First trip

Question

Husband and I want to take our three kids (6,8,9) to Colorado. We plan to fly into Denver and would like to visit Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and the Air Force Academy. We would also love to drive the independence pass to Aspen and see the Maroon Bells. Glenwood Springs looked like a lot of fun. My husband wants to see RNNP also, but we only have about 7-8 days and I’m trying to make the trip efficient but not break neck for the kids. Is this too much for one trip? We likely won’t be back. We both prefer the Bells but it seems stupid to pass up a national park like this when we’re a few hours away. I don’t want to live in the car though… I’m from Delaware so my state is very tiny…. I can get from one side to the other in 25 minutes. Flying round trip from Denver or into Denver and out of Aspen will work (especially if no RMNP).

Answer

Planning a 7–8 day trip to Colorado with three kids is doable, but combining Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Air Force Academy, Independence Pass, Aspen/Maroon Bells, Glenwood Springs, and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is quite ambitious. The key is balancing driving time with sightseeing and making sure the kids don’t spend too much time in the car.

Here’s a suggested way to structure your trip efficiently while hitting most highlights:

Day 1 – Arrive in Denver: Pick up rental car, settle in, maybe explore downtown briefly or visit a nearby attraction like the Denver Zoo or Denver Botanic Gardens to let the kids stretch.
Day 2 – Colorado Springs: Drive ~1.5 hours to Colorado Springs. Visit Garden of the Gods for hiking and rock formations. Then head to Pikes Peak via the highway or cog railway for summit views. Optional quick stop at the Air Force Academy on your way back or next morning.
Day 3 – Travel toward Aspen: Drive toward Glenwood Springs (~4.5–5 hours). Stop along the way for scenic breaks. Enjoy the hot springs in Glenwood to relax after the drive.
Day 4 – Aspen/Maroon Bells: Short drive from Glenwood to Aspen (~1 hour). Head to Maroon Bells for hiking and photos. Explore Aspen town for lunch or a stroll.
Day 5 – Independence Pass / Scenic Drive: Drive Independence Pass toward Twin Lakes if open (weather-dependent, usually May–October). Enjoy mountain vistas and easy stops. Return to Aspen for the night.
Day 6 – Optional National Park (if skipping RMNP): You could drive toward RMNP if you want to include it, but it will require a long day of driving (~5–6 hours to Estes Park). If the goal is to minimize car time, you might skip RMNP and spend extra time around Aspen/Glenwood Springs or nearby small towns.
Day 7 – Return to Denver: Drive back to Denver (~4 hours from Aspen). Optional stops in Vail or Frisco for short breaks and views.
Day 8 – Fly home: Depending on flight time, explore Denver for a morning activity like Union Station or a local park.

Tips & Considerations:

Flying into Denver and out of Aspen could save backtracking if RMNP is not prioritized.
May still have snow at high elevations (Independence Pass) – check road opening conditions.
With kids, try to break long drives into 2–3 hour segments with stops.
If including RMNP, consider shortening Aspen/Glenwood Springs by a day or skipping Independence Pass to avoid too much driving.
Accommodations: Denver for 1–2 nights, Colorado Springs for 1 night, Glenwood/Aspen for 3 nights (or split between Aspen and Glenwood), then back to Denver if flying out there.

Overall, it’s feasible but you’ll be driving frequently. If you want a more relaxed pace for the kids, I would suggest prioritizing either the Aspen area or RMNP but not both in a single trip. That way you get memorable sights without living in the car.

First trip

More Colorado (CO) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions