From the most well-liked nationwide parks within the USA, to cozy mountain cities and close by cities, listed below are a few of the greatest highway journeys from Denver!
Colorado is likely one of the greatest locations in North America for highway journeys. This numerous and mountainous state is filled with rugged pure magnificence and scenic drives that stretch via mountains, valleys, prairies, and extra.
The capital metropolis of Denver is a handy place to base your self for highway journeys round Colorado and the neighboring states. Take pleasure in Denver for a couple of days after which lease a automotive and hit the highway!
Vacationers on the lookout for a fast highway journey from Denver can head to a close-by ski resort city resembling Steamboat Springs or Glenwood Springs.
Or you’ll be able to tackle lengthy multiday highway journeys, resembling down via Arizona to Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.
You’ll be able to go to distinctive nationwide parks in Utah or South Dakota. Or discover a close-by metropolis resembling Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Wherever you select to go, you might be certain to come across the dramatic surroundings that makes western USA so common. From the peaks of the Rockies, to the sandstone arches of Utah, to the fossils of South Dakota and extra, there’s a world of wonders awaiting you on these Denver highway journeys!
The easiest way to get round is to lease a automotive and discover by yourself! We advocate Rental Vehicles, which has the most important vary of automobiles for one of the best worth available on the market.
11 Greatest Highway Journeys From Denver, Colorado
These highway journeys from Denver will take you throughout Colorado and even out to surrounding states like Utah, Arizona, or Wyoming.
For every vacation spot, we’ve listed the gap from Denver and the driving time for a direct highway journey. If you wish to make stops alongside the best way and have a extra leisurely highway journey, the distances and driving instances can be larger.
A few of these highway journeys could be achieved as a day journey, others are higher suited to weekend journeys because the driving instances are greater than 5 hours. Western USA is huge and filled with wonders, so you could possibly even mix numerous these locations into one unbelievable highway journey that lasts weeks or months!
In the event you’re brief on time, take a look at these day journeys from Denver for extra concepts.
1. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
- Distance from Denver: 64 miles
- Driving time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Simply among the finest Denver highway journeys is the Rocky Mountains! Situated only a brief drive northwest of the Mile Excessive Metropolis, Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is dwelling to a few of the most breathtaking surroundings within the USA.
A highway journey via the Rocky Mountains is certain to impress, significantly in the event you drive alongside the Path Ridge Highway. That is the very best steady paved highway in america and provides panoramic views because it connects the japanese and western sides of the park.
One other scenic route in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is Outdated Fall River Highway, a historic, one-way filth highway that gives a extra adventurous route as much as the Alpine Customer Heart.
Whereas road-tripping via the mountains, you’ll need to cease and do some enjoyable actions like mountaineering, mountain biking, mountain climbing, wildlife recognizing, and extra.
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park has over 300 miles of mountaineering trails that wind via lush forests, alpine tundra, and scenic meadows. The park can be dwelling to all kinds of wildlife, resembling elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and black bears, making it a primary location for wildlife viewing and images.
2. Steamboat Springs
- Distance from Denver: 156 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours
One other enjoyable highway journey concept is Steamboat Springs, an enthralling mountain city that provides a wealth of adventures year-round.
Steamboat Springs is most recognized for its world-class snowboarding. In winter, go to Steamboat Ski Resort to attempt some unbelievable snowboarding and snowboarding throughout the attractive terrain.
Past snowboarding, the city provides a spread of winter actions, together with snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and soaking within the pure scorching springs at Outdated City Scorching Springs or Strawberry Park Scorching Springs, that are good for leisure after a day on the slopes.
Steamboat Springs can be price visiting in summer time! The encompassing mountains and forests supply glorious alternatives for mountaineering, mountain biking, and horseback driving. The Yampa River, which runs via the city, is common for tubing, kayaking, and fly fishing.
Learn subsequent: 19 of the Greatest Issues to Do in Breckenridge, Colorado
3. Yellowstone Nationwide Park
- Distance from Denver: 508 miles
- Driving time: 8 hours and 20 minutes
These on the lookout for an epic multiday getaway from Denver ought to take into account a go to to Yellowstone Nationwide Park. Established in 1872 as the primary nationwide park on the planet, Yellowstone is a pure treasure positioned primarily in Wyoming, with components extending into Montana and Idaho. It’s additionally the oldest nationwide park within the USA!
The park is famend for its numerous ecosystems and extraordinary geothermal options. You possibly can spend weeks road-tripping via the world and by no means run out of cool issues to see and do.
Yellowstone Nationwide Park sits atop a supervolcano, which fuels its well-known geysers, scorching springs, and mudpots. Essentially the most iconic of those geothermal wonders is Outdated Trustworthy, a geyser that predictably erupts roughly each 90 minutes, attracting thousands and thousands of tourists yearly.
The colourful colours of the Grand Prismatic Spring and the effervescent Norris Geyser Basin additionally present a glimpse into the park’s geothermal exercise.
Yellowstone Nationwide Park can be the right place for outside adventures. Go wildlife recognizing and attempt to catch a glimpse of a mighty bison. Or attempt thrilling whitewater rafting, or sure throughout the park’s distinctive landscapes with a UTV rental.
In the event you want extra adventures, you can too cease at cool places in your approach from Denver to Yellowstone, resembling Scorching Springs State Park, Grand Teton Nationwide Park, and Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming.
4. Grand Canyon
- Distance from Denver: 680 miles
- Driving time: 11 hours
One other lengthy however unbelievable highway journey concept from the Mile Excessive Metropolis is the Grand Canyon. You possibly can drive straight there in 1 or 2 days, however it’s higher to spend no less than a couple of days on the highway journey and one other few days exploring the Grand Canyon.
From Denver, you’ll be able to take a couple of totally different routes to the Grand Canyon, however every passes via the gorgeous mountains and cities of southwestern Colorado and northern Arizona. Cease in attractive locations like Mesa Verde Nationwide Park, Monument Valley, or Antelope Canyon alongside the best way.
When you arrive at Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, infinite wonders await!
This world-famous canyon carved by the Colorado River is actually a mind-blowing sight. Tackle some unbelievable hikes, stroll throughout the Skywalk for panoramic views, or fly over the canyon on a scenic flight.
In the event you can mix your go to to the Grand Canyon with another unbelievable nationwide parks and highlights of Arizona, you’re in for one of many USA’s most spectacular highway journeys!
5. Zion Nationwide Park
- Distance from Denver: 597 miles
- Driving time: 9 hours
From Denver, you’ll be able to drive to the majestic nationwide parks of Utah in a day. When you have a weekend or extra to spare, take into account an journey via the otherworldly surroundings of Utah!
Zion Nationwide Park in southwest Utah has a few of the most wonderful mountaineering trails, scenic lookouts, and dramatic mountain vistas.
Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park is true on the best way to Zion from Denver. You possibly can simply mix each Bryce and Zion Nationwide Parks into one attractive highway journey!
Recognized for its distinctive rock formations and spectacular stargazing, Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park can be nice for mountaineering, tenting, mountain biking, mountain climbing, and extra.
Discover extra of Utah with these day journeys from Salt Lake Metropolis!
6. Colorado Springs
- Distance from Denver: 70 miles
- Driving time: 1 hour
Colorado Springs, positioned on the foot of the Rocky Mountains in central Colorado, is likely one of the quickest highway journeys from Denver. It’s simply an hour south of the Mile Excessive Metropolis, making it a simple day journey for anybody on a time crunch.
Highlights of Colorado Springs embody Pikes Peak and Backyard of the Gods, each of that are well-known pure wonders in Colorado.
Pikes Peak is considered one of Colorado’s well-known “Fourteeners,” or mountains over 14,000 ft. Embody the Pikes Peak Freeway Scenic Drive to the summit of the mountain in your highway journey for a few of the greatest alpine views.
Backyard of the Gods is a Nationwide Pure Landmark with dramatic pink sandstone formations. It’s a preferred spot for mountain climbing, mountaineering, images, and studying concerning the space’s geology and historical past. If you’d like a break from driving you’ll be able to tour the world on a guided jeep tour!
Moreover Pikes Peak and Backyard of the Gods, different enjoyable issues to do in Colorado Springs embody taking a dawn scorching air balloon flight, touring the Colorado Springs High quality Arts Heart or Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, or soaking mineral springs within the close by Manitou Springs.
7. Santa Fe
- Distance from Denver: 393 miles
- Driving time: 5 hours and 50 minutes
One other among the finest highway journeys from Denver is to the capital metropolis of New Mexico! Santa Fe is a metropolis steeped in historical past, tradition, and creative expression. Established in 1610, it is likely one of the oldest cities in america and has a wealthy heritage influenced by Native American, Spanish, and Mexican cultures.
Highlights of Santa Fe that exhibit the historical past, adobe structure, and faith of town embody the Santa Fe Plaza, the Palace of the Governors, and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Santa Fe can be famend for its vibrant arts scene. Town hosts quite a few artwork galleries, museums, and cultural establishments that commemorate conventional and modern artwork from quite a lot of cultures.
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the galleries alongside Canyon Highway are high attracts for artwork lovers. Be part of a Canyon Highway Arts District strolling tour to be taught extra concerning the highly effective artwork galleries and influences in New Mexico.
Santa Fe additionally hosts numerous cultural occasions and festivals, and it’s dwelling to unbelievable meals that showcases the various flavors of New Mexico.
8. Glenwood Springs
- Distance from Denver: 157 miles
- Driving time: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Glenwood Springs is likely one of the close by highway journeys from Denver that may be achieved as a day journey. Nestled within the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this cozy mountain city is understood for its therapeutic scorching springs and outside adventures.
The Glenwood Scorching Springs Pool, one of many world’s largest mineral scorching springs swimming pools, has attracted guests for over a century with its heat, soothing waters which might be believed to have therapeutic properties.
Close by, Iron Mountain Scorching Springs provides a extra intimate expertise with a set of smaller swimming pools overlooking the Colorado River.
There are such a lot of different cool pure sights in Glenwood Springs apart from the new springs as effectively. Hanging Lake is a spotlight of the world! Hikers can tackle the Hanging Lake Path to succeed in this pristine, turquoise lake perched in a slim canyon.
The Roaring Fork River and Colorado River supply glorious fishing, rafting, and kayaking experiences. In winter, the close by Daylight Mountain Resort is likely one of the space’s greatest ski resorts that’s good for winter sports activities. This cute mountain city is likely one of the greatest highway journeys from Denver, particularly for many who love outside enjoyable!
9. Moab
- Distance from Denver: 350 miles
- Driving time: 5.5 hours
A highway journey from Denver to Moab showcases the great thing about western Colorado and Utah. Head west from town and make stops in iconic Colorado locations like Idaho Springs or Grand Junction. Then cross the border into Utah and head to a few of the most visited nationwide parks within the western USA!
Moab is the right gateway for exploring one of the well-known nationwide parks in Utah, Arches Nationwide Park.
Arches Nationwide Park is understood for its distinctive rock formations and desert landscapes. There are literally thousands of sandstone arches within the park, together with the well-known Delicate Arch.
Different notable formations embody Panorama Arch, the longest pure arch in North America, and Double Arch, a pair of large, linked arches that create a powerful pure spectacle.
Except for mountaineering and sightseeing in Arches Nationwide Park, Moab provides numerous adventerous issues to do. Go on a guided astrophotography and stargazing hike, go for a mountain bike journey, attempt river rafting in Fort Valley, go skydiving, attempt mountain climbing, and extra.
You can even take a look at different nationwide parks close by resembling Canyonlands Nationwide Park, or discover Lifeless Horse Level State Park. Moab is an adventure-seeker’s paradise!
10. Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park
- Distance from Denver: 235 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours and 40 minutes
One of many coolest highway journeys from Denver is the magnificent Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park in southern Colorado.
This is likely one of the most lovely nationwide parks within the state and is dwelling to the tallest sand dunes in North America. Set towards the backdrop of the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the views listed below are out of this world.
A few of the sand dunes are over 700 ft tall, and guests can hike, sled, and sandboard via the golden slopes.
Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park additionally provides the chance to discover the various ecosystems that encompass the dunes, together with grasslands, wetlands, and alpine forests. There are wonderful mountaineering trails, numerous wildlife to find, and locations to go stargazing beneath a few of the darkest skies within the contiguous United States.
11. Badlands Nationwide Park
- Distance from Denver: 372 miles
- Driving time: 6 hours
Take a look at the close by state of South Dakota with one other among the finest highway journeys from Denver!
Head north from Denver the place you’ll be able to take a look at close by cities like Boulder or Fort Collins. Then proceed up via Wyoming and into South Dakota. On the best way to Badlands Nationwide Park, cease at a few of the most well-known landmarks within the USA, the Loopy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore.
When you arrive at Badlands Nationwide Park, there are such a lot of mindblowing pure sights and reveals to see.
Badlands Nationwide Park options an otherworldly terrain of eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires which have vibrant pure colours. Guests can discover the park’s distinctive geology via scenic drives just like the Badlands Loop Highway, which provides breathtaking viewpoints and alternatives to identify wildlife resembling bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie canines.
Along with its gorgeous surroundings, Badlands Nationwide Park can be filled with historic fossils! The park’s fossil beds are among the many richest on the planet, preserving the stays of numerous fascinating historic mammals. The Fossil Exhibit Path supplies an accessible technique to study these prehistoric creatures, with interpretive shows alongside a boardwalk path.
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