A Quick Guide to Building Your Own Colorado National Parks Road Map

Click on this link to access the suggested itinerary on Google maps:

Day 1 : Denver to Great Sand Dunes National Park (3.5 Hours)

Fly into Denver International Airport (DEN)

Since Denver is considered a major airport hub, both domestically and internationally, I am certain that you will find multiple options for flights per day to fit your schedule — that are way more affordable than flying into the surrounding airports.

Take the train to Union Station

In an effort to help reduce air pollution, RTD is offering “Zero Fares for Better Air” across the system for the month of July and August. You can check the RTD app or website to confirm this before your travel.

• Normally, it costs $10.50 from the Airport to Union Station and is approximately about a 40-minute train ride (one-way)
• Also, if you are flexible with your time, you may be able to snag better deals on car rentals further away from the airport saving $$$.

I went to Onefold for Brunch across from Union Station

• I chose the Moco Loco and a Vietnamese Iced Coffee
• I wanted something that would power me through a 4 hour drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park

Set up an online order for pick-up at Whole Foods

• By finalizing my grocery list the night before, all I had to do was set up a convenient pick-up time the next day. (Given that my duration of my flight would take 2 hours, I sent my list as we were boarding the plane.)
• The location near Union Station is about 5 minutes away from my car rental spot and the order was ready early for pick-up.
• You will have to drive into their garage, pull a ticket and park in the assigned lots for order pick-up. Btw, don’t worry about paying for parking, the associate will hand you a sticker to place on your ticket — which will validate your parking.

Bring your own foldable cooler

On past trips, I had packed many “insulated cooler bags” that seemed more convenient in terms of weight and size, but lacked in durability. This time, I opted for a foldable cooler that was more promising. Check this one out by CleverMade. And to my amazement, I was actually quite impressed by it. This cooler kept the ice intact the whole day it was in the car (until I got to my hotel room each night), it never leaked and maintained a perfect temperature. Oh, and it never fell over either!

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Great Sand Dunes National Park

Since there seemed to have been an overcast all day, arriving at the Great Sand Dunes in the afternoon did not seem too bad.

I spent the first night in Monte Vista

I spent the first night at Sandhill Inn & Suites (50 Minutes away from the park)

Day 2: Great Sand Dunes National Park to Mesa Verde National Park (4 Hours)

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Hike: High Dune Trail is about 3 miles and takes approximately 1.5 Hours round trip. The best time to hike is earlier in the day to avoid the sand from heating up and I also found a lot of suggestions for hiking the path barefooted, but I used my hiking boots. Since it was raining that day, I wanted to avoid getting sand in the car rental. To help with the sand, the park placed showers by the parking lot, just as you see them at the beach.

Before I left, I decided to have a quick picnic near the Amphitheater before taking off to my next destination.

Stopped in Durango for a quick afternoon coffee

• Stopped by Durango Joe’s for a Matcha Latte
• Topped off the gas tank

Mesa Verde National Park

Lodged at Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park

• It is the only lodging located inside the park
• The views were amazing and I loved the fact that I didn’t have to wake up to get ready to watch the sunrise. I could step outside on my balcony.
• There are places located onsite that served breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a small convenience store and gift ship.
  • Breakfast: Far View Terrace Restaurant, Far View Lounge
  • Lunch: Spruce Tree Terrace Cafe, Far View Terrace Restaurant, Far View Lounge
  • Dinner: Metate Room (reservations required), Far View Lounge

Day 3: Mesa Verde National Park to Black Canyon of the Gunnison (2.5 Hours)

Tour at Balcony House @ 1:00 PM

• One interesting thing that can be said about this national park is that the cliff dwellings that were once inhabited by Ancestral Puebloan people represents one of the richest archeological preserves in the nation.
• The tour costs $8 and lasts approximately 1 hour. You may book your reservation on recreation.org
  • It takes approximately 1 hour from the front entrance of the park all the way to the point of interest. It is advised to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
  • Know your strength before booking. This tour requires climbing a 32 foot ladder and crawling though a tunnel that’s about 18 inches wide.

Telluride, CO

• Grabbed a quick bite at Baked in Telluride
• Checked out Bridal Veil Falls Trail – since it was raining, I wasn’t able to check out the hike.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Although the majority of the hikes seem short and non-existent (coming in at 1 mile or less) at the top of the canyon, hiking, climbing and kayaking and go far and wide as you get closer to the Gunnison River at the bottom of the canyon. For this, you will need a valid Wilderness Use Permit along with the proper gear.

Hike: Completion of the Oak Flat Loop Trail took about 1 hour round trip and loops at 1.4 miles.

Lodged in Montrose

Day 4: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to Estes Park

Colorado National Monument

Glenwood Springs

Rocky Mountain National Park

Lodged at The Ridgeline in Estes Park, CO

Lodging in Estes Park is your best bet when it comes to lodging near the Rockies.

• It’s approximately 9 minutes from the Beaver Meadow Entrance and Visitor Center.
• It has that small town feel and is full of many amenities within walking distance all year round
• There is a shuttle at the Estes Park Visitor Center that will take you into Rocky Mountain National Park, should you wish to leave your car behind. (It takes about an hour to get the central hub of the park)
  • Cost is $2 per person and runs from 7:00AM-5:00PM
  • Still required to have a Park Pass to enter RMNP

Day 5: Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

I took such great pleasure in seeing the Rockies during the summer; it failed to disappoint.

Hikes: The 2.2 mile trail to Lake Haiyaha is absolutely stunning. It took me approximately 3.5 Hours to complete roundtrip with an elevation gain of 846 feet.

Timed Entry Pass is required:

• To access all the trailheads located on Bear Lake Road between the hours of 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in addition to your Park Entrance Pass.

Day 6: Estes Park to Denver (1.5 Hours)

Denver 

Drop off Car Rental

Union Station

Back to the airport