Are you looking for the perfect outdoor Colorado adventure? If your answer is yes, then a road trip through Colorado’s national parks should be at the top of your list.
My family and I love exploring the national parks in Colorado. The scenery is beautiful, the hiking is top-notch, and there is so much history to explore. We have been to Colorado on multiple road trips. Every trip is an amazing experience!
Colorado’s National Parks
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
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Buy a National Parks Pass
For only $80, make the most of this Colorado National Parks road trip with an America the Beautiful pass! You can purchase an America the Beautiful pass in person from NPS sites or online.
With this 12-month pass, you can get everyone in your car into sites that charge per car. If a site charges admission per person, the pass covers you and 3 additional adults. Children 15 and under are free.
Colorado National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
Are you ready for an unforgettable national park trip that will leave you with memories for a lifetime? Here is everything that you need to know to plan an epic Colorado National Parks road trip!
Denver to Great Sand Dunes
Fly into Denver and enjoy the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop while taking in some of the great attractions in the city. Then, hop in your rental car and take a scenic 1.5-hour drive south to Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs
Once there, consider driving or riding to the top of Pikes Peak to take in its beautiful views. Check out some of the other popular outdoor things to do in Colorado Springs including visiting Garden of the Gods and seeing The Broadmoor Seven Falls before continuing your drive.
Traveling with kids? Here are things to do in Colorado Springs with kids.
Weather not cooperating? Here are some museums to check out in Colorado Springs.
To add another NPS site to this national park itinerary, take some time to explore the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
Cañon City
If you are looking for some thrills, you should head next to Cañon City to check out the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. You can also take a ride on a train as it makes its way through the legendary Royal Gorge or up your adrenaline level by whitewater rafting down the Arkansas River.
Once you are done in this area, it is about 3 hours to Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Spend a day exploring Great Sand Dunes National Park. Its vast dunes of sand stretch for over 30 square miles, with some reaching heights of 750 feet!
Things to Do at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park is an unforgettable stop in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, offering plenty of adventure and stunning scenery.
Medano Creek (Seasonal)
If you’re visiting in late spring or early summer, Medano Creek is a must! This seasonal stream, fed by mountain snowmelt, starts flowing in late April, picks up in May and June, and then begins to fade by late June.
It’s a popular spot for splashing around and cooling off, but keep in mind—this is one of the busiest times at the park, so parking can fill up fast!
Sand Sledding
For a true Great Sand Dunes experience, try sand sledding or sandboarding on the massive dunes! If you’re up for a challenge, you can even attempt to climb Star Dune, the tallest dune in North America. It’s a tough trek, but the views from the top are absolutely worth it!
Stargazing
Stick around after sunset, and you’ll see why Great Sand Dunes is an International Dark Sky Park. With no city lights to interfere, the night sky here is unreal—you’ll be treated to incredible views of the Milky Way and more stars than you can count.
Medano Pass
If you have a high-clearance 4×4, take on the 22-mile Medano Pass Primitive Road. This rugged route crosses Medano Creek nine times and offers the chance to spot bighorn sheep and other wildlife along the way.
Whether you’re hiking, sledding, stargazing, or splashing in the creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a one-of-a-kind stop you won’t want to miss!
Where to Stay When Visiting Great Sand Dunes
If you want to stay closer to the park, the Great Sand Dunes Lodge and the Rustic Rook Resort are both great options.
I suggest staying the night in Alamosa if you want a more traditional hotel experience. The town has convenient access to the park, provides a variety of accommodation options, and includes a variety of restaurants.
Drive from Great Sand Dunes to Mesa Verde
Continuing on your road trip, you will head west about 200 miles to Mesa Verde National Park. It is an easy route with very few turns to navigate.
There are several worthy stops along the way, most notably Pagosa Springs and Chimney Rock. Pagosa Springs offers numerous outdoor activities, from the world’s deepest hot springs to off-roading, snowmobiling, and fishing. Chimney Rock is most famous for its historic Ancestral Puebloan structures, but visitors can also enjoy viewing wild horses or joining an interpretive tour.
Finally, no trip through these beautiful Colorado landscapes is complete without taking the scenic Durango Railroad’s Cascade Canyon Express train route on a century-old steam locomotive through towering spires and deep canyons. The train leaves the station at 9:45 AM. Plan to stay a night in Durango to do this unforgettable experience.
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is another incredible destination on this Colorado itinerary. This park is home to some of North America’s most impressive archaeological sites and structures, cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago.
Things to Do at Mesa Verde National Park
Established in 1906, Mesa Verde National Park protects some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings and archaeological sites in the U.S. It’s so special that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978!
Hiking & Scenic Drives
There are plenty of ways to explore Mesa Verde! If you love hiking, check out trails near Morefield Campground, Chapin Mesa, or Wetherill Mesa.
Prefer to stay in the car? The Mesa Top Loop Road Auto Tour is a fantastic self-guided drive with stunning views and historic sites along the way.
Cliff Dwelling Tours
Touring the cliff dwellings is the highlight of any trip to Mesa Verde! There are self-guided and ranger-led tours, each offering a unique way to experience these ancient homes. Since tour difficulty levels vary, be sure to choose one that fits your comfort level.
Available Tours:
- Cliff Palace Tour: This 45-minute, 1/4-mile round trip involves climbing four 8- to 10-foot ladders. It’s the largest and most well-known cliff dwelling in the park.
- Long House Tour: The second-largest cliff dwelling, Long House offers a more in-depth experience with numerous rooms, kivas, and a large dance plaza. It’s a 2.5-mile hike round trip, with two 15-foot ladders to climb.
- Balcony House Tour: Known for its adventure, this 1-hour, 0.25-mile hike involves climbing ladders, stone steps, and crawling through a 12-foot tunnel.
- Mug House Tour: A 3-mile, 1.5-hour strenuous hike with views of Rock Canyon and Ancestral Puebloan sites.
- Square Tower House Tour: The tallest dwelling in the park, this 1-mile, 1.5-hour strenuous hike involves scrambling over boulders and climbing long ladders. It can be viewed from an overlook along Mesa Top Loop Road.
- Spring House Tour: The most strenuous tour at 8 miles and 8 hours long. This hike takes you to an unexcavated site viewed from a platform.
Most tours require advance tickets, which can be purchased on RECREATION.GOV. These sell out fast, so it’s a good idea to have a plan and be ready to book as soon as they go on sale!
Stargazing
Mesa Verde isn’t just amazing during the day—it’s also an International Dark Sky Park, meaning the stargazing here is unreal! If you’re staying overnight, you can take in the night sky from Morefield Campground, Far View Lodge, or one of the many scenic overlooks along the park road.
More Information on Mesa Verde National Park
Drive from Mesa Verde to Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Making your way from Mesa Verde National Park to Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an amazing road trip through some beautiful scenery. On this 4-hour journey, there are two routes you can take.
Route 1: National Monuments and Telluride
The first route takes you past national monuments and the picturesque mountain town of Telluride. Start this leg of your journey with a stop at Yucca House National Monument and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. If you are interested in learning more about the Ancestral Puebloan people, both of these sights have great information and are archeological sights that are not to be missed!
Next, take Highway 145 to Telluride. Here you can enjoy the shops and restaurants downtown before hopping on the free gondola ride to Mountain Village. Do even more shopping before riding back to Telluride.
Drive towards Ridgway and then north to Montrose. Montrose is a great town to base yourself for a visit to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Route 2: Million Dollar Highway
The second option from Mesa Verde National Park to Black Canyon of the Gunnison is to take the San Juan Scenic Byway to Ridgway then north to Montrose.
To start this route, drive back to Durango. Then, go north to the small town of Silverton. Head underground on the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour or stay above ground and grab a bite to eat at one of the locally owned eateries.
Next, drive along the famous Million Dollar Highway to Ouray. Ouray has a variety of sights to see and things to do including the 6-mile Ouray perimeter trail above the town, Box Canyon Falls and Cascade Falls, and Ouray Hot Springs.
Once you are ready to continue the adventure, keep driving north to Ridgway then Montrose.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a place you don’t want to miss. Whether you’re taking a scenic drive along South Rim Road or tackling a challenging canyon hike, this park offers unforgettable views.
Things to do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
From short hikes to backcountry treks through its famed dark canyon walls, this national park has something for everyone!
South Rim Visitor Center
Kick off your visit at the South Rim Visitor Center, where you’ll find interactive exhibits, educational programs, and helpful park rangers ready to answer any questions about hikes and activities. It’s the perfect way to get oriented before heading out to explore!
South Rim Road
For an easy and absolutely stunning way to experience the park, take a drive along South Rim Road. This 7-mile route is packed with jaw-dropping viewpoints, so be sure to stop at Tomichi Point, Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall View, and Sunset View for some of the best scenery in the park.
South Rim Hikes
If you’re up for a hike, the South Rim has some great options! Whether you want a quick nature walk or a longer trek, there’s something for every skill level.
- Warner Point Nature Trail – A bit longer but worth it for the breathtaking scenery.
- Rim Rock Nature Trail – A short, scenic trail with great canyon views.
- Cedar Point Nature Trail – An easy hike leading to an incredible overlook.
Inner Canyon
If you’re looking for a serious challenge, head into the canyon! These hikes are steep and rugged, but the experience is unforgettable.
- Gunnison Route (1.5 miles, 1,800 ft descent) – A great intro to inner canyon hiking. Takes about 4 hours round trip.
- Tomichi Route (1 mile, 1,960 ft descent) – A tougher, steeper hike that takes about 6 hours.
- Warner Route (2.75 miles, 2,722 ft descent) – The longest and most demanding. Most hikers camp overnight to complete it.
⚠️ Important: You’ll need a Wilderness Use Permit to hike into the canyon. These are available first-come, first-served at the Visitor Center.
Stargazing
Stick around after dark, and you’ll see why Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an International Dark Sky Park. Bring your own telescope, join a ranger-led stargazing program, or visit during the annual Astro Fest for an unforgettable experience.
North Rim
If you want to escape the crowds, head to the North Rim for a more remote and rugged experience. It’s a 2-3 hour drive from the South Rim, and while it’s less developed, the views are just as spectacular!
The scenic drive at the North Rim features six overlooks. The road is closed in winter, so plan accordingly.
North Rim Hikes
- Chasm View Nature Trail – A quick 1/3-mile hike with stunning canyon views.
- North Vista Trail – A 3-mile round trip to Exclamation Point, or extend it to Green Mountain (7 miles) for even more scenery.
- If you’re up for another inner canyon adventure, you can hike Pinyon Draw, Long Draw, or Slide Draw—just be sure to pick up a permit.
Drive from Black Canyon to Rocky Mountain
The next portion of this Colorado road trip is to make the 5-hour drive to Grand Lake, Colorado located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Colorado National Monument
With breathtaking views around every turn, Colorado National Monument is a must-see! The rugged terrain is absolutely stunning, and even if you don’t have time for a hike, a scenic drive along the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive is totally worth it.
Glenwood Springs
Carry on your journey and experience Glenwood Springs. Renowned for its natural hot springs, this is the perfect place to unwind and recharge. Whether you choose the Glenwood Hot Springs or Iron Mountain Hot Springs, you are sure to have a great time.
Other things to do in Glenwood Springs include Glenwood Caverns & Adventure Park, a hike to Hanging Lake, and whitewater rafting in Glenwood Canyon. Once you are finished relaxing in the hot springs or going on another adrenaline-filled adventure, continue your trip heading east.
Vail
You can stick to a direct route to Grand Lake, but if you’re up for a scenic detour, make sure to pass through Vail. Take some time to explore the charming Vail Village, hop on the scenic gondola for stunning views, or hit a hike or two to soak in the beauty of the area. It’s a great way to add some extra adventure to your journey!
Grand Lake
From Vail, it’s about a 2-hour drive to Grand Lake, which is the perfect gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park from the west.
At the lake, you can relax on the sand beach or take a dip in the cool waters. For some fun on the water, rent kayaks, paddleboards, paddle boats, and more.
While you’re in Grand Lake, be sure to check out the East Inlet Trail to Adams Falls. This easy, 0.6-mile round-trip hike takes you through gorgeous forested areas and leads to the beautiful Adams Falls.
This area of the park is less visited and peaceful. Continue on the trail past the waterfall to see a picturesque pond. Then, continue into Rocky Mountain National Park.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is truly an outdoor lover’s paradise! Nestled on the Continental Divide, it’s a serene mountain escape with endless opportunities for adventure.
Things to do at Rocky Mountain National Park
From incredible hikes to unforgettable wildlife spotting, Rocky Mountain National Park offers an variety of experiences for everyone!
Scenic Drives
One of the best ways to experience the park is simply by driving through it.
Trail Ridge Road is the main route through the park, stretching 48 miles from Estes Park to Grand Lake. At its highest point, it reaches an impressive 12,183 feet and crosses the Continental Divide at Milner Pass. As you drive, you’ll be treated to stunning views and a chance to spot wildlife in its natural habitat.
For a more historic route, try Old Fall River Road. Opened in 1920, this mostly gravel road has a 15 mph speed limit, making it a leisurely drive that lets you fully immerse yourself in nature, just like visitors did decades ago. It is only open during the summer months.
Hiking
If you’re a hiker, you’re in for a treat! With 16 lake hikes, 7 waterfall hikes, and 5 summit hikes, there’s a perfect trail for every level of hiker.
For a peaceful experience, hike to some of the beautiful lakes, like Bear Lake, Cub Lake, or Bluebird Lake. If you’re more into waterfalls, check out Cascade Falls or Ouzel Falls for a stunning view of nature in action.
If you’re looking for a true challenge, take on one of the summit hikes like Deer Mountain, Flattop Mountain, or Twin Sisters Peaks. These hikes will reward you with incredible views at the top.
Rocky Mountain National Park Reservations
Rocky Mountain National Park has introduced a timed entry permit system. This is required from the end of May through late October.
Drive from Rocky Mountain to Denver
The final stretch of your Colorado National Parks road trip is a 1.5-hour drive from Estes Park to Denver. Before you leave Estes Park, don’t miss the chance to check out the historic (and allegedly haunted) Stanley Hotel!
Colorado National Parks 10 Day Sample Itinerary
If you are short on time, this is what I would do to see all 4 of Colorado’s National Parks. This leaves off the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
- Day 1: Denver – Great Sand Dunes
- Day 2: Great Sand Dunes
- Day 3: Drive to Mesa Verde & Explore
- Day 4: Mesa Verde
- Day 5: Scenic Drive to Montrose
- Day 6: Black Canyon of the Gunnison South Rim
- Day 7: Scenic Drive to Grand Lake
- Day 8: Rocky Mountain National Park
- Day 9: Rocky Mountain National Park (Bear Lake Area)
- Day 10: Estes Park – Denver
Colorado National Parks Road Trip FAQs
Here are some tips to help you plan the best Colorado National Parks road trip.
How many days do you need for Colorado national parks?
Depending on how long you have, a minimum of one to two days should be allocated for each Colorado national park – although three or even four days at Rocky Mountain National Park would be better if you want to hike numerous trails. Plan one free day to get between each park to leave some time for bonus stops along the way.
What is the best time of year to visit Colorado National Parks?
If you’re looking for a time of year that generally has the best weather to make the most out of your visit, May through September are the ideal months. However, July and August are best for Rocky Mountain National Park.
What airport is best to see Colorado’s National Parks?
The closest airport to fly into for this Colorado National Parks road trip is Denver International Airport. Denver International Airport (DIA) is Colorado’s largest airport and the primary hub for the Rocky Mountain region. There are plenty of rental car companies available at the airport.
Final Thoughts: Colorado National Parks Road Trip
Colorado is a true outdoor paradise, home to some of the most picturesque national parks in the United States. From the ever-changing dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park to the incredible cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, there’s no shortage of stunning spots to explore.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers breathtaking views and challenging hikes through its canyons, while Rocky Mountain National Park treats visitors to gorgeous mountain landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Exploring these four parks is guaranteed to create unforgettable memories!
More Things to Do in Colorado
Need more inspiration? Check out my Colorado Springs and Colorado blog posts for outdoor adventures, family-friendly fun, and must-visit hidden gems!
