|
|
|
Colorado Family Adventure Road Trip
|
|
|
|
This trip was originally created by User LMaybee as a camping road trip. This Editor's Choice trip goes roughly along the original path but utilizes cabins, lodges, motels. Colorado is a grand state & includes Denver, a Top US Destination, along with 2 National Parks, the Mesa Verde & the Rocky Mountains.
Tags:
cabins, caverns, exploring, family, hiking, horseback riding, kids, museums...
Trip Notes
This trip is designed for those who want to "be in the wilderness" without necessarily "sleeping in the wild". Cabins or Lodges are noted wherever possible because that gives you the comfort & security while staying within more natural surroundings.
This road trips takes you in a southeasterly, counter-clockwise loop, bringing you back to your entryway of Fruita, but you can easily re-arrange the route by dragging & dropping entire days (that way, your Day notes will move with you).
|
|
Day 1
Can do the museum up till 4 pm.
|
|
Day 3
It's a 3-hr drive from Montrose to Mancos, so have a hearty breakfast & then hit the road before getting to Mancos & enjoying horseback riding and/or a stagecoach ride.
Then head over to Cortez for a hotel, which includes suites & a pool! You'll only be 35 minutes to the entrance of the Mesa Verde National Park for your next day's activities.
|
|
Day 4
There are a number of cliff dwellings that can be toured during your visit to Mesa Verde National Park. Most of these can only be visited by taking a ranger-guided tour.
Two are open seasonally on a self-guided basis:
Spruce Tree House - March to November
Step House - Memorial Day to Labor Day
The others (Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Long House) will require tickets purchased in person at the Far View Visitor Center. Both guided and self-guided tours are strenuous.
|
|
Day 5
It's a long drive from Cortez to Pueblo (6 hrs), so stop in Durango for some rafting, or along the road at Pagoosa Springs or Alamosa.
The hotel also has a pool & suites, so that allows space & time to freshen up & enjoy a late dinner out on the town of Pueblo.
|
|
Day 7
Lots of fun kid stuff today!
|
|
Day 8
Be sure to take dry clothes with you. Train will not let you on with wet clothes.
|
|
Day 9
It's a bit over an hour's drive to Denver, so best to check into your hotel first...and then go enjoy an entire day at the Elitch Gardens Theme Park.
|
|
Day 12
An entire day exploring the Rocky Mountains!
|
|
Day 13
Instead of going to Aspen thru Denver again, take a drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park & get to Aspen via, Granby, Kremming, Silverthorne. It's the difference between 4 1/2 & 5 hours, both long, but this way, you'll be seeing new sights & can stop along the way for lunch/rest breaks.
Consider a picnic lunch near Grand Lake.
|
|
Day 14
An hour's drive will get you from Aspen to Glenwood Springs, where you'll explore the Glenwood Caverns, topped off with a nice family meal at the Olive Garden. Don't forget to raise a toast to your grand vacation!
|
|
|
|
|
Save As
My Trip
