3 day getaway to Colorado
 

I am planning a 3 day getaway for the first time in Colorado. I arrive in Denver and plan to drive to Estes park and spend a night there. From there my next stop is colorado springs to visit garden of the gods and pikes peaks.
Are there any other places I must consider seeing in this short trip? Please provide me with some recommendations.

Solo trip? I would go to one place for the 3 days.
What month are you thinking about?

September...no its not a solo trip...me and my husband will be traveling.

Hmmm. Have you looked at a map? You only have three days, and the plan is to drive north and west, then drive south and west?

I suggest you pick one direction or the other. Lots to see and do both ways, but trying to do both will put you in the car a lot.

Try a package tour with someone who meets you at the airport and leave the driving to them. For myself I would get on the morning CA Zephyr from Denver to Winter Park/Fraser and go from there into RMNP ending up in Estes Park.

I forgot to mention you will also have to drive from the Springs north and east to DEN airport.

Driving isn't a bad idea, just take a look at the map.

I would go to the Park, and then keep going west through the Park on Trail Ridge Road and see the mountains around VAil, maybe even going to Glenwood Springs. I am not a huge fan of Garden of the Gods or Pike's Peak--I love the mountains. You could do a nice loop back to the airport.

Good idea, Gretchen. Will Trail Ridge be open in Sept?

You are a much better sage for that than I--but I think so, don't you.
Better than planes trains and automobiles, methinks!! LOL

Reported

Looks like Trail Ridge Road usually closes around Oct 23, according to:

http://www.nps.gov/romo/parknews/pr_...eason_2011.htm

I thought September might be too early. The aspens should be turning--or turned. Could be spectacular.

If you follow Gretchen's advice and head from RMNP to Glenwood, when you leave Glenwood you could return to Denver via Aspen and Independence Pass. That way you could start your day with breakfast in Aspen and skip part of I-70 (that you've already seen) on your way home.

CoOL idea!! I'd do it in a heartbeat. Beautiful road.

JUst for an idea of driving time, Aspen is about 4 hours from Denver proper. Probably about the same to the airport.

We've done this trip many times as RMNP is a favorite. Bring your binoculars and cameras.

http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

Head North to Boulder: have breakfast or lunch, (fabuluos bread, college town cafes), see the town, check out Celestial Teas, then go Northwest to Estes Park. Stop in Estes Park town Safeway and p/u some groceries (there is really no place to eat in RMNP.)

We stayed here: worked out great. Very short drive to RMNP entrance, less than a mile. Really no place to stay in RMNP unless camp, and you do need to pay each time. If you have a NAtional PArk pas or VA disabled pass, good to use here.

http://www.estescondos.com/

So 3 day trip could look like this & since I do not know which dates traveling so it is an estimation.


Day 1 arrive Denver, get rental car, drive North to Boulder, meal,see town, poss visit celestial teas, go on to Estes Park, p/u groceries Safeway, settle in Estes PArk Condos. You can fish without a license on their property.

Day 2 make picnic lunch, drive to RMNP, stop at Ranger Station and get maps updates from Rangers, spend all day on East side, dinner back at condo.

We like Sprague Lake for nice lake, critter watching (usually a moose or 2, nice flat day hike around the Lake and a great picnic area w/toilets.

Day 3 second day RMNP,drive to East side taking Old Fall River road (this is gravel and steep with switchbacks ok for regular cars but 4wd we prefer), fabulous views & photo ops, mountains. glaciers to Lodge at top, elevation very high and people with lung or heart disease, altitude sickness should not stay long if at all, come back paved Trail Ridge Road to Beaver Meadows APrk entrance and then short drive back to Estes park Condos. Note you can drive all the way around to Denver however would not rec if going back to Estes Park Condos. There are some wonderful river/meadow views on this side and usually see lots of elk herds.
Then see town of Estes, have dinner in town or BBQ at Condo.

Day 4 drive to airport Denver. allow 3 hours prior to check in to gas up car, turn in car and long drive to airport.

Correction Day 3 second day RMNP should be drive to WEST side