Colorado
A week-long Colorado mountain road trip from Denver to Garden of the Gods, packed with hikes, scenic drives, and national park stops, best done between late June and early October.
Sights & activities
- Denver: Starting point of the road trip. reel
- Silverthorne: First stop; watch sunset off Highway 9. reel
- Piney Lake: Take a boat out and have lunch near Gore Creek in Vail. reel
- Hanging Lake: Hike to Hanging Lake; permits required, plan in advance and check if open. reel
- Glenwood Springs: Alternative to the Hanging Lake hike. reel
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Visit Painted Wall at sunset; Dark Sky Reserve with incredible stargazing if camping in the park. reel
- Crested Butte: Hike around wildflower trails. reel
- Great Sand Dunes National Park: One of the few dog-friendly national parks in the USA; avoid midday as it gets very hot. reel
- Salida: Town with views of Collegiate Peaks. reel
- Buena Vista: Town with views of Collegiate Peaks. reel
- Garden of the Gods: Final stop; drive through and have lunch at pullover sites. reel
Practical tips
- Best time to visit: late June to early October. reel
- Total driving time: approximately 15 hours. reel
- Duration: ideally one week or more. reel
- Book Hanging Lake permits in advance to ensure access. reel
- Camp at Black Canyon of the Gunnison for Dark Sky Reserve stargazing. reel
- Avoid midday visits to Great Sand Dunes National Park due to heat. reel
- Great Sand Dunes is dog-friendly, so bring your pets if desired. reel
- Plan sunset viewing at Painted Wall in Black Canyon and at Silverthorne. reel
- Multiple hiking and outdoor activity options throughout the route. reel
← Back to the globe
Backdrop: Rhododendrites (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)