Colorado 12 days

Question

Hi We will be arriving in Denver from London on the 16th March and flying out again on the 28th. We would like to see some great scenery and birdlife. We are 60. We have hired a car. We would prefer to spend time in seeing some of the area in more depth rather than drive the loop. We will come back and spend another 2 weeks doing another area in the summer. We appreciste that the RMNP will have closed roads and it will be snowy season. We are not sure whether to go yo Estes park, Boulder, Fort Collins and days in RMNP or south to Colorado Springs, Great Sand Dunes, Salida and Beauno Vista. Any suggestions for a possible itinerary please. We do not want to spend most of our time driving. Thanks.

Answer

Thank you — that’s a wonderful trip window, and 12 days gives you a great chance to explore Colorado’s scenery, wildlife (including birds), and quieter spots in more depth, especially in early spring. Given that you want to minimize driving and focus on a few areas rather than looping widely, here are two suggested itineraries (plus a hybrid), plus practical advice for March travel.

Key considerations for March travel in Colorado:

Winter conditions: At higher elevations, roads can be snowy or icy. Colorado’s Vehicle Traction Law may be in effect, meaning you need proper tires or even traction devices.
Rocky Mountain National Park access: Trail Ridge Road (the high-elevation scenic drive) is closed in winter / early spring.
Some park roads remain open: For example, Bear Lake Road may be maintained.

Option A: Northern Colorado & Rocky Mountain NP Focus

This itinerary emphasizes Estes Park, RMNP (winter scenery), and nearby areas like Boulder / Fort Collins. Less driving than a full loop, more time in the high country and foothills.

Days 1–2: Arrive in Denver
Recover from jet lag, explore Denver’s parks, botanical gardens, possibly birdwatch around the Denver area (Cherry Creek Reservoir, City Park).
Days 3–5: Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park
Drive from Denver to Estes Park (about ~1.5–2 hours). Use Estes as your base for 2–3 nights. In RMNP:
- Do winter walks or snowshoe hikes around Bear Lake or Sprague Lake — quieter and very scenic in March.
- Watch for wildlife in the lower-elevation valleys. Birdlife in early spring can include waterfowl or raptors along drainage areas.
- Be ready for variable road conditions; even though some roads are plowed, traction law may apply.
Days 6–7: Boulder / Foothills
Drive from Estes to Boulder (or via Lyons). Use Boulder (or a mountain foothills town) as a base for two nights:
- Birding hotspots: Boulder Creek, the Flatirons, or nearby foothills for raptors, mountain birds.
- Day trip to nearby small mountain hikes, or visit Boulder’s mountain parks (Chautauqua, Flagstaff Mountain).
Days 8–9: Fort Collins / Northern Plains
Drive north to Fort Collins (or nearby). Use this time to explore:
- Birdlife in the Cache la Poudre River corridor.
- Visit local nature reserves, open space, or take scenic drives in the foothills / plains.
Days 10–12: Return to Denver, optional day trips
Head back toward Denver and plan one or two day trips, depending on your interests:
- Visit Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre — nice for walking, bird watching, and scenic views.
- Make a side trip to Lookout Mountain, Golden, or other foothills areas.

Option B: Southern Colorado & High Desert Focus

This itinerary swerves south to explore Colorado Springs, the high desert, dunes, and mountain valleys like Salida / Buena Vista. Wild scenery, great for birding, and less snow risk in some parts.

Days 1–2: Denver
Settle in, do light exploring around Denver or the foothills.
Days 3–5: Colorado Springs & Pikes Peak Region
Drive to Colorado Springs (about 1.5 hours). From there:
- Visit Garden of the Gods: magnificent rock formations, good for birding (raptors, small passerines).
- Consider a scenic drive or cog railway / drive toward Pikes Peak (weather dependent).
- Explore nearby foothill trails or nature reserves.
Days 6–8: Great Sand Dunes / Alamosa
Drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park region (this is a longer drive, but you can break it up):
- Explore the dunes themselves — in March, there may be snow or mixed conditions, but also outstanding light and solitude.
- Birding can be very good — shorebirds, waterfowl in dune-pad wetlands, and raptors.
- Use nearby towns (Alamosa, Monte Vista) as base for two nights.
Days 9–10: Salida / Buena Vista
Head north or northwest to Salida / Buena Vista region:
- Hike or scenic drive along the Arkansas River Valley.
- Birding: Look for mountain species along river corridors, riparian habitats, possibly waterfowl or foothill species.
- Consider a day trip to nearby hot springs, small mountain towns, or take in valley vistas.
Days 11–12: Return to Denver via I-70 or back via the Front Range
On your return leg, you can:
- Go through the mountains (if weather allows) for scenic views, or stay lower on I-25 / US-285 depending on conditions.
- Stop at roadside overlooks, smaller mountain parks, or wildlife viewing points.

Option C: Hybrid / Balanced Approach

If you want a mix of both the high mountain feel *and* the southern high desert, this could be your sweet spot. Here’s a way to blend northern and southern Colorado without too much driving.

Days 1–2: Denver
Days 3–4: Estes Park / RMNP (focus on Bear Lake area, winter hikes, wildlife)
Days 5–6: Boulder / Foothills (as a restful base after mountain stay)
Days 7–9: Drive south to Colorado Springs and stay in or near the Pikes Peak region
Days 10–11: Continue to Salida / Buena Vista or Great Sand Dunes area
Day 12: Return to Denver

Suggested Activities & Birdlife Focus

Here are some ideas for birding, wildlife, and scenic stops tailored to your interests:

Boulder / Foothills: Great for mountain-adapted species, raptors, and foothill songbirds. Try open space preserves early in the morning.
Rocky Mountain NP (Lower Elevations): Even in March, you may see elk, deer, and possibly wintering birds. Use easy trails around lakes for birdwatching.
Colorado Springs / Garden of the Gods: Raptors like hawks or falcons on rock outcrops; smaller birds in scrubby vegetation.
Great Sand Dunes Region: If snow has melted in the dune-wetland margins, you may find waterfowl or migrating shorebirds; mountain bluebirds or raptors in foothills.
Arkansas River Valley (Salida / Buena Vista): Riparian birding, possible waterfowl, songbirds, and canyon species.

Travel Tips for March

To make your trip smoother and safer:

Check road conditions daily via COtrip.org or CDOT before heading into mountain areas — March weather in the high country can be unpredictable.
Ensure your rental car is winter-ready, with proper tires or traction-law-compliant equipment.
Consider guided local tours for birding or wildlife — a local guide knows winter hotspots.
Bring layered clothing, waterproof boots, and sun protection — mountain weather can swing between sunshine & snow.
Be flexible: March is shoulder season in many parts of Colorado, so not all roads / trails will be open, and conditions can shift.

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