Help with my plan!

Question

After visiting the NP parks near Moab, heading to explore Colorado as much as we can. This will be Memorial Day weekend. ( I know, I know, it’s at the tail end of our trip tied into a Las Vegas convention.) So far, thinking: leave on that Friday from Moab, head towards Grand Junction for a stop at a winery. Maybe an overnight in Glenwood Springs or Carbondale. Still unknown if we will be able to do Hanging Lake trail. According to tourism office of Glenwood, we will need to call on the Tuesday before the weekend to see if we can do this. I would not mind a float, semi- rapid river raft ride. I believe I saw something about this in Carbondale Or Glenwood Springs.

Maybe head towards Vail/ Breckenridge. Overnight Breckenridge? Non- skiers. Just want the experience.

Breckenridge to Colorado Springs or Rocky Mountain National Park?

Time to do both?

For a time frame: arriving west Colorado sometime on Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Our flight is out of Denver at 6 pm on the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Thanks for any suggestions! This is hard because of the uncertainty of weather and the elevation changes, etc.

Answer

It sounds like you have a packed but exciting plan for exploring Colorado after visiting the national parks near Moab. Given your time frame from Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the following Tuesday evening flight from Denver, you can see quite a bit of western and central Colorado, but flexibility is key due to elevation, weather, and holiday crowds.

Here’s a suggested approach to maximize your experience while keeping travel reasonable:

Friday – Moab to Grand Junction / Glenwood Springs: Leave Moab in the morning and drive to Grand Junction (approx. 2.5–3 hours). Stop at a winery or two in the Grand Valley area for a relaxed lunch and tasting. Then continue to Glenwood Springs or Carbondale for an overnight stay (about 1–1.5 hours from Grand Junction). Glenwood Springs has hot springs and restaurants for a casual evening.
Saturday – Glenwood Springs / Carbondale: Consider a morning float trip on the Colorado River — semi-rapid options are available through outfitters in both Glenwood and Carbondale. Check with them for availability over Memorial Day weekend. Alternatively, if you secure a permit, do the Hanging Lake Trail early in the day (call ahead as required). Afternoon/evening, drive toward Vail or Breckenridge (approx. 2–3 hours), overnight in Breckenridge.
Sunday – Breckenridge / Mountain Towns: Explore Breckenridge’s historic downtown, easy scenic hikes, or short drives to nearby mountain areas. Since you’re non-skiers, consider gondola rides, sightseeing trails, or relaxing in town. Overnight in Breckenridge.
Monday – Breckenridge to Colorado Springs: Early drive to Colorado Springs (approx. 5–6 hours, depending on stops). Along the way, you can detour to see areas like the Continental Divide near Georgetown or even some scenic mountain overlooks. In Colorado Springs, visit Garden of the Gods and perhaps the Manitou Springs area. Overnight in Colorado Springs.
Tuesday – Rocky Mountain National Park or Denver transit: If your flight is at 6 pm, the time window is tight to do both Colorado Springs and RMNP fully. RMNP is closer to Estes Park (about 6–7 hours drive from Breckenridge), so visiting on Tuesday is feasible only for a short scenic drive if you want to make your flight comfortably. Alternatively, skip RMNP and explore more of Colorado Springs or nearby attractions before driving to Denver (about 1.5 hours) to catch your flight.

Tips and Considerations:

Memorial Day weekend is busy in Colorado; book hotels and activities in advance.
Weather can change quickly at higher elevations, so keep layers and rain gear handy.
Floating or rafting trips can be affected by river levels, so confirm reservations in advance.
If Hanging Lake is a must-see, secure your timed entry permit immediately once the system opens.
Driving times can be longer due to mountain roads and holiday traffic; plan accordingly.

Overall, this itinerary allows you to see western Colorado scenery, enjoy river adventures, experience mountain towns like Breckenridge, and have a relaxing final day before your flight. Attempting both Breckenridge and RMNP fully might be too rushed, so prioritize based on your interests — either mountain town leisure or scenic park exploration.

Help with my plan!

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