As temperatures continue to dip and snow keeps showing up in the forecast in our neck of the woods, I know that many of us are looking forward to summer vacation. The beach starts to sound pretty nice when you’re holed up due to the cold. We love a good beach vacation too, but last year we went a different route and thoroughly enjoyed a summer Colorado road trip.

The trip began with lots of planning, the result being a notebook itinerary I created that included drive times between stops and information about each destination. This came in handy for many reasons, most notably for fielding ‘are we there yet’ types of questions. Each time a child asked how much longer, I would respond with, “Consult the itinerary!” It became a running gag because one would ask,”Is there a bathroom nearby?” and someone else would say, “Consult the itinerary!” 

Road trips are great for budget travelers because you can visit some of the pricier areas but save on accommodations by staying in more affordable locations. Plus you get to see so much more of the beautiful state you’re visiting, and Colorado has tons of beauty to see! Here’s the route we took along with the activities we chose:

Destination 1: Great Sand Dunes National Park

After spending the night in Alamosa, where we enjoyed delicious burgers at San Luis Valley Brewing Company, we drove half an hour to The Oasis, where we rented sandboards. We rented one stand-up board and one sit-down board for our family of five to share instead of getting one for each of us. Renting the boards is highly recommended – it makes the experience at the dunes so much more exciting! 

We all had a blast sliding down the sand dunes. If you go in the summer, definitely arrive early. That sand gets HOT by midday, so much so that it might be too miserable in the afternoon. It’s such a unique activity though, and well worth the visit.

All that hot sand got us craving a cooldown, so we headed just down the road to Zapata Falls. It’s awesome that such a cold waterfall exists so close to the dunes, and it is definitely COLD. The hike from the parking lot to the falls isn’t far, and you get to go into a cave to see the falls. You absolutely can’t miss it if you visit the dunes.

Destination 2: Independence Pass and Maroon Bells

It’s hard for me to pick a favorite day on this trip, but this might be it for me because seeing the Maroon Bells in person was simply amazing. Photos don’t do it justice.

We started our day in Twin Lakes and headed toward Aspen via Independence Pass. We stopped to sightsee so many times because this drive is filled with breathtaking views. We got our picture at the Continental Divide sign and gawked at the panoramic view, picnicked and hiked at Grottos Trail, and took our time among the many creeks and wildflowers. 

A favorite spot for us on the route, the Independence Ghost Town had a trail leading to several structures and interpretive signs about the original mining town that had settled there. With an incredible mountain backdrop and a winding creek rushing through, this place was gorgeous, and my husband and I considered building a cabin there for ourselves. Too bad that’s probably frowned upon. 

After arriving in Aspen, we caught the shuttle at Aspen Highlands that took us to Maroon Bells. (Note: Due to the high volume of visitors, you must book the shuttle to Maroon Bells in advance. Visitors are not allowed to drive their own vehicles.) This place is so beautiful that it almost doesn’t look real. We hiked the trail around the lake and took videos of the rushing water. It is well worth the shuttle cost to see this scenic spot – it’s a slice of heaven!

Destination 3: Redstone & Crested Butte

After departing Aspen, we made our way to Redstone to spend the night. This was a cute little town with a secluded feel, and we loved checking out the shops. If you visit this area, don’t miss Hayes Creek Falls – it’s a tall waterfall tucked in the rocks just off the side of the road. 

We took Kebler Pass (only open in the summer) to Crested Butte. Crested Butte is a bustling town in the summer and has so many restaurants and shops to enjoy. There are also plenty of hikes outside of town.

After leaving Crested Butte, we drove to Cimarron, and although it wasn’t one of our sightseeing destinations, I have to mention the hotel we stayed in – Arrowhead Mountain Lodge. It’s basically a small lodge-style inn five miles down a dirt road that makes you feel like you’re on a retreat with family. Locals come to the restaurant at night and play bingo, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is just lots of good fun and cheer. We booked it as an affordable stay between destinations, but it ended up being one of the highlights, especially for our kids.

Destination 4: Telluride

We had initially planned on stopping at Black Canyon of the Gunnison on our way to Telluride, but we discovered there was BLM land outside of Telluride where gold panning was allowed. Gold panning in Colorado was the activity that my husband and son did not want to miss while we were there. We didn’t strike it rich, but it’s a great free activity if you’ve got your own panning tools.

When we got to Telluride, we took the free (yes, free!) gondola ride to the top of the mountain, where we checked out all the shops. Though Telluride is often thought of as a popular ski spot, there are plenty of summer activities for a family as well, including hiking trails and bike rentals.

Destination 5: Ouray/Silverton

Ouray (nicknamed ‘Switzerland of America’) is a picturesque town nestled in rust-colored mountains, and there is a short hike to a waterfall (Cascade Falls) right off the main road. Ouray is also known for its facility ‘Ouray Hot Springs’ that features swimming pools and heated mineral pools, but we saved money by staying at a hotel that had geothermal pools onsite. 

The only way from Ouray to Silverton and Durango is via the Million Dollar Highway, aptly named due to its ‘million dollar views’. It’s a white-knuckling experience for sure, though, because you’re winding your way up a mountain on hairpin turns. The views are stunning, but be prepared for the drive if you decide to take this road!

We stopped by Silverton, a cool mining town with some history, and then finished out the route in Durango. This was our gateway out of Colorado, and though we were sad to leave, we were thrilled that we’d packed so much fun into a week.

I definitely recommend this route for an adventurous family who doesn’t mind a little extra driving to see more towns. If you want to spend more time at each destination than we did, there are plenty of entertainment options to choose from on this path – rafting, canoeing, etc. Pack a cooler for lunches – the scenery is so incredible that you’ll want to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Enjoy!