9 days in Colorado Itinerary

More than just a convenient resting place for travelers on their way to the national park encompassing the Front Range of the Rockies, Estes Park is a popular place to visit in its own right.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Wild Basin Area and Holzwarth Historic Site. Explore Estes Park's surroundings by going to Trail Ridge Road (in Rocky Mountain National Park) and Chapel on the Rock (in Allenspark). And it doesn't end there: capture your vacation like a pro with an inspiring photography tour, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, view the masterpieces at Images of Rocky Mountain National Park, and cruise along Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.

For where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Estes Park trip planner.

Nashville to Estes Park is an approximately 4.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time to Mountain Standard Time is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Nashville in June, Estes Park is slightly colder at night with lows of 54°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly to Telluride.

The town of Telluride is the county seat and most populous town of San Miguel County in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Colorado. Kick off your visit on the 26th (Mon): indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, then identify plant and animal life at Dennis Weaver Memorial Park, and then see Off-Road Tours. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 27th (Tue): make a trip to New Sheridan Hotel, surround yourself with nature on Dave's Mountain Tours, take in the dramatic scenery at Bear Creek Falls, take a stroll through Town Park, then take an in-depth tour of Telluride Historical Museum, and finally don't miss a visit to Main Street.

For more things to do, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, read our Telluride trip builder app.

You can fly from Estes Park to Telluride in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from Estes Park in June, expect Telluride to be slightly colder, temps between 72°F and 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Silverton.

The town of Silverton is a Statutory Town that is the county seat of, and the only incorporated municipality in San Juan County, Colorado, United States. Start off your visit on the 28th (Wed): explore the activities along Vallecito Lake and then take a memorable drive along Million Dollar Highway.

For maps, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Silverton online tour itinerary maker.

Drive from Telluride to Silverton in 2 hours. In June, plan for daily highs up to 72°F, and evening lows to 49°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) early enough to drive to Durango.

Originally a frontier mining town, Durango is known today for its scenic setting, outdoor activities, and the 1880s steam-powered railway that takes visitors through sections of the mountains where roads don't reach.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Thu): make a trip to Historic Downtown Durango. Keep things going the next day: let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, then delve into the distant past at Aztec Ruins National Monument, then take in the exciting artwork at Scenic Aperture Gallery, and finally kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Durango day trip site.

You can drive from Silverton to Durango in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a train. While traveling from Silverton, expect a bit warmer days and slightly colder nights in Durango, ranging from highs of 85°F to lows of 44°F. On the 1st (Sat), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.