Where to add a few days in Colorado?
 

I've mapped out a leisurely circle around Colorado Sep 20-Oct 14 and find I have 2 more days to spend somewhere for some down time. Should I add one or both to Estes Park, Breckenridge, or Aspen? I have 3 in Estes Park and 2 in the other places now.

All would work. By mid Oct you are catching the change over to ski season and could have snow in all three areas but less so in Estes Park. If you are around Aspen I might suggest Glenwood Springs and Canyon. I would add Breckenridge but the Aspen lover should be along shortly.

I would not add to Estes Park. Boulder might work, and I agree that Glenwood Springs would be a good option if already in the area. What about Denver? As stated, you may well find snow in the higher elevations which will limit what you can do.

I would add both nights to Aspen. I wouldn't include another stop or add time to Estes. The leaves should be changing for your visit, and Aspen has some gorgeous vistas.

We'll have a couple of nights in Denver, and I thought we'd see Boulder when we pass through on our way to Estes Park. We'll pass through Glenwood Springs on our way to Grand Junction. Is it worth spending the night there, after driving only 40 miles from Aspen? That would give me three one-night stops in a row, which is something I try to avoid

No to driving 40 miles and spending the night in Grand Junction.

Why Grand Junction at all?

One night stays are for rookies, I agree.

You have 24 days in Colorado. Not sure what to tell you.

Deb, what is your leisurely itinerary? With 24 days, you don't need to stay just one night in a location. I wouldn't stay 2 nights, either, because I don't prefer staying less than 3 nights bare minimum.

Yes, I think it would be most helpful to have your full itinerary in order to better judge where to add two days.

Wow, you people are serious in your helping! Thanks for your interest. Here goes: 2 nights in Denver (we're not big on cities), 3 in Estes Park, 1 in Grand Lake, 2 in Breckenridge, 3 or 4 in Aspen, 1 in Grand Junction (for Colorado Natl Mon), 1 in Montrose (Black Canyon), 2 in Durango, 2 in Alamosa (sand dunes and wildlife refuge), 1 in Canon City (Royal Gorge), 3 or 4 in Manitou Springs, 1 by the airport. That leaves me with 2 or 3 more to play with. A nice problem to have!

That's a lot of hopping around.

I'd probably add a couple of nights in Ouray and try to do a jeep tour.

Hope you are able to see the cranes at the wildlife refuge.

I was just about to add Ouray/Silverton/Telluride. IMO you are missing one of the prettiest parts of the state.

Yes, adding Ouray and Telluride is an excellent idea. I'd probably even drop a day or two from Manitou Springs and add that to Telluride/Ouray. It is one of the most scenic areas in Colorado. The only downside might be an early snowfall, but that may happen anywhere along your route.

Oh, drop a few in Manitou Springs and add elsewhere.

I would add a night in Grand Lake, drop the night in Canon City. Royal Gorge is a couple hour drive through attraction, it shouldn't require an overnight....and it pales in comparison to Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Like everyone else said, drop time at Manitou Springs and add to SW part of state.

She'll be going through Ouray so at least she'll see it.
So glad you've added Durango for Mesa Verde and Alamosa for Great Sands.

With that much time for a leisurely trip, I'd detour out of Colorado for a couple of days and drive over to Goulding's.
http://www.gouldings.com/

After Durango and Mesa Verde, head west for 2-3 hours and see the splendor of the desert. Monument Valley is amazing. Drive back by Shiprock or Four Corners. I think it would make a great addition to your Colorado loop.

If you can find more time, dip down to Canyon de Chelly and take a Navajo tour of the canyon with an overnight in Chinle if you need it. All of that would be adding in 475 miles and about 8 hours of driving, but that would be easy in 3 days and would add a lot to your trip.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I'll go back to my books and maps for further research. We're hopping around a bit because it looks to me that distances are too great to do many day trips out of a central location. Am I right on this? I've been burned by GPS and google maps estimates of driving times being much lower than what it actually takes us on mountain roads. For example, my friend had a high anxiety drive from Durango to Silverton but my book makes no mention of it being a difficult drive.

BTW, we saw New Mexico and Arizona plus Mesa Verde on an earlier trip and will devote a later trip to Utah.

I'm not very good at mileage even having after living here for over twenty years, but I would spend three nights in a couple of places since even two nights can seem short on a long trip. I doubt you'll run out of things to do especially in the Telluride/Durango/Ouray area. Suggest you either add a night to Durango and/or add a couple of nights in Ouray or Teeluride. Yes, they're close to each other, but lots to do both places. Not sure Montrose is necessary. You should be able to drive on to Ouray easily. You might add a night or two at Crested Butte as it's much nicer than Montrose. As I said, I'm not great with mileage and time. Maybe someone can help out here with time it takes to travel from Crested Butte to Ouray etc.

As to the highway from Durango to Silverton, I wouldn't consider it a problem except if there is snow but, then, I've driven in the mountains a lot. It is a very scenic route and, if not familiar with mountain roads, may cause some anxiety but can't imagine it being much of a problem.