Late June Colorado trip itinerary questions

Question

Hello,

My husband and I are looking at booking a trip for late June to Colorado. We are thinking about a 7 day trip, flying into Denver from the East Coast. Based on research I’ve done we are considering 3 nights in Estes Park/visiting RMNP, 2 nights around Breckenridge area, and 2 nights in Colorado Springs. We aren’t really looking at doing much if anything in Denver since we have been there before.

Just a bit of background on us… we are both 60 years old, fairly fit and enjoy hiking (sticking to moderate hikes no more than about 5 miles), beautiful scenery and wouldn’t mind visiting a couple of good breweries. We would like to limit ourselves to 2 to 3 places to visit and prefer not to stay anywhere just one night. We would also prefer to not spend a crazy amount of time driving.

That said… any thoughts/advice on this rough itinerary? Should 3 nights at RMNP be enough? Does it matter whether we do RNMP or Colorado Springs first? I was wondering if we should put Colorado Springs at the end to give us more time to get acclimated before visiting Pikes Peak.

Thanks for any feedback you can give.

Answer

Your proposed 7-day Colorado itinerary for late June is very reasonable, especially considering your preferences for moderate hiking, scenic views, and a relaxed pace. Here are some detailed thoughts and suggestions to optimize your trip.

Rocky Mountain National Park / Estes Park:

Three nights in Estes Park is generally sufficient for a relaxed exploration of RMNP. This allows you to acclimate to the altitude (Estes Park is about 7,500 ft) and take your time on moderate hikes without feeling rushed. You can consider:

Bear Lake area hikes (easy to moderate loops like Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake – all under 5 miles).
Alberta Falls hike (moderate, 1.6 miles round trip).
Trail Ridge Road scenic drive (check for opening dates, usually fully open by late June).
Sprague Lake and other scenic stops for shorter walks and wildlife viewing.

Three nights also give you a buffer in case of afternoon thunderstorms, which are common in summer.

Breckenridge / Summit County:

Two nights around Breckenridge is a nice balance for exploring the high country without too much driving. While in Breckenridge, you might enjoy:

Moderate hikes: Mohawk Lakes Trail or McCullough Gulch (both around 3–5 miles round trip).
Historic Main Street Breckenridge for dining, shopping, and craft breweries.
Optional scenic drives over Boreas Pass or Peak 8 to see alpine views.

Colorado Springs:

Ending the trip in Colorado Springs is a smart idea because:

You’ll be better acclimated to altitude after time in Estes Park and Breckenridge (Colorado Springs is lower, about 6,000 ft, but Pikes Peak is higher at 14,115 ft).
Two nights allows you to explore without feeling rushed and gives flexibility to visit Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, and the Broadmoor Seven Falls.
Pikes Peak can be visited via the Pikes Peak Highway or the Cog Railway. Plan for a half-day excursion; starting rested and acclimated makes the experience more enjoyable.

Driving & Logistics:

From Denver to Estes Park: ~1.5–2 hours.
Estes Park to Breckenridge: ~3 hours via US-34 and I-70 (scenic route).
Breckenridge to Colorado Springs: ~2.5–3 hours via I-70 and US-24.
Flying into Denver first, then heading to Estes Park, is a logical sequence to gradually increase altitude.

Additional Tips:

Start hikes early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, especially in RMNP.
Carry water and snacks for hikes, and dress in layers as weather can be variable.
Check trail conditions ahead of time; late June is usually snow-free on lower elevation trails, but some higher trails may still have patches of snow.
Enjoy a mix of nature and small town dining: Estes Park and Breckenridge both have local breweries and charming restaurants perfect for evening relaxation.

Overall, your plan of RMNP first, Breckenridge second, and Colorado Springs last is optimal for minimizing driving stress, maximizing scenic enjoyment, and allowing for gradual acclimation to altitude. Three nights in RMNP is adequate for a moderate pace, and your 2-night stays elsewhere keep travel balanced.

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