Denver, Yellowstone, and the National Monuments
Denver, Yellowstone, & the National Monuments
Start / End
Denver, Colorado
States Covered
National Parks
Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton
Total Distance
1,266
Suggested Days
At least 14
Suggested Seasons
Spring through Fall
#ThisIsMyRoute
Overview
This is a great trip for people who want to experience the best of both city life and the wilderness of Americas’s most famous national parks and national monuments. This trip will take you on an extended road trip through some of the Rocky Mountain West’s most dramatic scenery. You will begin by arriving at Denver International Airport. Depending on your preferences you can choose to spend a day in the capital city of Colorado at the beginning of your trip, at the end or not at all. From here the trip will take you through Colorado’s hippest town and up over the Rocky Mountains to the western slopes and the Great Basin of Utah. Then you will turn north into Wyoming, past the exquisite Flaming Gorge Reservoir and up into Wyoming’s High Plains towns of Rock Springs through Pinedale, Jackson and into Yellowstone National Park. From the park you will head back east over Togwotee Pass into the Wind River Basin and the towns of Dubois, Lander and Riverton. Then its across the plains and the stomping grounds of the Oregon Trail and America’s earliest pioneers through Rawlins to the spa town of Saratoga, the university town of Laramie and the historic state capital of Cheyenne, ending your trip back down in Denver.
Preparation
We recommend approximately 14 days for this trip in order to experience each town and activity without feeling too rushed. You have a lot of miles to cover, so we suggest spending a couple of days in the Jackson Hole area and a couple of days in and around Yellowstone National Park. This itinerary is full of suggestions of some of the best places to stop, top national monuments to see, especially during your longer days on the road. So plan your trip accordingly so that you experience the places that spark your interest the most. These areas can be crowded in the summertime, and for good reason. There are multiple events and the weather is beautiful. If you want to avoid crowds we suggest traveling at the end of spring or the beginning of fall. If you can’t make that happen then we suggest visiting the smaller towns on the weekends and the National Parks, Monuments and bigger towns on the weekdays. Wintertime is still beautiful in these places, however, many roads are closed and you cannot drive into some of the parks.
Itinerary
ARRIVAL IN DENVER
1.5 HOURS/72 MILES
This is a shorter day for a good reason. We suggest arriving early into Denver and renting your car from the airport and setting out east on Hwy 7 Toll Road towards Boulder, Colorado. It is the perfect town to get prepared and excited to start your road trip. Don’t worry you will have a chance to explore the mile high city at the end of your trip if you choose. Boulder is well known as a laid back college town with plenty to do and plenty of eclectic shops and restaurants. Tucked into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, acres of vast open space roll into Boulder’s quaint cityscape. Explore pine-scented trails, taste the flavors of “America’s Foodiest Town,” tour 24 craft breweries, stroll historic Pearl Street and soak up this creative community’s lifestyle. After getting a touch of the “Boulder Lifestyle”, its time to head to Estes Park for the night. This is a great place to start your trip from, as you will be able spend some time in Estes Park and be right at the entrance to explore Rocky Mountain National Park.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
4 HOURS/175 MILES
Estes Park is a quintessential Colorado Mountain town with stunning views of Rocky Mountain National Park, which it borders. Spend the morning in Estes Park itself visiting the City Center and the great river walk along the Big Thompson River. Estes Park is full of great festivals in the Summer, so plan your trip accordingly. In the afternoon, hop back in your car for a tour through Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding Arapahoe National Forest. The route will give you views of the majestic Rocky Mountains, tumbling streams and towering ponderosa pines. The route also takes you through the great little mountain towns of Granby and Kremmerling, Colorado. Two great towns well worth the the time to stop and stretch your legs.