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), admire the sheer force of 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: take in the dramatic natural features at Red Rock Canyon Open Space and then contemplate the waterfront views at Manitou Springs Incline.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Colorado Springs trip itinerary tool.

Columbia to Colorado Springs is an approximately 7.5-hour combination of car and flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Columbia to Colorado Springs is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Columbia in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Colorado Springs, with lows of 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.

Start off your visit on the 29th (Mon): trek along Booth Falls Trail. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in nature's colorful creations at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and then let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour.

For ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Vail online road trip planner.

You can drive from Colorado Springs to Vail in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Colorado Springs in July, you will find days in Vail are much colder (65°F), and nights are little chillier (49°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) to allow enough time 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.

Start off your visit on the 31st (Wed): trek along Rio Grande Trail. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the activities along Crater Lake Trail, tour the pleasant surroundings at Maroon Lake Scenic Trail, and then pause for some photo ops at The John Denver Sanctuary.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Aspen trip itinerary maker site.

Getting from Vail to Aspen by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus. Traveling from Vail in July, you will find days in Aspen are somewhat warmer (81°F), and nights are about the same (49°F). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Thu) to allow 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. On the 2nd (Fri), stroll through Perimeter Trail, stroll around Box Canyon Waterfall & Park, and then examine the collection at Ouray Alchemist Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat): browse the exhibits of Ouray County Museum, then take in the dramatic scenery at Bear Creek Falls, then steep yourself in history at Yankee Girl Mine, and finally take in the dramatic natural features at Yankee Boy Basin.

To see maps, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, read Ouray attractions planner.

Traveling by car from Aspen to Ouray takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. When traveling from Aspen in August, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Ouray: temperatures range from 70°F by day to 49°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) to allow time to drive 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. On the 4th (Sun), take in the natural beauty of Bath House (Hot Springs) @ The Springs Resort & Spa, get a taste of the local shopping with Handcrafted Interiors Art Gallery, and then take in the dramatic scenery at Treasure Falls. On the 5th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: trek along Piedra River Trail, then look for gifts at Made in Colorado Shoppe, and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

To see traveler tips, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Pagosa Springs holiday planner.

Getting from Ouray to Pagosa Springs by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a shuttle. When traveling from Ouray in August, plan for somewhat warmer days in Pagosa Springs, with highs around 77°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 49°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Mon) early enough to travel back home.