Colorado is one of the best states for outdoor activities, and a great way to experience the best things to do is with a summer road trip. The best Colorado road trip involves drives to Estes Park, Colorado Springs, Idaho Springs, Winter Park, Great Sand Dunes National Parks, and more!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links so if you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we might earn a small commission (but don’t worry, it’s no extra cost to you).
Free Colorado Summer Road Trip Itinerary
It may take several minutes to show up in your Inbox.
Where to Stay
For the best Colorado road trip, we traveled in an RV staying in campgrounds in Estes Park, Colorado Springs, and Lathrop State Park. However, this trip can be done by driving a car and staying in hotels along the way.
Do I Need a Pass?
You will need to purchase a park pass to enter Rocky Mountain National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park. Depending on how often you visit these parks or all U.S. National Parks, you may want to consider purchasing an America the Beautiful park pass, which will allow you into all national parks for a year. Also, if you have a 4th grader in your household, you can get a family pass to the national parks that is good for a year. Find out more about that benefit here.
In addition to needing a park pass to Rocky Mountain National Park, you will also need to make a Timed Entry Reservation if you are visiting between the end of May and mid-October. These reservations must be made at recreation.gov. Timed Entry Reservations are available the first day of the month before you planned visit. For example, if you plan to visit the park in the month of August, then you can reserve your Timed Entry on July 1.
When to Visit
For the best Colorado road trip, I recommend making this trip during the Summer months. While Colorado has many winter activities that will keep you entertained for a large chunk of the year, many of the roads and activities in this itinerary are only open in the Summertime.
What to Pack for a Colorado Summer Road Trip
- RTIC Soft-Sided Cooler – To save money on lunches, we bought sandwich stuff and drinks and carried them around in the RTIC Soft-Sided Cooler.
- Rain Jacket – You never know when a storm will roll in. Get your men’s and women’s rain jackets before you go!
- Baseball Cap – Whether you are protected your face from the sun or the rain, a cap is a must-have on outdoor vacations. (Men’s Baseball Cap)
- Sunscreen – Protect your skin from getting burned with sunscreen.
- Chapstick with SPF – The air is dry, and you will need to moisturize your lips with SPF chapstick.
- Bug Spray – Keep the bugs from annoying you on your Colorado road trip.
- Backpack – Carry water, snacks, and other things you may need while on your Arizona road trip with a backpack.
- Hiking shoes/boots – Some of the hikes are on steep, slick rock, and people wearing regular tennis shoes struggled to keep their footing. Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
- Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
- Light Jackets – Even in warmer months, the weather can be cool. I recommend packing a light men’s or women’s jacket to keep you warm.
DAY 1 – ESTES PARK
Emerald Lake Trail
Parking lots at the trailheads fill up quickly, but Estes Park offers free shuttles. We took the shuttle to the Bear Lake Trailhead which is also the beginning of this hike. The hike is a 3.1-mile easy, out and back trail that takes you through forests, by lakes, and over snow covered areas. You will pass two other lakes, Nymph Lake and Dream Lake, on the path to Emerald Lake. Also you will pass streams cascading down the mountain from the melting snow. Be prepared, the weather was warm at the bottom of the mountain, and we were wearing shorts and tank tops. However, the area surrounding Emerald Lake was covered in snow, and the wind blowing through here was extremely cold. We were not dressed properly for the top of the mountain. In addition, part of the trail was icy and quite slippery, so watch your step.
Bear Lake Loop
The trailhead of Emerald Lake Trail is also the trailhead of Bear Lake Loop. This hike is short, 0.7-mile easy nature loop.
Look for Wildlife
While driving through Estes Park, always be on the lookout for wildlife. Several cars were gathered in a small parking lot, so we stopped to see what the commotion was all about. Turns out, a moose was wading in a small pond just beyond the parking lot.
Just before sunset is a great time to be on the lookout for wild animals in the park. Wildlife tends to move in the morning and evening hours. On our evening drive, we saw several elk roaming the park. The sunset was also a beautiful treat.
DAY 2 – ESTES PARK
Alberta Falls Trail
Take a morning hike on the Alberta Falls Trail for an easy, 1.7-mile, out and back walk. On the trail, a mother and baby elk hid in the trees just a few yards from the path. At the end of the hike, you will be rewarded with views of Alberta Falls.
Sprague Lake
While looking for a picnic area to eat our packed lunch, we came across Sprague Lake. Before eating, we walked the 0.8-mile loop around Sprague Lake. The lake was peaceful and several people were fishing from the banks. After completing the loop, we ate sandwiches at a picnic table in the shade.
Near the picnic area was a glacial marsh where several children were playing. Kids were gathering sticks and watching them flow down the cascading creek. They were also digging trenches and having a great time. We spent a couple hours here while the kids played in the water.
Search for Wildlife
We took another evening drive in search of more wildlife and were not disappointed because we spotted several elk herds wandering the park.
DAY 3 – ESTES PARK AND WINTER PARK
Trail Ridge Road
We left early this morning for the epic 48-mile Trail Ridge Road drive that takes you from Estes Park on the east side to the west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. This drives takes you to an elevation of 12,183 feet with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. There are several pullout areas where you can look for wildlife and the tree line far below you. Be careful, the air is thin at this elevation and can be difficult to breathe, but the views are amazing.
Once on the west side of the park, stop to see the Continental Divide at Milner Pass. Continue driving along the Colorado River and follow your map directions to Winter Park.
Winter Park Resort
The best Colorado road trip took us to the Winter Park Resort. Winter Park is a popular ski resort in the winter months, but in the warmer months it transforms into a fun-filled summer destination. Activities include a ropes course, mini golf, mountain biking, and gondola rides. However, the highlight of the resort is the alpine slides. Catch the ski lift to the top of the mountain and ride in the alpine sleigh down the serpentine slide. We must have ridden the slide a dozen times!
At the end of the day, we drove back to Estes Park via the Trail Ridge Road. A rainstorm appeared on the drive back making the drive along next to the steep drop-offs foggy and intimidating.
DAY 4 – IDAHO SPRINGS AND DENVER
Argo Mill Tour and Gold Panning
We started the morning with a trip to Idaho Springs and the Argo Mill and Tunnel tour. Learn about the history of the Argo Mill and Tunnel with a short video and tour through the mine and mill. After the tour, everyone gets to pan for gold and keep what you find!
Idaho Springs Miner Street
Next we walked down Miner Street in Idaho Springs, shopping at the boutique stores. We ate lunch at a cute café before heading to Denver.
Hammond Candy Factory – Denver
In Denver, we visited the Hammond Candy Factory. Here we watched a short video on the history of the Hammond family and their candy origins. Then, we watched as workers stretched and pulled candy, added dye, and finally molded and shaped candy canes. After the tour, we perused in the candy shop.
Rockies Baseball Game
Once we had our fill of candy making, we headed to Coors Field where we watched the Rockies play our beloved Astros. We arrived early to get signatures from the baseball players with great success! After the game, we watched a fireworks show at the stadium.
DAY 5 – COLORADO SPRINGS
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
The next couple days on the best Colorado road trip were spent in the Colorado Springs area. We started the day exploring the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. These ruins, built 800 to 1,000 years ago, show how people lived in this 40-room cliffside village. Look at the extensive gift shop for a souvenir, and check out artifacts in the museum.
Red Rock Canyon
Visit Red Rock Canyon and leisurely walk around the large rustic colored rocks. Admission to the park is free.
DAY 6 – COLORADO SPRINGS
U.S. Air Force Academy
Upon entering the security gates, we drove to the visitor’s center. From here, we walked to the Cadet Chapel, where all religions can be worshiped. From the higher elevation of the chapel, we watched cadets below completing drills with their units.
Garden of the Gods
The rest of the afternoon was spent hiking around the rock formations at the Garden of the Gods. It would have been better if we went to the Garden of the Gods first thing in the morning because it was very crowded. Parking was hard to come by.
DAY 7 – CANON CITY
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
We continued our the best Colorado road trip about 60 miles south to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Walk across America’s highest suspension bridge for some incredible views of the gorge below. Once across the bridge, kids can play at the playground and carousel. If you are really adventurous, you can ride the Royal Rush SkyCoaster, zip line across the gorge, or mountain climb up the gorge cliffs. After you have had your fill of the park, ride the gondolas back to the other side of the gorge.
Skyline Drive
Next, we drove to Canon City and the Skyline Drive. The scenic, single lane, one way road climbs to the top of a ridge and has steep cliffs on both sides. Pull out onto the overlook for panoramic views of Colorado.
Bishop Castle
About an hour south of Canon City is a castle that was built by one man, Jim Bishop, over the span of sixty years. This castle is made of iron and stone and consists of a tower, ballroom, and several other rooms. Mr. Bishop is still building on his creation, and you may even see him there while visiting.
DAY 8 – GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK
Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to North America’s tallest sand dunes and cannot be missed on the best Colorado road trip. From the parking area, cross a shallow stream before reaching the sand dunes. If it is a windy day, I advise wearing pants because it hurts when the wind assaults you with sand. Climb up the rolling dunes and slide down into the valleys. We tried our best to make it to the top of the highest sand dune, but the wind made it too difficult. You can also bring a sled or sandboard and surf the dunes.
DAY 9 – GOLDEN, COLORADO
Red Rock Amphitheatre
For the last day of the best Colorado road trip, we drove to the Golden area and started our day at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. The amphitheater is a unique venue to watch concerts, but during the day they let you visit the area for free. A lot of people come here to run the bleachers for exercise. There are also several hikes in the park.
Lookout Mountain
Next we drove to Lookout Mountain, which is the location of the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. To learn about the life of the legendary Buffalo Bill, we toured the Buffalo Bill Museum.
Colorado School of Mines
The Colorado School of Mines, located in Golden, is a must-see for any rock lover. Mines Museum of Earth Science is home to a grand collection of rocks, minerals, fossils, and moon rocks collected from the Apollo 17 mission. The museum sponsors a scavenger hunt for kids. If they complete it, they get to take home a rock of their choice!
Colorado Railroad Museum
The last activity on this 9-day Colorado adventure was a visit to the Colorado Railroad Museum. You can explore train engines, rail cars, and cabooses at the rail yard. Also, take a ride on one of the historic trains.
You May Also Be Interested In
New Mexico Road Trip: 5-Day Itinerary
Amazing Weekend Trips from Denver
Whirlwind Utah Road Trip: Seven Parks in Six Days
