⚠️ This Rocky Mountain itinerary is strictly designed for travel only from June to mid-October.

DAY 1

• Arrive at Denver International Airport. Depending on your flight arrival time, you have two(2) great options to kick off your trip:

  • Option A (Early Arrival): Pick up your rental car and head straight to Estes Park, the charming mountain gateway town to the Rockies. If you want a memorable stay, book a room at the historic Stanley Hotel—famous for its grand architecture and for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining.

    • Driving time to Estes Park: 1.5–2 hours.

  • Option B (Late Arrival): If your flight lands late, eliminate the stress by staying at The Westin Denver International Airport Hotel, located directly at the terminal. You can drive to the mountains fresh the next morning.

• Overnight: Estes Park or Denver.

• Driving time:

  • From Denver to Estes Park: 66 miles, 1.5–2 hours.
    —Take I-25 north to Exit 217 (US Hwy 36)

  • Estes Park —> Rocky Mountain Park, East Entrance, 10 minutes.

• Colorado Travel Guide: Fodor’s and Moon Guide.

• Colorado Tourism website.

DAY 2

• Visit Rocky Mountain National Park (June - early October). The park crosses the Continental Divide and includes impressive mountains and alpine tundra.

• ⚠️ Timed Entry Permits: The park uses a timed entry permit system during peak months. You can check the guidelines on the Rocky Mountain Timed Entry Guide and purchase your advance tickets directly on Recreation.gov.

  • Start early. Roads get crowded with buses & drivers around 10 a.m.

• The Park has two scenic drives that start on the East side near Estes Park:

  1. Trail Ridge Road. <park map> This is the park’s main route, rising to 12,000 feet. You’ll see wide alpine-tundra views and
  elk herds from your car, or you can stop to walk easy trails.
  ⚠️ Be Aware: Trail Ridge Road closes completely for the winter (usually late October to late May). If your trip falls then, you cannot cross the park. You would have to drive all the way back around the mountains (a 4+ hour detour).

  2. Old Fall River Road. This is a one-way gravel road open from early July to early October. It's a narrow, winding road without guardrails, but it's safe and does not require four-wheel drive.

  🚘 Driving across Rocky Mountain National Park east to west takes about 2 hours without stops.

• Check out the suggested hikes. Do at least one hike — you can often spot bighorn sheep.

  • Popular hikes‍ ‍< 3 miles that are great for families.

  • Download the AllTrails app.

  • The Keyhole Route,a climb up vertical rocks leading to Longs Peak (14,259 ft), the park’s highest mountain. <Conditions> <This is NOT a hike> It is an extraordinary experience for those who come well-trained and prepared. <Safety Video>

• <There are many Things to do in the park for everyone>

• Overnight: Grand Lake, CO (west side of Park)

  • <Where to stay>

• Driving time:

  • From Estes Park —> Grand Lake, CO, 3 hours

DAY 3

• Embark on an enjoyable drive to Moab, Utah—the gateway to massive red-rock formations in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, with flat-topped mesas and cliffs carved by the Green and Colorado rivers.

• When you arrive, relax and enjoy Moab’s welcoming small-town feel. The town has many restaurants, craft breweries, shops, and art galleries.<Read more>

• Moab is a big part of mountain biking history and remains a top destination.

  • A network of well-maintained and mapped trails is everywhere. <Guided mountain bike tours>

• Overnight: Moab, Utah (3 nights)

• Driving time:

  • Grand Lake —> Moab, 6 hrs / 320 miles

‍ ‍

DAY 4

• Explore Arches National Park (full day). The park is known for more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches.

• The Park participates in time-entry reservations.

  • The park highlight is the Delicate Arch hike.

    • The trail is 3 mi. (4.8 km) RT. Duration: one (1) hour each way.

    • ➡️ <Learn more about the trail>

    • 📍Get directions.

  • ⚠️ During the summer, expect high temperatures and intense sunlight. It is imperative to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

  • The best time to visit is at sunset.

    • Sunset provides warm, dramatic lighting.

    • Bring a flashlight or a headlamp.

• Other top attractions at Arches National Park.

  • Go on one or more hiking trails. <Trail info>

  • Download the AllTrails app.

  • ➡️ Visitor Guide and park map - useful practical information.

• Photographers' best time for pictures:

  • Early morning: Delicate Arch Viewpoint, Landscape Arch, Turret Arch, Double Arch.

  • Late afternoon: Delicate Arch, The Windows, Park Avenue, Fiery Furnace Viewpoint.

DAY 5

• If there’s anything you missed at Arches N.P. yesterday, use this morning to check it off your list, then
  head straight to Dead Horse Point State Park.

• Explore Dead Horse Point Park.

  • See the famous view at Dead Horse Point Overlook Trail. The view is just 200 feet from the parking lot.
    It is a short, paved walk to one of the most photographed vistas in the world

  • Read more about the Park’s trail system.

• Stop at Canyonlands National Park.‍ ‍An extra day may be needed.

  • If you only have one-half (1/2) day, do not miss the “Island in the Sky”  district.

    • The Drive: A 34-mile scenic loop 1,000 feet above the surrounding canyons. Review the <map>

    • To get to Island in the Sky Visitor Center — from Moab, drive north on US 191, then turn onto UT 313.
      It is a scenic 45-minute drive.

• Overnight: Moab (Night 3 of 3)

• Driving time:

  • Arches Visitor Center —> Dead Horse Point Park, 45 minutes.

  • Dead Horse Point Park —> Island in the Sky Visitor Center, 20 minutes.

  • Dead Horse Point Park —> Moab, 45 minutes.

DAY 6

• Embark to Mesa Verde National Park.

  • The park is known for its ancient Pueblo and cliff dwellings. The Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum displays artifacts of the Native American culture.

  • The park's highlight is Cliff Palace — impressive dwellings in the Southwest, with a dramatic setting & preserved ruins.

  • Ranger-led tours, which often run during the busy summer, let you climb ladders directly into the main part of the house.

  • ⚠️ Cliff Palace tour tickets must be reserved exactly 14 days in advance on Recreation.gov. They sell out within minutes of opening.

• Continue later in the day to Durango, CO.

• Overnight: Durango (2 nights)

• Driving time:

  • Moab —> Mesa Verde Park, 3 hrs.

  • Mesa Verde Park —> Durango, 1.5 hrs.

DAY 7

• Discover Durango, CO.

  • Durango is a small town in southwest Colorado, known for big mountains, excellent skiing, and a historic narrow-gauge railroad.
    It also has many nearby hiking and mountain-biking trails.

  • Main Avenue is a Nationally Registered Historic District; it houses galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Main Avenue, with its
    old buildings and shops, is a popular destination all year round.

  • Two notable and historic hotels, The General Palmer and The Strater, lie at the south end of the avenue, near the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot.

  • <Downtown map> <video>

• The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway is one of the town's main tourist attractions.

  • This historic train runs day trips from Durango to the old mining town of Silverton, high in the mountains. Situated at 9,300 feet and surrounded by mountains, Silverton has one main street with shops and restaurants. 

  • Optional: This is a full-day excursion from Durango and would require an extra day added to this itinerary.

• In winter, Durango is a ski town thanks to Purgatory Ski Resort, only 45 minutes away. It draws skiers from everywhere.

  • Telluride, many call it the best ski resort in the US; it’s two(2.5) hours from Durango. Telluride is upscale and worth
    a day trip, though you’ll need to stay overnight to visit.

  Overnight: Durango

❗DIVERSION: If you stay an extra day in Durango:

• You can extend the above itinerary by navigating the entire San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway.

  • The Skyway is a full-day, 236-mile loop starting in Durango. It passes Silverton, the scenic Million Dollar Highway
    to Ouray, then Telluride, Dolores, Mancos, and returns to Durango.  <Video>

• ⚠️ If you're short on time and going north, begin in Durango, take the Million Dollar Highway to Silverton, then Ouray, and follow the route for Days 8–9.

DAYS 8 and 9

• Depart from Durango.

• One of Colorado’s most stunning mountain drives runs from Durango to Ouray: the spectacular Million Dollar Highway.
  This 46-mile two-lane road winds along steep mountains with dramatic cliff, valley, and peak views.

• Continue to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The park displays some of North America's steepest cliffs and roughest rock spires.

  • The South Rim Drive has 12 overlooks. Easily accessible by a short trail. Allow 2-3 hours to view several overlooks.
    Those with limited time should consider only Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall & Sunset View. <Route>

• Later in the day, drive to Crested Butte, where you will base yourself for the next 2 nights.

  • In the summer and fall, Crested Butte is the place to enjoy all of Colorado’s outdoor activities: epic mountain biking, hiking in alpine and aspen forests, fishing, and whitewater rafting and kayaking.

  • Suggestions: Crested Butte Guide (June - Early Oct) Best for sunny weather & golden aspen colors (mid-Sept).

    • Scenic Hiking: Hit Beckwith Pass for massive aspen groves, East River Trail for a flat 4-mile stroll, or
      Dillon Pinnacles for late-season color over the lake.

    • Leaf Peeping: Drive Kebler Pass (dirt) or Cottonwood Pass (paved) for views, or rent a 4x4 for rugged trails.

    • Fly Fishing: Catch the massive Kokanee salmon run (Aug–Sept) up the Gunnison River. Use heavy gear for clear, low fall waters.

    • Mountain Biking: Ride the high-desert trails at Hartman Rocks, tackle the scenic 9-mile Point Lookout Loop, or grind the expert alpine Trail 403.

  • ➡️ Things to do in Crested Butte.

• Sunny weather and fewer crowds make late August through early October the very best time to visit the Gunnison Valley.

• Overnight: Crested Butte (2 nights)

• Driving time:

  • Durango —> Black Gunnison N.P. 3 hrs.

  • Black Gunnison —> Crested Butte, 2 hrs.

DAY 10

• Depart Crested Butte for Denver.

• En route, stop in the town of Buena Vista, considered by many to be the capital of whitewater rafting in the United States.

  • Enjoy a horseback trail ride.

• Overnight: Denver (2 nights), see below for hotel and transport guidance.

• Driving time:

  • Crested Butte —> Buena Vista, 2 hrs.

  • Buena Vista —> Denver, 2.5 hrs.

DAY 11

• Explore Denver.

  • Denver blends city life with outdoor fun. It's famous for culture, food, music, and sports, and is the gateway
    to nearby Rocky Mountain ski resorts.

• Visit Denver's 16th Street Mall, a one-mile pedestrian walkway in downtown. Enjoy outdoor cafes, nightlife, and shops!

• Other great attractions (especially with kids):

  • Get the Denver Citypass and save up to 38% on combined admission prices.

    • Denver Art Museum

    • Denver Botanic Gardens

    • Denver Museum of Nature & Science

    • Denver Zoo

    • Downtown Aquarium

• Contingent upon the season, catch a Rockies baseball game at Coors Field or a Broncos NFL game at Mile High Stadium.

• Check out the great microbreweries in town. <Learn More> <map & routes>

• Transportation and Hotel stay tips while in Denver:

  • Getting from/to downtown Denver and the airport if you do not have a rental car:

    • You can take an Uber — about 55 minutes for 24 miles.

    • Use the Airport Rail:

      —It's easy to get from Denver Union Station to Denver International Airport (DEN) and vice versa.

      —Travelers can take the airport rail from/to Denver Union Station. It takes only 37 minutes. 

      • The A Line (aka the University of Colorado A Line) serves 8 total stations along a 23-mile stretch, including Denver’s Union Station and the 38th & Blake station that accesses the vibrant River North Art District (RiNo). The colorful murals are your clue that you are approaching RiNo.

    • Hotels near Union Station <list>

    • Hotels near the 38th & Blake station that access Denver’s vibrant River North Art District (RiNo). <list>

• DAY 12

  • Depart for your journey home.

• Historical Weather data for Durango, Colorado-click here.

• Historical Weather data for Moab, Utah-click here.

• The coldest and snowiest months are November through April.

• The warmest months are May through September.

• Dry periods occur in January, February, April, June, July, and November.

• Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent in July and August.

• Best months to visit are May, June, September, and early October.

• Best time: Fall foliage map.

• Sunrise/Sunset time.