6 Day Rocky Mountain Road Trip

Arrive in Denver and pick up a rental car from the airport.

Spend the first day exploring all that Denver has to offer. Making a quick trip to Red Rocks Ampitheatre is a must for all visitors. There are also fun events happening there all the time so check online to see if you can catch a concert or Yoga on the Rocks!

Grab lunch in LoHi at Postino! Other yummy options with fun atmospheres I are Happy Camper, Linger, Ash’kara and Bodega.

If you have the time I highly recommend visiting the Denver Botanical Gardens. It is one of my favorite spots in Denver in the summer and is really such a beautiful location.

Admire the architecture at Union Station and explore the surrounding area.

Soend the evening at Denver Milk Market for fun food and drinks.

Finish the night at The Source Hotel and enjoy one last drink at their rooftop bar that has great views of the city.

Hit the road bright and early to begin your mountain road trip adventure!

Drive 1.5 hours to Rocky Mountain National Park and spend some time exploring and taking in the beautiful views. Be sure to reserve an entry ticket ahead of time to guarantee access to the park.

Drive 4.5 hour from Rocky Mountain National Park to Aspen. Arrive in the afternoon and grab a bite to eat from one of the many great restaurant options in the town center.

Spend the night at the Beyul Retreat and cozy up in one of their adorable cabins.

Start the day early and make your way to the Maroon Bells shuttle bus. I recommend buying the shuttle tickets at least one month in advance to guarantee reservation openings. Views of this site are incredible and well worth an early rise before the crowds build. If you visit in the fall you may be able to see the bright cold color of the Aspen leaves!

After lunch begin the 4.5 hour drive to Telluride. Grab something to eat in town and stay the night nearby in either a hotel, airbnb or campsite.

For a hotel room that won’t break the bank and offers a great location in town, stay at the Hotel Columbia for the night.

Start the day early and explore this adorable mountain town. You can wander through the main streets or hike one of the many great trail options nearby.

Drive an hour to Ouray, another fun mountain town located close by. Ouray also has a cute main street and lots of great hiking trails. Spend the night in either Ouray or Telluride.

For a simple but cozy room to rest your head for the night, the Ouray Inn is a great option.

Hit the road early to begin the 2.5 hour drive to Crested Butte.

Arrive in Crested Butte, my personal favorite of all the Colorado mountain towns! Similar to the other stops, this small town has lots of charm and is fun to explore. There are also plenty of easy hikes nearby with great mountain views.

Spend the night at the Elk Mountain Lodge and be situated within walking distance of all the best restaurants in this cute mountain town.

On the final day, drive 4.5 hours back to Denver with the option to stop in Breckenridge or Frisco on the way.

Grab a bite to eat in Breckenridge or Frisco for one last charming mountain town stop.

Arrive back in Denver and renturn the rental car at the airport before your flight home.