Colorado is prime camper-van country: high-alpine passes, glacial lakes, old mining towns and some of the best mountain scenery in the country, all within easy reach of one city. Here's a week-long loop from Denver that takes in the highlights.
The route at a glance
| Day | Where | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pick up in Denver → Estes Park | ~1.5 hrs |
| 2 | Rocky Mountain National Park | — |
| 3 | Estes Park → Grand Lake / Winter Park | ~2 hrs |
| 4 | Over the passes → Glenwood Springs | ~3 hrs |
| 5 | Glenwood → Moab, Utah | ~3.5 hrs |
| 6 | Arches & Canyonlands | — |
| 7 | Moab → Denver | ~5.5 hrs |
Day 1: Pick up in Denver
Rent your camper van in Denver — the busiest and best-value hub in the Rockies. It's about an hour to Estes Park, the gateway to the mountains, so you can pick up and be at the trailheads the same day.
Days 2–3: Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is the centrepiece: Trail Ridge Road climbs above 12,000 feet, and the alpine lakes and elk-filled meadows are unforgettable. Camp at Moraine Park or nearby, and drive Trail Ridge early before the crowds.
Day 4: Over the high country
Cross the Continental Divide and drop toward the resort valleys. If you love a soak, Glenwood Springs has the world's largest hot-spring pool — a perfect van-trip evening.
Days 5–6: Moab and the red rock
Swap alpine for desert as you drop into Utah and the red-rock hub of Moab, sandwiched between Arches and Canyonlands national parks. Sunrise at Delicate Arch is the classic, and a van means you're already there.
Day 7: Back to Denver
The drive back closes a loop that packs mountains and desert into a single week. Short on time? Colorado Springs, with Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, makes a great two- or three-day version.
Plan your trip
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