COLORADO AND EASTERN UTAH 12 DAYS

This itinerary visits Mile-high Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches National Park, Dead Horse State Park, Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Durango, CO.

Colorado encompassing most of the southern Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains. Colorado is noted for its vivid landscape of mountains, forests, high plains, mesas, canyons, plateaus, and famous ski resorts.

Utah bordered by Colorado to the east, has a population of roughly 50% Mormons, the vast majority of whom are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Similar to Colorado, Utah has a highly diversified economy, with major sectors including transportation, information technology, government services, and mining and a major tourist destination for outdoor recreation. 

Utah is home to world-renowned ski resorts and a array of national parks such as Arches, Bryce-Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Plus Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Natural Bridges national monuments, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. 

DAY 1

 

DAY 2

  • Visit Rocky Mountain National Park - the park spans the Continental Divide and encompasses impressive mountains and alpine tundra.

  • The park participates in a Timed Entry Permit System. <Read more>

    • Entry Reservation Tickets are available online at www.recreation.gov

    • Start early. Tour buses, RV’s, and other drivers usually pack the road around 10 or 11 a.m.

  • Rocky Mountain Park is known for two (2) scenic drives which originate on the park's east side near Estes Park:

    1. Trail Ridge Road. <park map> The road is the main driving route through the park reaching an altitude of 12,000 feet and offering access to the incredible terrain. You can sightsee from your car or stop off at trail spots for a hike or easy walk.

    2. Old Fall River Road. This is a seasonal one-way gravel road open from early July to early October. There are no guard rails and the road is narrow and curved, yet the road is safe. You do NOT need a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

    —It takes about 2 hours (without stops) to drive through the National Park. (East to West.)

  • Check out the suggested hikes.(▼) It is definitely worth doing at least one hike.

    • Download the Alltrails app to your smartphone.

    • Bighorn sheep are commonly seen during a hike.

    • The Keyhole Route, is a climb crossing vertical rock faces, leads up Longs Peak(14,259 ft) the park’s tallest mountain. <Conditions> <This NOT a hike> It is an extrardinary experience for those who come well trained and prepared. <Video>

  • <Things to do>

  • Overnight: Grand Lakes, CO (west side of Park)

  • Driving time to Rocky Mountain Park - East Entrance:

    • From Denver: 66 miles, 1.5–2 hours.
      —Take I-25 north to Exit 217 (US Hwy 36) to Estes Park.

    • From Estes Park —> 10 minutes.

DAY 3

  • Embark on a enjoyable drive to Moab, Utah—the gateway to massive red rock formations in Arches and Canyonlands National Park(s) featuring mesas and buttes carved by the Green and Colorado rivers.

  • Upon arrival, relax and experience the small-town hospitality of Moab. The town offers a good collection of restaurants, microbreweries, shops, and galleries. <Read more>

  • Moab is a big part of mountain biking history and continues to be one of the most popular destinations.

  • Overnight: Moab, Utah (3 nights)

  • Driving time:

    • Grand Lake —> Moab, 6 hrs / 320 miles

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Dead Horse Point Overlook

This is one of Utah's most spectacular state parks, 32 miles from Moab.

DAY 4 and 5

  • Explore Arches National Park. The park is known for more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches.

  • The Park participates in Time Entry reservation.

    • The park highlight is the Delicate Arch hike.

    • During the summer, expect high temperatures and intense sunlight. It is imperative to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

    • Best time to visit is at sunset.

      • Sunset provides warm, dramatic lighting.

      • Bring flashlight or head lamp.

  • Other top attractions at Arches National Park.

  • Photographers-best time for pictures:

    • Early morning: Delicate Arch Viewpoint, Landscape Arch, Turret Arch, Double Arch.

    • Late afternoon: Delicate Arch, The Windows, Park Avenue, Fiery Furnace Viewpoint.

  • Continue to amaze yourself at Dead Horse Point Park.

    • Capture the popular view at Dead Horse Point Overlook Trail (200 feet one way, very easy.) This is the main attraction. —From the overlook parking lot, a short-paved pathway leads to breathtaking views of the Colorado River and adjacent canyon country some 2,000 feet below.

    • Read more about the Park’s trail system.

  • If your ambitious and time permits, make a additional stop at Canyonlands National Park. <map> Extra day recommended.

    • If you only have one-half (1/2) day to spend in Canyonlands National Park we suggest the Island in the Sky District.

      • The Sky District offers delightful opportunities for sightseeing by car and is the most accessible.

    • The 34-mile round-trip scenic drive features awe-inspiring overlooks, from a 1,000 feet above, of the valleys below.

    • To reach Island in the Sky Visitor Center, take US 191 just north of Moab, then turn on UT 313 for 22 miles.

    • Driving time to the Visitor Center from Moab is about 40 minutes.

  • Overnight: Moab

  • Driving time:

    • Arches Visitor Center —> Dead Horse Point Park, 45 minutes.

    • Dead Horse Point Park —> Island in the Sky Visitor Center, 20 minutes.

    • Dead Horse Point Park —> Moab, 45 minutes.

DAY 6

  • Embark to Mesa Verde National Park.

    • The park is known for its well-preserved Ancestral Pueblo and cliff dwellings. The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum has exhibits on the ancient Native American culture.

    • The park's highlight is Cliff Palace — impressive dwellings in the Southwest, with a dramatic setting & preserved ruins.

    • Ranger-led tours, which run regularly during the summer high season, allow you to climb ladders right up into the heart of the dwelling.

  • Continue later in the day to Durango, CO.

  • Overnight: Durango (2 nights)

  • Driving time:

    • Moab —> Mesa Verde Park, 3 hrs.

    • Mesa Verde Park —> Durango, 1.5 hrs.

DAY 7

  • Discover Durango, CO.

    • It is a small town in southwestern Colorado known for massive mountains, unbeatable skiing and a historic narrow gauge railroad.

    • Main Avenue is a Nationally Registered Historic District and home to galleries, boutiques, restaurants and bars. Two notable and historic hotels, The General Palmer and The Strater, lie at the south end of the avenue, near the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot.

    • With its variety of historic architecture, entertainment, and shopping, Main Avenue is the center of Durango and is a popular year-round visitor destination.

    • Surrounding Durango are numerous hiking & mountain biking trails.

    • <Downtown map> <video>

  • The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gage Railway is one of the town's main tourist attractions.

    • This historic train runs day trips from Durango to the old mining town of Silverton, high in the mountains.

      • Situated at 9,300 feet and surrounded by mountains, Silverton has one main street with shops and restaurants. 

    • Note: It is a full-day excursion from Durango and would require an extra day added to this itinerary.

  • In winter, Durango becomes a ski town, supported by the nearby Purgatory Ski Resort, just 15-minutes away. This resort attracts both locals and skiers from around the Southwest.

    • Telluride which some say is the best overall ski resort in the US is two (2) hours from Durango. Many skiers base themselves in Durango which has much more reasonably priced hotels than high-end Telluride.

  • Overnight: Durango

DIVERSION: If you decide to spend a extra day in the Durango region:

  • You can extend the above itinerary by navigating the entire San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway.

    • The Skyway is a full-day trip only recommended in good weather.

    • Starting in Durango, the San Juan Skyway Byway is a 236-mile loop that travels up to Silverton, along the scenic Million Dollar Highway to Ouray, over to Placerville, south to Telluride, Dolores, Mancos, and back to Durango.  <Video>

  • However if your time is limited and your planning to head north in a one-way direction—begin in Durango, travel up to Silverton over the Million Dollar Highway to Ouray, and continue north as explained below (Day 8 & 9).

DAY 8 and 9

  • Depart Durango.

  • One of the most stunning mountain drives in Colorado which stretches from Durango to the town of Ouray, is the spectacular Million Dollar Highway. This is a 46-mile two-lane highway that hugs the rugged mountainside and looks out over jaw-dropping cliffs and across valleys to mountain peaks.

  • Continue to Black Gunnison National Park and to Crested Butte.

    • Black Canyon of the Gunnison exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs and craggiest spires in North America.

    • The South Rim Drive has 12 overlooks. <Route> Easily accessible by a short trail. Allow 2-3 hours to view several overlooks. Those with limited time should consider only Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall & Sunset View.

  • Next stop is Crested Butte.

    • In the summer and fall, Crested Butte is the place to enjoy all of Colorado’s outdoor activities: epic mountain biking, hiking in alpine and aspen forests, fishing in rivers, lakes, and whitewater rafting and kayaking.

    • Sunny weather and fewer crowds make late August through early October a great time to visit the Gunnison Valley.

    • Things to do in Crested Butte.

  • Overnight: Crested Butte, (2 nights)

  • Driving time:

    • Durango —> Black Gunnison N.P. 3 hrs.

    • Black Gunnison —> Crested Butte, 2 hrs.

DAY 10

  • Depart Crested Butte for Denver.

  • En route stop in the town of Buena Vista, considered by many to be the capital of whitewater rafting for the United States.

  • Overnight: Denver (2 nights), see below on hotel and transport guidance.

  • Driving time:

    • Crested Butte —> Buena Vista, 2 hrs.

    • Buena Vista —> Denver, 2.5 hrs.

DAY 11

  • Transportation and hotel stay tips while in Denver:

  • DAY 12

    • Depart for your journey home.

 
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Average cost:

(EXCLUDING AIRFARE)

$$$ USD for two (2) people

Budget: $3900

Moderate: $5000

Luxury: $6500 +

 
 

Climate Guide:

 
 
 
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Colorado - Northern Utah