Must see for road trip from Denver to Glenwood Springs, CO
 

Hi all! I am flying into Denver on June 1st and will be spending the week between Denver and Glenwood Springs. I will be traveling with a group of friends and we are interested in scenery and scenic drives, moderate hikes, great restaurants, and a spa half day. Any suggestions? Thanks, Kelly

It takes 3 hours 10 minutes on I-70 from Denver International (182 miles) to Glenwood Springs.
You may want to spend a day or more in Rocky Mountain NP going via Estes Park.
Are you going to use a rental car from the airport or rent a car in downtown Denver the next day?
With the extra time you could also go to Glenwood Springs via Gunnison.
One of my favorite train trips is on the California Zephyr from Glenwood Springs into Denver. You get a much better view of the Glenwood Canyon from the train compared with driving through it. There is a great hiking/bike trail through the canyon east of Glenwood Springs along the Colorado River.
See if you can get a swim in the world's largest hot spring fed pool in Glenwood Springs.

For scenery, I would go to rt 36 north through Boulder to Estes Park then 34 (trail Ridge road if it is open by then) and then pick up 40 to Steamboat Springs. Then either drive down 131 to I-70 to Glenwood Springs or continue west to 13 south to 70 east and on to Glenwood Springs.

go to www.nps.gov and then RMNP for hiking trails there and also the Colorado State parks site for hiking trails in the state parks.

You will be at altitude, so drink ten times as much water as you think you need and limit alcohol to lessen altitude sickness.

Thanks for the input tomfuller! I am getting a rental car at the airport. I did not add in Rocky Mountain National Park or Estes Park since our group has been there several times in the past. We were wanting to explore places on our way to Glenwood Springs and thought about heading from there down to Salida, I heard the road down through Leadville is beautiful. We have decided to go into Aspen since we will be so close to see the Maroon Bells. And yes! We are definitely making time to swim in the hot springs in Glenwood.

Thank you emalloy! I will take your advise on the water and alcohol. I have had problems adjusting to the altitude in the past.

There is good bus service between Glenwood and Aspen.
http://www.rfta.com/

Thanks tomfuller! That will be added to our itinerary!

I just found that there is state run bus service between Glenwood Springs and Denver. http://www.ridebustang.com/

Thank you tomfuller. You are so helpful. It is appreciated!

If any of you are gardeners, we like the Betty Ford garden in Vail. It's a nice stop, doesn't take long to walk through.