Driving from Denver to the awe-inspiring Yellowstone National Park is one of America's most scenic drives. Before you arrive in the land of geysers and colorful tidal basin in about 10-11 hours drive, a few stunning sites along the route like Medicine Bow National Forest and the Grand Tetons also entice the adventurers to take a short weekend trip or a five day vacation. Make sure to rent a car at VroomVroomVroom and check out our suggested itineraries so you can start exploring at your own pace.
Start your exciting Colorado road trip adventure by renting a car in Denver. From seeing the Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Art Museum, watching a Rockies baseball game, looking at rare and endangered animals at the Denver Zoo, or driving the Mount Evans Scenic Byway - there are plenty of must-see attractions and things to do in Denver that just waiting for you to discover. You could also go shopping at the famous 16th Street Mall and eat at some of the city's finest restaurants.
Only a two-hour drive from Denver and just minutes away from Estes Park, see for yourself why three million tourists come to the Rocky Mountain National Park every year to take pleasure in its stunning scenery, wildlife, and of course, hiking. There is certainly no limit to the levels of adventures you can enjoy here. You can go for a scenic drive via Trail Ridge Road (US 34), have a picnic at Coyote Valley Trailhead, hike to lakes and waterfalls on the East Inlet Trail, or you can just stay in a cozy cabin in Grand Lake after a day of exploring.
Loveland, which is only an hour away from Estes Park via US-34 E, is another must-stop in Colorado especially for anyone who loves art and sculpture. From the Loveland Museum and Gallery to beautiful Benson Sculpture Garden down to the classic Rialto Theater, there are many other ways to explore this city. Want to celebrate and sample locally brewed craft beers? Then the Crow Hop Brewing Company is the place to go. In the event you find yourself in Loveland around Halloween, you may want to join the Halloween Family Fun Festival and dress up to win a prize.
Home to three ski areas, the town of Jackson is approximately a seven hour drive from the edge of Colorado into Wyoming proper. From Loveland, it is about eight hour drive via US-287 N. There are endless outdoor recreation opportunities to experience in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton Country. These include climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife-watching, horseback riding, trail running and white water rafting. The town also serves as a perfect base for dining, shopping and exploring. The Grand Teton National Park, which is only a seven-minute drive from Jackson Hole via US-191 N/US-26 E/US-89 N, is the ideal place to be if you want to enjoy the majestic mountain peaks and awe-inspiring vistas of the park.
Built in 1872, there are plenty of things to see and do at the world's first national park. If you are anticipating to see colorful hot springs and watch geysers erupt, the Yellowstone is the perfect place to visit. Deemed as a park for all seasons, Yellowstone National Park consists of five entrances: north, northeast, east, south and west. The north is from Montana, the easy is Cody, the south is Jackson, and the west is Idaho. Please note that Jackson and Cody are at least a nine-hour drive from Denver, including pit stops. From sightseeing to camping, you can also go hiking, bicycling, fishing, swimming, rafting, paddling and boating during summer. In winter, you can go skiing and snowshoeing. Now if you are planning to visit this park with your kids, spring time is the ideal place to visit.
