10 days in Colorado Itinerary

Known as a ski resort town, Aspen's history goes back to its roots as a silver-mining village tucked away in an isolated valley of the Rocky Mountains.

On the 19th (Thu), hike along Maroon Lake Scenic Trail and then explore and take pictures at The John Denver Sanctuary. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 20th (Fri): see a world frozen in time at Holden Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum, let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, and then trek along Rio Grande Trail.

For photos, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Aspen trip planner.

Omaha to Aspen is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and car; or drive. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time to Mountain Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. Traveling from Omaha in September, things will get slightly colder in Aspen: highs are around 72°F and lows about 41°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Ouray.

Ouray is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Ouray County, Colorado, United States. Kick off your visit on the 21st (Sat): hike along Perimeter Trail, stroll through Bear Creek Falls, then don't miss a visit to Yankee Girl Mine, and finally take in the dramatic natural features at Yankee Boy Basin. On the 22nd (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: tour the pleasant surroundings at Cascade Falls Park and then take a memorable drive along Animas Forks.

For more things to do, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Ouray online itinerary planner .

Drive from Aspen to Ouray in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and bus. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Aspen in September: highs in Ouray hover around 66°F, while lows dip to 45°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) early enough to go by car to Pagosa Springs.

Pagosa Springs is a municipality that is the county seat of, and the only incorporated municipality in, Archuleta County, Colorado, United States. Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Mon): witness a stunning natural landmark at The Springs Resort & Spa, then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, and then take in the dramatic scenery at Treasure Falls. On the 24th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the exciting artwork at Handcrafted Interiors Art Gallery, look for all kinds of wild species at Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park, then view the masterpieces at Two Old Crows, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Piedra River Trail.

To find photos, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Pagosa Springs trip itinerary planning site .

You can drive from Ouray to Pagosa Springs in 3 hours. Another option is to take a shuttle. While traveling from Ouray, expect a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Pagosa Springs, ranging from highs of 72°F to lows of 44°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) so you can go by car to Mesa Verde National Park.

Whereas most national parks are primarily devoted to showcasing unique and special landscapes, Mesa Verde National Park focuses on ancient human habitation.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Wed): delve into the distant past at Spruce Tree House, then delve into the distant past at Balcony House, then delve into the distant past at Cliff Palace, and finally explore the ancient world of Long House. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 26th (Thu): examine the collection at Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, tour the pleasant surroundings at Petroglyph Point Hike, and then trek along Prater Ridge Trail.

To see where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Mesa Verde National Park trip itinerary builder site .

Getting from Pagosa Springs to Mesa Verde National Park by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of shuttle and car; or do a combination of shuttle and bus. While traveling from Pagosa Springs, expect a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Mesa Verde National Park, ranging from highs of 80°F to lows of 45°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Thu) so you can travel to Estes Park.

More than just a convenient resting place for travelers on their way to the national park encompassing the Front Range of the Rockies, Estes Park is a popular place to visit in its own right.

Start off your visit on the 27th (Fri): stroll around Estes Park Visitor Center, view the masterpieces at Images of Rocky Mountain National Park, then take a stroll through Downtown Estes Park, and finally relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas. Here are some ideas for day two: trek along Emerald Lake Trail and then hit the best photo ops around with an inspiring photography tour.

For other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Estes Park online trip planner .

Do a combination of taxi and flight from Mesa Verde National Park to Estes Park in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and flight; or drive. In September, plan for daily highs up to 81°F, and evening lows to 50°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sat) so you can travel back home.