10-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary
Colorado is a beautiful state with tall peaks, incredible lakes, and four unique national parks. The best way to see the highlights of Colorado is to embark on an ultimate Colorado road trip. This 10-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary will take you to all four national parks in Colorado, a national monument, alpine lakes, and breathtaking hikes. This Colorado Road Trip Itinerary is for those looking for a thrilling trip to explore the nature in Colorado with scenic drives and hard but rewarding hikes.
When to Visit Colorado
The best time to take this Colorado road trip is in the fall when it isn’t too cold in the higher elevations and it is not too hot in the lower elevations. In the fall you can also enjoy the beautiful fall foliage in Colorado which varies depending on the elevation. In Aspen you can usually enjoy the bright yellow Aspens in late September through early October. An alternative option is to visit Colorado in late spring when you can enjoy wild flowers and the weather is mild at the road trip destinations.
If you decide to visit during winter or summer make sure you understand your limitations and what the weather will be like at each destination because it very different depending on the elevation. In the winter some of the roads are closed so it will be very difficult to do this road trip. In the summer some of these destinations can get very hot such as Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado National Monument, and Mesa Verde National Park.
Tips for Taking a Colorado Road Trip
- Purchase the America the Beautiful Annual Pass ahead of your Colorado Road Trip. The pass is $80 and will cover your entrance to US National Parks, National Monuments, National Forests, and many other federal recreation sites.
- Be prepared to drive on windy roads and dirt roads. A high clearance 4×4 vehicle isn’t needed for this road trip, but your car must be able to handle dirt roads.
- Always make sure you have snacks and water in the car as you will be driving through some remote areas.
10-Day Colorado Road Trip Packing List
With varying temperatures throughout this road trip it is important to make sure you pack plenty of layers. This packing list is what I recommend to bring for the 10-day Colorado road trip if you plan to do this trip in the fall.
- Hiking Boots: Many of the hikes on this road trip will require hiking boots for better traction and ankle support. Make sure to bring a good pair with you that you have broken in.
- Sneakers: Some of the days have shorter hikes where you won’t need hiking boots and sneakers will be good enough.
- Water Bottle: Bring a reusable water bottle with you to keep your water cold. This Stanley Water Bottle can keep your water cold for 12 hours.
- Hiking Day Pack: Bring a good day pack for the hikes that can carry enough water and layers. This is the hiking bag I used for the trip and it was a perfect size.
- Rain Jacket: Make sure you have a raincoat with you on the trip especially if you are visiting in the spring.
- Warm Coat: A down coat is a great option for the alpine lake hikes as it will get cold in the higher elevations and this type of coat is light and easy to carry.
- Clothes for Hiking: Make sure you have hiking clothes for each day so you don’t have to waste time doing laundry on the trip. Check the weather for each place before the trip so you have the right clothes.
- Camera and Camera Gear: Make sure to bring your camera, lenses, charger, extra memory card, extra battery, and all the other gear you need.
- Flashlight: A flashlight can be very useful if you get stuck on a hike later than expected or arrive at your Airbnb late.
- Sunscreen: The sun is very strong at the higher elevations so make sure to bring sunscreen and re-apply on the hikes.
- Chapstick with SPF: It can get very dry in Colorado so chapstick will be needed, and this kind has SPF in it too which will be helpful.
- Sunglasses: Make sure you have sunglasses with you, especially for the drive.
- Baseball Cap and Winter Hat: Bring both a hat to protect you from the sun for the warmer days and a winter hat for the alpine lake hikes.
- Bug Spray: We didn’t experience many bugs in the fall but if you visit in the spring or summer you will want to make sure you have bug spray with you on the hik.es
- Cooler: It’s helpful to have a cooler in the car for sandwiches, water, snacks, and more. This Stanley Adventure Cooler can stay cold for 36 hours.
- Snacks: Make sure you have plenty of high protein snacks for the drive and the hikes. We ended up only having two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) and snacking during the day because with all the hikes there wasn’t much time for lunch.
10-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary
This ultimate Colorado Road Trip is the best way to enjoy the beautiful nature in Colorado. Many top destinations in Colorado are far from Denver where the main airport is located, so doing a road trip is the best method to see these places.
Day 1: Peak Hike at Rocky Mountain National Park and Trail Ridge Road
Day 2: Six Lakes Hike at Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 3: Scenic Drive to Aspen and Hike to American Lake
Day 4: Maroon Bells
Day 5: Colorado National Monument
Day 6: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Day 7: Blue Lakes Trail and Ouray
Day 8: Mesa Verde National Park
Day 9: Great Sand Dunes National Park
Day 10: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs
Day 1: Peak Hike at Rocky Mountain National Park and Trail Ridge Road
Drive: Fly into Denver International Airport and drive 1 hour and 45 minutes to Deer Mountain trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park
Stay: Spend your first two nights in Estes Park, located right outside Rocky Mountain National Park. I recommend staying in the 4 Seasons Inn on Fall River which is where we stayed very close to the park entrance. You can look for other accommodations in Estes Park on Booking.com.
Reminder: Make sure to purchase the America the Beautiful Annual Pass at the entrance station to Rocky Mountain National Park if you don’t already have a valid pass.
Deer Mountain
Start your Colorado Road Trip at one of the best national parks in the United States. Rocky Mountain National Park has beautiful lakes, mountains, and waterfalls. On your first day at Rocky Mountain hike up Deer Mountain to get views of Estes Park, Moraine Park, and surrounding mountains. This is a moderate hike to get used to the higher elevation, with 1,400 ft elevation gain (peak at 10,000 ft) and 5.6 miles roundtrip.
Drive Trail Ridge Road to Alpine Region
Next drive up Trail Ridge Road for 45 minutes for great views and to experience the alpine layer in the park. The highest point on this road is 12,183 ft, located just before the Alpine Visitor Center. Make sure to bring extra layers as it gets significantly colder in the Alpine Region. While enjoying the viewpoints, look out for Marmots who can be spotted in this area.
Day 2: Six Lakes Hike at Rocky Mountain National Park
Drive: Drive about 30 minutes from Estes Park to the Bear Lake Trailhead.
Stay: Spend a second night at your accommodation in Estes Park.
Spend your day hiking in the Bear Lake Area and if you have time and energy continue to further lakes. Below is the hiking route that we followed which I highly recommend. You will get to see 6 lakes and a waterfall as well as beautiful views. Make sure to look out for signs along the route to lead you in the right direction. This trail will come out to 10.5 miles, but you can turn around and not complete the full loop.
- Start at Bear Lake and do the short loop around the lake (0.6 miles)
- Hike to Emerald Lake passing Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on the way (1.8 miles)
- On the way back from Emerald Lake turn right to continue to Lake Haiyaha (1.8 miles)
– If you are tired this is the last point where it still makes sense to turn back to the Bear Lake Trailhead instead of continuing to The Loch lake- - As you return from Lake Haiyah turn right to continue towards The Loch (2.1 miles)
- Take another right and hike uphill to rest of the way to The Loch (0.9 miles)
- Return from The Loch and turn right to continue to Alberta Falls (2.3 miles)
Continue to Glacier Gorge Trailhead (0.8 miles) or Bear Lake Trailhead (About 1 mile) depending on where you parked
Day 3: Scenic Drive to Aspen and Hike to American Lake
Drive: Drive 3.5 hours from your accommodation in Estes Park to Twin Lakes. Enjoy the views at Twin Lakes and then drive another 40 minutes along Independence Pass to Aspen. American Lake trailhead is 25 min from Aspen.
Stay: For the next two nights you should stay in Aspen or Snowmass Village. Aspen can get very expensive so Snowmass Village offers a great cheaper alternative. We stayed in The Crestwood which was very comfortable and had a nice kitchen with everything we needed to cook and save money on food. Other options in Snowmass include: Laurelwood Condominiums, Timberline Condominiums, and Viceroy Snowmass. You can find additional options in Aspen or Snowmass on Booking.com.
Scenic Drive to Aspen on Independence Pass
Start the day on a scenic drive from Estes Park to Aspen. There are multiple routes to Aspen from Estes Park, and I recommend taking Independence Pass to Aspen. Independence Pass is part of highway 82 and is the highest paved pass in North America and takes you over the Continental Divide. Independence Pass is typically closed from November to end of May, so make sure to check that it is open before driving this way. On your way make sure to stop at Twin Lakes, the Continental Divide, and the many pull outs that are available to enjoy the views.
Hike to American Lake
After getting lunch in downtown Aspen, drive 25 minutes to American Lake trailhead to hike to this beautiful alpine lake. The hike is 6 miles roundtrip with 2,000 foot elevation gain starting at 9,415 feet, so if you are not used to the elevation it can be very difficult. The views along the hike and American Lake at the end make this hike worth the difficulty. If you are looking for an easier hike alternative you can check out Smuggler Mountain Trail or Ute Rock, both of which are located right near downtown Aspen, but you won’t get the beautiful Alpine Lake at the end!
Day 4: Maroon Bells
Drive: Maroon Bells is located 23 minutes from downtown Aspen. Reservations are required to enter the Maroon Bells area.
Stay: Stay a second night at your accommodation in Aspen or Snowmass Village.
Hike at Maroon Bells
Maroon Bells is a beautiful area in Aspen featuring the 14,000 ft Maroon Peak, Maroon Lake, and Crater Lake. When you first arrive at Maroon Bells you will see Maroon Lake at 9,580 feet with Maroon Peak towering above. This is a great spot to enjoy the scenery and take photos. From Maroon Lake I recommend hiking to Crater Lake which is a nice hike to a smaller lake with beautiful views. The hike to Crater lake is 3.6 miles round trip with about 700 foot elevation gain. When visiting in mid-September to early October you will be able to enjoy the Aspen fall foliage on the hike. If you have more energy, continue hiking on West Maroon Trail for more incredible views of Maroon Bells area. As you continue hiking further you will be able to enjoy the area with less people around. Make sure to watch the time and how long you have hiked so that you are back before dark or before the last shuttle.
How to Get to Maroon Bells
Maroon Creek Road which leads to Maroon Bells is usually open May-November and you are required to make reservations ahead of time to drive into the Maroon Bells area. Reservations are only available for certain hours in the day and are often sold out quickly.
An alternative to driving on your own is to reserve a spot on the RFTA shuttle from Aspen Highlands Village to Maroon Bells. Reservations for the month open up on the first day of the previous month and should be made as soon as possible to ensure you get a spot. The shuttle costs $15 per person and parking at the Highlands parking structure costs $10 for up to 3 hours, $15 for 3-8 hours, and $30 for 8-24 hours. The first shuttle to Maroon Bells leaves at 8 am and there are shuttles every 30 minutes after that. When you make a reservation you will reserve it for the specific time and have to be there early to check in to ensure you don’t miss the shuttle. On the way back you don’t reserve a specific time slot, but make sure not to miss the last shuttle back at 5 pm.
Day 5: Colorado National Monument
Drive: Drive 2 hours 20 minutes from Aspen to Colorado National Monument east entrance. After visiting Colorado National Monument it is a 1 hour drive to Montrose.
Stay: You can stay in either Grand Junction or Montrose. Grand Junction is a city located right next to Colorado National Monument with hotel and Airbnb options. Alternatively, you can stay in Montrose which is 1 hour away but you will be closer to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park which is the plan on this Colorado road trip itinerary for the next day.
I recommend entering the park from the east (Grand Junction) entrance as you will be closer to the views and overlooks which will be on your right side. The 23 mile Rim Rock Road takes you through the park with many viewpoints and several hiking trail options on the way. You can refer to this Colorado National Monument map from the National Park Service to see where all the viewpoints and hikes are located along the drive. Some of the best viewpoints include Red Canyon Overlook, Ute Canyon View, Fallen Rock Overlook, Artists Point, Grand View, and Independence Monument View.
There are many hiking trails at Colorado National Monument, most of which are short and easy which makes it possible to visit the Monument in a short day. The hikes offer similar views to the overlooks. The best hikes at Colorado National Monument include Devil’s Kitchen Trail, Otto’s Trail, Canyon Rim Trail, and Window Rock Trail. From the hikes you can see rock formations that were formed by varying rates of erosion.
- Devil’s Kitchen Trail: 1.5 mile round trip trail to a natural rock opening in a rock formation.
- Otto’s Trail: 1 mile round trip to an overlook with views of rock formations including Independence Monument, Sentinel Spire, Pipe Organ, and Praying Hands.
- Canyon Rim Trail: 1 mile round trip trail that starts from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center. The trail is along the edge of the cliff of the Kayenta Sandstone Formation and over Wedding Canyon. You can continue onto Window Rock Trail from here.
- Window Rock Trail: Half mile round trip to the top of Window Rock, a hole near the top of one of the cliffs.
Day 6: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Drive: Drive 1 hour 20 minutes from Grand Junction or 20 minutes from Montrose (depending where you decided to stay for the night) to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Stay: I recommend staying in either Montrose or Ridgway. If you are already staying in Montrose the night before it will be easier to stay there another night so you don’t have to pack up everything again. If you stay in Ridgway you will be about 30 minutes closer to Blue Lakes Trailhead in the morning.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison was formed by erosion from the Gunnison River across two million years. The park is made up of north rim and south rim, with south rim a lot easier to get to. Start your visit driving along the 7 mile South Rim Road to get to numerous breathtaking viewpoints and hikes. There are 12 viewpoints along the road that you can enjoy. Some of the best viewpoints include Pulpit Rock, Devil’s Lookout, Painted Wall View, Cedar Point, and Dragon Point. Refer to this National Park Service map to see where the viewpoints and hikes are located.
There are four hikes in South Rim that you can choose from to further explore more of the park. The hikes are Rim Rock Nature Trail (1 mile round trip), Oak Flat Loop Trail (2 miles round trip, 500 ft elevation change), Cedar Point Nature Trail (2/3 miles round trip), and Warner Point Trail (1.5 miles round trip). We hiked Warner Point Trail but felt like we saw a lot more by stopping at the viewpoints, and with all the hiking on this road trip you may need some time for your legs to rest.
After exploring the South Rim, make sure to drive down East Portal Road to get to the bottom of the canyon and to the Gunnison River. The drive is steep with great views along the way. Spend time relaxing next to the river at the bottom of the canyon.
Day 7: Blue Lakes Trail and Ouray
Drive: Drive 1 hour and 10 minutes from Montrose or 35 minutes from Ridgway to Blue Lakes Trailhead. Then it is a 50 minute drive from Blue Lakes trailhead to Ouray.
Stay: I recommend staying in Ouray after the Blue Lakes hike. Ouray is a unique mountain town with hikes, waterfalls, and a nice main street with restaurants and shops. There aren’t many accommodation options in Ouray, so make sure to book your stay in Ouray about a month ahead of time on booking.com. We stayed in China Clipper Inn which is a very nice bed and breakfast with delicious breakfast. I highly recommend booking your stay here!
Blue Lakes Trail
Blue Lakes Trail is a beautiful hiking trail that leads to three alpine lakes located in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness area. The hike starts at 9,342 ft and is about 8 miles one round trip to the third lake with about 2,404 ft elevation gain. The hike begins very steep for the first couple of miles and you will reach the first lake after 3 miles with 1,610 ft elevation gain. The first lake is clear and beautiful surrounded by mountains and trees. This is a great spot to enjoy a snack before continuing a difficult climb to the next lakes.
In the last mile you will get to both middle lake and upper lake. As you are hiking up 800 ft in only one mile, this part is extremely steep. The weather can change drastically as you ascend from the first lake to upper lake as you will ultimately reach upper lake at 11,746 ft elevation. Make sure you are prepared for cold weather and stronger winds as you get closer to middle and upper lakes. Since middle and upper lakes are only an extra mile up I highly recommend continuing to these two lakes. You will get to see incredible views of the first lake on your way up to middle lake that should not be missed. As you go up to the alpine layer you will start noticing trees and plant life disappearing as they cannot survive at these high altitudes. Both middle and upper lakes are beautiful and you can see the stream that connects all the lakes as you hike up.
TIP: If you have more time to spend on this road trip and are looking for another alpine lake hike, Ice Lakes Trail is an incredible hiking trail to two alpine lakes located an hour south of Ouray.
What to Bring for Hiking Blue Lakes Trail
Blue Lakes Trail is a long and strenuous day hike so it is important to have the right gear.
- Hiking Boots: This trail can get very steep so hiking boots are important for both ankle support and traction.
- Layers: As the weather changes throughout the hike make sure you have layers with you including a long-sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, and a coat. A down coat is a great option to bring with you since it is light and small to carry but can still keep you very warm.
- Hat: The wind can be very strong at upper lake so make sure to bring a hat to stay warm.
- Gloves: Gloves can help keep your hands warm especially when you are taking photos.
- Camera and Extra Battery: Don’t forget your camera! Make sure it is charged and bring an extra battery just in case.
- Water Bottles: Don’t attempt this hike without an adequate amount of water. Make sure you have multiple water bottles.
- Snacks / Lunch: Bring snacks and a sandwich with you to keep your energy up during the hike.
- Flashlight: Always carry a flashlight with you when hiking just in case something happens and you get stuck in the dark.
Ouray: Box Canyon Falls Park and Main Street
Ouray is a unique mountain town located at 7,792 feet and known as the Switzerland of America. Visit Box Canyon Falls Park to see a 85 foot waterfall in a canyon ($5 entrance fee). Spend time walking along Main Street and grab dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Day 8: Mesa Verde National Park
Drive: Drive 2 hours and 20 minutes from Ouray to Mesa Verde National Park. Then it is a 40 minute drive from Mesa Verde National Park to Durango, where you will stay the night.
Stay: Durango
Mesa Verde National Park preserves the archaeological heritage of Ancestral Pueblo People who lived in Mesa Verde about 1,400 years ago. The Ancestral Pueblo People lived in Mesa Verde and built communities for more than 700 years.
Most of the top sights in the park are located about 40 minutes from the park entrance in the Chapin Mesa area. You can refer to this Mesa Verde National Park map by the National Park Service to see where the viewpoints, cliff dwellings, and pueblos are located in the park. If you are interested in seeing the cliff dwellings up close you must book a tour which I recommend booking in advance on the recreation.gov website.
Start your day driving to the Chapin Mesa Area and begin with the Mesa Top Loop which takes you to pit houses, pueblos, Navajo Canyon View, the Square Tower House, Sun Point View, and Sun Temple. The Ancestral Pueblo People lived in pit houses from about A.D. 550 when they first settled in Mesa Verde to A.D. 750. It is interesting to start at the pit houses and then continue to the above ground buildings to see the development of the architecture over time.
After you finish the Mesa Top Loop, continue to the Cliff Palace Loop to see cliff dwellings, most of which were built from late A.D. 1190s to late A.D. 1270s. On this loop you can stop at a great viewpoint of Cliff Palace which is a cliff dwelling with more than 150 rooms. Next hike Soda Canyon Overlook Trail (1.2 miles) to see views of Balcony House. If you want to tour Cliff Palace or Balcony House you must make a reservation in advance.
On your way back stop at Spruce Tree House where you can do a self-guided tour. Here you can also hike the Petroglyph Point Trail (2.4 miles) if you have time. As you continue back to the entrance of the park you can stop at the overlooks including Geologic Overlook, Park Point Overlook, and Montezuma Valley Overlook.
Day 9: Great Sand Dunes National Park
Drive: Drive 3 hours and 15 minutes from Durango to Great Sand Dunes National Park. On the way stop in Pagosa Springs for breakfast at Higher Grounds Coffee.
Stay: The closest city to Great Sand Dunes National Park is Alamosa. Here you can find Airbnb options and restaurants for dinner.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is a 30-square-mile dunefield with the tallest sand dunes in North America. Here you can hike, sandboard, sand sled, take incredible pictures, and enjoy the views of the dunes and surrounding mountains. I recommend spending your day at Great Sand Dunes National Park hiking on the sand dunes. Don’t overestimate how much you can hike as it can be a lot harder than it looks. Hiking on the dunes can be very difficult as your feet sink into the sand as you walk and the park is at a high elevation, with the visitor center at 8,170 feet.
Hike to High Dune and Explore Sand Dunes
Start your visit hiking up to High Dune which is over 700 ft tall. You can easily spot this dune from the Dunes parking lot as it is the tallest dune you can see. The area near the parking lot can get busy, but if you walk further along the Medano Creek bed you find a less crowded route. Take your time hiking up to High Dune and make sure you have plenty of water and snacks.
After you reach High Dune and enjoy the view, continue walking south along the dunes to get further away from the people. Follow the ridge of the dunes so you don’t have to walk too much up and down the dunes, unless you want the work out. As you walk further away you will get to experience the sand dunes all to yourself, and after even just 10 minutes walking south from High Dune you won’t see anyone else. Spend the rest of your time in the park exploring the sand dunes, taking pictures, and having a picnic on the sand dunes (pack everything out with you). Once you are done exploring, the easiest way to get back to the parking lot is to go down to the Medano Creek bed and hike along the creek.
Alternative Hike: Star Dune
If you are up for a bigger challenge you can hike to Star Dune instead. Start Dune is the tallest Dune in North America at 750 feet. To get here you will hike about 2 miles south the Medano Creek bed from the Dunes Parking lot until you see Star Dune. Then you will follow a ridge to get to the top of star dune. This hike can take more than 6 hours round trip. We didn’t hike to Star Dune because we didn’t get to the park early enough and weren’t sure if we would have enough time. Instead we enjoyed our time exploring the park by hiking to High Dune and then continuing to hike south along the dunes.
Sand Sledding or Sand Boarding
If you are interested in sand boarding or sand sledding, you can reserve rentals at nearby stores, most of which are in Alamosa. Stores that provide rentals include Great Sand Dunes Oasis, SpinDrift Sand Board Rentals, Sand Dunes Swimming Pool, and Kristi Mountain Sports. We saw people sand boarding and sand sledding and they weren’t moving very fast, so we decided it wasn’t worth it. Also, since the dunes are so tall and hard to walk up it didn’t feel like the effort to hike up was worth the very slight thrill of slowly sledding or boarding down the dunes. If you are interested in sand sledding somewhere, you can do this a lot more successfully on a future trip to White Sands National Park where the sand is more packed and you slide down the dunes significantly faster.
Day 10: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs
Drive: Drive 2.5 hours from Alamosa to Colorado Springs. Pikes Peak is about a 1 hour drive one way from Colorado Springs. If you are flying out on this day it is a 1.5 hour drive from Colorado Springs to Denver International Airport.
Pikes Peak
After all the hiking on this Colorado Road Trip you deserve a rest. Pikes Peak summit is at 14,115 feet, and you can drive all the way up to the top! Please note there is a fee to enter Pikes Peak Highway. The drive takes about an hour each way, and then are many incredible viewpoints along the way. The road is very windy and steep, so make sure you are prepared for the drive.
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is a free park known for its red rock formations and 21 miles of trails. You won’t have time for all the trails, but make sure to at least walk Perkins Central Garden Trail, a 1.5 mile round trip trail with the highest rock formations. Other trails you can do if you have more time and want to see more of the park are Palmer Trail, Ridge Trail, Siamese Twins Trail, and Balanced Rock Trail. There are also viewpoints throughout the park you can stop at to see more rock formations.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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