From iconic red sandstone formations to towering snow-capped mountains, to expansive sand dunes, and evergreens as far as the eye can see, Colorado’s geography and natural landscapes are as diverse as they come. In our experience, the mix of winding roads, sprawling valleys, and steep mountain passes that you’ll find here are best explored by car, so here we are sharing our epic, winter Colorado road trip itinerary that is packed with hikes, hot springs, and outdoor adventures galore.
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Day 1 in Colorado: Discovering Denver
-You’ll want to fly into Denver (DEN), and depending on your arrival time, you can either hang out in town and bop around the Mile High City for the day or head for the mountains in preparation for your snow day tomorrow.
Day 2 in Colorado: Snow Fun or Relaxing West of Denver
-Visit any of the major ski resorts about two hours west of Denver for a day of skiing or snowboarding in one of the most popular snow sports locations in the United States. Keystone is the closest to Denver and provides access to night skiing, but our favorite is Breckenridge. We love it for not only the amount of trails and diverse terrain, but also, when the sun goes down, the entire town comes to life. So whether you’re looking to sit down for a nice dinner after a long day on the mountain or bar hop your way through a historic mining town, Breck has it all. And if you’re a Full Epic Pass holder, Keystone, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, and Vail are all located along I-70 in the Rockies and included in your pass with no restrictions.
-If sliding down mountain faces strapped to a board(s) isn’t your thing, check out the largest hot spring pool in the world in Glenwood Springs, aptly named Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. This resort features a massive mineral pool (aka the largest hot springs pool in the world), a spa, and a waterpark. No reservation is needed as this destination is open to the general public as well as overnight hotel guests. Spending a few hours lounging in the geothermal pool and soaking in all of the benefits from 15 healing minerals present in the water is the perfect way to spend the afternoon if your traveling companion is, in fact, a type II fun-loving snowgoer (Seth) and you just want to relax (Aleah).
-Afterwards, you can either drive down to Alamosa, which is about 3 hours south of Breckenridge, where you’ll explore tomorrow, or stay the night in your cozy little ski town and plan to head out in the morning.
Day 3 in Colorado: Hiking in Great Sand Dunes National Park
-Check out one of the most awe-inspiring natural landscapes Colorado has to offer at Great Sand Dunes National Park. These dunes, covering 30 square miles, are positioned in front of snow-capped, cloud-scraping mountains. Their beauty really has to be experienced in person to be believed.
– Just outside of the park entrance lies Zapata Falls. It’s a short (2-mile round-trip) hike, and the falls are definitely worth the view.
-Head over to Valley View Hot Springs to hang out in some hillside hot pools and overlook the San Luis Valley. Note: While this place is technically family-friendly, it is also “clothing optional,” and in our experience, many patrons take full advantage.
You can also book an overnight accommodation here in a private cabin or their Oak House. All structures were originally built in the early 1900s as part of the historic mining community, and those roots are still honored here today via the shared accommodations and resources offered.
-We recommend staying the night here, so you can take a late-night dip in the warm springs, followed by a sauna session, as both are open 24 hours.
Day 4 in Colorado: Adventuring in Colorado Springs
-Make the three-hour drive to Garden of the Gods to see some of the reddest rock formations in Colorado. Be sure to hike up to the Siamese Twins and snap some pictures at Balanced Rock, two of the park’s more well-known spots. Keep an eye out for the massive mule deer population that inhabits the park as well – they’re everywhere!
-Once you’ve had your fill of the snow-covered red rocks here, make the five-minute drive over to Red Rock Canyon Open Space and hike to the old Quarry via the Red Rock Canyon Trail to experience even more snowy red rocks. We were mesmerized by the prominent, geometric cuts that are still present in the sandstone rockface and loved climbing the steep, narrow staircase that was once used by miners up the eastern side of the hill. There are plenty of other scenic hikes in the park, so use the link above to explore all of your options beforehand, as there is no information/welcome center.
-You can either stay the night in Colorado Springs, (this restored Trolley Car tiny home is both super unique and affordable), or drive up to Loveland and stay the night there for easy access to Rocky Mountain National Park and proximity to the airport for your flight home tomorrow.
Day 5 in Colorado: Exploring Estes Park
-No matter where you choose to stay, set an early alarm and make the trek to Gem Lake, located just north of Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park’s base camp. This hike is listed among the top 5 short hikes by Uncover Colorado, but is packed with oh-so-scenic views. The trail itself is about 3.5 miles round-trip and features panoramic mountain views, wildflowers, aspens as far as the eye can see, and unique rock formations, including one known as Paul Bunyan’s Boot. Gem Lake, the trek’s namesake, is a small basin consisting of rainwater and snowmelt bordered by a rocky granite backdrop. The lake was frozen solid when we went and colored the prettiest shade of baby blue. Time permitting, check out some other short loops within the park before your flight.
-Before you head for the airport, which is a 1.5 to 2-hour drive away, do yourself a favor and stop at Estes Park Pie Shop. You can’t miss their shop when leaving, because they have a huge sign that reads “You Need Pie.” Trust us, it is the perfect spot to refuel before your flight.
From winding mountain roads and powder-dusted peaks to geothermal soaks, cozy small towns, and breathtakingly beautiful hikes, this road trip gave us just a little taste of how vibrant Colorful Colorado can be– even in the chilliest months of the year. Whether you’re visiting for the ski slopes, the hot springs, the hiking trails, or just the chance to slow down and soak up the diverse snowy landscapes, we hope this whirlwind tour provided you with a bit of inspiration for planning. Needless to say, this itinerary only scratches the surface of what the state has to offer, so if you’ve visited before, please let us know what we need to experience next time in the comments down below.
