{"id":13618,"date":"2021-03-02T18:00:37","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T01:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/?p=13618"},"modified":"2024-01-16T16:47:41","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T23:47:41","slug":"road-trips-denver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/road-trips-denver\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Stunning Road Trips From Denver"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"13618\" class=\"elementor elementor-13618\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3314d892 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3314d892\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1a119b26\" data-id=\"1a119b26\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13676ce6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"13676ce6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>U.S. WEST<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93c908f elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"93c908f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-144b2306 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"144b2306\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Three itineraries for exploring the natural wonders of the U.S. West &#8211; from 5 to 10 days<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f0e98c4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f0e98c4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e07b5c4\" data-id=\"e07b5c4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc4f97f elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc4f97f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The <span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">possibilities for road trips from Denver are plentiful. With Colorado sharing a border with seven states, it&#8217;s a natural starting point for an adventure on the open road.\u00a0 The state features four national parks, including <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/great-sand-dunes-national-park\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Great Sand Dunes National Park,<\/span><\/a> and to the west, the Rocky Mountains and Utah. The Colorado Plateau, with its vast stretches of cliffs, arches and sandstone buttes, is all within a day&#8217;s drive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>We moved to Colorado in 2010 and immediately set out to explore this beautiful state and beyond. Coming from Toronto, the open landscape of the west felt remarkable. We&#8217;ve taken many road trips in the years since, as far as the West Coast. You can read about that in <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/road-trip-los-angeles-denver\/\"><u>Los Angeles to Denver Road Trip<\/u>.\u00a0<\/a><\/p><p>Based on our own travel experiences, I&#8217;ve created three itineraries. These are the trips I recommend to friends who ask for my favorite adventures in the West. You can easily start these trips from other cities, such as Salt Lake City.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-897472d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"897472d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-55c61ea\" data-id=\"55c61ea\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29b125e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"29b125e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Road Trip 1<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa11aaa elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"fa11aaa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d7d6dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3d7d6dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Arches &amp; Canyonlands National Parks, with Moab<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d518894 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d518894\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>5 days \/ Drive time, 12 hours<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb5dce7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"fb5dce7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m46!1m12!1m3!1d1587838.571665883!2d-108.56620852050472!3d38.986854002349865!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m31!3e0!4m5!1s0x876b80aa231f17cf%3A0x118ef4f8278a36d6!2sDenver%2C%20CO!3m2!1d39.739235799999996!2d-104.990251!4m5!1s0x8747e1e59ab82d8d%3A0xb32b17af1d5c42d!2sMoab%2C%20UT!3m2!1d38.5733155!2d-109.54983949999999!4m5!1s0x80caf61a860daa51%3A0x4f42ea69d128c495!2sArches%20National%20Park%2C%20Utah!3m2!1d38.733081!2d-109.5925139!4m5!1s0x8747e1ee4518a6a9%3A0x15a452a9c502e6aa!2sCanyonlands%20National%20Park%2C%20Utah!3m2!1d38.2135733!2d-109.9025345!4m5!1s0x876b80aa231f17cf%3A0x118ef4f8278a36d6!2sDenver%2C%20CO!3m2!1d39.739235799999996!2d-104.990251!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1614622636866!5m2!1sen!2sus\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97e772f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"97e772f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Two remarkable Utah parks &amp; an Outdoor Adventure hub<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-069d872 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"069d872\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This shorter road trip from Denver (or Salt Lake City) takes you to the town of Moab, Utah, known as a gateway to incredible adventures &#8211; hiking, mountain biking and river rafting to start. And Moab is an ideal base for exploring two spectacular national parks: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/arch\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Arches<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/cany\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Canyonlands<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">These two parks feature otherworldly landscapes and stunning sandstone arches carved by millions of years of erosion. A four-night itinerary allows for three full days of exploring, one for each of the parks and time to enjoy some of the adventures available in Moab. In the summer when it&#8217;s very hot, you will want to hike early and then find other things to do around Moab. Spring is a great time to visit if you want to experience Moab&#8217;s famous mountain biking.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab38c18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ab38c18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/arches-park-with-kids.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2756\" alt=\"first trip to arches national park with kids\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/arches-park-with-kids.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/arches-park-with-kids-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/arches-park-with-kids-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f13de9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f13de9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Denver to Moab - Itinerary<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e722386 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e722386\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Day 1\u00a0 \u00a0Depart Denver and drive 5 hours to Moab, Utah<\/em><\/p><p><em>Day 2\u00a0 \u00a0Explore Arches<\/em><\/p><p><em>Day 3\u00a0 \u00a0Explore Canyonlands<\/em><\/p><p><em>Day 4\u00a0 \u00a0Moab Adventure<\/em><\/p><p><em>Day 5\u00a0 \u00a0Return to Denver<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-cbc3f6c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cbc3f6c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8855802\" data-id=\"8855802\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e966dbd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e966dbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/canyonlands-national-park.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13704\" alt=\"canyonlands national park\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/canyonlands-national-park.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/canyonlands-national-park-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/canyonlands-national-park-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/canyonlands-national-park-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/canyonlands-national-park-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/canyonlands-national-park-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Canyonlands National Park<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd03a3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bd03a3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Road Trip Highlights<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3862ae1 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"3862ae1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Spring mountain biking in Moab, famous for its slickrock and incredible scenery. The season ends in early June. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River. This is especially good in late spring or summer.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Sunrise hikes: Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and the Delicate Arch hike in Arches. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The Grand View Point in Canyonlands is a moderate two-mile hike with panoramic views along the canyon edge. In Arches we loved the Windows section as well as the hike near the park entrance called Park Avenue.  <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7216fd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7216fd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/riverfront-cabins-red-cliff-lodge.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2770\" alt=\"riverfront cabins red cliffs lodge\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/riverfront-cabins-red-cliff-lodge.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/riverfront-cabins-red-cliff-lodge-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/riverfront-cabins-red-cliff-lodge-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">A cabin with a living area, kitchen and verandah at the Red Cliffs Lodge outside Moab<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec358c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ec358c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where to Stay in Moab<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5e1ac8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e5e1ac8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Moab positions you perfectly to explore both Canyonlands and Arches.\u00a0 If you want to be close to town and are looking for something budget-friendly, I recommend the <a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101lftIe\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marriott.com%2Fhotels%2Ftravel%2Fcnyfi-fairfield-inn-and-suites-moab%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Fairfield Inn &amp; Suites Moab<\/span><\/a>. It has a nice pool and is just outside of town, so close to the entrance to Arches. Suites are available with separate sitting areas, a mini fridge and microwave.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>If you are looking for something a little more upscale, or want a resort experience, I recommend the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redcliffslodge.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Red Cliffs Lodge<\/span><\/a>, where we stayed on our last visit.\u00a0 It&#8217;s about 20 minutes outside of town and has a gorgeous setting on the Colorado river with towering cliffs all around. Amenities include a nice outdoor pool, lots of activities including horseback riding. Choose between a regular &#8220;hotel-style&#8221; room or a cottage with a kitchen, living area and balcony overlooking the river. The lodge&#8217;s dining room has a fantastic view.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5718f48 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5718f48\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5e0dd55\" data-id=\"5e0dd55\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6953a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c6953a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/dining-with-view-red-cliffslodge.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2771\" alt=\"dining view red cliffs lodge\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/dining-with-view-red-cliffslodge.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/dining-with-view-red-cliffslodge-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/dining-with-view-red-cliffslodge-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Dining with a view of the Colorado River at the Red Cliffs Lodge<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bf1e9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0bf1e9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For a luxury experience, consider the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sorrelriver.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sorrel River Ranch<\/span><\/a>. It&#8217;s pricey but supposed to be exceptional with lots of amenities including a spa. I would love to stay there on my next visit. You can also just pop in for lunch or dinner.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1aca751 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1aca751\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/crested-butte-wildflowers.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13715\" alt=\"Crested Butte Wildflowers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/crested-butte-wildflowers.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/crested-butte-wildflowers-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/crested-butte-wildflowers-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/crested-butte-wildflowers-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/crested-butte-wildflowers-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/crested-butte-wildflowers-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25f559a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25f559a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Road Trip 2<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b483cf elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7b483cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad8d654 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad8d654\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Colorado Loop: Two National Parks &amp; Crested Butte<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-102ddec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"102ddec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>7 days \/ 13.5 hours drive time<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bb912c elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"1bb912c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m46!1m12!1m3!1d3181040.5176930865!2d-108.04507542370182!3d38.86714684014002!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m31!3e0!4m5!1s0x876b80aa231f17cf%3A0x118ef4f8278a36d6!2sDenver%2C%20CO!3m2!1d39.739235799999996!2d-104.990251!4m5!1s0x876979e4455903e9%3A0xfa27ee43a78e8217!2sRocky%20Mountain%20National%20Park%2C%20Colorado!3m2!1d40.342793199999996!2d-105.68363889999999!4m5!1s0x8740723e8a38d3e3%3A0x37006e19d5e7f39f!2sCrested%20Butte%2C%20CO!3m2!1d38.8697146!2d-106.9878231!4m5!1s0x87142fe61dd9cbc7%3A0x33d7918ad00f83d9!2sGreat%20Sand%20Dunes%20National%20Park%20and%20Preserve%2C%20Colorado!3m2!1d37.7275049!2d-105.6418004!4m5!1s0x876b80aa231f17cf%3A0x118ef4f8278a36d6!2sDenver%2C%20CO!3m2!1d39.739235799999996!2d-104.990251!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1614631291622!5m2!1sen!2sus\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-832996e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"832996e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Colorado has four national parks and this week-long road trip from Denver includes two of them: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/romo\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Rocky Mountain National Park<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grsa\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Great Sand Dunes National Park<\/span><\/a>. Beyond that you will visit one of the state&#8217;s most beautiful mountain towns: Crested Butte.\u00a0 The itinerary begins at Rocky Mountain N.P. <span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">\u00a0so the two longer drives are mixed with shorter ones, and the Crested Butte visit falls between the park stays. I also suggest stopping at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenofgods.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Garden of the Gods<\/span><\/a> in Colorado Springs on your final day. Its sandstone rock formations are spectacular and you can see them easily by just driving the main loop.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17fd9e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"17fd9e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rocky-mountain-national-park.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13716\" alt=\"Rocky Mountain National Park\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rocky-mountain-national-park.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rocky-mountain-national-park-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rocky-mountain-national-park-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rocky-mountain-national-park-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rocky-mountain-national-park-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rocky-mountain-national-park-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Rocky Mountain National Park in Summer<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9ad925 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c9ad925\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Road Trip Itinerary<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba18366 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ba18366\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Day 1 Depart Denver and drive 1.5 hours to Rocky Mountain N.P<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Day 2 Explore Rocky Mountain N.P.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Day 3 Drive to Crested Butte, about 5.5 hours<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Day 4 Explore Crested Butte<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Day 5 Drive to Great Sand Dunes N.P., about 3 hours<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Day 6 Explore Great Sand Dunes<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Day 7 Return drive to Denver, about 4 hours. Take Interstate 25 to Denver, in order to stop at Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c488b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4c488b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/great-sand-dunes-national-park-spring.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5016\" alt=\"Great Sand Dunes National Park with a woman sitting atop a dune in spring.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/great-sand-dunes-national-park-spring.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/great-sand-dunes-national-park-spring-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/great-sand-dunes-national-park-spring-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Susan at Great Sand Dunes National Park in early spring<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-74b7769 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"74b7769\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3a5c4dc\" data-id=\"3a5c4dc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5875d0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5875d0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Highlights<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd47fb3 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"cd47fb3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Take a scenic drive in Rocky Mountain National Park, such as Trail Ridge Road <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Hear the Elk bugling during the fall mating season in Estes Park<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Take a wildflower hike or go mountain biking in Crested Butte<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Walk up the giant dunes to gain perspective on their enormous scale, in Great Sand Dunes N.P.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f3d960 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1f3d960\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/lodge-zapata-ranch.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5030\" alt=\"zapata ranch lodge colorado\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/lodge-zapata-ranch.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/lodge-zapata-ranch-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/lodge-zapata-ranch-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Zapata Ranch near Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90ff757 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"90ff757\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where to Stay<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3400b68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3400b68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Rocky Mountain National Park does not have any accommodation within the park, so stay in nearby Estes Park or Grand Lake, on the other side of the park. Popular options in Estes include: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.luxuryestesparkcabins.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Rams Horn Village Resort<\/span><\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stanleyhotel.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stanley Hotel<\/span> <\/a>which gives you the experience of an old-time summer lodge (it&#8217;s also where Stephen King was inspired to write <em>The Shining<\/em>).\u00a0 Alternatively, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grandlakelodge.com\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Grand Lake Lodge<\/span><\/a> is a quintessential summer experience.\u00a0<\/p><p>In Crested Butte, stay in the cute historic town and enjoy great dining options and a lively atmosphere.\u00a0 There are several popular choices including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elkmountainlodge.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Elk Mountain Lodge<\/span><\/a>, a charming property, built in 1919 as a miner&#8217;s hotel.\u00a0<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grsa\/planyourvisit\/pinonflatscampground.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Camping<span style=\"text-decoration-line: underline;\">\u00a0at Great Sand Dunes <\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0usually requires booking\u00a0 well ahead, especially during May, a popular time when the Medano Creek at the base of the dunes fills with water. We stayed at the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ranchlands.com\/ranch-stays\/zapata-ranch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zapata Ranch<\/a><\/span>, a working bison ranch a short drive from the park and had a wonderful experience. The closest town with hotels is Alamosa, about 30 minutes away.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-26bbd0b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"26bbd0b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6d03289\" data-id=\"6d03289\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0633089 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0633089\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/family-road-trip-monument-valley-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-38931\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich stands with her teens and husband in front of Sandstone Buttes in Monument Valley, Arizona.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/family-road-trip-monument-valley.jpg 924w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/family-road-trip-monument-valley-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/family-road-trip-monument-valley-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/family-road-trip-monument-valley-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-584932d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"584932d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Road Trip 3<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-043e610 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"043e610\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94a52df elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"94a52df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Epic Southwest - Utah Parks &amp; Monument Valley<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dabf411 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dabf411\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>10 days \/ 24 hours drive time<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da9b950 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"da9b950\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m52!1m12!1m3!1d6463638.941000788!2d-114.81714508093414!3d37.71794785173297!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m37!3e0!4m5!1s0x876b80aa231f17cf%3A0x118ef4f8278a36d6!2sDenver%2C%20CO!3m2!1d39.739235799999996!2d-104.990251!4m5!1s0x8735691fee384c6d%3A0x759c376c7a49fd62!2sBryce%20Canyon%20City%2C%20UT!3m2!1d37.6283161!2d-112.1676947!4m5!1s0x80caead08844f8d9%3A0x7c2e3a15aa3656f5!2sZion%20National%20Park%2C%20Utah!3m2!1d37.2982022!2d-113.02630049999999!4m5!1s0x873312b1b7729043%3A0xa8cb5d02c0c5c50a!2sNorth%20Rim%2C%20Arizona%2086052!3m2!1d36.2134719!2d-112.05809649999999!4m5!1s0x87372e841bdd86a5%3A0x3eaaa99ad33bd890!2sMonument%20Valley%2C%20AZ!3m2!1d36.9913715!2d-110.1938672!4m5!1s0x876b80aa231f17cf%3A0x118ef4f8278a36d6!2sDenver%2C%20CO!3m2!1d39.739235799999996!2d-104.990251!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1614730085249!5m2!1sen!2sus\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-971b1b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"971b1b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Utah parks are all incredible and this itinerary takes you to my favorite &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/zion\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Zion National Park<\/span><\/a>. You&#8217;ll also visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/brca\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Bryce Canyon<\/span><\/a> and see the remarkable hoodoo rock formations &#8211; tall spires of rock that protrude dramatically from the dry badlands. Convenient starting points for this trip are Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. This road trip from Denver is also wonderful, just a little longer.\u00a0<\/p><p>After 4 nights in Utah, you will carry on to the north rim of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grca\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Grand Canyon<\/span><\/a>. <span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">It is only open between May 15 and October 15, and gets a fraction of the visitors of the south rim which is open year-round.<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\"> There is limited accommodation here so book ahead if possible, especially if you want to camp or stay with the park (details below.)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">After the Grand Canyon, you&#8217;ll drive east through Arizona and into Navajo Nation &#8211; the largest indigenous region in the U.S., and the location of beautiful Monument Valley.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5edd58d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5edd58d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bryce-canyon-hoodoos.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13717\" alt=\"Hoodoo rock formations in Bryce Canyon National Park\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bryce-canyon-hoodoos.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bryce-canyon-hoodoos-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bryce-canyon-hoodoos-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bryce-canyon-hoodoos-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bryce-canyon-hoodoos-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bryce-canyon-hoodoos-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Hoodoo rock formations in Bryce Canyon National Park <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf78a90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cf78a90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Itinerary from Denver<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4bdc13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c4bdc13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Day 1 Depart Denver (or Salt Lake) and drive 9 hours to Bryce Canyon<\/em><\/p><p><em>Day 2 Explore Bryce Canyon<\/em><\/p><p><em>Day 3 Drive 2 hours to Zion<\/em><\/p><p><em>Day 4 Explore Zion<\/em><\/p><p><em>Day 5\u00a0<\/em><em style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-5293b523 ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">Drive just over 3 hours to the Grand Canyon, North Rim<\/em><\/p><p><em>Day 6\u00a0<\/em><em style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-5293b523 ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">Explore Grand Canyon<\/em><\/p><p><em>Day 7\u00a0<\/em><em style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-5293b523 ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">Explore Grand Canyon<\/em><\/p><p>Day 8 Drive a little over 4 hours to Monument Valley<\/p><p>Day 9 Explore Monument Valley<\/p><p>Day 10 Return to Denver &#8211; 8.5 hours<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4df9244 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4df9244\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/zion-np-utah.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13733\" alt=\"Zion National Park\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/zion-np-utah.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/zion-np-utah-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/zion-np-utah-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/zion-np-utah-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/zion-np-utah-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/zion-np-utah-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Zion National Park<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1b35e94 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1b35e94\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-19177ef\" data-id=\"19177ef\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f4d027 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3f4d027\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Highlights<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-532b66e elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"532b66e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Explore the remarkable hoodoo rock formations in Bryce Canyon<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Hike in Zion, choosing from spectacular hikes such as The Narrows or Angels Landing (reserve ahead in high season)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Take a mule ride into the Grand Canyon to see the Supai Tunnel on the N. Kaibab Trail. You'll descend 2300 feet<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Take a scenic drive along the edge of the Grand Canyon for incredible scenery and great photos<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-star\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.1 171.5L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6zM388.6 312.3l23.7 138.4L288 385.4l-124.3 65.3 23.7-138.4-100.6-98 139-20.2 62.2-126 62.2 126 139 20.2-100.6 98z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Explore Monument Valley with a local Navajo Guide who can share more about Navajo traditions and modern life. The drive through Monument Valley is considered among the most scenic in America. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f494b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0f494b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cabin-view-hotel-monument-valley.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13731\" alt=\"The view of Monument Valley out of a cabin at the Monument Valley View hotel\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cabin-view-hotel-monument-valley.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cabin-view-hotel-monument-valley-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cabin-view-hotel-monument-valley-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cabin-view-hotel-monument-valley-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cabin-view-hotel-monument-valley-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cabin-view-hotel-monument-valley-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The view from a cabin at the Monument Valley View Hotel<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d148e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d148e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where to Stay<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0533020 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0533020\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Zion National park we enjoyed our stay at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.flanigans.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Flanigan&#8217;s Inn<\/span><\/a>. Every room is different and we had one with a lovely outdoor terrace called the Petite Suite. The food was delicious at the restaurant onsite &#8211; The Spotted Dog Caf\u00e9. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zionlodge.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Zion National Park Lodge<\/span><\/a> is also popular and located within the park. It was built in 1925 and has a historic national park feel.\u00a0<\/p><p>I&#8217;ve only been to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon but hope to visit the North Rim soon. The only lodging available here is inside the park at the Grand Canyon Lodge. There is also camping in the park. Reserve at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/camping\/campgrounds\/232489\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Recreations.Gov<\/span><\/a><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">.<\/span> Other lodging options are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jacoblake.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Jacob Lake Inn<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/kaibablodge.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Kaibab Lodge<\/span>.<\/a><\/p><p>In Monument Valley, we stayed at the <a href=\"https:\/\/monumentvalleyview.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Monument Valley View Hotel<\/span><\/a> &#8211; the only accommodation within Monument Valley. We had a premium cabin with a separate bedroom with double bed, twin bunks outside in their own &#8220;nook&#8221;\u00a0and a kitchenette. We had spectacular views of the massive sandstone monuments from our balcony. The hotel is run by Navajo community members and there&#8217;s a large gift shop with amazing art and jewelry. Note there is no pool here as the climate is dry and water a valuable resource for Navajo Nation residents.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc49b43 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bc49b43\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-da13a9d\" data-id=\"da13a9d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dec95d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dec95d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"445\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/susan-heinrich-zion.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13734\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich hiking in Zion National Parkon a road trip from Denver\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/susan-heinrich-zion.jpg 445w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/susan-heinrich-zion-223x300.jpg 223w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/susan-heinrich-zion-150x202.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Susan hiking in Zion National Park<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-58600e7\" data-id=\"58600e7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be672c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"be672c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"445\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/angels-landing.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13735\" alt=\"Three people on the Angels Landing trail in Zion National Park\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/angels-landing.jpg 445w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/angels-landing-223x300.jpg 223w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/angels-landing-150x202.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The Angels Landing trail in Zion National Park<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-23a30c11 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"23a30c11\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-18a4594a\" data-id=\"18a4594a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c90399 content-align-cta-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-cta-box\" data-id=\"6c90399\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-cta-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"eael-call-to-action cta-basic bg-lite cta-preset-1\">\n        <h3 class=\"title eael-cta-heading\">Sign-Up for Travel Tips &amp; Stories<\/h3><p>Receive the monthly Midlife Globetrotter newsletter with travel ideas, itineraries, hotel reviews and more!<\/p><a href=\"http:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/subscribe\/\" class=\"cta-button cta-preset-1  \">Subscribe<\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d82931 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9d82931\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">More to Explore, Road Trips, Colorado &amp; Beyond<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af46a21 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"af46a21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I hope this guide sparks some ideas for planning your own special road trip from Denver, or Salt Lake City, through the beautiful U.S. West.<\/p>\n<p>I didn&#8217;t mention Wyoming here, but I especially love it in summer when southern Utah and Arizona gets very hot. If you are interested in learning more about Grand Teton National Park (another of my favorite parks) I wrote about it here:<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/things-to-do-in-grand-teton-national-park\/\" rel=\"noopener\"> Things to do in Grand Teton National Park<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For another road trip idea, we loved our adventure between Los Angeles and Denver. You can read that story here: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/road-trip-los-angeles-denver\/\" rel=\"noopener\">An Unexpected Los Angeles to Denver Road Trip.&nbsp;<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ve also written about <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/great-sand-dunes-national-park\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Great Sand Dunes National Park<\/span> <\/a>if you are planning a visit.&nbsp;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>U.S. WEST Three itineraries for exploring the natural wonders of the U.S. West &#8211; from 5 to 10 days The possibilities for road trips from Denver are plentiful. With Colorado sharing a border with seven states, it&#8217;s a natural starting point for an adventure on the open road.\u00a0 The state features four national parks, including [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2745,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[350,72,68,218,215,25,216,71,128,105,91,369,66,18,70,217],"class_list":["post-13618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-guides","tag-adventures","tag-arches-national-park","tag-arizona","tag-bryce-canyon","tag-canyonlands-national-park","tag-colorado","tag-denver","tag-grand-canyon","tag-great-sand-dunes-national-park","tag-moab","tag-monument-valley","tag-north-america","tag-road-trips","tag-united-states","tag-utah","tag-zion-national-park"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/road-trip-us-southwest.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13618"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13618\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}