7 days in United States Itinerary

Located on both banks of the Mississippi River, Minneapolis salutes the state's love of the outdoors with numerous lakes, wetlands, creeks, and waterfalls--many connected to one another by a national scenic byway great for sightseeing.

For reviews, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Minneapolis online itinerary planner.

The Route module shows you travel options from your home to Minneapolis. In August, daytime highs in Minneapolis are 81°F, while nighttime lows are 64°F. You will leave for Rocky Mountain National Park on the 27th (Thu).

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

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Fri): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Many Parks Curve Overlook, cruise along Trail Ridge Road, then take an in-depth tour of Eagle Plume Trading Post, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Chapel on the Rock, and finally contemplate the waterfront views at Bear Lake. On your second day here, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Sheep Lakes, take in the awesome beauty at Hallett Peak, and then trek along Emerald Lake Trail.

To see other places to visit, photos, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Rocky Mountain National Park trip itinerary planning app.

You can do a combination of flight and car from Minneapolis to Rocky Mountain National Park in 7 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus, train, and car. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Minneapolis to Rocky Mountain National Park. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Minneapolis in August: highs in Rocky Mountain National Park hover around 89°F, while lows dip to 56°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) early enough to travel to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.

To see where to stay, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, go to the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve online travel route planner.

Explore your travel options from Rocky Mountain National Park to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve with the Route module. Traveling from Rocky Mountain National Park in August, expect Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve to be a bit cooler, temps between 80°F and 45°F. On the 30th (Sun), you're off to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park.

The Gunnison River has been hard at work over the past two million years, carving out the sheer cliffs and towering spires that today make up Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

To see ratings, photos, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park day trip planner.

Explore your travel options from Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park with the Route module. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park when traveling from Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in August, with lows around 56°F. You'll set off for Mesa Verde National Park on the 30th (Sun).

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

Start off your visit on the 31st (Mon): explore the ancient world of Far View Sites, delve into the distant past at Cliff Palace, then delve into the distant past at Balcony House, and finally delve into the distant past at Spruce Tree House.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, read Mesa Verde National Park trip planner.

You can drive from Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park to Mesa Verde National Park in 4 hours. In August, daytime highs in Mesa Verde National Park are 86°F, while nighttime lows are 53°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to drive to Canyonlands National Park.

Canyonlands National Park features myriad canyons and buttes that the Colorado River, Green River, and their tributaries have carved over millions of years in hues of red and orange.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Canyonlands National Park trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Mesa Verde National Park to Canyonlands National Park by car takes about 5 hours. Traveling from Mesa Verde National Park in August, expect Canyonlands National Park to be somewhat warmer, temps between 92°F and 63°F. You'll set off for Arches National Park on the 1st (Tue).

Mother Nature kept reaching for red when she painted Arches National Park's 2,000 sandstone arches, resulting in one of the country's more distinctly shaped and colored landscapes.

On the 1st (Tue), explore the striking landscape at Turret Arch, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Double Arch, and then explore the striking landscape at Windows.

To find photos, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Arches National Park trip planner.

Traveling by car from Canyonlands National Park to Arches National Park takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In September, daily temperatures in Arches National Park can reach 84°F, while at night they dip to 55°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Tue) so you can drive to Capitol Reef National Park.

Capitol Reef National Park takes its name from a particularly rugged and scenic section of the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic "wrinkle" stretching for 160 km (100 mi) along a dry plateau surrounded by white Navajo sandstone cliffs and domes, and red canyons, buttes, and rock bridges.

On the 2nd (Wed), admire the landmark architecture of Fruita Schoolhouse and then contemplate the long history of Fruita Campground.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, read our Capitol Reef National Park trip planner.

Getting from Arches National Park to Capitol Reef National Park by car takes about 3.5 hours. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Arches National Park in September; daily highs in Capitol Reef National Park reach 70°F and lows reach 40°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 2nd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Salt Lake City.

Utah's capital and most populous city, Salt Lake City boasts a small-town feel, big-city amenities, and plenty of nature on its doorstep.

To see where to stay, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Salt Lake City driving holiday site.

Traveling by car from Capitol Reef National Park to Salt Lake City takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car, bus, and flight; or do a combination of car and bus. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Capitol Reef National Park in September; daily highs in Salt Lake City reach 81°F and lows reach 58°F. You'll set off for home on the 2nd (Wed).