Denver to Yellowstone Rocky Mountain Road Trip
Rocky Mountain Road Trip: The Denver to Yellowstone Route
Start / End
Denver, Colorado
States Covered
CO
UT
WY
National Parks
Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton
Total Distance
1,266
Suggested Days
At least 14
Suggested Seasons
Spring through Fall
#ThisIsMyRoute
Overview
Urban explorers and wilderness lovers alike will love this Rocky Mountain road trip from Denver to Yellowstone which is a journey through some of the West’s most dramatic scenery. Fly into Denver International Airport, then decide whether a day in Colorado’s capital fits your trip better up front, at the end, or not at all. From Denver, the route climbs through Colorado’s hippest town and over the Rockies into Utah’s Great Basin, then turns north past Flaming Gorge Reservoir into Wyoming’s High Plains eventually leading into Yellowstone. Heading back, cross Togwotee Pass into the Wind River Basin then out across old Oregon Trail country before rolling back into Denver.
Preparation
Give this trip about 14 days so nothing feels rushed. Budget a couple of extra days each for Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. Along the way we’ll flag top stops and monuments worth the detour, especially on longer driving days.
Summer brings great weather but also crowds. To dodge them, travel late spring or early fall, or hit small towns on weekends and parks on weekdays. Winter is stunning too, but many roads close, so check conditions first. You’ll also pass through the ancestral lands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute, Eastern Shoshone, and Crow peoples, so make it a point to support Indigenous-owned businesses along the route.
Denver to Yellowstone Itinerary
ARRIVAL IN DENVER, COLORADO
 Denver to Boulder
Driving Time: 1.5 Hours
Distance: 72 m/115 km
This first day is short by design. Land in Denver, grab your rental car, and head east on the Highway 7 toll road toward Boulder, the perfect place to get Rocku Mountain road trip ready.
Less than an hour north of Denver, Boulder is a laid back college town tucked into the foothills of the Rockies, where open space rolls right into the city. Wander pine scented trails, taste the flavors of “America’s Foodiest Town,” sample craft beer at one of the town’s breweries, and stroll historic pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street.
From Boulder, continue on to Estes Park for the night, right at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. If you’re into spooky stays, book a night at the iconic Stanley Hotel, the inspiration and main character of Steven King’s “The Shining.”
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Estes Park: Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park
Driving Time: 4 hours
Total Distance: 175 m/281 km
Estes Park is a quintessential Colorado mountain town, bordering Rocky Mountain National Park with stunning views to match. Spend the morning downtown along the river walk on the Big Thompson River. Summer brings a full festival calendar, so plan accordingly.
In the afternoon, drive through Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding Arapaho National Forest. Expect towering peaks, tumbling streams, and stands of ponderosa pine. The route also passes through Granby and Kremmling, two small mountain towns worth a stop to stretch your legs.
MOFFAT COUNTY, COLORADO
Steamboat Springs & Muffat County, Colorado
Driving Time: 1 Hour
Total Distance: 42 m/68 km
Wake up in Steamboat Springs and get right into it. Start at Steamboat Zipline Adventures, where a six segment course carries you over Routt National Forest and its surrounding peaks. Back in town, spend a few hours strolling Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat’s lively main strip of shops and restaurants.
From there, drive on to Moffat County, known as Colorado’s Great Northwest for its public lands, wild landscapes, and wild horses. The region is expansive, so slow down: visit wildlife and wild horse refuges, raft iconic rivers, and explore history ranging from petroglyphs to dinosaur fossils. One highlight is Dinosaur National Monument, which stretches into Utah.
As the name suggests, Steamboat Springs is home to one of Colorado’s many hot springs, which are even more refreshing in the brisk air of spring or fall.
DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT, UTAH
Dinosaur National Monument
Driving Time: 2 hours
Total Distance: 120 m/193 km
Continue on to Vernal, Utah, with a stop at Dinosaur National Monument before crossing the state line. Its fossil beds hold the remains of dinosaurs that once roamed this stretch of the American West, embedded right in the rock. Today, mountains, desert, and wild rivers running through deep canyons support their own array of life. Petroglyphs hint at earlier cultures, and later, homesteaders and outlaws found refuge here too. Whether your interest is science, adventure, history, or scenery, Dinosaur National Monument delivers.
One your way into Vernal, stop by the Fossil Discovery Trail, and once in town check out the quirky dino themed art and statues. End the day with a cold refreshment at Vernal Brewing Company, which hosts beer-themed treasure hunts across the state of Utah!
FLAMING GORGE, UTAH
Flaming Gorge, Utah
Driving Time: 4.5 hours
Total Distance: 208 m/ 334 km
Today’s Denver to Yellowstone route winds through one of the most beautiful reservoirs in the Rocky Mountain West. Head north out of Vernal on Highway 191 into Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, where the village of Dutch John makes a great home base. There’s enough recreation here to fill days, so plan to slow down and stay a while.
Get up early for breakfast to make the most of your time at the Gorge. For the best views, hike the Canyon Rim Trail, then stop by Flaming Gorge Dam, a must-see on any trip through the area.
From there, continue north through the spectacular landscape south of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Before you push on to Pinedale for the night, grab a pint at Wind River Brewing Company, a favorite among locals.
PINEDALE TO JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING
Pinedale to Jackson Hole
Driving Time: 1.5 hours
Total Distance: 77 m/ 123 km
This is a short driving day, which leaves plenty of time to explore the Wind River Range and Jackson. Start by grabbing provisions in Pinedale then head for the aptly named Photographer’s Point via the Pole Creek Trail. Located about 15 miles northeast of Pinedale, the hike begins at the Sacred Rim Trailhead and winds through the Bridger Wilderness. Keep an eye out for wildlife on your way to the Photographer’s Point Overlook which sits atop the Freemont Creek Valley and delivers a view of the largest glacier system in the Rockies.
Back on the road, continue to Jackson for the night. Once you’re settled, do some people watching in Jackson Town Square and head to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, the town’s landmark honky tonk, complete with saddle barstools and live music.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
Grand Teton National Park
Driving Time: 1 hour
Total Distance: 48 m/ 77 km
It’s time to leave the valley of Jackson Hole and head north into Grand Teton National Park for a day built entirely around the mountains. Nothing quite prepares you for how close and rugged the Tetons feel until you’re standing beneath them.
Inside Grand Teton National Park, crystal clear lakes, flowing rivers, and endless photo ops await. Drive Signal Mountain Summit Road for some of the best views around, or take the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive along the base of the range. For a quieter look at the mountains, hike the Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail, or skip the crowds altogether and mountain bike or horseback ride one of the park’s many trails.
Once the Tetons have had their moment, keep heading north to Yellowstone Country.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
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Once you reach the Southern entrance of Yellowstone National Park don’t forget to grab a park map. In that map you will be able to see anything and everything that may spark your interest during your park journey. Remember, Yellowstone covers a huge area of land. If you want to get the best experience without a lot of driving we suggest staying one night within Yellowstone National Park.
Some Attractions in Yellowstone:
• LAKE BUTTE OVERLOOK
• FISHING BRIDGE VISITORS CENTER
• MUD VOLCANO TRAIL
• SULPHUR CALDRON
• VIRGINIA CASCADE DRIVE
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Best place for wildlife:
THE LAMAR VALLEY
Best hike:
STORM POINT NATURE TRAIL
Best place to ride a horse:
LODGES OF EAST YELLOWSTONE
Best point of interest:
LAKE YELLOWSTONE HOTEL
Best Iconic American Landmark:
OLD FAITHFUL
Can’t Miss it:
GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONEÂ ANDÂ EMERALD SPRING
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK TO LANDER, WYOMING
Yellowstone National Park: Dubois to Lander, Wyoming
Driving Time: 3 hours
Total Distance: 157 m/ 252 km
Wyoming’s roots run deep in the small towns ahead. As the Tetons fade from your rearview mirror, you’ll reach Dubois, one of the last real Old West towns and a genuine hidden gem. The surrounding wilderness offers mountain biking, hiking, ATV rides, kayaking, and, in winter, some of the best snowmobiling around.
From Dubois, follow the Wind River Mountains toward Lander, one of Wyoming’s most underrated towns and worth an overnight stay. Time it right and you might catch one of the many summer events held here. Along the way, don’t miss Sinks Canyon State Park, where the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River vanishes into a cave and reemerges downstream, or hike the Popo Agie Falls Trail for a close look at the falls. For a scenic detour, drive The Loop Road through the Shoshone National Forest.
In Lander, spend the evening at The Lander Bar, a local favorite for a night out, or try your luck at the Wind River Hotel and Casino in nearby Riverton. Beyond the towns, this stretch of Wyoming holds deep Indigenous history and some of the wildest scenery in the Wind River Range.
MEDICINE BOW NATIONAL FOREST
Lander to Saratoga, Wyoming
Drive Time: 2.5 hours
Total Distance: 166 m/ 267 km
Today’s route uncovers some of Southern Wyoming‘s best kept secrets. First stop: Rawlins, home to the Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum and a genuinely interesting history worth a leg stretch.
From there, drive south through open range and the towering peaks of the Snowy Range toward Saratoga. Soak in Hobo Hot Springs, the town’s free natural hot spring and one of many in the region, before settling in for the night.
The next morning, head west on Highway 130 into Medicine Bow National Forest, where lakes and peaks offer plenty of spots to sit by the water and relax.
SARATOGA TO DENVER, COLORADO
Laramie to Denver, Colorado
Drive Time: 4 hours
Total Distance: 244 m / 392 km
From Southern Wyoming’s beloved outdoor playground, head for Laramie. This idyllic university town pairs rich history with fun local happenings and plenty of outdoor recreation. Explore the granite outcroppings and trails of Vedauwoo Recreation Area just outside town, then walk the cell blocks of the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site before browsing the restaurants, art shops, and souvenir stores of Downtown Laramie.
From Laramie, continue to Cheyenne, Wyoming’s capital. Two must-do stops here are the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, the best place to dig into the city’s rodeo history. If you visit during the annual festival, expect lots of activity in the area. Whenever you visit, go deeper into the rodeo story with a look at life for women on the frontier at the Cowgirls of the West Museum and Emporium.
This may be your trip’s last stop before the airport, or the start of a detour south to Denver for a taste of city life in the Rocky Mountain West.