Road trip to Colorado

[180splitg3]

Hey guys. I'm heading west on a short road trip with the family in a few weeks. We are heading to Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches National park in Utah and then staying in Colorado Springs to head up to Pikes peak. Any suggestions on what to do along the way either at the parks or around these areas? My boys are ages 11 and 9. We have discussed ziplining and Whitewater rafting - I'd be open to any other suggestions as well if you care to share - thanks!

 

[CoStick]

Rocky Mountain national park is by reservation I believe if you were not aware. In Utah try to check out canyon lands as well.

 

[Billy Goat]

Something we hit once that I was impressed/surprised by was the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge. We just hit it one evening, totally unplanned. It's all high fence/replanted. Easy place that the kids can see animals, it's almost a safari park.

I just do habitat restoration work so it was interesting to me to see a project that size. Might not be for everyone, but it's quick, easy, good number of things to see on the loop.

 

[browning2480]

Highly Recommend White Water Rafting. We done it with our boys when they were 9 & 6 and they absolutely loved it. We did this down around the Royal Gorge Canon City area.

 

[Billy Goat]

If taking the southern route from Arches to Co springs I'd recommend going to Mesa Verde.

It's amazing to me to think that area use to grow as much as it did. The cliff structures are pretty amazing as well.

 

[180splitg3]

Thanks guys. Just checked out RM national park and we cannot get an access pass for the days we are there Trying to decide what to do now with that part of the trip in the Denver area...

 

[DenverCountryBoy]

Red Rocks for a concert, or just for an easy hike.

Events - Red Rocks Amphitheatre

www.redrocksonline.com

The boys might like Dinosaur Ridge.

Home - Dinosaur Ridge

America’s #1 dinosaur tracksite is a short drive from Denver where you can see and touch fossils in the mountainside. Plan your visit today!

dinoridge.org

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Get there early to avoid lines for the rides. Save the cave tours for mid day when it gets hot out.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park - Glenwood Springs, CO

Experience the thrill of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Explore underground caverns, ride thrilling roller coasters, and enjoy stunning mountain views.

www.glenwoodcaverns.com

Great Sand Dunes NP

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park!<br /><br />Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round. <br...

www.nps.gov

Maybe look at a fishing charter on a reservoir up in the mountains.

Or book a horseback ride.

Find a swimming hole. Some bodies of water in CO do not allow body contact. If your not sure, check the regs or risk a ticket.

I haven't been there, but Guffey Gorge/Paradise Cove looks pretty cool and is near Pikes Peak.

21 Best Watering Holes and Swimming Spots in Colorado - 303 Magazine

Get ready for summer with amazing watering holes and swimming spots in Colorado. Say goodbye to snow! You don't need to travel far to get your tan on.

303magazine.com

 

[thegrouse]

Canyoneering and repelling near Moab, or rent a Jeep and go play on the rocks.

 

[180splitg3]

Red Rocks for a concert, or just for an easy hike.

Events - Red Rocks Amphitheatre

www.redrocksonline.com

The boys might like Dinosaur Ridge.

Home - Dinosaur Ridge

America’s #1 dinosaur tracksite is a short drive from Denver where you can see and touch fossils in the mountainside. Plan your visit today!

dinoridge.org

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Get there early to avoid lines for the rides. Save the cave tours for mid day when it gets hot out.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park - Glenwood Springs, CO

Experience the thrill of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Explore underground caverns, ride thrilling roller coasters, and enjoy stunning mountain views.

www.glenwoodcaverns.com

Great Sand Dunes NP

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park!<br /><br />Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round. <br...

www.nps.gov

Maybe look at a fishing charter on a reservoir up in the mountains.

Or book a horseback ride.

Find a swimming hole. Some bodies of water in CO do not allow body contact. If your not sure, check the regs or risk a ticket.

I haven't been there, but Guffey Gorge/Paradise Cove looks pretty cool and is near Pikes Peak.

21 Best Watering Holes and Swimming Spots in Colorado - 303 Magazine

Get ready for summer with amazing watering holes and swimming spots in Colorado. Say goodbye to snow! You don't need to travel far to get your tan on.

303magazine.com

Thank you!

 

[180splitg3]

Canyoneering and repelling near Moab, or rent a Jeep and go play on the rocks.

We are planning to rent a jeep or side by side in Moab. Do we need a guided tour to do this or could we rent a vehicle and explore on our own?

 

[thegrouse]

They have maps but you could do a tour if you prefer that route

 

[Seth]

I’ll second Glenwood caverns. My kids really enjoyed that part of our trip a couple of years ago and still talk about it. Depending on your interests, Idaho Springs and Georgetown can be worth checking out. Bighorn sheep are pretty easy to find in the area. Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is neat as well.

 

[bobr1]

I was reading that arches national park was basically closing off the entrance by 7:30 am due to parking and there were several hour waits. So I would highly recommend you visit and research all the parks websites to see what the situation is. It looks like for RMNP you can buy them online at recreation.gov starting at 5pm the day before and you can also go in before 5 am or after 6pm without a permit.

https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm

https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm

 

[DenverCountryBoy]

I’ll second Glenwood caverns. My kids really enjoyed that part of our trip a couple of years ago and still talk about it. Depending on your interests, Idaho Springs and Georgetown can be worth checking out. Bighorn sheep are pretty easy to find in the area. Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is neat as well.

We were in Glenwood a few weeks ago. I spotted some big horns just across the street from the gondola base.

 

[DenverCountryBoy]

Try to be headed in the opposite direction of traffic. The highway is bumper to bumper headed into the mountains on Fridays after 2 and coming back on Sundays.

 

[CoStick]

In Denver Watertown canyon is a cool place, resident big horn sheep along with pretty much all the wildlife CO has if you are spending time around Denver.

 

[sndmn11]

I have lived here all my life and so has my family. We just did a "camping" trip at the Royal Gorge and it was pretty rad. I was down that way this weekend and the rafting seemed to have not slowed down yet. It is maybe an hour to hour and a half from Co Springs depending on what part you are staying in.

I have never been to Pike's Peak or inside RMNP....

Castlewood Canyon EAST of Co Springs is pretty cool.

The Fort or Black Hat Cattle are good places if you go to Red Rocks and want to spend some money, if you don't 5281 is the best restaurant in the area. We eat from there once or twice a week.

I would try to take one highway out to Utah, and then a different one back. Maybe take I70 west, and then Naturita->Montrose ->US50 or US50 to 285 to 24.

 

[wytx]

Loop up through Wyoming and miss the crowds.

 

[3forks]

There’s a railroad museum in Golden that people love and it offers a short ride.

Colorado Railroad Museum - Still On Track!

Welcome to the Colorado Railroad Museum. Located in Golden, Colorado, the CRRM is your basecamp for everything Colorado railroading.

coloradorailroadmuseum.org

Golden itself is few minutes away and you can tour the Coors brewery. Golden is worth walking around and has a few good restaurants, and there’s a couple of hikes you can do (almost right in town) that will help burn off the kid’s energy and give you great views of Denver/Golden.

 

[fngTony]

Drive over Loveland pass and park at the summit, go check the views above tree line. Plenty of zipline and rafting around Idaho Springs (20 minutes west of Denver).

Red Rocks in Morrison is cool but I also like Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. You can drive and park and walk short trails depending on your mood. Kids get a kick out of seeing people climb the rocks so look up.