Travel deep into the Colorado landscape and be impressed by the majesty of the American Rockies. The stunning vistas of Rocky Mountain National Park show off clear rushing rivers and meadows of wildflowers, set against mountain peaks that go on for miles. In Mesa Verde National Park, the hillsides provided cover for the cliff dwellings of the ancients who lived in the region thousands of years ago. Driving through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, you’ll understand the power of raging water to cut through earth, whilst Great Sand Dunes National Park presents a whole different picture of the power of wind and water. Integral to this great mountain scenery are five of Colorado’s best scenic byways, including the San Juan Skyway in the San Juan Mountains north of Durango and the Skyline Drive, part of the Gold Belt, near Canon City. Both offer stunning views and a different perspective on the landscape. The traditional Colorado ski resort town of Vail is thriving and beautiful in the summer. You’ll depart this dramatic region of America knowing you have seen the best.
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.
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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.
Travel to Colorado Springs and head to the top of Pike's Peak, a "must-do" when you're in Colorado Springs! You can drive up the auto road or take the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway. From there, continue your journey through red rock landscapes and rugged mountains at the Garden of the Gods and the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, which encompasses some of the oldest fossilised material in the US. Consider lunch at the famous Broadmoor Hotel, tour the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine and experience the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. If there’s time, the US Air Force Academy is also well worth a visit.
Take a very scenic drive today as you travel portions of five Colorado Scenic Byways on your way to Alamosa. The Gold Belt Tour takes you through old mining towns and Canon City, home to the Royal Gorge Railroad. You can explore the strong arts community and Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in Pueblo on the Frontier Pathways Byway, which also illustrates early settlement in Colorado. The Highway of Legends crosses the original Santa Fe Trail in southeastern Colorado. Los Caminos Antigous National Scenic Byway brings you closest to Great Sand Dunes National , which, amazingly, features the tallest sand dunes in America set in a mountain-ringed preserve.
The entire route between Alamosa and Durango is a scenic road through the San Juan Mountains. If, when you reach Durango, you think you’ve seen it before, it’s probably because you’ve seen some western movies. Durango is the picture perfect Old West town that starred as the backdrop for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, City Slickers, Cliffhangers and many other films. It’s so authentic that you might expect a gunslinger to step right into the street any minute. The nightly show at the Strater Hotel is right out of the old West. If scenery is your interest, ride the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad up into the San Juan Mountains.
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.
Drive the San Juan Skyway on your way to Montrose and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The unique and spectacular canyon walls rising nearly 3,000 feet in some places were formed by the action of water and rock scouring down through hard crystalline rock. Narrowing to only 40 feet in some places, no other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths offered by the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Vail, Colorado has some of the best skiing in the world, yet it is also a great summer destination. Take the gondola ride up the mountain to get a spectacular view of the rugged Rockies, or hike the same terrain. In town, the pedestrian streets of Vail Village and Lionshead invite serious shoppers and browsers alike to unique boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, markets and, of course, sporting goods stores. In the evening, find a seat outside for a relaxing drink at the foot of the mountain, or enjoy some of the excellent entertainment on tap nightly.
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. This is a great way to end your exceptionally beautiful journey through Colorado.
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.