Colorado-South Dakota

Denver, Boulder & ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO
CHEYENNE, WYOMING
CUSTER STATE PARK, MT RUSHMORE & CRAZY HORSE MEMORIALs, & WIND CAVE NP, SOUTH DAKOTA
hudson-Meng Bison Kill Education Center & Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Summary

Massive monuments, vast grasslands, brilliant blue skies, towering forested peaks, crisp mountain lakes, abundant wildlife, charming towns and a cosmopolitan city... what more could you want from a vacation? Custer State Park holds its own against any National Park in our humble opinion, and that's what's drawn us here several times over the years. 

Trip Tic

For: Families, Couples     Travel Days: 8      Mileage: 860+/-     Car Hours: 15.5 (one 4.5+ hour driving day)    Temps: 45-85° F (summer)

Route Map  

Itinerary Outline

Day 1

  • Arrive at Denver International Airport
  • Drive 40 minutes to Boulder, Colorado to grab a snack  on the Pearl Street pedestrian mail or hike/bike the paved Boulder Creek Path that runs right through the middle of town
  • Drive 50 minutes further to Estes Park and begin acclimating to the elevation with a nap and lots of hydration 
  • Lodging: St. Mary's Lake Lodge (an alternative to consider is the YMCA of the Rockies)

Day 2

  • Hike the easy .6 mile Bear Lake loop trail and then to Alberta Falls (1.2 miles round trip) from the Glacier Gorge trailhead in  Rocky Mountain National Park  (park/trail map)
  • Have a bite at one of the Park concessions before driving up the Old Fall River Road (it's one way) and looping back down via Trail Ridge Road, stopping along the latter at Hidden Valley and/or Beaver Ponds as you near the end of the drive
  • Window shop and dine in Estes Park
  • Lodging: St. Mary's Lake Lodge

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Related Resources