Traffic/Driving/changing locations

Question

Hi! Family of five (16,14,12) coming for a week - we’re flying into Denver but want to see Boulder, RMNP and Colorado Springs. Is it better to land one place and drive to each? Ie Stay in Boulder for the week? Or is it best to do two days Boukder, three days Estes, 2 days Manitou Springs? I haven’t been in nearly 20 years so not sure what to expect of raffling those routes…thanks!!!

Answer

For a week-long trip with your family flying into Denver and wanting to visit Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), and Colorado Springs, it’s generally more efficient to split your stay into multiple locations rather than staying in one base for the entire week. Colorado’s mountain roads can be scenic but also slow due to elevation, curves, and tourist traffic, especially near Estes Park and Garden of the Gods.

Recommended Approach: Splitting your nights allows you to minimize daily driving and maximize time enjoying attractions rather than spending hours on the road. Here’s a suggested breakdown:

Denver/Boulder Area (2 days): Stay in Boulder or near Denver. Spend a day exploring Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall, Flatirons trails (easy walks for teens), and possibly nearby Rocky Flats or Chautauqua Park. The second day could include a short drive to nearby attractions or just enjoying Boulder’s local culture.
Estes Park/RMNP (3 days): Stay in Estes Park to fully enjoy Rocky Mountain National Park. With a family of teens, you can do scenic drives like Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake area hikes, and other moderate trails. This minimizes back-and-forth driving and allows flexibility depending on timed-entry passes. Estes Park also has shops, cafes, and a small-town feel to explore.
Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs (2 days): Stay in Colorado Springs or Manitou Springs. You can explore Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak (via road or cog railway), Cave of the Winds, and possibly the Olympic Training Center. Manitou Springs is walkable with shops and casual dining. Two nights is enough to see highlights without rushing.

Driving Notes:

Denver to Boulder is about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.
Boulder to Estes Park is roughly 1.5-2 hours, but roads can be slow in tourist-heavy areas or with mountain weather.
Estes Park to Colorado Springs is about 2.5-3 hours via US-34 E and I-25 S.

Splitting your accommodations like this keeps drives reasonable (most under 3 hours), reduces fatigue, and maximizes sightseeing time for your teens, making the trip much more enjoyable than trying to stay in one location and driving long distances every day.

Optional Tips: