garden of the Gods: 169 miles (272 km)

At Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, see some of the highest inland dunes in the world, rising to 800 feet. The dunes change colors during the day with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the background. Caution: The dunes heat up quickly under the hot sun. Don't get caught up high without shoes. Dogs also need to be protected. It's easy for the pads on their paws to get severely burned. 

Located in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is a magical place with 500-foot-high red sandstone rock monuments at the base of Pikes Peak. The park has more than 22 miles of trails ranging from beginner to advanced. 

Highlights: dunes, hiking, sandstone rock formations

 

Day 9: Departure from DEN 

Distance from Garden of the Gods to Denver: 71 miles (114 km)

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.