8 days in Colorado Itinerary

8 days in Colorado Itinerary

Created using Inspirock Colorado travel route planner

©
Plan created by another user. Make it yours
Start: Rapid City
Fly
1
Steamboat Springs
— 1 night
Drive
2
Glenwood Springs
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Palisade
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Pagosa Springs
— 1 night
Drive
5
Mesa Verde National Park
— 1 night
Fly
End: Rapid City
Fri, May 28 - Fri, Jun 4 Edit
S M T W T F S
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
See full calendar

1
night
Steamboat Springs

Ski Town USA

An internationally known ski resort, Steamboat Springs sits in the shadow of Mount Werner in north central Colorado.
Plan a trip to Steamboat Springs easily and quickly by telling Inspirock to suggest an itinerary.

Rapid City to Steamboat Springs is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Steamboat Springs when traveling from Rapid City in May, with lows around 35°F. On the 29th (Sat), you'll travel to Glenwood Springs.

Things to do in Steamboat Springs

Outdoors · Tours · Parks · Nature
See Colorado Travel Guide

2
nights
Glenwood Springs

Rocky Mountains ©
Glenwood Springs occupies a scenic location at the junction of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River, halfway between Vail and Aspen along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.
On the next day, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Rocky Mountains.

To see ratings, maps, and more tourist information, read Glenwood Springs road trip planning website.

Drive from Steamboat Springs to Glenwood Springs in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and bus; or take a bus. Traveling from Steamboat Springs in May, you will find days in Glenwood Springs are a bit cooler (46°F), and nights are about the same (33°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Palisade.

Things to do in Glenwood Springs

Parks · Nature

Side Trip

Rocky Mountains
Highlights from your trip
Rocky Mountains ©
Mountain
Rocky Mountains
4.8
See timeline

2
nights
Palisade

Hermosa Vineyards ©
Palisade is a Statutory Town in Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Kick off your visit on the 1st (Tue): do a tasting at Hermosa Vineyards and then do a tasting at Carlson Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: learn about winemaking at St Kathryn Cellars, do a tasting at Talon Winery, then learn about winemaking at Meadery of the Rockies, and finally learn about winemaking at Maison la Belle Vie Winery.

Planning Palisade trip won't be overwheling when you use's Insprock itinerary maker.

Drive from Glenwood Springs to Palisade in 1.5 hours. When traveling from Glenwood Springs in May, plan for much hotter days and a bit warmer nights in Palisade: temperatures range from 73°F by day to 46°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) early enough to travel to Pagosa Springs.

Things to do in Palisade

Wineries
Highlights from your trip
Hermosa Vineyards ©
Must see
Hermosa Vineyards
4.4
Carlson Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room ©
Must see
Carlson Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room
4.7
Meadery of the Rockies ©
Must see
Meadery of the Rockies
4.8
See timeline

1
night
Pagosa Springs

Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park ©
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 3rd (Thu): look for all kinds of wild species at Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park.

To see ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Pagosa Springs trip itinerary builder website.

You can drive from Palisade to Pagosa Springs in 5 hours. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Palisade in June, with highs in Pagosa Springs at 80°F and lows at 44°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Mesa Verde National Park.

Things to do in Pagosa Springs

Wildlife · Parks
Highlights from your trip
Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park ©
Must see
Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park
4.2
See timeline

1
night
Mesa Verde National Park

Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum ©
Whereas most national parks are primarily devoted to showcasing unique and special landscapes, Mesa Verde National Park focuses on ancient human habitation.
Kick off your visit on the 4th (Fri): explore the ancient world of Spruce Tree House, examine the collection at Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, and then steep yourself in history at Cliff Palace.

For reviews, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read our Mesa Verde National Park trip app.

Traveling by car from Pagosa Springs to Mesa Verde National Park takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and car; or do a combination of shuttle, bus, and taxi. Traveling from Pagosa Springs in June, expect nights in Mesa Verde National Park to be about the same, around 46°F, while days are somewhat warmer, around 89°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Fri) to allow time to travel back home.

Things to do in Mesa Verde National Park

Historic Sites · Museums
Highlights from your trip
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum ©
Must see
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
4.5
Cliff Palace ©
Ruin
Cliff Palace
4.8
Spruce Tree House ©
Ruin
Spruce Tree House
4.7
See timeline

Similar trips

10 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Durango · Glenwood Springs · Buena Vista 10 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Glenwood Springs · Estes Park · Colorado Springs 10 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Glenwood Springs · Estes Park · Denver 11 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Glenwood Springs · Breckenridge · Fraser 10 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Durango · Buena Vista · Glenwood Springs 9 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Durango · Buena Vista · Glenwood Springs 9 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Denver · Breckenridge · Idaho Springs 11 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Aspen · Steamboat Springs · Breckenridge 10 days in Goodland & Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Goodland · Colorado Springs · Leadville 9 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Aspen · Vail · Steamboat Springs 11 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Aspen · Breckenridge · Estes Park 9 days in Colorado BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Colorado Springs · Alamosa · Fruita
See more trips
See also:

Colorado travel guide

4.4
River Rafting & Tubing · Parks · Scenic Drive
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.