Need help with Itinerary

Question

Hello! We're traveling to CO this summer from 7/11-7/18 and would love advice for a portion of it. We are flying into and out of Denver and have a wedding at the front end, but will have 5 full days to explore. This will be our second trip to CO and we've already been to Boulder, RMNP, Lake Dillon, Vail, Breckenridge, Frisco, Colorado Springs. Here is our itinerary so far, including open days. We loved Lake Dillon so thought we may stay there for the whole 5 days and do day trips, but not sure that will keep us busy enough (we have 3 active guys, ages 23, 19, 15). Any suggestions for how to map out the 5 full free days would be greatly appreciated! We don't want to do TOO much driving as we need to pick one son up at the Denver airport 4 days in, but we don't want to stay in Denver area that whole time.

Day 1: arrive in Denver 10:30am, staying in Castle Rock, CO, evening wedding activities

Day 2: LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO IN/NEAR CASTLE ROCK. Evening wedding

Day 3: Drive to Lake Dillon, church at amphitheater, explore area/outlets, etc.

Day 4: Rent e-bikes, bike around Lake Dillon, evening, pick son up at Denver airport and bring back to Lake Dillon (or could go to another destination)

Day 5: OPEN (could do day trips from Dillon or stay in new destination like Aspen? Steamboat? Other suggestions?)

Day 6: OPEN (ditto above)

Day 7: OPEN End of day, back to Denver for flight out next morning

Day 8: Fly out of Denver 11:40am

Would appreciate ANY and ALL suggestions!

Answer

It sounds like you have a fun mix of activities already planned, and with 5 full days to explore Colorado beyond the spots you've already visited, you have a lot of flexibility. Since you want to minimize excessive driving while still keeping the trip active and engaging for three energetic travelers, focusing on a couple of hub locations with day trips works well.

Day 2 – Castle Rock / Nearby

Castle Rock itself is quaint but limited for full-day activities. Consider short adventures nearby:

Castle Rock Outlets and local shops for a relaxed morning.
Castlewood Canyon State Park for an easy hike, waterfall, and scenic views (~30 min drive).
Parker Adventure Park or Topgolf for something active and fun in the afternoon.
If the group wants more adrenaline, check for local rock climbing or zipline options.

Day 3 – Lake Dillon Arrival

Driving to Lake Dillon is scenic and you can spend time exploring Dillon Town, visiting the outlets, or walking along the Dillon Reservoir trails. Evening could be relaxing around your lodging.

Day 4 – E-Bikes & Airport Pickup

E-biking around Dillon Reservoir is a highlight. Renting bikes for a 10–15 mile loop is perfect for active travelers. Plan for a few hours in the morning and early afternoon, leaving time for your son’s pickup at Denver Airport (~1.5–2 hours each way). Returning to Dillon for the evening keeps lodging centralized.

Days 5–6 – Exploring Western Slope / Mountains

Consider using Dillon as a hub, but also explore farther afield. You might opt for a one-night change in location for variety:

Vail / Minturn / Red Cliff: Short drive from Dillon, hiking, rafting, or summer adventure parks.
Breckenridge Adventure: Even if you've been there, summer activities like alpine slides, mountain coaster, and paddleboarding are new experiences.
Glenwood Springs / Hanging Lake: About 2–3 hours from Dillon, incredible scenery, hot springs, and moderate hike options.
Steamboat Springs: Longer drive (~3–3.5 hours), but great for a full day trip or overnight. Summer tubing, mountain biking, or relaxing in the hot springs.
Aspen / Maroon Bells: 2–2.5 hours from Dillon, iconic views, easy summer hikes, and scenic drives. Staying overnight is optional if you want a more relaxed day trip.

Day 7 – Return to Denver

Plan a scenic route back from your last destination. If staying around Dillon, stopping in Georgetown or Idaho Springs along I-70 provides fun mountain town vibes and lunch options. Arrive in Denver in the afternoon or evening to avoid stress before your flight.

Additional Tips:

Use Dillon or Frisco as a central base to reduce frequent hotel changes.
Book airport pickup day strategically: traffic on I-70 can be heavy, allow at least 2–2.5 hours each way.
Consider rafting on the Arkansas River near Buena Vista for a half-day adventure (if willing to drive ~2 hours from Dillon).
Check summer festivals or concerts in mountain towns—they can provide unique local experiences.
Reserve e-bikes, rafting, and hot springs in advance to ensure availability during peak summer.

By mixing hub stays with a couple of day trips or short overnight excursions, you’ll keep the itinerary active, scenic, and enjoyable for all ages without excessive driving or rushing between destinations.

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