United States · 10 days · 1,500 km · Loop
Colorado — the 4 national parks in 10 days
Colourful loop of Colorado's 4 national parks: Rocky Mountains (400 miles of trails, elk and bighorn sheep), Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Dark Sky Park), Mesa Verde (UNESCO cliff dwellings), Great Sand Dunes (sandboarding the tallest dunes in USA). 10 days, 1,500 km. Based on Cruise America.
Highlights
- Sprague Lake Loop + Chasm Lake Trail
- 50+ fishing lakes in Rocky Mtn
- Black Canyon Gunnison (Dark Sky Park)
- South Rim viewpoints
- Cliff Palace (Mesa Verde)
- Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
- Sandboarding at Great Sand Dunes
- Medano Creek (spring-summer)
- Zapata Falls
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Denver → Rocky Mountains NP
Denver → Estes Park · 110 km
Overnight: Moraine Park Campground
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Day 2
Rocky Mountains — Sprague Lake + Chasm Lake
Estes Park · 80 km
- · Sprague Lake Loop
- · Wildlife (elk and bighorn sheep)
Overnight: Aspenglen Campground
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Day 3
Rocky Mountains — Trail Ridge Road
Estes Park → Grand Lake · 90 km
- · Trail Ridge Road (highest paved road in USA)
Overnight: Timber Creek Campground
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Day 4
Rocky Mtn → Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Grand Lake → Montrose · 380 km
Overnight: South Rim Campground
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Day 5
Black Canyon (rim viewpoints + Dark Sky)
Montrose · 50 km
- · South Rim Drive
- · Dark Sky Park stargazing
Overnight: South Rim Campground
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Day 6
Black Canyon → Mesa Verde NP
Montrose → Mesa Verde · 220 km
- · Cliff Palace (ranger tour)
- · Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
Overnight: Morefield Campground
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Day 7
Mesa Verde — full day
Mesa Verde · 60 km
Overnight: Morefield Campground
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Day 8
Mesa Verde → Great Sand Dunes NP
Mesa Verde → Mosca · 320 km
- · Sandboard the dunes
- · Medano Creek
- · Zapata Falls
Overnight: Oasis Campground
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Day 9
Great Sand Dunes → Colorado Springs
Mosca → Colorado Springs · 240 km
- · Garden of the Gods
- · Pikes Peak (optional)
Overnight: Colorado Springs KOA
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Day 10
Colorado Springs → Denver (drop-off)
Colorado Springs → Denver · 100 km