15 days in Colorado Itinerary

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

On the 8th (Sun), delve into the distant past at Spruce Tree House.

To see maps, reviews, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Mesa Verde National Park trip planner .

Detroit to Mesa Verde National Park is an approximately 8.5-hour combination of flight and taxi. You can also do a combination of flight, bus, and taxi; or drive. Traveling from Detroit to Mesa Verde National Park, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Detroit in July: highs in Mesa Verde National Park hover around 90°F, while lows dip to 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) to allow enough 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. Kick off your visit on the 10th (Tue): take in the exciting artwork at Two Old Crows, trek along Piedra River Trail, then admire the sheer force of Treasure Falls, and finally witness a stunning natural landmark at The Springs Resort & Spa. On the 11th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: stroll through Wolf Creek Ski Resort.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Pagosa Springs trip maker site .

You can drive from Mesa Verde National Park to Pagosa Springs in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and shuttle; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and shuttle. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Mesa Verde National Park in July: high temperatures in Pagosa Springs hover around 81°F and lows are around 51°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can go by car 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 12th (Thu), hike along Bear Creek Falls, don't miss a visit to Ouray Box Canyon Waterfall, then admire the sheer force of Box Canyon Waterfall & Park, and finally take in the dramatic natural features at Yankee Boy Basin. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take an in-depth tour of Ouray County Museum, then trek along Cascade Falls Park, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Perimeter Trail, and finally see the interesting displays at Ouray Alchemist Museum.

For reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Ouray itinerary planner .

Drive from Pagosa Springs to Ouray in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle. Traveling from Pagosa Springs in July, you will find days in Ouray are a bit cooler (74°F), and nights are about the same (52°F). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) so you can go by car 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 14th (Sat): grab your bike and head to Rio Grande Trail, trek along Maroon Lake Scenic Trail, and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour. Keep things going the next day: contemplate the waterfront views at Crater Lake Trail and then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Maroon Bells.

To see maps, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Aspen trip itinerary maker .

You can drive from Ouray to Aspen in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, bus, and car. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Ouray in July: highs in Aspen hover around 81°F, while lows dip to 49°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Steamboat Springs.

An internationally known ski resort, Steamboat Springs sits in the shadow of Mount Werner in north central Colorado.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Mon): take in the natural beauty of Old Town Hot Springs, then trek along Yampa River Core Trail, and then cast your line with a fishing tour. On the 17th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: fly down the slopes at Yampa River Botanic Park, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Steamboat Gondola, and then take an in-depth tour of Tread of Pioneers Museum.

For more things to do, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, use the Steamboat Springs vacation planner .

Traveling by car from Aspen to Steamboat Springs takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. In July in Steamboat Springs, expect temperatures between 82°F during the day and 49°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Tue) to allow time to travel to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park presents an ideal setting for recreation in the mountain range for which the park is named.

On the 18th (Wed), explore and take pictures at Old Fall River Road, then cruise along Trail Ridge Road, and then trek along Emerald Lake Trail. Keep things going the next day: soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers, then view the masterpieces at Images of Rocky Mountain National Park, then take a stroll through Downtown Estes Park, and finally explore the striking landscape at Alluvial Fan.

For photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Rocky Mountain National Park online trip itinerary builder .

Traveling by combination of bus and car from Steamboat Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Steamboat Springs in July; daily highs in Rocky Mountain National Park reach 91°F and lows reach 59°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Colorado Springs.

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 20th (Fri), take in the dramatic natural features at Garden of the Gods, then admire the sheer force of Helen Hunt Falls, and then identify plant and animal life at North Cheyenne Canon Park and Starsmore Discovery Center. Here are some ideas for day two: relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, take a memorable drive along Skyline Drive, and then learn more about the world around you at May Natural History Museum of the Tropics.

To see traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Colorado Springs trip planner .

You can drive from Rocky Mountain National Park to Colorado Springs in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and flight. Traveling from Rocky Mountain National Park in July, expect nights in Colorado Springs to be about the same, around 58°F, while days are slightly colder, around 86°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 22nd (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.