The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

Colorado promises adventure with diverse landscapes and abundant recreational activities keeping visitors busy and providing plenty of ways to experience the stunning beauty of the state's famed mountains.

This Rocky Mountain wonderland is best explored by car and, while it's common to select a home base in a single mountain town (and then take lots of day trips), this approach doesn't provide a full feel for the sheer breadth of the Colorado experience. When planning a road trip from Denver, keep in mind that you'll observe dramatic changes in scenery, along with the distinct and memorable cultures of each mountain town.

One could spend months exploring Colorado by car and still struggle to see it all; however, this itinerary will give you a great feel for the state's diverse ecosystems and mountain ranges, introducing you to the best scenery, the cutest towns and the most thrilling attractions. As you plan your Colorado road trip itinerary, add these essential stops:

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The road trip Colorado fun begins in Denver — the Mile High City — where you'll find a quirky culture, a thriving brewery scene and plenty of memorable attractions. Aim to spend at least one full day (but ideally two) in Denver so you have the chance to acclimate to the altitude. Take it easy and drink plenty of water — this will make you far more comfortable later on as you ascend Colorado's highest peaks.

While you'll be eager to hit the road and explore the mountains, you'll want to set aside at least a few hours for one of Denver's most distinct spots: Meow Wolf's Convergence Station. Similar to the iconic and immersive attraction in Santa Fe, the Denver edition celebrates the weird and wonderful with bizarre visuals and a fascinating story line.

If you choose to stay in Denver for a few days, you can make a quick side trip to Boulder to check out the beautiful hiking trails or enjoy the Wild West vibes of Golden, which also happens to be the home of the Coors Brewery. Otherwise, stop by the city's quirkier neighborhoods and check out its many boutiques, bookshops and breweries. Other points of interest include Elitch Gardens and the Molly Brown House Museum.

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Known as a luxury ski destination but just as gorgeous in the summer, Vail offers some of the best hiking in the Colorado Rockies, not to mention, a delightful après-ski environment.

The trip along I-70 can be conquered without all-wheel drive but still provides stunning views along its many twists and turns. Along the way, you'll pass through the Eisenhower Tunnel, which takes I-70 under the Continental Divide.

Once you arrive in Vail, you can set aside your vehicle for a day and take advantage of the local shuttle system, which will provide a pleasant journey to the area's most popular trails. This is your chance to enjoy the first major hike of your Colorado journey, with no shortage of trails to choose from.

Booth Falls is particularly gorgeous, albeit busy. For a unique expedition involving lots of scrambling and ropes, check out East Vail Falls. You can also enjoy the views within one of Vail's gondolas, which take you to several interpretive trails along with the thrilling adventures of Epic Discovery: a mountain coaster, summer tubing and a climbing wall.

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This leg of your road trip will be short but visually impressive. Prepare for dramatic changes in scenery that unfold rapidly. The pine and aspen of Vail, for example, will quickly give way to a rockier landscape marked by sandstone outcrops. The mountain town vibes also change: compared to Vail, Glenwood Springs feels less like a Bavarian getaway and more like a frontier outpost.

What Glenwood Springs and Vail hold in common is an abundance of hiking trails. The most visually impressive is easily Hanging Lake Trail, which promises an otherworldly atmosphere with its cliffside setting and stunning green waters. This hike may be rigorous, but it can be followed with some well-earned relaxation at one of the town's iconic hot springs destinations.

If you're traveling with kids, you'll definitely want to stop by Glenwood Caverns, which is also great for indulging your inner child. As the nation's only mountaintop theme park, this thrilling destination offers everything from roller-coaster adventures to cave tours, not to mention, live music, dining and a scenic gondola ride.

If you can add an extra day to your itinerary, consider making a side trip to Aspen so you can see another sophisticated ski town while also getting to see Colorado's most photographed mountains: the magnificent Maroon Bells.

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Continuing along I-70, enjoy the changing scenery as you head towards Grand Junction. Intersecting ecosystems will ensure that you encounter unique scenery everywhere you look. When you arrive in Grand Junction, you'll be ready to check out the downtown area and its many boutiques and murals.

Continue beyond Grand Junction to visit the Colorado National Monument, where you'll discover massive canyons and monoliths, beckoning you to take dozens of photos. This is often referred to as the "Mini Grand Canyon," but it promises its own distinct vibe, complete with sculpted rock formations and tunnels carved from stone.

Mountain bikers favor this area and especially the nearby town of Fruita, which is home to memorably named treks like the Chutes and Ladders Trail along with the Zippity Doo Dah loop.

Also essential: a visit to the stunning Rattlesnake Arches, which could easily give the better-known Arches National Park a run for its money. These are not exactly easy to reach, but you can access them during a strenuous (but rewarding) hike or with help from a 4x4.

For a less active but still intriguing afternoon, stop by the Museum of the West, where you can check out the historic stagecoach or take an elevator ride to enjoy one of Grand Junction's best views. Other highlights include Native American pottery and a replica saloon.

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Embrace the high desert experience at one of the most appealing towns in the Four Corners region. Cortez may be best known for its proximity to national parks and monuments, but there are plenty of cultural attractions right in town, including an art gallery and a heritage museum.

If you're like most Cortez visitors, however, you'll be most drawn to Mesa Verde National Park, which is best known for its abundance of ancient cliff dwellings. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a highlight among families, who may struggle to get kids invested in mountain hikes but can pique their interest with not only cliff dwellings, but also, the ladders that are frequently needed to reach them.

The park's many natural wonders are also worth exploring, with the short Park Point walk offering one of the best views of the Four Corners region. For a longer and more strenuous hiking adventure, try the Prater Ridge Trail. You can also explore the park by car, taking a scenic drive along the Mesa Top Loop Road as you listen to an audio tour presented by Ranger TJ Atsye.

Courtesy of Durango Hot Springs

This is one of the shorter drives during your road trip, but with good reason: there's so much to do in and around Durango, you'll want to spend as much time as possible in this classic western mountain town. That being said, it's also a great place to unwind, if needed and you'll feel right at home as you wander around the friendly downtown area. You can even soak in the dozens of mineral pools at the nearby hot springs resort.

If you are ready to take a break from your car or SUV, you'll definitely want to hop aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a mesmerizing ride that delivers dramatic views of the mountains.

Enjoy the train's brief layover in the mining town of Silverton, where you can grab a tasty lunch and stretch your legs. Be prepared to commit a full day to this experience, with the train departing in the morning and arriving in Durango in time for dinner.

If you're feeling restless and on the hunt for other ways to explore, you're in luck: the Durango area leans into thrilling outdoor adventures with activities like zipline tours and whitewater rafting. This small city has a fantastic culinary scene, plus a strong brew culture centered around the beloved brewing company known as Ska.

Photo by Jennifer Broome

Bid farewell to Durango and drive north through the San Juan National Forest as you head towards one of the most underrated national parks: the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. This is North America's deepest canyon and it's bound to induce near-vertigo with its dizzying (and unforgettable) views.

Driving from Durango, it will be far easier to reach the canyon's South Rim, which is also appealing because it offers more amenities: a visitor's center, paved roads and plenty of overlooks that are accessible by car. As always, hiking is strongly recommended, with treks like the Hike Oak Flat Trail providing the chance to explore below the rim. Otherwise, enjoy the South Rim drive and be sure to stop frequently for photos.

Continue on to Gunnison and, if possible, spend the night; you'll love the friendly atmosphere, complete with plenty of outdoorsy visitors who love angling, hiking, cycling and more. If you have extra time available, you can take the bus to Crested Butte, which is currently trending as one of the state's go-to ski villages. During the summer, this gorgeous mountain town provides plenty of mountain biking and chairlift rides.

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The drive from Gunnison to Colorado Springs spans a full three hours, but the varied scenery should keep you plenty entertained. At times, you'll encounter wide-open views, but these may be punctuated by the many mountains known as 14ers because they exceed 14,000 feet in elevation.

There's a lot to see in Colorado Springs and, after a long drive from Gunnison, you will ideally be able to commit at least one full day to checking out this city's famed attractions. The most noteworthy is arguably Pikes Peak, which is arguably the state's most famous mountain.

You'll love the scenic drive along Pikes Peak Highway, which leads to the summit — but prepare in advance, as you may need a reservation. Otherwise, the cog railway is a great option, particularly if you were unable to set aside time for the railroad in Durango.

The Garden of the Gods is another must-visit, not to mention, a great place to stretch your legs even if you're not typically big on hiking. While there are dozens of miles of trails, many are decidedly beginner-friendly. Better yet, tour these awe-inspiring sandstone formations by e-bike.

If you have time to spare and want to keep your kids entertained, spend an afternoon at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which is as scenic as it is charming. Highlights include giraffe feedings, chicken parades and grizzly bear demos. The zoo even offers a chairlift-style Sky Ride, which promises sweeping views of Colorado Springs.

As you head back to Denver, you may be reluctant to leave your mountain adventures behind, but you can take solace in knowing that there's far more to explore in the future: the promise of exploring Estes Park and Breckenridge, for example, will have you planning the ultimate return trip.

The final leg of the journey remains scenic, providing a final taste of the sweeping Colorado landscapes. If you have time to spare, you can check out some intriguing attractions just south of Denver, such as the Highlands Ranch Mansion or the peaceful Cherry Creek State Park.

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