This unforgettable itinerary will see you explore the red-rock canyons, glittering lakes and hot spring towns of spectacular Colorado. Drive through the Rockies and some of the world’s most scenic highways, including America’s highest road, Trail Ridge Road, and the iconic Million Dollar Highway. Encounter hot springs and white water rafting towns, historic steam train journeys up high mountain passes, canyon-laden national parks and cosy villages in the shadow of arid deserts.
All of our road trips are fully customisable and can be tailor-made to suit your own individual requirements. Please let your Discover North America travel specialist know if you would like to start in a different destination, use specific hotel accommodation or simply want to add an excursion or two. Do you have more or less than 17 days for your road trip? No problem, we can add extra nights to allow more time to explore or shorten the number of destinations as required.
As we can offer you such a extensive choice of flights & car rental and prices vary per departure date, we don’t include these elements as standard within the headline fare displayed on our website, unless stated otherwise in the `What’s Included’ section. When requesting your initial quote, your Discover North America Travel Specialist will take the time to understand your own individual requirements with regards to international flights and car rental and will tailor the quote specifically to your needs.
Find out more about the process we follow here.
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Welcome to Denver, “the Mile High City,” where a brass cap positioned at exactly 5,280 feet above sea level is perched on the Capitol steps. The 16th Street Mall connects the Capitol Building with LODO, the Lower Downtown Historic District and mixed-use neighbourhood. Nearby, the Colorado State History Museum features the dramatic geology of the region. The Denver History Museum, the Denver Visitor Center, and the Molly Brown House, home of the “unsinkable” local heroine, are all close by as well. Be sure to visit the Denver Art Museum, where the building is as dramatic as the exhibits.
Just north of Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park is a living showcase of grandeur with countless breathtaking vistas ranging from 8,000 to 14,259 feet. Set against this backdrop, you’ll also see delicate alpine flowers, clear lakes, rushing mountain waters, bighorn sheep, ptarmigan, coyote, and elk. There is one major loop road through the park and every square inch is scenic.
Take Highway 70, one of the most scenic Highways in the United States to Glenwood Springs, located in the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by the White River National Forest and most known for its hot springs, wildlife, views, and beautiful resort amenities. Glenwood Springs is most famous for its namesake, the Glenwood Hot Springs. However, not only is the town beautiful every month of the year, but you will find an activity for just about everyone.
The area around Grand Junction has made a name for itself as the heart of Colorado's wine country. But wine's just one of the region's great assets. The largest city on Colorado's Western Slope, Grand Junction sprawls across the Grand Valley, perfectly situated for exploring the wonders of the area. And wonders certainly abound, from Colorado National Monument to hundreds of Grand Mesa lakes to Colorado River rafting to red-rock canyons peppered with mountain-bike trails. A charming downtown hosts great shops, restaurants, art galleries, events and so much more.
The expansive dugout area sheltered by massive rock cliffs covered with adobe brick “houses” at Mesa Verde National Park appears to be the individual home units of ancient cliff dwellers. Grab your sense of adventure as you go up and down ladders and through the tight spaces of Cliff Palace, the largest dwelling area. The 6-mile Mesa Top Loop Road driving tour takes you through 700 years of Mesa Verde history.
If it can be done outdoors, it can be done in Durango. This is a huge mountain biking, rafting, fishing, backpacking, skiing, hiking community. In downtown Durango, historic buildings are filled with award-winning restaurants and art galleries and you'll hear the whistle of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad trains come and go through town. The railroad has been named one of the world's most scenic railroads and is one of Durango's most popular attractions.
The entire route between Durango and Alamosa is a scenic road through the San Juan Mountains. Alamosa is 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.
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. 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.”
Your tour ends when you return your rental car to the agreed drop-off point. Alternatively, speak with your Discover North America Travel Specialist about possible trip extensions.