13 days in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Colorado Springs & Denver Area Itinerary

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lion's Tail. Next up on the itinerary: Head underground at King's Palace, take in the dramatic natural features at Bottomless Pit, and explore the activities along Green Lake.

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Louisville to Carlsbad Caverns National Park is an approximately 9-hour combination of flight and car. You can also drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Louisville to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. When traveling from Louisville in October, plan for a bit warmer days in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, with highs around 80°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 50°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) early enough to travel to Colorado Springs.

Museum-lovers will appreciate U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Rosemount Museum. Get some cultural insight at Bishop Castle and Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum. When in Colorado Springs, make a side trip to see Outlaw and Lawmen Jail Museum in Cripple Creek, approximately Cripple Creek away. Next up on the itinerary: look for gifts at Western Museum of Mining and Industry, contemplate the waterfront views at Manitou Springs Incline, admire the masterpieces at Michael Garman Museum & Gallery, and take in a show at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Colorado Springs trip planner.

Getting from Carlsbad Caverns National Park to Colorado Springs by combination of car and flight takes about 7 hours. Other options: drive. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Carlsbad Caverns National Park in October; daily highs in Colorado Springs reach 67°F and lows reach 39°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Mon) so you can drive to Denver.

Step off the beaten path and head to Forney Museum of Transportation and The International Church of Cannabis. Get some cultural insight at Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art and Mines Museum of Earth Science. Get out of town with these interesting Denver side-trips: Boulder (University of Colorado at Boulder & Avery Brewing Company), Georgetown (Georgetown Firefighting Museum, Capital Prize Gold Mine Tour, &more) and Loveland Museum/Gallery (in Loveland). There's still lots to do: examine the collection at Longmont Museum & Cultural Center, have fun and explore at Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities, and pick up some local products at The Source.

For ratings, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Denver itinerary planning site.

Traveling by car from Colorado Springs to Denver takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or do a combination of flight and train. In October, plan for daily highs up to 67°F, and evening lows to 40°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly back home.