The Rocky Roads Trip

9 Days, mostly in Colorado

The 'Rocky' Roads trip begins and ends in Denver. Mount Evans starts the vacation off in dramatic style, with a drive up North America's highest auto road. Rocky Mountain National Park is also nearby, then the route heads west, through dramatic Glenwood Canyon, to Grand Junction.

A one-day detour leads to Utah's Arches National Park, then it's back to Colorado again for a trip down the Unaweep/Tabeguache Byway and San Juan Skyway to the historic western towns of Telluride, Cortez, Durango, and Silverton.

Experience some gigantic gashes in the earth's crust at Black Canyon and Royal Gorge, then end the trip with a visit to the mining towns of Victor and Cripple Creek, along with beautiful Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs.

Day 1

Quickly ascending to a high point

Day 2

Rocky Mountain National Park

Day 3

West Across Colorado

Day 4

A detour into Utah

Day 5

Scenic Drives and 4x4 Adventures

Day 6

More Backroad Adventures in the San Juan Mountains

Day 7

A Place That's Gorge-ous

Day 8

A Great Dirt Road to a Ghost Town

Day 9

The Return to Denver