Thinking about doing Colorado during the kid's fall break. Here is what Claude spit out based on some inputs I made. Might make some cuts to trim it a day, or pack the days more. Any other suggestions or must-sees? Basically looking for scenic spots, easy to lightly moderate hikes (no serious elevation gain by foot), maybe an activity that would interest teenage boys...haven't really looked into that or fed it into AI yet.

AirBNBs work well at these proposed stops or Colorado small towns in general? Haven't looked yet, think its a little past the peak fall color season so hoping it's not super busy.


Day 1 (Sat, Oct 11) Denver Estes Park

• Land Denver International Airport, 9:00 AM
• Garden of the Gods
• Pikes Peak Highway / Summit
• Arrive Estes Park (overnight)

Day 2 (Sun, Oct 12) Rocky Mountain National Park

• Alberta Falls
• Bear Lake
• Sprague Lake
• Trail Ridge Road (if open)
• Overnight Estes Park

Day 3 (Mon, Oct 13) Estes Park Montrose

• Kenosha Pass
• Twin Lakes
• Monarch Pass
• Arrive Montrose (overnight)

Day 4 (Tue, Oct 14) Black Canyon of the Gunnison

• Black Canyon South Rim / Rim Rock Nature Trail
• Warner Point Nature Trail
• Overnight Montrose

Day 5 (Wed, Oct 15) Ouray day trip

• Ouray (town)
• Box Cañon Falls Park
• Ouray Hot Springs Pool
• Overnight Montrose

Day 6 (Thu, Oct 16) Montrose Frisco

• Maroon Bells
• Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
• Arrive Frisco/Silverthorne (overnight)

Day 7 (Fri, Oct 17) Frisco Denver

• Loveland Pass (optional)
• Georgetown
• Denver International Airport, depart 1:00 PM

Yeah, we may make some edits, mostly want to get all the options down and then see what makes final cut. But long driving vacations is not unusual for us - we've done Vegas to all 5 Utah NPs (along with northern Arizona) in a similar time-frame. As long as there are stops and scenery we can handle a lot I think.

I mean if you're just gonna drive to each one and drive to the next one, it's possible.

My best advice is to pick the parks and sites you really want to visit and visit one or maybe two each day.

The best part of Colorado is that it has a little of everything for everyone so take your time and enjoy each site There are a lot of hidden nuggets (no pun intended) all around.

Happy to hear suggestions of cuts and consolidation. Pikes Peak may get the ax as it really adds some miles and not sure its worth it. Think we definitely want to hit the two NPs, Maroon Bells. Other than that its how many pretty lakes, waterfalls, mountain vistas can we see from a scenic turnout or quick hike.

I mean if there is a good spot to base out of for 3-4 days that works (imagine RMNP/Estes). Honestly I hate changing lodging more so than driving. Would like to keep it to two, 3 max maybe to get near Denver before trip home.

Far too much driving for a vacation for me like the others have said. Thats something that you can map pretty easily so you'll be able to judge that yourself. Agree that trimming out Garden of the Gods & Pikes Peak makes the most sense if looking to shed some driving time. Going from Estes -> trail ridge road -> Estes doesn't make a tons of sense to me, would just take it when you leave town to get to your next stop.

I would make sure you have CO Trip app on your phone. It has been a dry year and mudslides are going to be prevalent depending when snow falls or rainstorms. Agree with above on Garden of Gods and Pikes to be cut out.

My experience comes from being in the area in March for 5 days/4 nights in Boulder. We went to Rocky Mountain park for 2 days and also visited the Red Rock Amphitheatre for the day. We also hiked the Flatirons by the University of Colorado, visited family and walked through Pearl Street during our vacation. We even drove through the Wildlife Drive at the Arsenal when we first landed in Denver.

This was pretty much everything that we could do in the time that we had and that was enough. At a certain point, we realized we didn't want to spend all of our time on the road since I originally considered driving to Pikes Peak.

I'd suggest either exploring the south or north end of the Denver area. It's not that it can't be done, but you'll find yourself behind the wheel driving while everyone is sightseeing along the way.

As others have mentioned, your outline involves A LOT of driving. A lot. I could see your preliminary plan being broken up into three different Colorado trips. I think it is good you are considering eliminating Pikes Peak - that cuts out a lot of travel time on typically crowded and unpleasant I-25.

I would consider something like this:

Day 1 (Sat, Oct 11) Denver Estes Park

• Land Denver International Airport, 9:00 AM
• Arrive Estes Park (overnight)
• Practically speaking, your first day is going to be getting out of the airport and getting up to Estes Park and getting settled in. I don't know where you are coming from altitude-wise, but you have now ascended to 7,500'. Might want to take it slow, stretch your legs around town, drink plenty of water.

Day 2 (Sun, Oct 12) Rocky Mountain National Park

• Consider a hike to Bridal Veil Falls as a good warm up for your first full day. On the less-traveled northeast side of the park. Hike to Bridal Veil Falls
  

Day 3 (Mon, Oct 13) Rocky Mountain National Park

• Alberta Falls
• Bear Lake
• Sprague Lake
• Alberta Falls and Bear Lake are nice hikes. Sprague Lake I can take or leave; it is a very easy stroll. There are a number of trails that extend out of the Bear Lake hub, including Alberta Falls in a round-about way. Depending on your stamina and acclimation, consider the trail that includes Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and Emerald Lake.

Day 4 (Tue, Oct 14) Rocky Mountain National Park

• If Trail Ridge Road is still open, drive up to the top, taking time to stop and hike some of the side trails that go off the road. Exquisite views of Longs Peak from the road. Not sure when the visitors center up there closes for the season.
• Maybe drive down into the west side of the park and wind up at Grand Lake. Nice views of the Never Summer mountains. The Colorado River starts on that side of the park. Maybe spend the night on that side of the park.

Day 5 (Wed, Oct 15)

• Maybe work your way down to I-70 and head west to Glenwood Springs if that is truly an interest of yours. I've been through it, not to it, so I can't say a lot about it.

Day 6 (Thu, Oct 16)

• From GS, you could work your way down to Aspen, Maroon Bells if you want to see 'em. MB is a jumping in point for a major hike (26-mile Four-Pass Loop) but I don't think that is what you are interested in.
• Independence Pass should still be open; you can buzz through there and hit either Leadville or Buena Vista before turning up and heading to Frisco
• Arrive Frisco/Silverthorne (overnight)

Day 7 (Fri, Oct 17) Frisco Denver

• Loveland Pass (optional) You can if you wish. Or by that time, you may be tired of twisty roads and just want to head east through the tunnel on I-70.
• Georgetown. OK. There is a good visitors center/restroom stop there.
• Idaho Springs: I'd really like to get you to stop at Beau Jo's Pizza for some of the best pie you are ever going to eat. But you really need to get back to DIA if you are leaving at 1 p.m.
• Denver International Airport, depart 1:00 PM

You know you. Whatever you decide, you will have fun and be amazed at the beauty. I'm just trying to suggest don't try to cram so much of the western destinations into this trip. In my mind, that is really a separate trip and maybe not based out of DIA. A couple years ago, I did a haul from Lake City (not that much farther south/west than Black Canyon of Gunnison) all the way to DIA, dropping off my hiking buddy and picking up my wife to go to the Colorado game. That was a LONG drive.

Have fun!

I'd probably just do Estes Park and maybe Vail or Breckenridge and focus on stuff around those parts. I'd skip Montrose altogether. Ouray is neat, but you probably need a separate trip for Ouray, Black Canyon, etc.

Alternatively, maybe fly into Colorado Springs and see that stuff (Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods), and then drive up to Estes Park for a few nights and fly out of Denver.

If you're interested in colors, you may want to stick to southern Colorado, like Durango or Pagosa. I think most of Colorado will be done by then, but locals would know better. There are color maps online, but idk how accurate any of that is.

Double check to see when the timed entries for Rocky Mountain NP end for the season....they may be needed through mid-Oct

This is awesome, thank you milner79!

Going to make some edits on everyone's suggestions. I need to really dig into what some of the places are, again a lot of it is AI generated.

AgRyan04 said:

---

Double check to see when the timed entries for Rocky Mountain NP end for the season....they may be needed through mid-Oct

---

Didn't even know that was a thing - thanks!

https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm?tick=0cabdb34

Just as an FYI, if you schedule a horseback ride at Hi Country Stables at Glacier Creek they say you will get a timed entry that is good starting two hours before your ride. I have done their ride and it is ok.

Also, has anyone mentioned Old Fall River Road at RMNP? It's a great drive IMHO.

Yeah your itinerary seems way over ambitious to me. While things may look like they're not that far apart on a map, keep in mind that there are few "straight shot" drives between towns. Also recommend checking online for closures and things that may throw a big wrench into things. If you have an 8 hour drive and a road is closed due to a fire, rockslide, mudslide or a bridge being out it's not like you can just alternate route a lot of things.

I'd suggest prioritizing what you want to see more. If it's the ski towns and the taller peaks I'd go the Breck, Estes, Vail thing for this trip and save southern for another.

If colors are the main draw I'd recommend flying into Durango if you can and take the week going east and eventually flying home from Denver. Durango is a neat town and along the way could hit faves of mine like Lake City, Creede and Pagosa. Still some great drives.

In addition to picking an area, I'd pick a central point in that area and use that as home base and then going to hit some other thing as day trips but that may just be a personal travel style preference.

If I had to rejigger this.

1 - Fly into Colorado Springs and start with the scenes there. You can do Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods same day

2 - Drive up north to Estes Park, visit the Stanley Overlook Stephen hotel and have dinner

3 - RMNP next day and maybe the day after . . . .it is a driving park and the entrance is basically at the Estes Park downtown. You can do a driving view and still stop at most of the scenes.

4 - Drive over over and plant a flag in Summit County in Silverthorne, Frisco, or Breck. You can easily daytrip to Buena Vista, Leadville, etc and be back in time for dinner.

5 - Loop back into Colorado Springs on the way home

Leave Black Canyon and Aspen for another trip.

No Royal Gorge?

I did some ziplining just outside of Denver and absolutely loved it.

Is the Denver Zoo any good?

I'm attending (hopefully) a conference in Downtown Denver 9/29 - 10/2. I am planning on arriving at 9AM on 9/28, will take the early flight out of IAH.

I was thinking about going to the zoo. This is the only day I will have any free time.

If you have other/better suggestions I'm all ears. I'll be staying downtown at The Slate Denver, Tapestry Collection.

JMac03 said:

---

Is the Denver Zoo any good?

I'm attending (hopefully) a conference in Downtown Denver 9/29 - 10/2. I am planning on arriving at 9AM on 9/28, will take the early flight out of IAH.

I was thinking about going to the zoo. This is the only day I will have any free time.

If you have other/better suggestions I'm all ears. I'll be staying downtown at The Slate Denver, Tapestry Collection.

---

I've never been to the Denver Zoo, but the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs is fantastic. It's the second highest rated zoo in the country, two years in a row.

https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-zoo/

Aggie87 said:

---

JMac03 said:

---

Is the Denver Zoo any good?

I'm attending (hopefully) a conference in Downtown Denver 9/29 - 10/2. I am planning on arriving at 9AM on 9/28, will take the early flight out of IAH.

I was thinking about going to the zoo. This is the only day I will have any free time.

If you have other/better suggestions I'm all ears. I'll be staying downtown at The Slate Denver, Tapestry Collection.

---

---

I'd check out breweries, maybe run up to the foothills if you have the time

Thanks. Probably not in the cards to drive to/from COS on the one day I have mostly off and not getting a rental car. I'm sure I'll be tired getting up at 4:30AM. Good to know for future though.

I have been to the Denver zoo. It is good. The one in Colorado Springs is better, but Denver is good.

Rex Racer said:

---

No Royal Gorge?

---

Never heard of it but it looks awesome. But also looks out of the way from most of the itinerary, especially if I am cutting Pikes and probably Black Canyon. Decisions to be made.

Royal Gorge is nice but if you aren't in the area already I don't think its worth going too.

I'd plan a separate trip to the COS area in the future. there's plenty to do in that area alone for a long weekend.

Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge, Manitou Incline, Manitou Springs, maybe a day trip to great sand dunes NP.

If you end up in Estes Park, Hunter's Chop House is good for dinner. Lots of wild game as well as other things. According to the help there, one owner likes wine and the other likes bourbon, so the restaurant carries a solid assortment of both. I can testify on the bourbon side.

Quote:

---

Hunter's Chop House

---

Great rec. I ate there just a few weeks back. We had the window side table with the beautiful view of the mountains.

Ok, thinking adding a day for buffer and to spread it out some - but may stick with high mileage. We're accustomed to it, probably 5 vacations in recent years equal or surpass 1000mi/20ish hours that this is shaping up to be. Just not sure when we will return to CO so want to get it mostly done.

Next up - dining recs?

Estes Park
Aspen/Snowmass or maybe Glenwood area (unsure where we are staying at this point)
Montrose
Maritou Springs

Nothing exotic or super expensive. American, Italian, Mexican (no idea about CO Mex quality, but even average will probably hit the craving). Very casual is good for some meals (burgers/pizza/bar food). Interested in any great breakfast place in Maritou.

Thanks all!

I would just fly into Montrose and do the sites your itinerary showed for the western half of the state. There is plenty to do around Ouray/Montrose to keep you occupied for several days and you won't kill yourself driving all day.

Ed's in Estes doesn't have very good food, but their avocado margaritas are amazing.

Top Notch for breakfast and lunch is solid. But I have not been in over two years. The earlier the better for Breakfast.