4-Day Colorado Trip Itinerary
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Here is a 4 — DAY COLORADO TRAVEL ITINERARY.
DAY 1: ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK (RMNP)
Places:
1. Hike Bear Lake — Nymph Lake — Dream Lake — Emerald Lake:
4 mile out & back 605 ft elev. gain (moderately challenging)
Bear Lake (elev. 9,446 ft)
Nymph Lake (elev. 9,689 ft)
Dream Lake (elev. 9,905 ft)
Emerald Lake (elev. 10,111 ft)
Food:
Nepal’s Cafe (Estes Park):
We ordered Chili Chicken and Shahi Goat Korma which came with unlimited rice. Price: $10–20 per person
S️tays:
Dao House (Tahosa Valley, Estes Park):
Dao House, a rustic, all-wooden lodge with an Asian vibe sits at 9,200 ft atop Twin Sisters Peak on the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, overlooking Longs Peak (14,250 ft), one of Colorado’s 14er mountain ranges.
At this high altitude, phone networks and Wi-Fi are scarce. Oxygen canisters are available for purchase at the lodge due to the risk of oxygen deprivation.
Wildlife like elk, deer, moose, bobcats, wolves, and bears are common and can break into cars if they smell food. So it is advised to bring all food into the lodge. There is a small lake nestled among forested hills, and a horse stable nearby next to the peaceful lodge.
Tips:
- Timed Entry Reservation Required for Rocky Mountain National Park (May 24 — Oct 20, 5 am-6 pm, $2 — Reserve). Reserve as early as possible since it gets booked quickly.
- Start the hike early in the morning because the parking lot fills up as the day goes on.
- Bring shoe chains during the black ice season.
- There are no restrooms along the hike, so be sure to use the one at the trailhead.
- For parking in Estes Park, it might take some time as it is a busy city. We parked near Bond Park.
DAY 2: RMNP — VAIL — SNOWMASS VILLAGE
Places:
1. RMNP:
- Hike Sprague Lake (elev. 8,688 ft) : 0.7 mile loop 36 ft elev. gain (easy)
- Moraine Park: Best place to watch wildlife, specially during elk rut season
- Trail Ridge Road:
🛣️ 48-mile-long from Estes Park to Grand Lake with numerous viewpoints along the road
⛰ 11 miles of this road is above tree-line which is called the alpine region (elevation >11,500 feet)
📏 Highest point — 12,183 feet elevation
💡 Famous for thrilling views, wildlife sightings, and spectacular alpine wildflower exhibitions.
🌡 Unpredictable weather
ℹ️ Visit America’s highest elevated Visitor Center in the National Park Service - Alpine Visitor Center (11,796 feet)
2. Peak to Peak Scenic Byway:
- Stop at Saint Catherine’s Chapel on the Rock (Allenspark), a beautiful functioning Catholic church at the base of Mt Meeker. Thousands of people visit this historic church throughout the year. It was built in 1935 to serve summer campers. Don’t forget to check out the unique “Tahosa Coffee House” while visiting the chapel.
3. Vail Village:
Nestled in the Colorado Rockies, Vail is a fairytale-like alpine town renowned as one of the premier ski destinations in the US. This European-style village offers a perfect vacation escape across all seasons. Hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, gondola lifting, picnicking, shopping, or indulging in fine dining, Vail has it all.
The town features two charming villages at the base of Vail Mountain: Lionshead Village and Vail Village, connected by a complimentary shuttle service that runs year-round, every half-hour from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Food:
Penelope’s Old Time Burgers (Estes Park):
We ordered a 1/3 pound Baja Cheeseburger and a 1/3 pound Elk Burger. When our order came, the burgers were so large that we realized it would’ve been better to order just one. Price: $15-$25 per person.
S️tays:
Laurelwood Condominiums (Snowmass Village):
Located at an elevation of 8,730 feet, the condo offers majestic mountain views, nearby ski and snowboarding areas, and breathtaking hiking and biking trails. We booked the Laurelwood Studio featuring a full kitchen and a patio with a grill.
T️ips:
- Check the current weather and road situation of Trail Ridge Road before starting your journey
- On the drive from Estes Park to Vail, there are many beautiful towns to see. Stop at as many as your travel schedule allows.
DAY 3: MAROON BELLS — ASPEN — INDEPENDENCE PASS — COLORADO SPRINGS
Places:
1. Maroon Bells: Scenic Loop Trail — 1.9 mile Loop 160 ft elev. gain (Easy)
Maroon Bells is the most photographed mountain in North America. These distinctively wine-colored, bell-shaped peaks towering 14,000 ft. above the pristine Maroon Creek Valley offer spectacular natural views.
It is famous for its hiking trails, alpine scenery, lakes, wildflowers, and wildlife, including elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and bears. It is accessible by personal vehicle or shuttle service from Aspen running every 15 minutes (8 am-3 pm from Aspen, last ride from Maroon Bells at 5 pm).
2. Aspen:
At 7892 ft elevation, the picturesque Aspen city welcomes you with its perfect vacation spree by offering hiking, boating, river rafting, horseback riding, gondola lifting, shopping, or dining.
3. Independence Pass:
At a stunning elevation of 12,095 feet, this high mountain pass is perched on the Continental Divide, making it the second-highest fully paved state highway in the Rockies.
Located between the charming town of Aspen and the serene Twin Lakes, the drive takes about an hour, but trust me — it’s an hour you’ll never forget. Every twisted turn, steep drop, and rugged - rocky hill along this scenic route offers jaw-dropping views that will leave you in awe.
Don’t forget to visit the breathtaking sapphire-like snowmelt lake, formed just across the road from the Independence Pass — Continental Divide.
Food:
Silverpeak Grill (Aspen):
We ordered a Seibert Rice Bowl with Grilled Chicken and a Hana Steak Bowl. Price: $15–$25 per person.
S️tays:
Airbnb (Cascade-Chipita Park)
T️ips:
- Advanced Reservation Required for Maroon Bells (May — Oct) for both personal vehicles ($10/Free for National Park or Maroon Bells pass-holders) and shuttles ($16/adult, $10/child or senior). With reservation, personal vehicles must enter before 8 am or after 5 pm.
- Independence Pass closes during winters (late Oct — May)
- Vehicles longer than 35 feet are prohibited at Independence Pass Highway.
DAY 4: PIKES PEAK — GARDEN OF THE GODS
Places:
1. Pikes Peak (elev. 14,115 feet):
🗓️ Open year-round (weather permitting)
🍩 Home to the world’s highest altitude donut shop at the Summit Cafe
🏞️ Offers 360-degree stunning views of the surrounding landscape, reservoirs, lakes etc. A commemoration plaque of the patriotic American song “America the Beautiful” at the summit which was written based on Pikes Peak.
📋 3 ways to visit:
a. 🚂 Take the world’s highest cog train ($49/child, $59/adult)
b. 🚘 Drive to the 19 miles of Pikes Peak Toll Road to the summit ($15/adult, $5/child, $50 for a car with 5 people)
c. 🥾 Hike 16–24 miles with 4500–7500 ft elevation gain (For experienced hikers only)
2. Garden of the Gods:
- Hike Central Garden Trail
- Visit Balanced Rock and Steamboat Roc
Just an hour from Denver, this 1300-acre National Natural Landmark is famous for incredible red rock formations that were formed over thousands of years through geological activity. These natural wonders look as if crafted by the gods. Over 4 million people visit the park annually. Free admission and open to the public year-round from 5 am to 10 pm.
Food:
Pikes Peak Summit Complex (Pikes Peak):
We ordered peanut butter glazed donuts and caramelized almonds from the food bar. Price: $10–$20 per person.
T️ips:
- Timed Entry Reservation Required for Pikes Peak ($2, May — Sep)
- The Garden of the Gods gets warm and crowded during the daytime, so visit early in the morning or around sunset. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather: bring layers, sunscreen, and enough water for an extended stay.
For a detailed description of each destination, check out our posts 👉 @tasnimandkawsar: Instagram | Facebook
Let us know in the comments 💬 which destination itinerary 📋 you would like to see next.
