Rocky Mountain Trail

Day 1: Arrive in 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.

Hotels: DoubleTree Curtis Hotel or similar (2 nights)

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 (72 miles)

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.

Hotels: Elegande Hotel Conference & Event Centre or similar (1 night)

Day 4: Alamosa (165 miles)

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.

Hotels: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alamosa or similar (1 night)

Day 5: Durango (150 miles; drive through Mesa Verde 243 miles)

Mesa Verde NP with its cliff dwellings built by the Anazasi Indians is a highlight of your trip. Do not miss the archaeological settlements in this unique area.

Hotels: Durango Downtown Inn or similar (1 night)

Day 6: Grand Junction (171 miles)

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’.

Hotels: Clarion Inn Grand Junction or similar (1 night)

Day 7: Moab (Arches N.P.) (113 miles)

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 2000 arches.

Hotels: River Canyon Lodge or similar (1 night)

Day 8: Salt Lake City (234 miles)

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?

Hotels: Hotel RL Salt Lake City or similar (1 night)

Day 9: Jackson/Wyoming (306 miles)

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.

Hotels: Mountain Modern Motel or similar (1 night)

Day 10: Yellowstone N.P. (306 miles)

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.

Hotels: Gray Wolf Inn & Suites or similar (2 nights)

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 (131 miles)

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.

Hotels: Buffalo Bill Cabin Village or similar (1 night)

Day 13: Sheridan (150 miles)

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.

Hotels: Holiday Inn Sheridan or similar (1 night)

Day 14: Rapid City (250 miles)

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.

Hotels: Best Western Ramkota Rapid City or similar (3 nights)

Day 15: Rapid City

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: Rapid City

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 (312 miles)

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.

Hotels: Red Lion Hotel Cheyenne or similar (1 night)

Day 18: Rocky Mountain N.P. (91 miles)

Today’s drive leads through the Rocky Mountain N.P. 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.

Hotels: The Ridgeline Hotel or similar (1 night)

Day 19: Denver (65 miles)

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.

Hotels: DoubleTree Curtis Hotel or similar (1 night)

Day 20: Depart 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.