22 days in South Dakota & Colorado Itinerary
Created using Inspirock United States trip itinerary planner
Start: Paris
Fly
1
Badlands National Park
— 3 nights
Drive
2
Keystone
— 3 nights
Fly
3
Aspen
— 4 nights
Drive
4
Buena Vista
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Idaho Springs
— 2 nights
Drive
6
Rocky Mountain National Park
— 2 nights
Drive
7
Colorado Springs
— 5 nights
Fly
End: Paris
Fri, Aug 25 - Fri, Sep 15
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Badlands National Park — 3 nights
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Although Badlands National Park's name might not be the most inviting, its landscape of pinnacles, eroded buttes, spires, and an expansive, pristine mixed-grass prairie remain enticing.Spend the 26th (Sat) exploring nature at Badlands National Park. And it doesn't end there: admire all the interesting features of Loop Road, explore the striking landscape at Yellow Mounds Overlook, trek along Notch Trail, and explore the striking landscape of White River Valley Overlook.
To see photos, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Badlands National Park tour builder tool.
Paris, France to Badlands National Park is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 8 hours traveling from Paris to Badlands National Park. Traveling from Paris in August, expect nights in Badlands National Park to be about the same, around 17°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 36°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Keystone.
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Keystone — 3 nights
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Home Of Mount Rushmore
Fewer than 400 people call Keystone home year-round, but the population explodes in summer when crowds flock to nearby Mount Rushmore.Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Keystone: Custer (Sylvan Lake, Black Hills National Forest, &more) and Crazy Horse Memorial (in Crazy Horse). There's still lots to do: stroll through Mount Rushmore National Memorial, admire the majestic nature at Custer State Park, go for a walk through Breezy Point Picnic Area, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at The Needles.
For maps, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Keystone online trip maker.
Getting from Badlands National Park to Keystone by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Badlands National Park in August: high temperatures in Keystone hover around 29°C and lows are around 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Thu) to allow time to fly to Aspen.
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Aspen — 4 nights
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Rocky Mountain High
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.Change things up with these side-trips from Aspen: Vail Pass Path (in Breckenridge) and Glenwood Springs (River Rafting & Tubing, Hanging Lake Trail, &more). There's still lots to do: take in the awesome beauty at Maroon Bells, walk around The John Denver Sanctuary, head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, and cruise along Independence Pass.
To see photos, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Aspen trip planner.
You can fly from Keystone to Aspen in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and train. Traveling from Keystone in August, Aspen is slightly colder at night with lows of 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Mon) early enough to drive to Buena Vista.
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Buena Vista — 2 nights
The Town of Buena Vista is a Statutory Town in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. Kick off your visit on the 5th (Tue): take in the awesome beauty at Mt Democrat, get engrossed in the history at South Park City Museum, and then cruise along Cottonwood Pass. On your second day here, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, then take in the exciting artwork at Sundance and Friends, and then see Off-Road Tours.
For photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Buena Vista trip itinerary builder website.
Traveling by car from Aspen to Buena Vista takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 6°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Idaho Springs.
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For photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Buena Vista trip itinerary builder website.
Traveling by car from Aspen to Buena Vista takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 6°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Idaho Springs.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Idaho Springs — 2 nights
The City of Idaho Springs is a Statutory City that is the most populous municipality in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. Start off your visit on the 7th (Thu): catch some excitement at Carousel of Happiness, discover the riches below the earth's surface at Hidee Gold Mine, and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour. On the 8th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: admire all the interesting features of Guanella Pass, then discover the riches below the earth's surface at Capital Prize Gold Mine Tour, then steep yourself in history at Hotel de Paris Museum, and finally take in the awesome beauty at Mt. Bierstadt.
To find ratings, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Idaho Springs trip planning tool.
Drive from Buena Vista to Idaho Springs in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Buena Vista in September, you will find days in Idaho Springs are colder (9°C), and nights are a bit cooler (0°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Fri) so you can travel to Rocky Mountain National Park.
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To find ratings, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Idaho Springs trip planning tool.
Drive from Buena Vista to Idaho Springs in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Buena Vista in September, you will find days in Idaho Springs are colder (9°C), and nights are a bit cooler (0°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Fri) so you can travel to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Side Trips
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Rocky Mountain National Park — 2 nights
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Rocky Mountain National Park presents an ideal setting for recreation in the mountain range for which the park is named.Start off your visit on the 9th (Sat): trek along Emerald Lake Trail, then cruise along Trail Ridge Road, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Chapel on the Rock, and finally contemplate the waterfront views at Sky Pond. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 10th (Sun): take some stellar pictures from Milner Pass, then take in the dramatic natural features at Alluvial Fan, then explore the activities along Thunder Lake day hike or backpack, and finally contemplate the waterfront views at Bear Lake.
For photos, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Rocky Mountain National Park trip itinerary builder.
The Route module can help you plan travel from Idaho Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park. When traveling from Idaho Springs in September, plan for much hotter days and somewhat warmer nights in Rocky Mountain National Park: temperatures range from 32°C by day to 11°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Colorado Springs.
Highlights from your trip
Colorado Springs — 5 nights
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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.Get out of town with these interesting Colorado Springs side-trips: Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine (in Cripple Creek), Denver (Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Botanic Gardens, &more) and River Rafting & Tubing (in Cañon City). There's much more to do: walk around Garden of the Gods, don't miss a visit to Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, examine the collection at Penrose Heritage Museum, and brush up on your military savvy at National Museum of World War II Aviation.
For other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Colorado Springs tour planning app.
Getting from Rocky Mountain National Park to Colorado Springs by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in September, and nighttime lows around 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Fri) to allow time to fly back home.
Side Trips
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South Dakota travel guide
The State of Great Faces and Great Places
Famous for the cliffside monuments of Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse memorial, South Dakota is a land of Old West history, American Indian culture, and impressive natural wonders. Get to know the state's diverse and breathtaking landscape with a trip through Custer National Park, with a herd of 1,300 free-roaming bison, or by traversing the dramatic peaks of Badlands National Park near the Black Hills. Allow time in your itinerary to visit the state's largest city, Sioux Falls, for shopping, dining, and entertainment options, as well as a number of museums and historical attractions.
Colorado travel guide
The Centennial State
Home to diverse natural ecosystems, Colorado boasts numerous ski resorts, vineyards, canyons, fossil-rich national parks, rugged natural trails, and picturesque scenic drives. Arguably the greatest of Colorado's many natural wonders is Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in the North American Rockies. The state's natural beauty inspired the opening lyrics of the song "America the Beautiful." Aside from its abundant unspoiled wilderness, Colorado also offers many urban attractions, including award-winning restaurants and nationally praised microbreweries. With an extensive system of highways and railroads, the state provides visitors on vacation with a chance to explore this largely untamed part of the country by car or train.
