8 days in Colorado Itinerary

Originally a frontier mining town, Durango is known today for its scenic setting, outdoor activities, and the 1880s steam-powered railway that takes visitors through sections of the mountains where roads don't reach.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Sun): trek along Animas River Trail and then kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

To find maps, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Durango day trip planner.

Joplin to Durango is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Mountain Standard Time (MST) is minus 1 hour. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from Joplin in April, with highs in Durango at 62°F and lows at 28°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sun) so you can go by car to Glenwood Springs.

Glenwood Springs occupies a scenic location at the junction of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River, halfway between Vail and Aspen along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

On the 19th (Mon), contemplate the waterfront views at Hanging Lake, trek along Hanging Lake Trail, and then test the waters at a local thermal spa.

Plan a trip to Glenwood Springs easily and quickly by telling Inspirock to suggest an itinerary.

Drive from Durango to Glenwood Springs in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. While traveling from Durango, expect much colder days and about the same nights in Glenwood Springs, ranging from highs of 38°F to lows of 25°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Mon) so you can go by car to Estes Park.

More than just a convenient resting place for travelers on their way to the national park encompassing the Front Range of the Rockies, Estes Park is a popular place to visit in its own right.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Tue): relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, view the masterpieces at Aspen and Evergreen Gallery, and then see Off-Road Tours.

To find ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Estes Park vacation maker website.

Traveling by car from Glenwood Springs to Estes Park takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of bus and taxi. While traveling from Glenwood Springs, expect warmer days and somewhat warmer nights in Estes Park, ranging from highs of 64°F to lows of 35°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Tue) early enough to drive to Denver.

Aptly nicknamed the "Mile-High City," Denver sits at an altitude of 1,600 m (5,280 ft) above sea level, located right where the Great Plains give way to the Rocky Mountains.

Explore Denver's surroundings by going to Boulder (Flatirons & Pearl Street Mall). Next up on the itinerary: learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Denver Zoo, wander the streets of 16th Street Mall, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Trinity United Methodist Church, and steep yourself in history at Molly Brown House Museum.

For maps, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Denver online tour itinerary builder.

Getting from Estes Park to Denver by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from Estes Park in April, expect nights in Denver to be about the same, around 34°F, while days are little chillier, around 59°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) early enough to drive to Colorado Springs.

Stunning Garden of the Gods Park scenery, blue skies and the glory of Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain have attracted visitors to Colorado Springs for more than a century.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Sat): take a memorable drive along Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, then stroll around Garden of the Gods, and then gain insight at United States Air Force Academy.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Colorado Springs holiday app.

Getting from Denver to Colorado Springs by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of train and flight. In April, daytime highs in Colorado Springs are 60°F, while nighttime lows are 33°F. On the 25th (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.