Denver

Arrive into Denver and have a full day in Denver to visit the sights of the Mile High City and Capital City of Colorado: Your choice of activities could include the vibrant, walkable downtown area; lunch at a sidewalk cafe or in Larimer Square; the Denver Art Museum or check out what is on at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Round off the day with dinner at one of Denver’s acclaimed restaurants with its Farm to Table cuisine.
2 nights Denver

Denver to Grand Junction

Collect your car. Take I70 (considered one of the most scenic “interstate highway” drives in the USA) past Vail and Glenwood Canyon to Grand Junction, in the heart of the Colorado wine district which will be your home for two nights.

Explore over 20 wineries as well as the Colorado National Monument to give you a glimpse of the amazing red rock formations which will form the backdrop for the next few days. The 11,333 foot alpine summit of the Grand Mesa is probably the highlight but the dramatic Book Cliffs are amazing too. You can book a guided ride to see the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse herd. If you prefer water sports to horseback ones, take to a raft or a paddleboard on the Colorado River or grab a fishing rod from one of the local outfitters and catch yourself a trout.

TIP - Take the 23mile long Colorado Riverfront Rimrock Drive to Fruita to take in all the views of

the canyonlands and the Colorado National Monument.

2 nights Grand Junction

Grand Junction to Moab

Cross the State border into Utah, the Mormon State with probably more dramatic scenery than anywhere else. As well as the fabulous lakes, mountains and seascapes you will see the awesome red rocks in all kinds of amazing shapes and colours. You will stay in or near Moab for a couple of nights to be able to appreciate Arches and Canyonlands National Park.  Arches National Park contains about 2,000 windowed arches, towering spires, hoodoos and precarious pinnacles. Look for the Delicate Arch, perhaps Utah's most iconic feature and Landscape Arch which is the largest at 306 feet. For an arch to be an arch, it has to span a minimum of 3 feet. A paved 40mile scenic drive from the park entrance provides numerous parking areas for trail access and scenic overlooks.
2 nights Moab

TIP - Drive the local’s favourite Travel Dead Horse Mesa Scenic Byway to Dead Horse Point State

Park for a dizzying view some 2,000 feet above the Colorado River as it winds its way into

Canyonlands National Park.

TIP - In summer it is very hot so it is worth getting up early to get both the cooler air and the best

colours. Rest during the afternoon and sally out again to get the evening hues.

Moab to Capitol Reef

It is no wonder the Navajo called Capitol Reef the Land of the Sleeping Rainbow. The contrast of red Entrada and white Navajo sandstones create a magnificent rip in the crust of the earth and surreal landscapes. Rock art petroglyphs are abundant in the midst of Capitol Reef's red rocks and tell the story of the early indigenous people, the Fremont Culture. Capitol Reef National Park radiates colour for 100 miles from its northern to southern boundaries. The central geologic feature, the Waterpocket Fold, is a bulging uplift of rainbowhued sandstone "reefs" and canyons. Much of the park is a wilderness of sandstone formations with evocative names such as the Temple of the Sun and Moon.
1 night Capitol Reef Resort

Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon

A three hour drive today will have you driving Highway 12 past the Grand Staircase at Escalante into Bryce Canyon called Hoodoo Country. The early Pauite Indians believed that the spires were people frozen in stone by the spirit Coyote. Hoodoo sounds like "voodoo" for reasons you'll have to see to understand. Named for a 19th century Mormon settler, Ebeneezer Bryce who apparently said “it was a hell of a place to lose a cow”. Bryce Canyon's view from 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) is unlike any else in the world. The most brilliant colours of the park come alive with the rising and setting of the sun. There are a myriad of walking/hiking trails and a 37-mile scenic drive overlooking incredible views: you can stop along the way for photos and walks. The interest does not stop when the sun goes down. Stargazing under incredibly dark skies is pretty awe inspiring as well.

2 nights at Bryce Canyon Lodge or near the park entrance at Ruby’s Inn.

TIP - Ride: Book a guided ride by horse or mule to the floor of Bryce Canyon, passing a stunning

series of rock formations along the way.

Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park

Just a two hour drive along the Mount Carmel Scenic Byway and a stretch of historic Highway 89, which is populated with a number of quaint towns originally established by Mormon pioneers brings you to Zion which translates to "The Promised Land". That means some of the most spectacular hiking and impossible landscapes you are ever likely to see. Carved by water and time Zion National Park's soaring towers and massive monoliths create a spectacular grandeur rising far above you as you walk along the canyons. There are numerous easy, self guided trails and more adventurous or strenuous hikes can also be found. There are also over 200 species of birds that call Zion home.

Canyoneering: Zion National Park has become a favourite in this exciting sport. Dozens of canyons offer route finding, rappelling, swimming and hike challenges for beginners to advanced.
1 night Zion

TIP - You will need a permit.

Zion National Park to Page

Cross another state line, this time into Arizona to Page for a brief stay. This will be your chance to visit Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. If you need a rest from all the red rock, relax by the waterfront or rent a boat for a couple of hours.
1 night Page

TIP - if you have extra time, get Frontier America to book you a few days on a houseboat to relax

on Lake Powell or at the amazing Amangiri Resort.

TIP - If you have never been the Grand Canyon, it is only 2.5 hours drive from Page so we can

change the itinerary to include this icon if you wish.

Page to Monument Valley

Back into Utah and one of the most iconic of all views: Monument Valley. Monument Valley is the sacred heart of the Navajo Nation in the warm high desert lands of south eastern Utah so beloved by the Hollywood film makers. You will have a chance to hike, take a jeep tour, ride but best of all you must take a tour escorted by a Navajo guide to really give you an insight as what this remarkable area means.
1 night Monument Valley

Monument Valley to Mesa Verde Park

Four Corners is the only area in the USA where four states come together. Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet at the Four Corners Monument. However, of more interest will be the Mesa Verde National Park, the ancestral home of the Pueblo people. You will be able to see the ancient cliff dwellings which are amongst 5000 archaeological sites.
1 night Mesa Verde Park

TIP - You will need a guide to get into some of the more spectacular dwellings such as Cliff

House.

Mesa Verde Park to Durango

A short drive into Durango and a chance to take the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Built in 1881 to transport gold and silver out of the San Juan Mountains. Today it is more useful for passengers to enjoy the precious views; the train is still pulled by a steam engine using the historic cars and has been in continuous operation for over 130 years.

1 night Durango

Durango to Crested Butte

As you make your way towards Crested Butte which is a four and a half hour drive, do stop for a break at the very pretty mountain village of Ouray, known locally as Little Switzerland. Another halt should be made at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to see some of the steepest cliffs and most craggy spires in North America. When you get to Crested Butte, a quaint 1880s mining town, set among splendid scenery and offering all sorts of outdoor activities, do visit the Heritage Museum which was the 1883 hardware and general store.

1 night Crested Butte

Crested Butte to Colorado Springs

Nearly four hours in the car today as you make your way along Highway 24 to Colorado Springs where we suggest you spend at least 2 nights. There is so much to do in this resort town first established in the late 1800s. The Garden of the Gods will be your last glimpse of the red rocks that have dominated the last two weeks plus the pretty spa town of Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain which dominates the area. At 14,115 feet, it is only the 31st highest in Colorado! you can take a cog railway to the top for some amazing views.
2 nights Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs to Denver

Just a 70 mile drive to the Denver International Airport will finish off a very memorable and varied flydrive holiday.