Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming road trip. Recommendations?

[monsterkitty]

From Grand Junction to Salt Lake, I would take the side trip to Arches then go to Salt Lake.

Salt Lake to West Yellowstone is about a 5–6-hour drive depending on road construction and how many times you need to stop for snacks or to explore. Idaho Falls is a great place to get lunch and explore a bit.

Alternatively, you could drive from Salt Lake to Jackson Hole (5-5.5-hour drive). This is actually the route I would go.

From West Yellowstone to Denver is a 7-hour drive. If you don't stop at Jackson Hole or Grand Teton on the way from Salt Lake to West Yellowstone, I would do that on the way to Denver.

When we did the drive from West Yellowstone to Denver, we went 191 to Moran, then 26 to 287, and keep heading to Rawlins. I think the highway did change to 789 but then went back to 287.

From Rawlins to Denver its I-80 to 287. Once you get to Livermore you have a few ways to get to Denver - continue on 287 or jig jag over to I-25.



From the Grand Tetons to Denver, I would stop in Rawlins, WY or Lander, WY to break up the drive to Denver. Rawlins has more choices for hotels than Lander. Rawlins to Denver is about 3.5 hours. I hate the drive from the Grand Tetons are back to Denver because it feels like it takes forever and we drive straight through. Don't be like us. Stop!

Wyoming does have very clean rest stops. Colorado doesn't believe in rest stops. Sorry about that.

 

[GAN]

We are doing a road trip from western Colorado driving to SLC then up to West Yellowstone and we need to end in Denver. We have several days to do this but we aren’t sure what routes to take. We are looking for recommendations from anybody that has done this. We are hitting Arches on the way to SLC. From there we don’t know what route to take to West Yellowstone making sure we hit must do’s etc. then we have 2 days up in West Yellowstone then as much time as we decide to drive to Denver. Any idea of what route from Yellowstone back to Denver is the most scenic?

Several days?!? . I’d give it about a month! The drive from Denver to Moab should be quite scenic, then after SLC I’d take 89 up to Jackson and the Grand Tetons, and up to Yellowstone from there. Enjoy the ride! I just got back from Moab and had a blast …if you have a 4x4 take a couple trails to really get immersed in the scenery.

 

[holden]

Not sure where this is in relation to your trip...

We flew into Denver for our CO trip to Colorado Springs. We loved Hidee Gold Mine, Dinosaur Ridge, Pike's Peak, and The Broadmoor (stayed there and did the brunch and horseback riding). All worth seeing.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

• In Grand Junction, start with Colorado National Monument.
• Use Scenic Hwy 128 to get to Moab, and stop at the Fisher Towers Trail for a hike.
• Arches out of Moab.
• From Hwy 70 heading west, take a detour on 24 to see Goblin Valley State Park.
• If you need an inside day, the Natural History Museum of Utah in SLC in fantastic.
• I would take the direct route up 15 & 20 to West Yellowstone. If you're inclined, you could detour to see Craters of the Moon National Monument. I would probably do this, because we like to 'collect' national parks and monuments, and I haven't been there, but I suspect it wouldn't be as impressive as other things you'll be seeing.
• After your time in Yellowstone, exit the park to the south on 191, and spend time in Tetons NP at that point, staying in Jackson, WY
• Continue South on 191 and join up with 80 headed East.
• Detour onto 130 toward Saratoga, and follow 130 along the Snowy Range Road scenic drive until Laramie, WY.
• From Laramie to Denver, a quick little diversion is Vedauwoo Climbing area (has hiking trails also), which is really interesting. It's closer to Laramie.
• If you're interested in RMNP at that point, take 34 out of Fort Collins to Estes Park, CO.
• Alternately, the Boulder, CO area has some nice hiking just to the SW of the town.
• Proceed to end in Denver.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you choose to do this hike bring a ton of water you will need it. Its not an easy trail either.

I would call it a moderate hike. I'm not really athletic nor am I an adventurous sort (hence all the comments about easily accessible sights) but I managed it fine. Definitely agree with bringing some water.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Thanks everybody! The full trip starts in NYC we are doing Amtrak overnight to Chicago, then taking Amtrak again overnight through Denver but getting off on the other side of the Rockies. Then it’s all road trip until we decide to come home. I have no return flight planned back yet

 

[mom2rtk]

What is the "back way"?

Scenic byway 128.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Scenic byway 128.

THANK YOU!!! You can tell the road is crazy looking so it's going to be great! The Eastern Entrance into Zion so far has yet to be topped, that is just simply amazing...

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Thanks everybody! The full trip starts in NYC we are doing Amtrak overnight to Chicago, then taking Amtrak again overnight through Denver but getting off on the other side of the Rockies. Then it’s all road trip until we decide to come home. I have no return flight planned back yet

It sounds like a great trip! Have you definitely decided on Denver to fly home from? From Yellowstone/Teton area, you could continue north-west to Glacier NP, and then fly out of Missoula. Or, you could drive across Wyoming, stopping in Cody (as someone mentioned), and then pick up Mount Rushmore, Black Hills, and Badlands NP in South Dakota before a flight out of Rapid City.

 

[GAN]

Scenic byway 128.

I was there last week and pictures could never do it justice....

 

[GAN]

THANK YOU!!! You can tell the road is crazy looking so it's going to be great! The Eastern Entrance into Zion so far has yet to be topped, that is just simply amazing...

I've been that route and love Zion ...your mind will be blown, especially around sunrise

 

[mom2rtk]

I was there last week and pictures could never do it justice....

We actually went that way by mistake on our first visit. Now we do it on purpose every time. It was so amazing to see what awaited us around every bend. A stunning memory imprinted on my mind.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

It sounds like a great trip! Have you definitely decided on Denver to fly home from? From Yellowstone/Teton area, you could continue north-west to Glacier NP, and then fly out of Missoula. Or, you could drive across Wyoming, stopping in Cody (as someone mentioned), and then pick up Mount Rushmore, Black Hills, and Badlands NP in South Dakota before a flight out of Rapid City.

Glacier National Park is going to be it's own trip...someday

For years I was in charge of Vacations and DH just happily followed me around and grumbled at the price. Suddenly we get to me planning our 25th Anniversary trip in 2021 and he gets opinions and feelings. I had Glacier National Park all planned out..and we did UT and the Grand Canyon. THEN for my 5 year Cancerversary last year I planned everything for New Orleans. We went to Key West and THIS trip I decided I am DEFINITELY doing Glacier National Park and here I am going to Yellowstone.

I told my husband I am planning Glacier again next year so we can hit Yosemite.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

On the trip!

 

[TheIncredibles!]

We are on the way to Moab now. GPS was sending us the wrong way!! I’ll post ictures when we get on the Old Cisco Highway

 

[trip]

If you haven't been, you should add Bryce Canyon National park to your trip. It's breath-taking! And only about 4 hours from the Arches.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Our view we had during lunch today