My husband and I are planning a trip to Colorado in June. We are looking at 2 nights in Denver, 1 in Boulder, and 1 in Estes Park. We want to spend 1 day in RMNP, but I'm not sure where to spend the next 4 nights on our way to Durango. After RMNP, possibilities are Grand Lake, Georgetown or Breckenridge. Which of these or any other places is the best choice, considering we would spend some time in RMNP, doing some easy hikes? I'm just not sure of drive time. Then the next 2 nights in Breckenridge, Aspen or Vail (can be 2 different locations if necessary.) It looks like we could stay in Montrose the following night and then on to Durango. Thanks for suggestions.

Unless you've got relatives or friends or business in Denver and Boulder, I'd skip those two towns and head right into the mountains.

2 nights Estes Park

1 night Grand Lake

1 night Vail or Leadville (Leadville has prettier scenery, but the food and shopping is better in Vail)

2 nights Buena Vista (do a raft trip on the Arkansas River - it ought to be rocking in June; then soak in the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs).

2 nights Ouray (hiking in the San Juans and soaking in the Ouray Hot Springs.

Then down to Durango.

I would also suggest that you shorten your time in Denver/Boulder, and spend that extra time in the mountains. The cities are nice enough, but nothing compared to the scenary of the mountains.

I'm not familiar with Grand Lake, but I would suggest Grand Lake or Breckenridge over Georgetown, which is a nice-looking little town, but not necessarily a place to spend the night.

Aspen and Vail are somewhat similar in that they're cute towns with lots of expensive shopping and good restaurants. Aspen is a bit more beautiful, IMO, just because it's not right on the highway. They both have hiking, biking, jeep tours, all that stuff. It might make sense to chose Vail or Aspen, but not both. Breckenridge is also in a scenic location, like Aspen, is a former mining town (Vail is not; it was built in the early '60s as a ski resort), doesn't have all the fancy restaurants and shopping, but has hiking, biking, etc. There are nice bike paths running between Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon and Keystone.

To make your decisions more difficult, Glewood Springs is a nice little town, and has a hot springs that's kind of fun. Telluride is also a great place to visit.

Skip Telluride and spend the time in Ouray. What a great little town! We fell in love with it.

Thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions. We will keep them in mind in our planning.