8 days in Colorado Itinerary

On the 10th (Sat), see the interesting displays at Southern Ute Museum and Cultural Center, look for all kinds of wild species at Durango Wildlife Museum and Fish Hatchery, then view the masterpieces at Earthen Vessel Gallery, and finally cast your line with Duranglers.

To find ratings, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Durango tour itinerary planner.

Des Moines to Durango is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also fly; or drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Des Moines to Durango due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Des Moines in July, Durango is slightly colder at night with lows of 54°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Mesa Verde National Park.

On the 11th (Sun), examine the collection at Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, then take in the dramatic natural features at Square Tower House, then make a trip to Park Point, and finally hike along Spruce Canyon Trail.

To see reviews, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Mesa Verde National Park travel planning site.

You can drive from Durango to Mesa Verde National Park in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a shuttle. In July, daily temperatures in Mesa Verde National Park can reach 90°F, while at night they dip to 56°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sun) early enough to drive to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Mon): surround yourself with nature on Morrow Point Boat Ride, then trek along Rim Rock Trail, and then explore the striking landscape at Gunnison Point.

To see ratings, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park trip itinerary planner.

Explore your travel options from Mesa Verde National Park to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park with the Route module. In July, daily temperatures in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park can reach 89°F, while at night they dip to 60°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Tue): see the interesting displays at Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center and then trek along Mosca Pass Trail.

To see other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve online trip itinerary maker.

Explore your travel options from Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve with the Route module. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in July: high temperatures in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve hover around 83°F and lows are around 48°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Buena Vista.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Wilderness Aware Rafting. On the 14th (Wed), relax and float downstream with Wilderness Aware Rafting, take an in-depth tour of Buena Vista Heritage Museum, and then see a world frozen in time at Vicksburg.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Buena Vista trip itinerary website.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve to Buena Vista. In July, daytime highs in Buena Vista are 80°F, while nighttime lows are 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) so you can drive to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Thu): hike along Tundra Communities Trail, then hike along North Inlet Trail, then explore the striking landscape of Sheep Lakes, and finally take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Many Parks Curve Overlook.

To find maps, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Rocky Mountain National Park trip planner.

Traveling by car from Buena Vista to Rocky Mountain National Park takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus, train, and car. Traveling from Buena Vista in July, expect Rocky Mountain National Park to be somewhat warmer, temps between 91°F and 59°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Colorado Springs.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Fri): get engrossed in the history at Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, then take an in-depth tour of U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, and then get engrossed in the history at ANA Money Museum. On the next day, whizz through the canopy at Adventures Out West Pikes Peak Ziplines, then view the masterpieces at Commonwheel Artists Co-op, then examine the collection at Ghost Town Museum, and finally trek along Mini Incline.

To find reviews, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Colorado Springs trip itinerary planning site.

Getting from Rocky Mountain National Park to Colorado Springs by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from Rocky Mountain National Park in July, expect nights in Colorado Springs to be about the same, around 58°F, while days are a bit cooler, around 86°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight back home.