Rocky Mountain Trail
20 day Fly Drive – from £2095
With flights from £2695
Embark on a breathtaking 20-day adventure through majestic national parks like Yellowstone and Arches, and witness the awe-inspiring scenery of the Rocky Mountains and the Badlands.”
Highlights:
- Discover Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 natural stone arches
- Witness the stunning Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs
- Explore the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park
- Experience the surreal landscape of Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Meet presidents past at the iconic Mount Rushmore National Monument
Your Itinerary
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Arrive and settle into your hotel. A stroll through the picturesque pedestrian zone with its many shops and restaurants lets you feel the flair of this metropolis.



Day 2 – Denver
This former gold mining town, which is also called ‘Mile High City’ because it is located 1.609 meters high in the Rocky Mountains, has the biggest brewery, the greatest bell collection of the world, the largest wine tasting place, and the longest street in America. You may want to see the newly remodelled Denver Art Museum or the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.





Day 3 – Colorado Springs
An easy drive takes you to Colorado Springs, the 2nd biggest city in Colorado. We would recommend visiting the ‘Garden of the Gods’ and to admire the over 100 m high rock formations of red sandstone which are particularly impressive in the early morning and late afternoon hours of the day.





Day 4 – Alamosa & Great Sand Dunes
Today, you drive south to Alamosa, the departure point for a visit to the giant, up to 100m high sand dunes at the foot of the snow-covered Rocky Mountains, which offer a breath-taking view.





Day 5 – Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park with its cliff dwellings built by the Anazasi Indians will be a highlight of your trip. Do not miss the archaeological settlements in this unique area.





Day 6 – Arches National Park
Arches National Park has the world’s highest concentration of natural stone arches. It’s a red, arid, desert, punctuated with oddly eroded sandstone forms such as fins, pinnacles, spires, rocks and arches. The 73,000 acre region has over 2,000 arches.





Day 7 – Grand Junction
Durango, the Capital of the La Plata Country, is the starting point for drives over the famous Million Dollar Highway. An alternative would be a drive over the remote ‘Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic & Historic Byway’.





Day 8 – Salt Lake City
Today you will discover Salt Lake City, the Capital of the Mormon State, in front of its breath-taking mountain panorama or visit the great Salt Sea, from which the city derives its name. Or would you be tempted by an excursion to the caves of the Tempanogos Cave National Monuments?





Day 9 – Jackson/Wyoming
You leave Salt Lake City for Jackson. This town located south of Grand Teton National Park is the centre of the so-called Jackson Hole, a valley with marvellous panoramas.





Day 10 – Yellowstone National Park
You continue today through the impressive mountain chain of the Grand Tetons to the world-famous Yellowstone National Park. You will be fascinated by geysers like the ‘Old Faithful’ which ejects several meter high water fountains.





Day 11 – Yellowstone National Park
Explore today this park which is a wonder world of geysers and hot mud holes, thermal springs and lakes shimmering in a wide range of different turquoise tones.





Day 12 – Cody
Your itinerary takes you over the ‘Buffalo Scenic Byway’, a stretch with attractive landscapes and interesting detours into the past. If you are a Western Fan, don’t miss the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum.





Day 13 – Bighorn Scenic Byway
After leaving the little town of Shell, you take the ‘Bighorn Scenic Byway’, past forests, mountains and waterfalls (e.g. Shell Falls) before you climb high up to the Granite Pass.





Day 14 – Black Hills National Forest
Today you drive along the Black Hills National Forest where many picnic areas and walking trails provide quietness and relaxation. You continue to Rapid City; the film “Dancing with the Wolves” was shot in its surrounding areas.





Day 15 – Rapid City & Mount Rushmore
The visit of Rapid City is on your agenda today. The largest National Monument of the United States – Mt. Rushmore – with its 4 super dimensional presidents cut in stone represent 150 years of American history. The Custer State Park and the Wind Cave National Park is certainly worth a detour. And don’t miss the impressive Crazy Horse Memorial which is meant to become the tallest sculpture in the world.





Day 16 – Badlands National Park
Opt today for an excursion to the Badlands National Park. In this vast prairie country with bizarre rock formations, you may discover not only rare animals like bison or big horn sheep, but also fossil from primeval times.





Day 17 – Cheyenne
You leave South Dakota today. Explore the historic Old Town with the Old Union Pacific Depot and get a free brochure of city walks at the Depot visitor centre.





Day 18 – Rocky Mountain National Park
Today’s drive leads through the Rocky Mountain National Park. Follow partly the Trail Ridge Road, from Estes Park (Park Entrance) to Grand Lake and experience the breath-taking views on one of the highest paved roads in the United States.





Day 19 – Denver
Enjoy the unique metropolis in front of the panorama of the Rocky Mountains. Take a stroll over the ‘16th Street Mall’, a 2 km long promenade in the historic centre of Denver, or taste a beer at one of the numerous breweries.





Day 20 – Farewell from Denver
The self drive concludes when you drop the hire car back to the airport depot and catch your scheduled flight home to the UK.



Your Itinerary
Day 1
|
Welcome to Denver
Arrive and settle into your hotel. A stroll through the picturesque pedestrian zone with its many shops and restaurants lets you feel the flair of this metropolis.



Day 2
|
Denver
This former gold mining town, which is also called ‘Mile High City’ because it is located 1.609 meters high in the Rocky Mountains, has the biggest brewery, the greatest bell collection of the world, the largest wine tasting place, and the longest street in America. You may want to see the newly remodelled Denver Art Museum or the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.



Day 3
|
Colorado Springs
An easy drive takes you to Colorado Springs, the 2nd biggest city in Colorado. We would recommend visiting the ‘Garden of the Gods’ and to admire the over 100 m high rock formations of red sandstone which are particularly impressive in the early morning and late afternoon hours of the day.



Day 4
|
Alamosa & Great Sand Dunes
Today, you drive south to Alamosa, the departure point for a visit to the giant, up to 100m high sand dunes at the foot of the snow-covered Rocky Mountains, which offer a breath-taking view.



Day 5
|
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park with its cliff dwellings built by the Anazasi Indians will be a highlight of your trip. Do not miss the archaeological settlements in this unique area.



Day 6
|
Arches National Park
Arches National Park has the world’s highest concentration of natural stone arches. It’s a red, arid, desert, punctuated with oddly eroded sandstone forms such as fins, pinnacles, spires, rocks and arches. The 73,000 acre region has over 2,000 arches.



Day 7
|
Grand Junction
Durango, the Capital of the La Plata Country, is the starting point for drives over the famous Million Dollar Highway. An alternative would be a drive over the remote ‘Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic & Historic Byway’.



Day 8
|
Salt Lake City
Today you will discover Salt Lake City, the Capital of the Mormon State, in front of its breath-taking mountain panorama or visit the great Salt Sea, from which the city derives its name. Or would you be tempted by an excursion to the caves of the Tempanogos Cave National Monuments?



Day 9
|
Jackson/Wyoming
You leave Salt Lake City for Jackson. This town located south of Grand Teton National Park is the centre of the so-called Jackson Hole, a valley with marvellous panoramas.



Day 10
|
Yellowstone National Park
You continue today through the impressive mountain chain of the Grand Tetons to the world-famous Yellowstone National Park. You will be fascinated by geysers like the ‘Old Faithful’ which ejects several meter high water fountains.



Day 11
|
Yellowstone National Park
Explore today this park which is a wonder world of geysers and hot mud holes, thermal springs and lakes shimmering in a wide range of different turquoise tones.



Day 12
|
Cody
Your itinerary takes you over the ‘Buffalo Scenic Byway’, a stretch with attractive landscapes and interesting detours into the past. If you are a Western Fan, don’t miss the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum.



Day 13
|
Bighorn Scenic Byway
After leaving the little town of Shell, you take the ‘Bighorn Scenic Byway’, past forests, mountains and waterfalls (e.g. Shell Falls) before you climb high up to the Granite Pass.



Day 14
|
Black Hills National Forest
Today you drive along the Black Hills National Forest where many picnic areas and walking trails provide quietness and relaxation. You continue to Rapid City; the film “Dancing with the Wolves” was shot in its surrounding areas.



Day 15
|
Rapid City & Mount Rushmore
The visit of Rapid City is on your agenda today. The largest National Monument of the United States – Mt. Rushmore – with its 4 super dimensional presidents cut in stone represent 150 years of American history. The Custer State Park and the Wind Cave National Park is certainly worth a detour. And don’t miss the impressive Crazy Horse Memorial which is meant to become the tallest sculpture in the world.



Day 16
|
Badlands National Park
Opt today for an excursion to the Badlands National Park. In this vast prairie country with bizarre rock formations, you may discover not only rare animals like bison or big horn sheep, but also fossil from primeval times.



Day 17
|
Cheyenne
You leave South Dakota today. Explore the historic Old Town with the Old Union Pacific Depot and get a free brochure of city walks at the Depot visitor centre.



Day 18
|
Rocky Mountain National Park
Today’s drive leads through the Rocky Mountain National Park. Follow partly the Trail Ridge Road, from Estes Park (Park Entrance) to Grand Lake and experience the breath-taking views on one of the highest paved roads in the United States.



Day 19
|
Denver
Enjoy the unique metropolis in front of the panorama of the Rocky Mountains. Take a stroll over the ‘16th Street Mall’, a 2 km long promenade in the historic centre of Denver, or taste a beer at one of the numerous breweries.



Day 20
|
Farewell from Denver
The self drive concludes when you drop the hire car back to the airport depot and catch your scheduled flight home to the UK.



Flights & More
With FREEDOM, you can book your Rocky Mountain Trail fly drive and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.
You can also personalise your holiday. Why not add:
- Extra nights in any location en route
- Tickets for the Durango & Silverton Historic Railway
Next Steps
Please get in touch with our America Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
Rocky Mountain Trail
20 day Fly Drive – from £2095
With flights from £2695
Price is per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room and includes pre-booked accommodation, air-conditioned car and unlimited mileage. One-way fees charged locally. Hotels specified are subject to availability and may be substituted by one of a similar or higher standard.
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