From the most well-liked nationwide parks within the USA, to cozy mountain cities and close by cities, listed here are among the greatest street journeys from Denver!
Colorado is without doubt one of the greatest locations in North America for street journeys. This various and mountainous state is full of rugged pure magnificence and scenic drives that reach by means of mountains, valleys, prairies, and extra.
The capital metropolis of Denver is a handy place to base your self for street journeys round Colorado and the neighboring states. Take pleasure in Denver for a number of days after which hire a automobile and hit the street!
Vacationers in search of a fast street journey from Denver can head to a close-by ski resort city similar to Steamboat Springs or Glenwood Springs.
Or you possibly can tackle lengthy multiday street journeys, similar to down by means of Arizona to Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.
You possibly can go to distinctive nationwide parks in Utah or South Dakota. Or discover a close-by metropolis similar to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Wherever you select to go, you might be positive to come across the dramatic surroundings that makes western USA so standard. 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 street journeys!
The easiest way to get round is to hire a automobile and discover by yourself! We advocate Rental Vehicles, which has the biggest vary of autos for one of the best worth in the marketplace.
11 Finest Highway Journeys From Denver, Colorado
These street 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 street journey. If you wish to make stops alongside the best way and have a extra leisurely street journey, the distances and driving instances can be better.
A few of these street journeys might be finished 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 stuffed with wonders, so you can even mix a number of these locations into one unbelievable street journey that lasts weeks or months!
For those who’re brief on time, try 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 probably the greatest Denver street journeys is the Rocky Mountains! Positioned only a brief drive northwest of the Mile Excessive Metropolis, Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is dwelling to among the most breathtaking surroundings within the USA.
A street journey by means of the Rocky Mountains is bound to impress, significantly if you happen to drive alongside the Path Ridge Highway. That is the best steady paved street 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 Previous Fall River Highway, a historic, one-way dust street that gives a extra adventurous route as much as the Alpine Customer Heart.
Whereas road-tripping by means of the mountains, you’ll wish to cease and do some enjoyable actions like climbing, mountain biking, mountaineering, wildlife recognizing, and extra.
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park has over 300 miles of climbing trails that wind by means of lush forests, alpine tundra, and scenic meadows. The park can also be dwelling to all kinds of wildlife, similar to elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and black bears, making it a major location for wildlife viewing and pictures.
2. Steamboat Springs
- Distance from Denver: 156 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours
One other enjoyable street journey concept is Steamboat Springs, an enthralling mountain city that provides a wealth of adventures year-round.
Steamboat Springs is most identified for its world-class snowboarding. In winter, go to Steamboat Ski Resort to strive some unbelievable snowboarding and snowboarding throughout the beautiful terrain.
Past snowboarding, the city provides a spread of winter actions, together with snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and soaking within the pure sizzling springs at Previous City Scorching Springs or Strawberry Park Scorching Springs, that are excellent for leisure after a day on the slopes.
Steamboat Springs can also be price visiting in summer time! The encircling mountains and forests provide glorious alternatives for climbing, mountain biking, and horseback using. The Yampa River, which runs by means of the city, is standard for tubing, kayaking, and fly fishing.
Learn subsequent: 19 of the Finest Issues to Do in Breckenridge, Colorado
3. Yellowstone Nationwide Park
- Distance from Denver: 508 miles
- Driving time: 8 hours and 20 minutes
These in search of an epic multiday getaway from Denver ought to contemplate a go to to Yellowstone Nationwide Park. Established in 1872 as the primary nationwide park on the planet, Yellowstone is a pure treasure situated primarily in Wyoming, with elements extending into Montana and Idaho. It’s additionally the oldest nationwide park within the USA!
The park is famend for its various ecosystems and extraordinary geothermal options. You might spend weeks road-tripping by means of 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, sizzling springs, and mudpots. Essentially the most iconic of those geothermal wonders is Previous Trustworthy, a geyser that predictably erupts roughly each 90 minutes, attracting tens of millions of holiday makers 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 also be the right place for out of doors adventures. Go wildlife recognizing and attempt to catch a glimpse of a mighty bison. Or strive thrilling whitewater rafting, or sure throughout the park’s distinctive landscapes with a UTV rental.
For those who want extra adventures, you can even cease at cool areas in your method from Denver to Yellowstone, similar to 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 street journey concept from the Mile Excessive Metropolis is the Grand Canyon. You might drive straight there in 1 or 2 days, nevertheless it’s higher to spend not less than a number of days on the street journey and one other few days exploring the Grand Canyon.
From Denver, you possibly can take a number of totally different routes to the Grand Canyon, however every passes by means of the beautiful mountains and cities of southwestern Colorado and northern Arizona. Cease in beautiful locations like Mesa Verde Nationwide Park, Monument Valley, or Antelope Canyon alongside the best way.
When you arrive at Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, countless 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.
For those who 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 street journeys!
5. Zion Nationwide Park
- Distance from Denver: 597 miles
- Driving time: 9 hours
From Denver, you possibly can drive to the majestic nationwide parks of Utah in a day. In case you have a weekend or extra to spare, contemplate an journey by means of the otherworldly surroundings of Utah!
Zion Nationwide Park in southwest Utah has among the most superb climbing trails, scenic lookouts, and dramatic mountain vistas.
Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park is correct on the best way to Zion from Denver. You might simply mix each Bryce and Zion Nationwide Parks into one beautiful street journey!
Identified for its distinctive rock formations and spectacular stargazing, Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park can also be nice for climbing, tenting, mountain biking, mountaineering, 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, situated on the foot of the Rocky Mountains in central Colorado, is without doubt one of the quickest street journeys from Denver. It’s simply an hour south of the Mile Excessive Metropolis, making it a straightforward day journey for anybody on a time crunch.
Highlights of Colorado Springs embrace Pikes Peak and Backyard of the Gods, each of that are well-known pure wonders in Colorado.
Pikes Peak is certainly one of Colorado’s well-known “Fourteeners,” or mountains over 14,000 ft. Embrace the Pikes Peak Freeway Scenic Drive to the summit of the mountain in your street journey for among the greatest alpine views.
Backyard of the Gods is a Nationwide Pure Landmark with dramatic pink sandstone formations. It’s a preferred spot for mountaineering, climbing, pictures, and studying in regards to the space’s geology and historical past. In order for you a break from driving you possibly can tour the world on a guided jeep tour!
In addition to Pikes Peak and Backyard of the Gods, different enjoyable issues to do in Colorado Springs embrace taking a dawn sizzling air balloon flight, touring the Colorado Springs Wonderful 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 probably the greatest street journeys from Denver is to the capital metropolis of New Mexico! Santa Fe is a metropolis steeped in historical past, tradition, and inventive expression. Established in 1610, it is without doubt 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 showcase the historical past, adobe structure, and faith of the town embrace the Santa Fe Plaza, the Palace of the Governors, and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Santa Fe can also be famend for its vibrant arts scene. Town hosts quite a few artwork galleries, museums, and cultural establishments that remember conventional and up to date artwork from quite a lot of cultures.
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the galleries alongside Canyon Highway are prime attracts for artwork lovers. Be part of a Canyon Highway Arts District strolling tour to study extra in regards to the highly effective artwork galleries and influences in New Mexico.
Santa Fe additionally hosts a number of cultural occasions and festivals, and it’s dwelling to unbelievable meals that showcases the varied flavors of New Mexico.
8. Glenwood Springs
- Distance from Denver: 157 miles
- Driving time: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Glenwood Springs is without doubt one of the close by street journeys from Denver that may be finished as a day journey. Nestled within the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this cozy mountain city is thought for its therapeutic sizzling springs and out of doors adventures.
The Glenwood Scorching Springs Pool, one of many world’s largest mineral sizzling springs swimming pools, has attracted guests for over a century with its heat, soothing waters which can 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 points of interest in Glenwood Springs in addition to the recent 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 provide glorious fishing, rafting, and kayaking experiences. In winter, the close by Daylight Mountain Resort is without doubt one of the space’s greatest ski resorts that’s excellent for winter sports activities. This lovely mountain city is without doubt one of the greatest street journeys from Denver, particularly for individuals who love out of doors enjoyable!
9. Moab
- Distance from Denver: 350 miles
- Driving time: 5.5 hours
A street journey from Denver to Moab showcases the fantastic thing about western Colorado and Utah. Head west from the town and make stops in iconic Colorado locations like Idaho Springs or Grand Junction. Then cross the border into Utah and head to among the most visited nationwide parks within the western USA!
Moab is the right gateway for exploring one of the crucial well-known nationwide parks in Utah, Arches Nationwide Park.
Arches Nationwide Park is thought for its distinctive rock formations and desert landscapes. There are millions of sandstone arches within the park, together with the well-known Delicate Arch.
Different notable formations embrace Panorama Arch, the longest pure arch in North America, and Double Arch, a pair of big, related arches that create a formidable pure spectacle.
Except for climbing and sightseeing in Arches Nationwide Park, Moab provides a number of adventerous issues to do. Go on a guided astrophotography and stargazing hike, go for a mountain bike trip, strive river rafting in Fortress Valley, go skydiving, strive mountaineering, and extra.
You may as well try different nationwide parks close by similar to Canyonlands Nationwide Park, or discover Useless 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 street journeys from Denver is the magnificent Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park in southern Colorado.
This is without doubt one of the most lovely nationwide parks within the state and is dwelling to the tallest sand dunes in North America. Set in opposition to the backdrop of the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the views listed here are out of this world.
A few of the sand dunes are over 700 ft tall, and guests can hike, sled, and sandboard by means of the golden slopes.
Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park additionally provides the chance to discover the varied ecosystems that encompass the dunes, together with grasslands, wetlands, and alpine forests. There are superb climbing trails, a number of wildlife to find, and locations to go stargazing underneath among 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 probably the greatest street journeys from Denver!
Head north from Denver the place you possibly can try close by cities like Boulder or Fort Collins. Then proceed up by means of Wyoming and into South Dakota. On the best way to Badlands Nationwide Park, cease at among 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 displays 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 by means of scenic drives just like the Badlands Loop Highway, which provides breathtaking viewpoints and alternatives to identify wildlife similar to bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie canines.
Along with its beautiful surroundings, Badlands Nationwide Park can also be full of historical fossils! The park’s fossil beds are among the many richest on the planet, preserving the stays of numerous fascinating historical mammals. The Fossil Exhibit Path offers an accessible approach to find out about these prehistoric creatures, with interpretive shows alongside a boardwalk path.
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