Million Dollar Highway

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

Welcome to the most geographically diverse country in the world, the U.S.A.! This guide is written based off of a road trip that we took in late 2020. The full itinerary is a little over three weeks (23 days, 22 nights), starting and finishing in Orlando (where we were living at the time). The best part about the itinerary? It's a loop! Allowing you to start and finish wherever. This itinerary is 100% personalizable and as many stops can be added or removed as you'd like. This route offers some amazing places, including the beaches in Florida, the deserts of the southwest, and the coastlines of California. The most optimal time to take this road trip is during the summer as you'll find the best weather everywhere. But because we're mainly down south, you can take this road trip in the winter without too much trouble in the snow. This itinerary includes 15 states, nine National Parks, 6000+ miles, and all of the costs we incurred along the way. This itinerary also includes things to see, places to eats, and our favorite things in each location. This itinerary does not include overnight accommodation, so it is necessary to find hotels/airbnbs on your own.