OK, so I've left this a bit late but will be arriving in Colorado Springs soon (driving from midwest) for 10 days to spend in CO and UT. Have some motel reservations but stupidly have not completed all of them. Will be with dh and two children ages 5 and 7 1/2. I've researched a lot of the posts on this site but need help finalizing our plans. Does the following itinerary sound plausible?

Day 1: CO Springs - Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Royal Gorge? (no motel yet)

Day 2: drive to/explore Cortez/Mesa Verde NP (no motel yet)

Day 3: open - any suggestions?

Day 4: drive to/explore Zion NP? (have reservations at Zion Lodge)

Day 5: drive to/explore Bryce Canyon NP? (have res. at Best Western Ruby's Inn)

Day 6: drive to Park City - have plans in late afternoon/evening with friends (have res. at Yarrow)

Day 7: activities planned in Park City - (Yarrow)

Day 8: Golden Spike? Heber Creeper? Family likes trains. (Yarrow res.)

Day 9: drive to/explore Vernal/Dino National Monument (no motel yet)

Day 10: drive to/explore Rocky Mountain National Park this day (or night before?) (no motel yet)

Have to leave CO the next day to drive home. Any suggestions on:

- amount of time I'm allowing in each place? any adjustments? (I'm sure it's not enough in some places but we'll just have to visit again)

- any recommended reasonable rate accommodations for the places where I still need them?

- any other advice?

I'm usually very organized when it comes to planning our family vacations, I don't know what happened this time, ack! All help is greatly appreciated.

IMO, you've missed the best parts of Colorado.

The most scenic area of Colorado, and even that part of the U.S. is the SW corner--Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Black Canyon, Telluride. You are so close, it would be a shame to miss it.

Others really like Summit County area. It too is beautiful with lots to do.

Colorado Springs is OK but not the best Colorado has to offer. I drive through there every year without even stopping. There is so much better to see.

Connie, those areas sound beautiful but my problem is the timing. It will take us two long days to drive from Ohio and I picked CO Springs because it is one of the closer locations in CO. The only reservations I am committed to at this point are in Zion, Bryce, and Park City. I do have to leave eastern CO by early am of Day 11 in order for dh to be back at work in two days for an important meeting. The rest is flexible. Any comments? Thanks for your input!

Connie,

Perhaps I could juggle Day 2/3 itin to see the places you suggested?

I'm going insane trying to plan this trip. I now realize the Rocky Mountain NP part will probably not work out as the drive is farther than I thought from Vernal, unless I don't need as much time at the Dino park and can drive part way the night before.
Argh, I could use a six pack of beer right now but I should be asleep in bed! Of course dh has been asleep for hours. By default I'm always the trip planner!

Check with Holiday Inn Express online and Marriott online. There are some deals. I think Colorado SPrings might have some. Look at the motels around the southern part of I-25 in the springs. (lots there). I just got an online Holiday inn express in Park city for $62 a night.
I think you're doing a alot of driving and stopping. It's going to take at least 5 hours to drive to Mesa Verde. Then, to get into the sites, you need a ticket with an open time. When you arrive late in the day, you might not get a time the same day. Pikes Peak takes about 3-4 hours if you drive up. Garden of the Gods can be a drive through. Royal Gorge-I'd skip, but the kids might like it. I think you need day three at Mesa Verde. It's will take quite awhile to drive to Zion Bryce because there is no direct route. So, spend the day driving, and decide which park you will enjoy. The kids will get more out of a ranger hike, and campfire program at one rather trying to squeeze in both.Skip Vernal Dino, and drive straight through to RMNP and Estes Park and spend more time there.

A few hours would be enough for Dinosaurland - maybe you could spend that night in Glenwood Springs?

I would trade Colorado Springs attractions Vernal/Dino and Golden Spike for the loop I suggested anytime. You are going to be right there when you are at Mesa Verde.

My next HAVE TO from your list would be RMNP. All the others would be secondary for me.

Just my opinion, but that is what you are asking for. No matter what you decide, have a grea time!

Thanks for your suggestions, Barbara and gbindenver. (This is kind of a screwy lineup because of the dates we had available for vacation and because we already had set plans in Park City for the 5th and 6th.)

GB, the main reason for going to Dinoland is because my son is a dinosaur fanatic and we've talked about going there for months. Also it will be his birthday that day so I think he will be very upset if we don't do it. Maybe we can leave Park City earlier and stay in Vernal, then hit Dinoland early in the am, then continue on to Rocky Mountain so that we have a full day there the next day?

Also maybe we'll just do part of the day in CO Springs and then drive on to Mesa Verde so we have a full day there the next day? And/or use Day 3 to see Durango, etc. area as Connie suggested?

What do all of you think?

I also think that you should use day 3 for Mesa Verde. Day 2 could be spent coming into Durango via Ouray and Silverton (the Million Dollar highway). Coming over Wolf Creek Pass, Hwy 160, would be another good option. Either way, it will probably take at least 6, more like 8 hours, to get to Durango if you make a couple of stops to admire the scenery. You could use the rest of the day to explore downtown Durango, maybe take a short raft trip, then consider driving to MV (one hour from Durango) late in the evening to spend 2 nights there.

IMHO,
don't drop Co. Springs. The kids will like it. I think it might be faster to see Seven Springs instead of Royal Gorge, but both are neat.
Royal Gorge is also a ways away and could (maybe) be picked up on the way to Cortez.
I've never done it but it seem like that drive to Mesa Verde is going to be really long. Spend the next day in that same area.
Don't skip RMNP. [I'm assuming you'll have a NP pass if you're doing all of those parks, so it will be virtually free] If you don't have lots of time you can still see some beautiful scenery with a drive through and a couple of quick hikes. Estes Park is touristy but fun, I would spend a night there. Its not to far from the park back down to the interstate and you're on your way.

I think that's a good enough reason to stop in at Dinosaur. I haven't been there in a really long time, but as I remember it, the visitor center was not that large, and that the access to the rest of the park was difficult. You might check the web on GORP. Like I said,it's been a long time. There is also a relatively short hike near Denver on the Morrison/Dinosuar ridge where guides will take you to several sites of dinosaur footprints. Might be better than a long time in Garden of the Gods. It's at the intersection of I 70 and 470, entrance is on Rooney road, I think. Then, you can hop on 470, to I 25 south to CS. BTW, there is a motel in (I think) Monte Vista on the way to Durango that is next to a drive inn theatre. Apparently, you can view the movies from the bedrooms. I haven't been there, but there have been some write ups, and the kids might like it. Any one know the condition or name of the motel?

PS Another idea- Go to Denver, see the the dinosaur spot, then, go to Mt. Evans Road near Idaho SPrings. It is higher, less crowded, same price, driving is a little easier than Pikes Peak. Then, go back to I70. Go to Georgetown, take the Railroad there. Shorter, less expensive than Durango, but not as good scenery ( but I think the Durango railroad is closed right now). Then, You can stop in Breckenridge if desired. The kids can take the alpine slide or horseback ride. Get back on the highway. Spend the night near Glenwood Springs. (Silver Spruce is good price and clean) and go swimming in the springs. Then, Go to Grand Junction. Take 550 through Montrose, Ridgeway, Ouray (another hot springs) over million dollar highway and to Durango

My 2 cents.

On Day 2 it's going to take the better part of the day to get from Colorado Springs to Mesa Verde and you're not going to have much time for exploring. I would plan part of day 3 at Mesa Verde then drive as far as you can to get close to Zion or on day 4 when you drive to Zion you won't have much time to spend at Zion. Kayenta or Page, AZ might be a good places to stop for the night.

You have a lot of driving and siteseeing packed into each day!

Utahtea

Thanks for everyone's input so far!

Yes, we will be getting the National Park pass. Here is my revised tentative itinerary:

June 28/29 - Drive from OH to Colorado Springs. I seem to recall getting to Colorado Springs early enough when I drove there in 1981 with my dad and sister, that we were able to see the Garden of the Gods maybe the same afternoon/evening we got there?

June 30 (day 1) - only half day in Co. sprgs - take train thing up Pikes Peak? and/or quick trip to Garden of the Gods. Then head out on 115 to US 50 (maybe a quick look at the Royal Gorge) all the way over to US 550, Million Dollar hwy. Depending on the fire situation, stay in Durango for the night?

July 1 (day 2) - get up early and head over to Mesa Verde. Depending on how long we spend there, maybe begin the drive to Zion NP stopping at Escalante for the night.

July 2 (day 3) - depending on the previous day, get an early start and check out Escalante and/or continue to Zion.

July 3 (day 4) - Zion NP. Explore and spend the night in the Lodge.

July 4 (day 5) - Early drive to Bryce Canyon NP. Explore and stay the night there at Best Western Ruby's Inn.

July 5 (day 6) - Leave Bryce via scenic highway 12 to 24 to 50 to I-15, etc. to Park City. Does that sound easonable? I'd really like to drive on 12 since I've heard so much about it. Have plans with friends in the evening at the Yarrow Resort.

July 6 (day 7) - Activities planned with friends in Park City.

July 7 (day 8) - Golden Spike? Heber Creeper? And/or drive to Vernal for Dinoland.

July 8 (day 9) - my son's 8th birthday! Depending on previous day, explore Dino park and/or drive to Rocky Mountain NP.

July 9 (day 10) - Explore Rocky Mountain NP.

July 10/11 - return to Ohio.

Does that make more sense? I'm not making any more reservations so we can be flexible in our plans and hope we can just find places as we go (within reason of course). I know that's what my dad, sister and I did when I went 21 years ago (wow, can't believe it was that long ago) - just stopped and got a motel along the way. I'm probably a little more picky than back then (hey dad was paying so we stayed at little mom and pop type strip motels) but I usually stay at Best Western/Holiday Inn type places now. Do you think we will have any trouble just dropping in like that?

I think I just might need my own personal vacation when we get back from all this driving and 24 hour kids-in-my face!

I only have one question. From Mesa Verde you say you are going to Escalante.

Escalante city or Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument?

Escalante the city is on Scenic Hwy 12 and Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument on Hwy 89 really doesn't have much in the way of accommodations. Unless you do a major hike, I think you will see everything from Highway 89.

You will probably want to stay in either Page, AZ or Kanab, Utah. Take my word for it, you are going to want to spend as much time as possible in Zion.

I would take Scenic Hwy 12 after Bryce. It's a lot more spectacular than the drive up I-15.

The rest of your trip sounds very do-able. Have a good one and come back and tell us how it went!

Utahtea

Utahtea,

Yes, I did mean Escalante Monument and Highway 89. I'm getting so mixed up planning this trip, I can't think straight! I think we will try to stay in Kanab. Thanks for pointing that out!

And yes, as I indicated previously, we will travel on Highway 12 from Bryce until it ends (at hwy 24, right?) and only then go on I-15, etc to Park City.

Thanks for all your help (love the loyal helpful posters on here!) and I'll be sure to post a trip report when we get back.

P.S. Are we likely to encounter any snakes (venomous or otherwise) while in the National Parks (only doing the easy hikes with the kids)? Hubby is deathly afraid of them and of course I'm not too fond of them either! Also, I have bug repellent - is there much of a tick problem in CO or UT parks?

You probably know this already, but just a thought--take a couple of motel directories with you. You can easily pick them up at your favorite local motels. There are usually a lot of Super 8, Best Western, Holiday Inn, etc.

I wouldn't count on coming into town at 7:00 in the evening and finding a room. By mid afternoon you should be able to judge to where you will make it and call ahead. Works for us.

I'm so glad you are going down 550. Be sure to take a little time to stop in Ouray and Silverton--maybe just to have lunch.

Since you love trains, it would be great if you could do the Durango/Silverton train (if it is running). To save time, one adult could sacrifice not going, drop everyone else off at Silverton to get on the train, then drive to Durango and pick them up. Most people feel one way is plenty.

If you do the Royal Gorge, which won't take long, don't pay to drive across the bridge. Just park in the parking lot and walk over to the edge and look down (it is well fenced!) They do have a tram you can take across. I did it as a child but have been afraid of heights ever since. Your kids might love it though.

You probably know this already, but just a thought--take a couple of motel directories with you. You can easily pick them up at your favorite local motels. There are usually a lot of Super 8, Best Western, Holiday Inn, etc.

I wouldn't count on coming into town at 7:00 in the evening and finding a room. By mid afternoon you should be able to judge to where you will make it and call ahead. Works for us.

I'm so glad you are going down 550. Be sure to take a little time to stop in Ouray and Silverton--maybe just to have lunch.

Since you love trains, it would be great if you could do the Durango/Silverton train (if it is running). To save time, one adult could sacrifice not going, drop everyone else off at Silverton to get on the train, then drive to Durango and pick them up. Most people feel one way is plenty.

If you do the Royal Gorge, which won't take long, don't pay to drive across the bridge. Just park in the parking lot and walk over to the edge and look down (it is well fenced!) They do have a tram you can take across. I did it as a child but have been afraid of heights ever since. Your kids might love it though.

Please report back. We would love to hear how it all went--good and bad.

Whoops. Don't know how that happened. Haven't had all my coffee yet!

Rafting season just ended a month early in Durango because of the drought.

The train is running in 3 different segments because of the fire. The concern is for other fires sparked by cinders on the difficult uphills. One segment goes from Silverton to Elk Park and back (great for lovely alpine scenery), another from Rockwood out over the "High Line" (good for dramatic views from the edge of cliffs - where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid jumped off a cliff into a river in the movie), and a third goes from Durango to Hermosa (good for a steam engine experience and fire-watching, but no dramatic views). Each of these trips takes 1-2 hous and costs $20.

I wouldn't want to spend the night in Durango just now. Silverton and Mesa Verde are better choices because of the smoke situation.