12 days in Colorado Itinerary

Stunning Garden of the Gods Park scenery, blue skies and the glory of Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain have attracted visitors to Colorado Springs for more than a century.

On the 27th (Sat), take in the dramatic scenery at Helen Hunt Falls and then identify plant and animal life at Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: walk around Red Rock Canyon and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Manitou Springs Incline.

To see ratings, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Colorado Springs online vacation planner .

Columbia to Colorado Springs is an approximately 10.5-hour car ride. You can also fly. The time zone difference when traveling from Columbia to Colorado Springs is minus 1 hour. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Colorado Springs when traveling from Columbia in July, with lows around 58°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) so you can go by car to Vail.

Originally built as a base for Vail Ski Resort, the town of Vail has blossomed into its own destination, but still has less than 6,000 permanent residents.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Mon): stroll through Booth Falls Trail and then trot along with a tour on horseback. Here are some ideas for day two: take in nature's colorful creations at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

Inspirock's itinerary builder makes planning a Vail trip simple and quick.

Drive from Colorado Springs to Vail in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of flight and shuttle. When traveling from Colorado Springs in July, plan for much colder days in Vail, with highs around 65°F, while nights are a bit cooler with lows around 49°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) early enough to drive to Aspen.

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.

Kick off your visit on the 31st (Wed): let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour and then explore the landscape on two wheels at Rio Grande Trail. On the next day, contemplate the waterfront views at Crater Lake Trail, then trek along Maroon Lake Scenic Trail, and then appreciate the history behind The John Denver Sanctuary.

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

Traveling by car from Vail to Aspen takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. When traveling from Vail in July, plan for a bit warmer days in Aspen, with highs around 81°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) so you can 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. Start off your visit on the 2nd (Fri): trek along Perimeter Trail, walk around Box Canyon Waterfall & Park, and then see the interesting displays at Ouray Alchemist Museum. On the next day, appreciate the extensive heritage of Ouray County Museum, then take in the dramatic scenery at Bear Creek Falls, then make a trip to Yankee Girl Mine, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Yankee Boy Basin.

To see ratings, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Ouray road trip planning app .

You can drive from Aspen to Ouray in 4.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of car and bus. When traveling from Aspen in August, plan for a bit cooler days in Ouray, with highs around 70°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) 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 4th (Sun): witness a stunning natural landmark at The Springs Resort & Spa, view the masterpieces at Handcrafted Interiors Art Gallery, and then admire the sheer force of Treasure Falls. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Mon): stroll through Piedra River Trail, look for gifts at Made in Colorado Shoppe, and then get interesting insight from Tours.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Pagosa Springs driving holiday planning site .

Getting from Ouray to Pagosa Springs by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a shuttle. Traveling from Ouray in August, you will find days in Pagosa Springs are a bit warmer (77°F), and nights are about the same (49°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Mon) so you can travel back home.