4 days to spend in Colorado

Question

Wife and I are planning a trip in June. We’re in our mid 60s, interested in seeing mountains and nice scenery, good food and towns (not cities). We’re considering either the Durango, Silverton, Telluride area to see Mesa Verde, million dollar highway, and ride the Durango to Silverton train and explore the towns…. Or stay in Estes Park and see RMNP, Garden of the Gods, maybe Pikes Peak. We will have our car. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Answer

With 4 days in Colorado and a focus on mountains, scenic drives, small towns, and good food, both options you mentioned are excellent, but they offer very different experiences. Here’s a detailed comparison and suggested itineraries:

Option 1: Durango, Silverton, Telluride Area

This area is ideal if you want dramatic mountain scenery, historic towns, and the famous Million Dollar Highway. It’s a bit more remote, giving you a cozy mountain experience.

Day 1: Arrive in Durango. Stroll historic downtown, enjoy a local restaurant (try Serious Texas Bar-B-Q or Steamworks Brewery), and overnight in Durango.
Day 2: Take the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This scenic train ride takes 3–4 hours one way and offers incredible views of the San Juan Mountains. Return to Durango for the evening.
Day 3: Drive the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) north toward Silverton and Ouray. Stop at viewpoints along the way, take short walks, and enjoy the alpine scenery. Overnight in Silverton or return to Durango if preferred.
Day 4: Explore Telluride, enjoy a gondola ride for scenic views, walk around the town, and perhaps visit nearby Bridal Veil Falls. Drive back to Durango for departure.

This route offers historic charm, dramatic landscapes, and the memorable train experience, but it involves more driving and less variety in ecosystems compared to northern Colorado.

Option 2: Estes Park, RMNP, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak

This option is more accessible from Denver, offers a variety of scenic highlights, and combines mountains, red rock scenery, and historic towns.

Day 1: Arrive in Estes Park, check into lodging, stroll downtown, have dinner at a local bistro.
Day 2: Explore Rocky Mountain National Park. Drive through Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, and Trail Ridge Road for panoramic views. Short, easy hikes are available along the way. Overnight in Estes Park.
Day 3: Drive south toward Colorado Springs. Stop at Garden of the Gods for scenic walks and photos. Continue to visit Pikes Peak (via the highway or Pikes Peak Cog Railway). Overnight in Colorado Springs.
Day 4: Explore more of Colorado Springs, such as Old Colorado City for local shops and dining. Scenic drives along the foothills before returning to Denver for departure.

This itinerary is a bit more relaxed, offers a diversity of landscapes (alpine mountains, red rock formations), and is logistically easier with a central home base and shorter daily drives.

Additional Tips:

For your first trip and limited time, the Estes Park/Colorado Springs option may provide more “bang for your buck” in terms of scenic variety with less time spent driving.
If you love historic railroads and rugged, remote scenery, the Durango/Silverton route is unforgettable but requires longer drives and careful planning to maximize the short stay.
In either case, book accommodations early, as June is busy in Colorado mountain towns.
Plan to start early for scenic drives and national park visits to avoid crowds.

Ultimately, if your focus is majestic scenery, small-town charm, and easy access to multiple highlights, Estes Park and Colorado Springs is a flexible, low-stress choice. If your priority is dramatic mountain landscapes and a unique train experience, Durango, Silverton, and Telluride are unmatched, but more time on the road is required.