From Iowa May 24-31 (6 full days)

Question

Hello everyone,

Couple in early 50s driving from Iowa. Dropping RMNP to avoid memorial week crowds. So far I have draft itinerary but need thoughts and advise in some. Our must dos are Durango-Silverton RR train, million dollar highway, 2-4 short easy hikes

May 24 Travel from Iowa to Colorado Springs. Stay Overnight

May 25 Colorado Springs. Stay overnight

May 26 Great Sand Dunes then Pagoda Springs. Overnight in PS

May 27 Head early to Durango to catch the Durango-Silverton train. Stay in Durango?

May 28 Mesa Verde National Park.....

May 29

May 30 maybe overnight in Denver

May 31 Travel back to Iowa

My questions are I dont know where to fit in million dollar highway, ouray/telluride, black canyon NP and grand junction on those dates and where should we stay the night on May 28, 29 and maybe 30. We are ok not stopping in Denver to go home. PLEASE advise and thank you so much

Answer

You’ve put together a great Colorado loop already, and with six full days you can absolutely fit in the Durango–Silverton train, the Million Dollar Highway, Ouray/Telluride scenery, Mesa Verde National Park, and even the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. With Memorial Day week crowds, your plan to avoid RMNP is smart, and southern/western Colorado will be busy but much more manageable.

Below is a detailed breakdown of how to structure the missing days (May 28–30), the best driving order, and recommended overnight locations. This keeps your driving reasonable, allows time for short hikes, and fits your “must-do” scenic drives.

Your first part looks good, so I'll start planning from May 27 onward.

✓ Your schedule so far:

May 24 – Drive Iowa → Colorado Springs (overnight)
May 25 – Colorado Springs (overnight)
May 26 – Great Sand Dunes → Pagosa Springs (overnight)
May 27 – Drive early to Durango → Ride Durango–Silverton Train (overnight Durango)
May 28 – Mesa Verde National Park (overnight TBD)
May 29 – TBD
May 30 – TBD
May 31 – Drive back to Iowa

Here’s how to logically fit everything together after Durango.

⭐ Recommended structure: Durango → Million Dollar Highway → Ouray/Telluride → Black Canyon → Grand Junction → Begin return

This route flows naturally without backtracking and hits every highlight you listed.

✔ May 28 — Mesa Verde → Telluride (or Ouray)

Spend the morning/early afternoon in Mesa Verde. You don’t need all day unless you’re taking multiple ranger-guided cliff dwelling tours. After your visit, head north through Dolores and Rico toward Telluride—this drive is gorgeous and much quieter than the highway. Telluride is stunning and makes a beautiful overnight stop.

Overnight Option 1: Telluride — amazing scenery, mountain-town charm, gondola rides, beautiful walks.
Overnight Option 2: Ouray — more lodging variety and lower cost; walkable town with hot springs.

✔ May 29 — Drive the Million Dollar Highway (Telluride/Ouray → Silverton → Ouray)

Even if you rode the train, you still want to drive the Million Dollar Highway (Ouray → Silverton). Start from Telluride or Ouray and make the loop. Expect 1.5–2 hours of pull-offs, waterfalls, and stunning passes. It’s one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado.

Then continue north toward Montrose and visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (South Rim). You can do this in 2–3 hours by stopping at overlooks and doing easy short walks like Warner Point or Rim Rock Trail.

Overnight Option 1: Montrose — convenient to Black Canyon; easy lodging, dining.
Overnight Option 2: Ridgway/Ouray (if you want a mountain town again)

✔ May 30 — Montrose → Grand Junction → begin return east

From Montrose, head to Grand Junction. You can spend a few hours exploring Colorado National Monument—a beautiful, easy scenic drive with short hikes and dramatic canyon views. It’s especially nice if you want more scenery without strenuous hiking.

After that, you’ll want to start heading back toward Iowa. You have a few options for where to stay depending on how much driving you want to do on May 31.

Option A: Overnight in Grand Junction — easiest; start your long Iowa drive fresh the next morning.
Option B: Start east on I-70 and stay in Glenwood Springs, Eagle, or even Silverthorne — these cut down the May 31 drive.
Option C: Push all the way to Denver (your original thought) — only if you like city amenities; otherwise unnecessary.

✔ May 31 — Drive back to Iowa

Depending on where you spent the night (Grand Junction vs. Glenwood vs. Denver), the driving distance will vary, but all are manageable with an early start. No major sightseeing is needed this day.

⭐ Summary of where to stay:

May 27: Durango
May 28: Telluride or Ouray
May 29: Montrose (best for Black Canyon access)
May 30: Grand Junction (or Glenwood Springs if you want a head start)

⭐ Summary of where the key sights fit naturally:

Million Dollar Highway: May 29
Ouray/Telluride: May 28–29
Black Canyon NP: May 29
Grand Junction / Colorado National Monument: May 30

This itinerary keeps your travel days reasonable, avoids unnecessary backtracking, and includes all the mountain scenery and national parks you want—while respecting the holiday weekend crowds.