Pack up your car and hit the road to discover all our great state has to offer, from the splendor of Glenwood Hot Springs to the ancient beauty of Mesa Verde National Park and majestic engineering of Royal Gorge Bridge.
Day 1
Start your tour in Glenwood Springs, a three-hour drive from the travel hub of Denver through the glorious Glenwood Canyon and home to the world’s largest hot springs pool, the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. Choose to stay at the lodge (in winter, inquire about ski, swim and stay packages) or just take a dip in the pool any time of year. The town is also home to plenty of outdoor adventures, like fishing, rafting, hiking and horseback riding, as well as the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, which offers a unique caving experience and an amusement park.
Day 2
From Glenwood Springs, head west to Grand Junction, the largest city on Colorado’s Western Slope. Nearby, the beautiful Colorado National Monument offers astonishing red-rock formations, steep cliffs and breathtaking vistas, many of which are visible from the 23-mile Rimrock Drive.
Don’t pass up the many fruit and produce stands you may see along the side of the road — they offer a taste of Colorado at its best. You might even choose to tour a local orchard or pick your own fruit.
Day 3
Head southeast through Montrose to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Words can barely describe the awe you’ll feel looking down into the narrow, sheer depths of black rock that make up the canyon. Hike around a little on your own or opt for a ranger-led tour. Camping is available or choose to stay nearby in picturesque Ouray or Ridgway.
Day 4
Continue south to Durango and Mesa Verde National Park, one of only 20 World Heritage sites in the United States. Take a ranger-guided tour of some of the most spectacular cliff dwellings in the park, then hike on your own to take in petroglyphs, ancient dwellings and the natural surroundings. If trains make your family’s hearts go clicker-clack, take a ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.