Hi,

My husband and I and our three teenage daughters are planning a trip to Colorado at the end of July. We plan on flying into Denver as that is the most inexpensive flight from Minneapolis. We are planning on staying anywhere between 7-9 days and renting a car once we are in Denver. There is just so much to see and do, that I'm a little overwhelmed! I know the girls want to go white water rafting, they want to also ride the Silverton/Durange train. I would love to see Mesa Verde, and we also like to hike! How do I plan this all out? Anyone have any good thoughts or ideas for me? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Denver is a 6 -7 hour drive to Durango area. Albuquerque {ABQ} is only a 3 hour drive, are you sure about flying to Denver? Southwest has lots of flights to ABQ and they are usually pretty reasonably priced.

End of July you won't get much in the way of "white water" but you can do some nice rides.

Plan to stay a night or 2 at Mesa Verde NP at Far View Lodge, it makes it easier to see the ruins and you get wonderful sunset to boot.

Take the train only 1 way and then take the bus the other way; roundtrip takes a whole day and the return trip is the same thing.

Lots of hiking available in Mesa Verde and in Durango area. Are you used to outdoor activities - altitude in SW Colorado can be difficult, so take it easy at first - drink lots of water, and use lots of sunscreen.

I have lots of threads here with more info, here's one:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...uena-vista.cfm


http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...e-mountain.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...by-debitnm.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...durango-co.cfm

Using the search box above, type in Durango and find lots of threads.
Hope this helps...

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...suggestion.cfm

Do the zipline/train ride combo from Durango. Fantastic!!

Thanks for the responses. The Durango area does sound like it has alot to offer, although unfortunatly the flight to Albuquerque is double so we're going to have to fly into Denver. Does anyone have any great ideas for our drive to Durango? I'm thinking of stopping at Estes Park. Where else would you recommend? The zipline/train ride does sound fun from Durango! Thanks for your help!

The SW corner of Colorado IMO is the most scenic part of the state, so I agree you should concentrate on that area. There are so many great hikes I think you should get a hiking guidebook for the area. Mesa Verde is wonderful, Ouray has the hot springs, Telluride a neat stop, the Million Dollar Highway is a great drive. Great Sand Dunes National Monument is a great stop inbetween Denver and Durango, if you take that southern route.

When you say Estes Park do you really mean Rocky Mt National Park? I wouldn't go to Estes Park just for the town, but most people use it as a gateway to RMNP. You probably could fit it in, but it's in the opposite direction as Durango (where I think the mountains are prettier anyway) so I'd skip it. Realize that you're going to lose an entire day getting to and from the Durango area from Denver so plan accordingly.