First time visitor to Colorado & Wyoming, Help!
 

We are flying in to Denver on Aug. 31st at 4:00 pm and flying out on Sept. 9 around 11:00 am. We want to see RMNP and Yellowstone if possible, and all in between. Yes, I know seeing all is impossible, but want to visit all that we can. We will hike a little bit, but not much since we live at sea level, thinking the altitude will kill our hiking abilities:). Also, not much for highway driving, we like to take the scenic routes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Yellowstone is a long drive--without looking at the map I'd say a full day's drive there--and then back of course, assuming a RT from Denver. You really only have 8 full days for the whole trip--maybe a little less. I think you'll see little of either place, except highways.
Fly to Jackson if you must?
Why not just enjoy one or the other--Colorado and surroundings. Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.
Did you look at a map--if you were planning to drive? ;o) Count your days?

What you are suggesting is really not very reasonable or workable. Decide either to see Colorado or Yellowstone - not both.

"not much for highway driving, we like to take the scenic routes." You have looked at a map? Right???

The most direct route between Yellowstone and Denver is 566 miles, 10 hours, and mostly open country except for the last hundred miles or so. You can get a little more scenery by swing more directly west into the mountains BUT that will add a hundred miles or so and couple of hours.

If flying into Denver, stay in Colorado. With the exception of old faithful, the scenery will be just as great. If you want to see Yellowstone, then fly into Jackson Hole. You have eight days and want to send a quarter of your time (2 days) driving. Doesn't make much sense.

The distance from Denver to Yellowstone is between 582 and 686 miles depending on the route you use.

You could go by non-interstate highway almost the entire way but if you do be aware that the entire route isn't necessarily going to be that much more scenic than using the Interstate.

If you choose to see BOTH RMNP and Yellowstone AND you don't mind driving long distances in one day you could probably do both but be aware of the time involved.

I agree with all 3 of you, I know there will be a lot of driving involved. So if we decided to stay in Colorado, what are some of the must see places. I have just started researching and reading, but the more I read the more I want to see. I'm thinking I should have planned a longer stay.

The standard "must see" items are all well covered in any guidebook for Colorado. Only you can decide what "must see" items are important to you.

Less than half of the route will be on the interstate system regardless of route used. Most of that part of Wy is pretty boring.

CO is beautiful - so focus this trip on Colorado. Love the SW area - Ouray, Ridgway. The drive from Ouray to Durango esp the portion to Silverton is gorgeous. Mesa VErde is very interesting. Boulder is a nice town if you want to be in a small town for a night or two. Also Aspen, while high tone has some beautiful scenery and great food. There is nothing but scenic drives in CO.
BTW there are some hikes designated easy that you would likely have little trouble with. In RMNP the hikes/walks around the lakes are very lovely.

We have done several loops out of Denver in Colorado. Here's what we have really enjoyed:

Small towns such as Ouray, Breckenridge and Crested Butte

The hot springs at Glenwood Springs

Alpine slides, hiking and mountain biking at the ski resorts

Exploring ghost towns

Mesa Verde is fascinating.

Even if you eliminate Wyoming (and I agree with the others that you should), you will be doing a lot of driving from Denver to SW Colorado, but IMO it's worth it.

But the driving is on nice roads with beautiful scenery.

Your 8 days in Colorado can be wonderful, with nice hikes, good food and beer, etc.
Philly has listed a lot of nice things.
AND there is the Park, of course, which was on your original list.
IF you wanted to see Mesa Verde, you could drive south from Denver, see the Great Sand Dunes, head to Durango and MV. Take maybe 4 days for that. Come back via Glenwood Springs (interesting for the way the highway was cantilevered over the river also) and come back through the western entrance of RMNP and then to the airport.
If you decided against MV (IMO one of THE wonders of the world--infinitely fascinating) you could go to Aspen via Leadville, and then still back to RMNP.
There is SO much to do and see and enjoy in Colorado. And what Yestravel says is true!!
The distances are not so great that you couldn't go for nice hikes--there is Mt. Evans.

Thank y'all so much! You have given me some really good ideas . Truly had not thought of the ghost towns, I am definitely going to have to research them, because that sounds really cool.

If you decide on Rocky Mountain National Park, there are still great hikes to choose from. We are flatlanders too and as long as you don't pick hikes with lots of climbing (like The Keyhole), you should be okay as long as you slowly acclimate yourselves. We save the tougher hikes until the end of our trip and just take our time as we hike.

Some of the easiser hikes that don't have huge elevation gains are Emerald Lake (along the way you'll pass Dream Lake and Nymph Lake), Bear Lake, Bierstadt Lake. Visit Sprague Lake just after sunrise for some incredible photography.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails...easy-hikes.htm

Make the scenic drive across Trail Ridge Road that climbs to over 12,000'. Stop at The Tundra Communities Trail for the short walk to see the odd rock formations called Mushroom Rocks. You will be out of breath on this walk!

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails...ties-trail.htm

Estes Park has lots of accommodations and restaurants to choose from. You can also rent boats at the marina, go horseback riding, whitewater rafting, take the green jeep tours - lots of activities there!

www.visitestespark.com