10 days in Colorado Itinerary

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.

Images of Rocky Mountain National Park and Red Rose Rock Shop & Dick's Rock Museum will appeal to museum buffs. Step out of the city life by going to Trail Ridge Road and Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Go for a jaunt from Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park to see Wild Basin Area about 38 minutes away. The adventure continues: take a memorable tour with Tours, capture your vacation like a pro with an inspiring photography tour, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and take a peaceful walk through Many Parks Curve Overlook.

To find reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Estes Park journey planner.

Denver to Estes Park is an approximately 1.5-hour car ride. You can also do a combination of bus and taxi. In July, plan for daily highs up to 91°F, and evening lows to 59°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Glenwood Springs.

Glenwood Springs occupies a scenic location at the junction of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River, halfway between Vail and Aspen along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

On the 4th (Tue), hike along Hanging Lake Trail, then boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa, and then let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour.

For ratings, reviews, and tourist information, use the Glenwood Springs route builder website.

Getting from Estes Park to Glenwood Springs by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: fly; or do a combination of taxi and bus. When traveling from Estes Park in August, plan for much colder days and slightly colder nights in Glenwood Springs: temperatures range from 64°F by day to 47°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Buena Vista.

The Town of Buena Vista is a Statutory Town in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. Kick off your visit on the 5th (Wed): witness a stunning natural landmark at Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa, then explore the activities along Cottonwood Lake, then see a world frozen in time at Vicksburg, and finally get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports. Keep things going the next day: whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

For other places to visit, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Buena Vista trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Glenwood Springs to Buena Vista takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car. When traveling from Glenwood Springs in August, plan for somewhat warmer days in Buena Vista, with highs around 77°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 47°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 6th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive 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 7th (Fri): explore the ancient world of Spruce Tree House, explore the ancient world of Balcony House, and then explore the ancient world of Cliff Palace.

For photos, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, use the Mesa Verde National Park driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Buena Vista to Mesa Verde National Park takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car, bus, and taxi; or do a combination of bus and flight. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Buena Vista in August, with highs in Mesa Verde National Park at 86°F and lows at 53°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Durango.

Originally a frontier mining town, Durango is known today for its scenic setting, outdoor activities, and the 1880s steam-powered railway that takes visitors through sections of the mountains where roads don't reach.

On the 8th (Sat), whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, view the masterpieces at Scenic Aperture Gallery, then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, and finally see the interesting displays at Durango Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Durango journey builder website.

Getting from Mesa Verde National Park to Durango by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi and shuttle. In August, plan for daily highs up to 82°F, and evening lows to 51°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sat) so you can travel to Denver.

Aptly nicknamed the "Mile-High City," Denver sits at an altitude of 1,600 m (5,280 ft) above sea level, located right where the Great Plains give way to the Rocky Mountains.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Sun): look and learn at Denver Museum of Nature & Science and then take a stroll through 16th Street Mall.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Denver travel itinerary planner.

You can fly from Durango to Denver in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Durango in August, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Denver, with lows of 58°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) early enough to travel back home.