Road trips are a way of travel that excite us the most. Nothing beats getting into a car, putting on great music, and driving through the unknown. This time we decided to spend majority of this trip in Utah. In this guide you can find our itinerary showing how we spent our time exploring this gorgeous state.

Bryce Canyon City

Lake Powell

Zion National Park

Hanksville

Salt Lake City

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Oljato-Monument Valley

Moab

Utah Roadtrip

The United States currently has 63 protected areas known as national parks that are operated by the National Park Service. I’m on a mission to see as many of them as I can. I’ve been to 28 so far. Following is a list of where I’ve been in chronological order. To learn more about my journey, please visit darkskyoverland.com.

National Parks

While Rocky Mountain National Park is certainly the most well-known and visited national park in Colorado, that does not mean you should skip the other parks the state has to offer.  

This budget-friendly guide will walk you through visiting Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde National Parks, as well as Curecanti National Recreation Area and the Million Dollar Highway.

Total trip time: 5-7 days

Nearest major city: Denver

Note: I have a separate guide dedicated entirely to Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado, USA

Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde, CO, USA

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado, USA

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado, USA

How to Road Trip: Colorado's National Parks

Explore the beautiful state of Colorado! This road-trip itinerary includes Denver, Telluride, Mesa Verde National Park, Durango, Colorado Springs & More! 

Colorado is best known for its outdoor adventures, craft beers and stunning scenery! 

In each destination I give my top picks on…
✨Hotels & Amazing Airbnbs 
✨Must try restaurants & breweries 
✨Outdoor Activities & Hiking 
✨Local Shops & More! 


Durango, CO, USA

Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Telluride, CO, USA

Denver, CO, USA

Colorado: The Perfect Road Trip 

This 2 week road trip itinerary is the only one you will need to experience all that Colorado has to offer. 

Colorado Road Trip

Durango

Aspen

Colorado

Vail

Colorado Springs

Breckenridge

Monarch Pass

Mountain Village

Boulder

Denver

Glenwood Springs

COLORADO

Welcome to my completely unorganized but oh-so-helpful map of Colorado! An absolute smorgasbord of my own travels and research, suggestions from friends and strangers, and many treasures found along the way, this is where I compile all things Colorado for my future trips and yours. Things I particularly love that you’ll find a lot of:
☕️ Coffee shops & bakeries
🌮 Local cuisine
🏛️ Museums of all kinds
🌳 Gardens & parks
🛏️ Boutique hotels
🍕 Small regional chains with good reputations

All my guides in this category are $5 per 100 places included, but since I add to these constantly, you can lock down the lowest price today and gain a lifetime access!

7 days in Colorado!

Planning a Colorado to Utah road trip means planning a road trip to one of the most captivating regions of the United States. This 10-day Colorado-Utah road trip itinerary will have you going from alpine lakes to Mars-like desert scapes as you adventure from Denver, Colorado to Moab, Utah, and back to Denver, exploring 8 national parks and monuments along the way.

Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Hovenweep National Monument, Montezuma Creek, UT, USA

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA

Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction, CO, USA

Utah, USA

Colorado Utah Road Trip Itinerary

A two week camping road trip visiting 4 Colorado National Parks and 3 National Monuments. Complete with where I camped on the trip and some local recommendations on places to eat. 

This trip is best not planned during the Winter (including late fall and early spring) since snow may make some routes impassable. 

Western Colorado Roadtrip

Dog-friendly trip through Colorado's four national parks and some stops in between :)

I took this trip in mid-October while I was living in Billings, MT. If driving isn't an option, I recommend flying into Denver, renting a car and doing Rocky Mountain NP last. 

Colorado in the fall 

Whether you're a visitor to the Centennial State, or a local who's ready to explore more, here is where you'll find the best towns to visit depending on your interests, and when to go!

A Guide to Colorado Mountain Towns

Thank you for checking out my complimentary Colorado guide. Since 2019, I've explored the breathtaking beauty of the highest state in the U.S. and I curated my insights into the most popular tourist towns, along with some hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

This guide begins in the vibrant city of Denver and extends to the charming suburbs, eventually leading you north, south, and east of the city. Within each section, you'll find a thoughtfully organized breakdown of activities, must-see sites, scenic hikes, stylish shopping spots, lodging, delectable dining options, and so much more.

Be sure to save this guide for your next Colorado adventure—your journey awaits!

Please note: I will continually update this guide as my adventures continue.

Mesa Verde National Park, CO, USA

Pikes Peak, Colorado, USA

Aspen, CO, USA

St. Mary's Glacier, Colorado, USA

Hanging Lake, Colorado, USA

Breckenridge, CO, USA

Pagosa Springs, CO, USA

Castle Rock, CO, USA

Cherry Creek, Denver, CO, USA

Vail, CO, USA

Boulder, CO, USA

Glenwood Springs, CO, USA

Sedalia, CO, USA

Estes Park, CO, USA

Charmed by Colorado: Your Gateway to Majestic Mountains

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a unique and stunning natural area located in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado, USA. 

It is renowned for having the tallest sand dunes in North America, with some dunes reaching heights of up to 750 feet (229 meters). The park covers an area of approximately 149,000 acres and was designated a national park in 2004. 

The park is home to a vast expanse of sand dunes, formed by the wind depositing and shaping sand from the surrounding mountains. These dunes are constantly changing and shifting, creating a dynamic and otherworldly landscape.

Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, this unique landscape offers endless adventure, from sandboarding down towering dunes to hiking scenic trails and splashing in Medano Creek. Perfect for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike, the park's stunning vistas and diverse ecosystems create unforgettable experiences. Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park and let the sweeping sands and majestic mountains take your breath away.

As we were heading back home through Colorado, we had to stop by at some of the largest sand dunes in North America. The views here are simply stunning. If you don't mind the sand, you can rent a sand board at the visitor center and go down those warlocks. 

Open 24/7 no reservations needed. The tallest dunes in North America. You can rent a sand sled from the Oasis shop or if you plan your travels right you might be able to splash in Medano Creek. 

Keep in mind:
The sand becomes very hot during the day and exceptionally dark at night. The ideal time to hike the dunes is very early morning.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

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