Colorado Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park

Route description

Start in Colorado Springs at Garden of the Gods, a free city park where red sandstone fins stand upright in front of Pikes Peak and paved loops make for easy walks. Then drive north on I-25 to Denver.

West of Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Morrison is a concert venue set between 300-foot sandstone monoliths. Visit during the day to climb the stairs and see the performers’ hall of fame. From there, head north through Boulder and take US-36 up into the foothills to Estes Park.

Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, where Trail Ridge Road climbs to 12,183 feet, the highest continuous paved road in the US, usually open from Memorial Day to mid-October. Moraine Park Campground is open all year, and in fall elk bugle across the meadow. The park often requires timed-entry reservations in summer, and thunderstorms build on most afternoons at altitude, so drive the high road in the morning.