The Ultimate Colorado National Parks Road Trip
If you are like me and are on a mission to visit all the national parks in the United States, then the four located in Colorado are sure to be on your bucket list. I’ll give you the best Colorado National Parks Road trip itinerary so you can check these incredible parks off your list.
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Suggested Travel Resources
Travel Insurance: Insure My Trip
Accommodations: Expedia
Flights: Skyscanner
Colorado National Parks Road Trip Overview
This is the route you will be taking for this Colorado National Park Road trip. Click on the image to be taken to google maps where you can zoom in and download it to your phone.
National Parks Visited on this Road Trip
This itinerary will take you to all four of Colorado’s national parks. There are also several national monuments located in Colorado, but the focus of this post will be the national parks. The parks located in this state are:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
Other highlights on this road trip are driving the Million Dollar Highway and the option for a stop at the Garden of the Gods.
How to Do this Colorado Road Trip
This Colorado national park road trip can be done by flying in and out of Denver International Airport, renting a vehicle and following the itinerary in this post. If you need an adapted van, accessible vehicles can be rented through Mobility of Denver or United Access.
Another option is to make this itinerary as part of a larger road trip. You could easily combine the national parks in Utah or Wyoming as part of this road trip. If you choose this option, follow the itinerary in reverse, still starting in Denver but then following the clockwise direction and heading to the next state you choose.
Tips for Taking Your Colorado National Parks Road Trip
Get Your National Park Pass
Access Pass
The Access Pass allows US residents who are permanently disabled free entry into the national parks and other national sites. This can be obtained for free with a doctor’s note documenting a permanent disability at any national site.
Veteran’s Pass
A park pass is also available for Veterans of the United States armed forces and will allow lifetime free access to the parks and other national sites. Just show proof of service at any national site.
Senior Pass
A Senior pass is available to individuals aged sixty-five or older for a one-time $80 fee. This is valid for the lifetime of the individual for access to the national parks.
America the Beautiful Pass
This is a yearly park pass that anyone can purchase for $80 and lasts 12 months from the date of purchase. This is a great option if you don’t qualify for the above-mentioned passes and plan to visit at least 3 national parks within a year’s time.
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Download the Gypsy App
The Gypsy App is a great resource to make you feel like you have your own personal tour guide in the national parks. This app does not rely on cell data, service or Wi-Fi to run the tours so it’s perfect to use even in remote locations. It will provide interesting information on the history, geology, must-see sights and more about the park you visit.
This Trip is Best Done May-September
To avoid road closures and possibly snowy conditions, this Colorado National Parks Road trip is best done between the months of May-September. This time will offer pleasant and sometimes hot temperatures for exploring.
Plan for Gas, Food and Water
Some of the national parks in Colorado are out in nature and lack services in the area. Make sure to plan ahead and have a full gas tank, plenty of water and snacks or food while you explore these parks. The gas buddy app is a great free tool to help you find nearby gas stations.
Start Planning as Soon as You Have Your Travel Dates
Colorado is a popular state to visit, and lodging and car rentals can sell out quickly during peak season. To ensure the best and most choice in accommodation and vehicles, book as soon as you can. This is especially true if you require adapted vehicles or ADA accessible hotel rooms.
Check out this post, for more tips on planning your next national park trip.
Itineraries for Your Colorado National Parks Road Trip
Since many people only have one week to devote to a vacation, I have given you the best way to see all four national parks in that time. I have also given you options for popular sites to see if you have a little longer than seven days or if you want to combine Colorado’s national parks with a couple nearby parks in Utah.
7 Day Colorado National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Denver to Estes Park
Drive Time: 90 minutes
Where to Stay: Quality Inn near Rocky Mountain National Park offers clean rooms, some which are fully wheelchair accessible with a roll-in shower, free parking, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins is also an excellent choice, offering beautiful views, accessible rooms with a roll-in shower and a lodge feel.
If you want to splurge on a unique and possibly haunting experience, consider staying right at the Stanley Hotel. Make sure to book early however, as the most notoriously haunted rooms book well in advance. Wheelchair accessible rooms are also available at the hotel, just contact the Reservation Department at 970-577-4076 to make arrangements.
If you are traveling in a RV or trailer, a great nearby campground is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Estes Park. They have a range of fun amenities designed for families and are a short drive from the park.
Suggested Things to Do: If you are flying to Denver, pick up your rental car and head to Estes Park to decrease your driving time for tomorrow. Take time to adjust to the altitude or take a ghost tour of the famous Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining”.
Day 2: Rocky Mountain National Park
Where to Stay: Stay in the same hotel or lodge that you spent night one in.
Suggested Things to Do: It will be quite easy to spend a full day at Rocky Mountain National Park, even as a wheelchair user. Take the scenic Trail Ridge Road, one of the most popular drives in the park. If you are not bothered by the elevation, consider doing some hikes; Coyote Valley Trail, the first portion of Bear Lake, and Sprague Lake are all wheelchair accessible and offer lovely views.
Day 3: Estes Park to Montrose, Colorado
Driving Time: 6 1/2 hours
Where to Stay: Stay Wise Inns of Montrose is close to the park and offers a hearty breakfast, free parking, and Wi-Fi. Alternatively, you could also choose the Hampton Inn Montrose, which is pet friendly, has a buffet breakfast and free parking and Wi-Fi.
If camping, Riverbend RV Park & Cabins is a scenic and convenient place to stay. There are cabin rentals (not accessible) or RV sites with hook-ups.
This is the longest day of driving in this Colorado National Parks Road trip itinerary. This is due to how secluded the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is. I assure you, however, that visiting this park is worth the drive. It is one of the least visited parks and can be considered a hidden gem.
Once you check into your accommodation, rest up and enjoy a nice dinner before your busy day tomorrow.
Day 4: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Drive Time: About 30 minutes depending on the hotel.
Where to Stay: Your accommodation should be the same as the previous night.
Suggested Things to Do: The full day is dedicated to this gorgeous national park. There are rims of the canyon to visit and three scenic drives available. There are no bridges connecting the two rims so allow about two hours to drive from one rim to the other.
I highly suggest getting an early start so you can enjoy all three scenic drives. This park is also a fantastic place to visit after dark for stargazing. It is considered a dark park as there is hardly any light pollution, allowing all the stars to appear brighter. For more information on visiting this national park, check out this post.
Day 5: Montrose to Durango/Mesa Verde National Park
Drive Time: 2 1/2 hours
Where to Stay: Holiday Inn Express Durango Downtown- Animas River has a pretty location and offers breakfast, parking, Wi-Fi and more. The DoubleTree by Hilton Durango is another option and has onsite restaurants, breakfast, is pet friendly, and offers free Wi-Fi.
Alpen Rose RV Park is a good choice for those who plan to camp. This RV Park is close to all the major attractions and electric sites and other amenities.
Suggested Things to Do: Today’s drive features the scenic Million Dollar Highway which offers awe-inspiring views. Feel free to take your time and stop for some pictures.
Durango is a short 38-minute drive from Mesa Verde National Park, which for wheelchair users, can easily be seen in half a day. Mesa Verde National Park features cliff dwellings of the Puebloan people that lived here between 550 A.D. to 1300 A.D.
While the park has limited accessibility, the Mesa Top Loop has the most accessible viewing areas and scenic viewpoints. You can also visit the museum within the park.
Day 6: Durango to Great Sand Dunes National Park
Drive Time: 3 1/2 hours
Where to Stay: Hampton Inn Alamosa is in a nearby town and about 30 minutes from the park. It has a delicious breakfast, with the option to get it to go. Free parking and Wi-Fi are also offered. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Alamosa is another good option and offers breakfast, free parking and is pet friendly.
Suggested Things to Do: Unfortunately, there is limited access for wheelchair users within Great Sand Dunes National Park. The visitor’s center does offer free use of an all-terrain beach wheelchair so that people with mobility problems can get a closer look at the sand dunes. Using this chair will require traveling with a companion that can assist in pushing.
There is a scenic drive, but a four wheeled drive vehicle is necessary to complete it. Part of the drive may work for other vehicles but monitor conditions as it is easy to get stuck in the sandy soil. Make sure to check out any ranger programs that are available as well.
Day 7: Great Sand Dunes to Denver
Drive Time: 4 hours
Suggested Things to Do: If you can get a late flight home, consider breaking up the drive and stopping in Colorado Springs to visit Garden of the Gods. This unique park has red rock formations that you can drive around to see and even has some accessible hikes.
Want to Visit All of the National Parks? Get Your FREE National Parks Checklist to Keep Track of Your Travels!
If You Have More Time for Your Colorado National Parks Road Trip
Colorado Springs
If you have longer than one week and want to see more of the incredible sights that Colorado has to offer, consider spending more time in Colorado Springs. There are several accessible things to do and short-day trips you can take. It’s a beautiful area that deserves at least a couple of days.
Colorado National Monument
You could also stop by Colorado National Monument on your way from Estes Park to Montrose. If you choose this option, plan to drive to Grand Junction and spend a night there as well as spend about 1/2 day visiting the monument.
Four Corners National Monument
Have you ever wanted to be in four states at once? Visiting four corners allows you to do just that as it is the official location where four states come together at one spot. For most people this is a quick stop to get a picture and then move on. It is about an hour drive from Mesa Verde National Park.
10 Day Colorado National Parks Road Trip with Some of Utah
If you have 10 days available for your Colorado National Parks Road trip and want to add in two more Utah national parks, then you can easily modify the itinerary mentioned above to suit your needs. This is how you can add Arches and Canyonlands National Parks to your trip.
Start the seven-day itinerary and make these slight changes.
Day 3: Estes Park to Moab
Drive Time: 7 hours
Where to Stay: Best Western Plus Greenwell Inn offers clean and classy rooms with free parking and Wi-Fi as well as a continental breakfast. It is only 10 minutes away from Arches National Park. Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection By Hilton is a beautiful resort close to the national parks and offers free parking and Wi-Fi, breakfast, and a swimming pool.
For those who are camping, Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway is an RV park that offers lots of amenities and incredible views. They also have cabin and trailer rentals (not wheelchair accessible) that are available.
Suggested Things to Do: It will have been a long day of driving, so just settle into your hotel or campsite and relax.
Day 4: Arches National Park
Where to Stay: Stay in the same accommodation as you did on day 3.
Suggested Things to Do: Arches National Park has a scenic drive with many spots to get out of the vehicle. Stop at as many as possible and make sure you don’t mis Wolfe Ranch to see the remnants of an old cabin and a nearby rock wall with ancient petroglyphs.
If you plan to do any hiking, make sure to get an early start to your day to avoid the heat. The Delicate Arch hike is extremely popular to do at sunrise, but it is not wheelchair accessible. You can see many arches within the park however, from wheelchair-accessible viewing areas.
Day 5: Canyonlands National Park
Where to Stay: Spend another night at the hotel or campground you initially stayed at on day 3.
Suggested Things to Do: The Isle in the Sky portion of the park is not only one of the most popular areas in the park, but also the most wheelchair accessible. Along this drive there are scenic overlooks that will make you feel like you are in a western movie. Many views can be seen right from your vehicle.
The hike to Mesa Arch is quite popular, so get there early. Unfortunately, it is not wheelchair accessible. For those who can do the hike, however, it offers iconic views.
On your way back to your hotel or campground, be sure to stop by Dead Horse State Park. The story behind how the park got its name is tragic but the views are awesome. Essentially, a group of men herded up a large group of wild mustangs and corralled them into a fenced area near the edge of a cliff. They chose the ones they wanted and left the rest to die of heat and starvation.
Day 6: Moab to Montrose Colorado
Drive Time: 2 hours 43 minutes
Continue the original seven-day itinerary from Montrose to Denver.
Colorado National Parks Road Trip Packing List
Being prepared is essential when road tripping. Here are some must have items for your road trip. If you’d like my complete list of national park essentials, check out this post.
A road atlas is a must because GPS can be unreliable, especially in remote areas. It’s always a good idea to have maps as a backup so you can navigate your route. I like this one because it’s spiral bound, making it easy to use and it also has some national park information.
A first aid kit is essential for small injuries and cuts. This one is great because it’s easy to pack, has a lot of supplies and travels well.
Higher elevations, like the ones found in Colorado can make it easier for you to get dehydrated so it’s really important to drink lots of water. This insulated water bottle will keep your water cool so you can stay hydrated.
Similarly, higher elevations can make the sun feel more intense and you can burn easily. Protect your skin with sunscreen, even if it’s not typically a problem for you.
Make sure to capture all of your memories with an easy to use and lightweight camera. This is the one I use and it has a great zoom option for taking wildlife photos.
With a wide range of temperatures each day, it’s important to bring layers of clothing so you are prepared for all types of weather. I love this long-sleeved T-shirt because it shows your love of the national parks.
➡️ Remember this road trip for years to come or help inspire the next one when you pick an item from this list of best gifts for national park lovers to give to your loved one.
Conclusion
The National Parks in Colorado offer a wonderful way to experience the nature of the state while offering at least some accessibility to people with mobility problems. I hope that this road trip guide to visiting the Colorado National Parks has helped give you a fantastic itinerary so that you can check all four parks off your bucket list.
