Colorado is hands-down one of the most beautiful states in America. With a wide range of scenery, wildlife, and activities, you could spend years trying to see everything it has to offer!
But what if you only have a few days to pack things in? Well, that’s where I come in.
Last August, I took a whirlwind trip to Colorado with my travel bestie, and boy, did we have a fantastic time! If you know me, I’m a big planner. So, months before we stepped foot in the Denver Airport, we’d put together a full itinerary for each day, with a great mix of action, relaxation, and scenic drives.
Based on that experience (the good, bad, and ugly), I’ve created a 5-day itinerary that will take you from Denver, Colorado, to some of the most beautiful and exciting places around the state, including Rocky Mountain National Park. I’ve also included links to many of these stops to conveniently learn more about each.
So, if you’re ready to dive in, let’s get to it!
5-Day Itinerary for Colorado
Day 1: Garden of the Gods to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Start your adventure by flying (or driving) into Colorado. In my experience, tickets to Denver are typically the cheapest option. But if you can score a deal to Colorado Springs instead, it may work in your favor because that’s where you’ll be starting your adventure. If you’re coming from Denver, the drive to Colorado Springs will take about 90 minutes, so be sure to weigh that into any ticket-buying considerations.
Wherever you’re starting from, get a vehicle and drive to Colorado Springs to enjoy the Garden of the Gods.
This gorgeous natural garden is one of the most visited spots in Colorado for a good reason. It has incredibly unique rock formations, wildlife, and stunning panoramic views. The best part is that it’s completely free to enter!
You can enjoy the garden and the visitor center across the street for as long as you want. I highly recommend making a complete loop on the nicely paved sidewalks to see all the formations, plus a few short hikes. But you can also add paid activities like segway tours, e-bikes, or rock climbing.
Once you’ve had your fill of this rocky wonderland, hop back in your car and get ready for a beautiful drive to Nathrop, Colorado. It takes under 2 hours (with good weather), and the scenery helps the drive pass by quickly. You’ll pass rocky cliffs, lakes, and more mountains as you make your way to the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort to spend the night!
*If you get hungry on the way, I highly recommend the Fat BBQ Shack in Lake George. The food is made fresh by the owner and his wife, who’ve had barbecue restaurants all over the U.S.! I really enjoyed his twist of southern and midwestern BBQ styles. Plus, the portions were huge.
Feel free to get to Mt. Princeton as early as you like because your stay includes two days of hot springs fun with each night! Even if you get there before check-in, you can enjoy the resort amenities immediately. If you’re tired from a day of travel, you can’t go wrong with a relaxing hot spring soak before you head to bed!
Day 2: Mt. Princeton Hot Spring Resort to Estes Park, Colorado
After a first day with lots of flying, driving, and hiking, Day 2 is all about relaxation.
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort is the perfect spot to unwind with some natural mountain remedies. You’ll be treated to 360-degree mountain views as you nestle in the various geothermal hot springs, or indulge in a spa treatment.
You’ll find five different styles of pools, including an infinity pool (with a water slide), creekside hot springs, a historic bathhouse, a relaxation pool, and my favorite, the cascading hot springs.
The resort has many amenities, and I encourage you to take advantage of any that sound good! In addition to the hot springs access, you get 10% off spa treatments, complimentary fitness classes, and bike, snowshoe, and cross-country ski rentals.
Even though checkout is at 10 a.m., the resort ensures you can continue to enjoy the springs with clean towels, shower rooms, and even complimentary toiletries. All you need is your swimsuit and a change of clothes for the end of the day.
The rooms here are a bit of a splurge (we spent about $280 on one night), but I felt that all the perks made the price worth it. However, if that’s out of the question, you can stay at a more budget-friendly hotel in Nathrop and get a hot springs day pass starting at $40 per person.
After you’ve explored and soaked to your heart’s content, rinse off and hit the road to Estes Park. This scenic drive will take you back north to the gateway of Rocky Mountain National Park. It takes about 3.5 hours, but once again, you’ll get tons of scenic views that make the drive a valuable part of the journey!
If you arrive in Estes Park early enough (and with enough energy), spend some time exploring this beautiful town!
The trolley system offers free rides all over Estes Park and up to RMNP, and it’s a great way to get around. If you want a chance to see moose, take the trail right by the Estes Park Visitor’s Center and wander past a field and golf course where they’re known to hang out! You can even tour the Stanely Hotel, a gorgeous and historic hotel used in The Shining.
But you’ll also find many opportunities for boutique shopping and unique dining before you call it a night.
Day 3-4: Rocky Mountain National Park to Denver, Colorado
If you’re a nature lover, days 3 and 4 will be the highlight of your trip. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most beautiful and diverse national parks in America, and it’s full of exciting adventures!
I encourage you to do some research and decide which trails are best suited for your group’s fitness level and interest. But I do have some recommendations if you’re up for anything!
Rocky Mountain National Park Entry Requirements
First things first, let’s talk about park entry requirements. Because RMNP is so popular, it has some pretty detailed entry requirements from May to October. Every vehicle will need a Park Access Timed Entry Permit. These drop on the first day of the month for the following month (i.e., May passes will drop on April 1st). If you show up without one of these passes (and outside your window), you will be turned away until at least 2 pm.
If you want to visit the very popular Bear Lake Corridor, you’ll need a Park Access+ Timed Entry Permit. You cannot visit this section of the park without this special variation.
For more detailed information on this, I highly recommend you read my post on How to Maximize Your Trip to the Bear Lake Corridor.
These permits only cost $2 but can sell out fast. Additionally, you’ll need to buy a park entrance pass, which is $30 for one day or $35 for seven days.
Recommended Itinerary for Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 3: Bear Lake Corridor and Old Fall River Road
On your first day in RMNP, get a park entry pass for 8 a.m. and show up right on time or early. The park fills up quickly, and you don’t want to get stuck behind a line of cars. I recommend getting the Park Access+ Pass for the first day so you can enjoy the Bear Lake Corridor.
Follow the signs to the Park & Ride System and ditch your car. Yep–it’s going to be a huge hassle to find parking, and you’ll move much quicker with the free Park & Ride system that runs every 7 minutes to
Follow the signs to the Park & Ride System and ditch your car. Yep–it’s going to be a huge hassle to find parking, and you’ll move much quicker with the free Park & Ride system that runs every 7 minutes to the Bierstadt Lake, Glacier Gorge, and Bear Lake trailheads.
Spend your morning/early afternoon hiking at Bear Lake, up to Alberta Falls (Glacier Gorge trailhead), and Dream or Emerald Lakes.
Take a break for a late lunch (there’s not much in the park, so I recommend packing a picnic lunch for the day), then drive to Old Fall River Road to enjoy the epic views from this one-lane dirt road! (Note: you should not make this drive in a big van or camper because it is so steep and narrow).
Stop along the way to see Chasm Falls, and then finish your drive at the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the world! The drive will take around 2 hours in total.
From here, hop back in your car and drive back to Estes Park along the stunning Trail Ridge Road. It’s the main byway through the park, and the panoramic views are so gorgeous! This 48-mile stretch of highway is the highest continuously paved road in North America, and as you can probably imagine, it has some incredible views that are worth seeing multiple times.
Wrap up your day by grabbing dinner in Estes Park (we really enjoyed The Wild Rose Restaurant with dessert at The Danish Cone). Then relax and recover for another day of hiking!
Day 4: Trail Ridge Road and Denver, Colorado
There’s a good chance you’ll want to sleep in today…but I’d encourage you to get a park pass for around 8 a.m. again to maximize your time here.
Start with a visit to the Sheep Lakes Information Station, where you’ll hopefully see some bighorn sheep. We weren’t so lucky, but apparently, it’s your best bet in the park.
After that, I recommend driving the length of Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park as far west as you like. If you take it past the Alpine Visitor’s Center, you can see the Continental Divide, some beautiful lakes, and potentially, moose!
Once you’ve done enough scenic driving, head back to the Alpine Visitor Center and climb the Alpine Ridge Trail. This stair-step path behind the Visitor Center will probably have you huffing and puffing, but the views from over 12,000 feet are worth it! It’s only 0.6 miles long, but take it slow.
Once you’ve recovered, hop back in your car and drive east to the Ute Trail. This trail is one of the more challenging hikes in the park, with very rocky paths. But it’s a ridgeline trail, and the views are incredible! It feels like you’re on top of the world. If you can’t handle too much of this trail, I suggest going to Tombstone Ridge and back (about 1.8 miles each way). Again, it’s so pretty, and you’ll see lots of chubby little marmots, too!
After this, it’s time to head back to Denver! The drive from Rocky Mountain National Park to Denver takes a little under two hours. It’s the least pretty of the drives on this trip, but at least it’s relatively short.
I recommend staying the night at the Catbird Hotel. It’s a super hip spot near the RiNo art district, and the hotel is really interesting. It even has a rooftop restaurant, so you don’t have to go anywhere once you check in for the evening!
We actually loved this hotel so much that we carved time out of our itinerary to explore all of its amenities and relax in its unique atmosphere!
Day 5: Denver, Colorado
Enjoy a well-deserved morning of relaxation at the Catbird Hotel on your last full day! They serve up incredible breakfast fare that’s made fresh when you order, and you can watch them cook it in their open-lobby kitchen. There are lots of spaces to enjoy a borrowed game or book, or you can hit one of the two rooftop hot tubs to soak your tired muscles. And don’t forget to watch some T.V. on the window-sized projector screen in your room!
When you’re ready to go out, I recommend walking around the RiNo district. This fabulous art district is known for its street art, boutiques, galleries, and local restaurants. It’s also home to the Denver Central Market, a fun place to check out for delicious food.
Once you’re done here, you have lots of options. You can borrow a bike or moped from the Catbird Hotel and cruise around town, or take a trip to one of the many local parks. If you’d prefer to see more art, the Denver Art Museum is a good choice. Or, head to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre to see what all the fuss is about.
Regardless, save some time in the afternoon or evening for a trip to Meow Wolf Convergence Station. It’s one of the whackiest, immersive art installations in the entire U.S., created by a collaboration of 350 international artists. It’s four stories of insane and mesmerizing extra-terrestrial fun! Tickets cost $40 a person, but I think it’s well worth it for the experience. Plus, you can easily spend 3-4 hours here and really get your money’s worth.
If your trip ends tonight, save about an hour to get to the airport because it’s not close to the city center. If you’re here for another night, I recommend chilling at the Catbird again and making the most of all their amenities.
More to See on the Vlog!
Closing Thoughts on Visiting Colorado
I cannot begin to describe what a special place Colorado has in my heart after just one visit. I know that there are more epic places in the U.S., but this incredible blend of scenery, wildlife, and experiences is something I will never forget! I’m already planning a return trip to see more of what Colorado offers further from Denver.
Please feel free to drop any questions or comments below–don’t be shy! I love hearing from my readers! If you’ve visited Colorado before and have an experience you’d like to recommend, don’t hesitate to share that, too.
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Hoping you get to experience Colorado for yourself very soon! In the meantime, stay safe out there, and happy travels.
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