Help planning summer 2026 trip

Question

One week in Colorado. We have family in Denver; will stay there a couple of days. Want to do a day trip to Boulder.

We have been to Estes Park and Garden of the Gods before. We went to RMNP, but just a quick drive through.

I thought about Denver/Boulder, and going down to Durango/Mesa Verde. I would really like to do the Durango Silverton train. Is it worth driving 6+ hours from Denver? I read about the Royal Gorge train, but heard it was lackluster compared to Durango.

If not worth it - where else should we go to? I would like to do a group rafting tour somewhere on our trip.

We are two adult females - we enjoy breweries/wineries, relaxation, adventure. We would enjoy mild hiking, horseback riding, off road tours. No camping.

I appreciate any insight!

Answer

For a one-week summer trip to Colorado that includes a mix of relaxation, adventure, and sightseeing, you can structure your itinerary to balance driving with rewarding destinations. Since you have family in Denver, start with a couple of days in the city and a day trip to Boulder, which is less than an hour away and offers a charming downtown, Pearl Street Mall, hiking at Chautauqua Park, and several local breweries and distilleries.

Regarding Durango and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: it is widely considered one of the most scenic train rides in the U.S., passing through high desert canyons and historic mining towns. The ride itself is an experience and offers excellent photography opportunities. However, from Denver, it is roughly a 6.5–7 hour drive each way. For a one-week trip, you could fly into Durango or consider focusing on southwestern Colorado only if you are willing to allocate 2–3 full days to the area.

If the long drive from Denver seems too much, there are closer alternatives for a scenic train experience:

Royal Gorge Route Railroad: Near Canon City, about 2 hours from Denver. Offers a picturesque canyon ride with options for lunch or dinner trains. It is scenic but shorter and less rugged than Durango.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway: In Colorado Springs, about 1.5 hours from Denver. This is more of a mountain experience than a canyon ride but provides stunning alpine views.

For rafting, Colorado offers several excellent options:

Browns Canyon National Monument: Near Buena Vista, about 2.5 hours from Denver. A group rafting tour here is adventurous but manageable for mild to moderate experience levels.
Arkansas River near Salida: Offers a variety of guided rafting trips from mild to more exciting rapids.
Clear Creek near Golden: If you prefer something very close to Denver, there are half-day rafting trips here, suitable for less intense experiences.

Other activities to consider within a reasonable drive from Denver:

Horseback riding: Options near Estes Park, Boulder, or near Colorado Springs at the base of Pikes Peak.
Mild hiking: Trails at Chautauqua Park (Boulder), Roxborough State Park, or Mount Falcon Park offer scenic, moderate hikes without extreme elevation gain.
Off-road tours: Jeep or ATV tours are available near Colorado Springs, Estes Park, and around the foothills of the Rockies for a mix of adventure and sightseeing.

If you prefer to avoid the long drive to Durango, a potential one-week itinerary could be:

Days 1–2: Denver & Boulder – explore breweries, shops, and Chautauqua Park.
Day 3: Day trip to Colorado Springs – Garden of the Gods (again, optional), Pikes Peak, optional Cog Railway, or hiking trails.
Day 4: Salida/Buena Vista – group rafting on the Arkansas River or Browns Canyon.
Day 5: Mount Princeton Hot Springs or a scenic drive along Cottonwood Pass.
Days 6–7: Relaxed exploration of smaller towns such as Manitou Springs or Lyons, enjoying local food, breweries, or a horseback ride.

This plan reduces long drives, maximizes time for relaxation, and still offers adventure, rafting, and mild hiking, while keeping options for local food and breweries.

Help planning summer 2026 trip

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