Discover the Breathtaking Scenery of the Colorado Rockies
The best way to see the Centennial State is to head out on a Colorado road trip. With four national parks, incredible mountain scenery, and plenty of places to get lost in, you’ll want to spend anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks exploring this stunning landscape. Most travelers will start in Denver, the Mile High City. Home to the incredible food and craft beer scene, there’s plenty of entertainment in the state’s capital. Try to time your road trip up with a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater, one of only four naturally occurring amphitheaters in the world. Next, stop at the famous Rocky Mountain National Park. Located just two hours from Denver, this beautiful landscape hosts a variety of activities from wildlife viewing to world-class rock climbing.
After you’ve had your fill at the park, head out towards Grand Junction, on the Western Slope of the Colorado Rockies. Don’t forget to stop at the famous Hanging Lake Hike along the way, one of Colorado’s best hikes. Here you can explore the Colorado National Monument. World’s away from Colorado’s mountains, these sandstone spires and canyons are reminiscent of the famous landmarks of Southern Utah and speak volumes about the diversity of this state. For your next stop, dip back into the mountains and head south towards Gunnison and Crested Butte. You can opt to stay in the cute mountain town of Crested Butte, where you can enjoy mountainous wildflower hikes and top-notch mountain biking. Or continue towards Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This steep canyon boasts 1,000-plus-foot walls and has plenty of incredible camping and rafting opportunities. If you have spare time, swing down towards the Four Corners for a stop at Mesa Verde. Otherwise, continue onwards towards the mighty Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where you’ll find the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Nestled up against towering peaks, you’ll be treated to an endless sea of sand dunes – the largest in North America.
Distance: 1600km
Duration: 4-14 days
Things to do:
- Denver’s food and craft beer scene
- Catch a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater
- Hanging Lake Hike
- Passing through four National Parks.
- Colorado National Monument
- Star gazing at Great San Dune National Park
