How To Roadtrip Colorado’s 4 National Parks | 7 Day Itinerary

Colorado is packed with wild landscapes, dramatic elevation changes, and four distinct national parks that each feel like a different planet. This 7-day road trip itinerary will guide you through all of them—Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison—without rushing the experience. Expect long drives, shifting altitudes, and some of the best natural scenery in the U.S.

Day 1: Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park

Drive time: ~2 hours (70 miles)
Start in Denver and head northwest to Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Spend your afternoon driving Trail Ridge Road (open seasonally), walking Bear Lake Loop, or taking in the views at Many Parks Curve. Sleep in Estes Park or camp inside the park if permits are available.

Highlights:

• Bear Lake Trail

• Trail Ridge Road

• Moraine Park

Day 2: Rocky Mountain to Great Sand Dunes

Drive time: ~4.5 hours (250 miles)
Leave early and drive south through dramatic mountain scenery to reach Great Sand Dunes National Park. Yes, it’s a surreal desert at the base of the Rockies. Arrive in time to sandboard or sled down the dunes in golden afternoon light.

Overnight: Alamosa or camp near the park.
Don’t miss:

• Medano Creek (seasonal)

• High Dune sunset

• Stargazing—this park is a certified Dark Sky destination

Day 3: Great Sand Dunes to Mesa Verde

Drive time: ~4 hours (210 miles)
Continue southwest toward Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Arrive in the afternoon and take a scenic drive along the Mesa Top Loop.

Overnight: Stay in Cortez or inside the park at Far View Lodge (seasonal).
Top sites:

• Cliff Palace (book a ranger tour)

• Spruce Tree House (viewpoint only)

• Sun Point Overlook

Day 4: Full Day in Mesa Verde

Dedicate a second day to fully explore the park. The elevation can make hiking slower, so pace yourself. Join a ranger-led tour if you haven’t yet—they’re the best way to understand the history behind these structures.

Day 5: Mesa Verde to Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Drive time: ~3.5 hours (150 miles)
Head north to the lesser-known Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This park doesn’t get the crowds, but its sheer, 2,000-foot vertical cliffs are unforgettable. Drive the South Rim Road and stop at viewpoints like Painted Wall and Devil’s Lookout.

Stay: Montrose or camp inside the park.

Day 6: Explore Black Canyon, then to Glenwood Springs

Spend your morning hiking (try Warner Point or Rim Rock Nature Trail). In the afternoon, drive to Glenwood Springs for a relaxing soak in the hot springs—your legs will thank you.

Drive time: ~2.5 hours to Glenwood Springs

Day 7: Return to Denver via Scenic Route

Drive time: ~3 hours
Take I-70 back to Denver through some of Colorado’s most iconic mountain towns—Vail, Frisco, Idaho Springs. If you have time, stop for a hike, coffee, or one last alpine view.

Roadtrip Tips

• Altitude awareness: You’ll range from 4,500 to over 12,000 feet. Stay hydrated.

• Book campsites/lodging early: Especially in summer.

• America the Beautiful Pass: $80 annual pass covers entry to all four parks.

• Weather: It can snow in Rocky Mountain in June and hit 90°F in the dunes. Pack layers.

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