Colorado Parks Explorer

Fly into Denver International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Denver is known for its laid-back atmosphere, craft beer and culinary scenes, beautiful scenery and attractions for all ages. With hundreds of craft breweries, Colorado is a top contender for the ultimate beer state in the USA. Overnight in Denver.

Today, visit Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, a legendary music venue equally known for its fascinating geological formations. Arrive early to explore the hiking trails, take pictures and check out the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. It’s a can’t-miss stop for nature lovers and photographers alike.

This morning, pick-up your car and make your way to Rocky Mountain National Park. Visited by millions of people each year, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the USA’s natural treasures and the fourth most visited national park in the country. Explore Estes Park, a year-round tourist destination with a walkable downtown that’s home to diverse restaurants, unique shops and festive events. Overnight in Estes Park.

Today explore Rocky Mountain National Park with outdoor activities too numerous to list, but consider horseback riding, rock climbing, wildlife viewing, biking and hiking trails. You’ll gain a new appreciation for the power of nature. When you’re done for the day, relax with a local craft beverage and a hearty meal at one of Estes Park’s many restaurants featuring locally sourced cuisine. The mountain views from the town’s outdoor patios are breathtaking, and wildlife sightings are plentiful. Overnight in Estes Park.

The drive to your next stop is along Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park’s “highway to the sky” and likely one of the most dramatic drives you’ll ever make. The road crosses the Continental Divide and transitions from thick forest to windy tundra above the tree line at 3,700 meters elevation.Grand Lake is considered the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, and you can expect an equal abundance of activities in nature. Enjoy the plethora of warm-weather fun at Colorado’s largest natural lake: fishing, sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and sunbathing, all with gorgeous views of Mount Craig (also called Mount Baldy) as a backdrop. Take the short hike to Adams Falls. The series of cascading waterfalls is great for pictures and the hike is appropriate for all fitness levels. Overnight in Grand Lake.

After a scenic trek across the western half of Colorado, your destination of Grand Junction is, not surprisingly, incredibly photogenic, but also a different side of Colorado than you’ve seen so far. Overnight in Grand Junction.

The can’t-miss park here is Colorado National Monument, whose deep canyons, scenic outlooks and red rock spires are unlike anything else you will find in Colorado. In addition to exploring a variety of hiking trails, many visitors drive or bike the scenic 37-kilometer Rim Rock Drive. It’s a challenging route, but the views are truly stunning. Spend the night in downtown Grand Junction to take in the culinary scene (featuring fresh, local ingredients), family-friendly attractions and walkable Main Street. Overnight in Grand Junction.

Vast, largely undeveloped plains follow you to Montrose, a welcoming mountain destination with a friendly atmosphere, outdoor recreation and a quaint downtown lined with colorful storefronts. Grab your camera and head to Black Canyon National Park, named for the dramatic, deep gorge carved by the Gunnison River over the course of 1.7 billion years. The canyon walls are so tall that the bottom of the gorge receives only minutes of sunlight each day. The vistas are absolutely jaw-dropping. Take the scenic South Rim drive and pull off at the overlooks for dizzying views of the river far below. As night falls, you can watch the twinkling ribbon of the Milky Way rise into the sky at Black Canyon, an International Dark Sky Park. Overnight in Montrose.

The drive from Montrose passes through the San Juan National Forest, passing the legendary ski resort at Telluride. Stop in the town of Dolores to stretch your legs and visit the Anasazi Heritage Center, dedicated to the history of the Pueblo, Ute and Navajo Native Americans – it’s the perfect preview to Mesa Verde National Park, home to some of the best-preserved, ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings. Overnight in Mesa Verde.

Today stop at the visitor center before your self-guided driving tour on Mesa Top Loop Road, featuring 12 scenic overlooks on the loop. Keep an eye out for some of the park’s diverse wildlife: deer, coyote, foxes, elk and exotic reptiles among them. Insider tip: Bring binoculars! Overnight in Mesa Verde.

About halfway between Mesa Verde and Alamosa is Pagosa Springs, the world’s deepest geothermal hot springs – set aside an extra couple of hours to experience the rejuvenating waters. Your next stop is Alamosa, home to Great Sand Dunes National Park and the tallest sand dunes in North America. It’s difficult to do justice to the unusual scenery here; the massive dunes are surrounded by evergreen spruce and pine forests, wetlands, grassy plains and towering 3,900-meter mountain peaks. Don’t miss a chance to experience sandboarding or sandsledding.

This morning, hike the dunes then plan for a forest hike and cooling off afterward in Medano Creek. Enjoy a hike at Zapata Falls and soak in the stunning views of the dunes and San Luis Valley. Overnight in Alamosa.

This morning make you way to Colorado Springs. Colorado’s second-largest city evolved from a quaint, 1870s Victorian resort town into a modern, sophisticated destination. But its progress didn’t erase its charm and outdoor wonders. Colorado Springs features breathtaking scenery, friendly people and impeccable service. Overnight in Colorado Springs.

Today explore Pikes Peak, known as America’s Mountain, is the second most-visited mountain in the world – after Mount Fuji in Japan. Visit the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, one of the most accessible and interactive museums in the world. Don't forget to visit Mystical Beauty at Garden of the Gods
Legend has it that in the late 1800s, two men visited what is now known as Garden of the Gods. One said, “This place would make a great beer garden.” Then the other said, “No, this is a garden fit for the Gods!” As a compromise, they named it Garden of the Gods. With amazing red rock formations, there is absolutely no doubt why it’s called the “land of mystical beauty.” Overnight in Colorado Springs.

Before driving back to Denver, enjoy other favourite attractions include the Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in North America; Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the country’s only zoo in a mountain setting; and the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center, a sanctuary for wolves, coyotes and foxes.
Drive back to Denver for your flight home.