National Park Society
Discover Your National Parks
Autumn Aspens in the High Country
Colorado National Parks Tour
with Kent Taylor
9 days - 8 nights
Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon and Great Sand Dunes National Parks provide spectacular and diverse settings from which to explore Colorado.
Add to this world-class resorts, historic western towns, abundant wildlife and some of America's most beautiful National Forests, and you have a vacation made in heaven.
Each day provides for optional walking and photography in highly scenic areas.
Garden of the Gods Park and Pikes Peak
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 - Garden of the Gods Park
Tour begins at Denver International Airport. Travel south to Colorado Springs, located at the base of Pikes Peak.
Visit the Garden of the Gods Park, a National Natural Landmark featuring fantastic red rock formations. Learn about pioneer and American Indian history as well as the diverse plants and animals that live here.
Enjoy the welcome dinner at the Flying W Ranch with fellow travelers. Overnight in Colorado Springs.
Day 2 - Pikes Peak and Royal Gorge
Ascend Pikes Peak this morning to 14,115 feet. "America's Mountain" was the inspiration for our beloved patriotic song, "America the Beautiful." Pass through five distinct elevation life zones and learn about the plants and animals that live here.
Proceed to Canon City and see the rocky depths of Royal Gorge while crossing the highest suspension bridge in the world, strung 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River.
Travel through Bighorn Canyon and watch for bighorn sheep and bald eagles. Cross over the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the open grazing lands of the San Luis Valley. Overnight in the historic San Luis Valley.
Day 3 - Great Sand Dunes National Park
Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park and walk amoungst America's tallest dunes at 750 feet. 14,000 foot peaks form a backdrop for photo opportunities. Watch for deer, bison and birds of prey.
Travel over scenic and famous Wolf Creek Pass to Treasure Falls. Enjoy an optional short hike to the base of the falls. Continue to historic Durango for an area tour. Overnight in Durango for two nights.
Day 4 - Mesa Verde National Park
Visit the impressive ruins at Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park features stone dwellings built into high cliff walls, as well as ruins in the valley and on top of the plateau.
The Anasazi, ancestors of modern Pueblo Indians, built the cliff dwellings in the 13th century and mysteriously disappeared. Ranger guided tours will bring the park to life. Return to Durango.
Narrow Gauge Train and Black Canyon NP
Day 5 - Train Ride and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Take a half-day rail journey to Silverton on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a National Historic Landmark and the last scheduled narrow gauge railroad in the United States. Continue along the Million Dollar Highway, one of our nation's most scenic drives, to Ouray, "Switzerland of America," for lunch.
This afternoon tour Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. No other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths as the Black Canyon. Look for bear, deer, golden eagles and peregrine falcons along the canyon rim. Overnight in Montrose.
Day 6 - Aspen and Glenwood Springs
Travel over gorgeous McClure Pass to Marble, home of the Yule Marble Quarry that supplied marble for the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Stop at Redstone Castle, a National Landmark.
Continue to Aspen, originally a mining town and now hosting a famous ski resort. Enjoy free time to explore the village. Optional outings from Aspen include scenic Maroon Bells and historic Ashcroft Ghost Town.
Follow the Roaring Fork River to Glenwood Springs for our overnight. Tonight, take an optional dip in Glenwood Hot Springs, the largest natural hot springs pool in the world.
Rocky Mountain Columbine Wildflowers
Day 7 - Rocky Mountain National Park West
Drive through colorful Glenwood Canyon and enjoy a quick tour of Vail, a world-class ski resort. Travel over Vail Pass, along the Blue River at the base of the rugged Gore Range, and then over the tops of the mountain ranges on Trail Ridge Road through the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Search the mountainsides for elk, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. Cross the Continental Divide, and descend to the town of Estes Park. Overnight Estes Park.
Longs Peak and Wildflowers
Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 8 - Rocky Mountain National Park East
This morning explore the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park including Fall River Road, Moraine Park and Bear Lake. Morning light provides for outstanding photographs and excellent wildlife viewing.
Optional hiking provides for an easy 3.6 mile round-trip on the Emerald Lake Trail or the easy half-mile Sprague Lake Nature Trail Loop.
This afternoon travel into Denver for a city tour and farewell dinner. Bid goodbye to your friends and guide until the next fun-filled tour. Overnight Denver.
Day 9 - Journey Home
Transfer to the airport. Morning flights should not be scheduled earlier than 9:30 AM.
Reserve your tour today!
Hotels will be announced.
Price includes your group's own private ranger-guide, 8 nights lodging in unique, three-star properties where available, ground transportation, all breakfasts, all lunches, two dinners, all activities, park entrance fees, taxes, luggage handling and maid gratuities. Guide tip and airfare are not included.
For more information and reservations, please contact the National Park Society at info@nationalparksociety.com. Or call 719-322-5694.
Colorado Day-Trips
Year-round outdoor fun is available in Colorado from the National Park Society.
Colorado has a wealth of attractions that can easily be accessed on day-trips from Colorado Springs and Denver.
Or enjoy a multi-night exploration of the national parks, forests and historic mining towns of this diverse state.
Your Guide - Ranger Kent Taylor
Kent Taylor is the founder and director of the National Park Society. He is a park ranger at world famous Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs and works for the Colorado Division of Wildlife monitoring the health of deer, elk, moose and bighorn sheep.
Kent is a former college professor, is a professional photographer and has been guiding tours in Colorado since 1984.
Day-Trips from Colorado Springs
Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel
On this ranger-guided tour you will pass through five elevation life zones, each with its own distinct animals and plants.
Opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography are excellent.
Garden of the Gods Park. This National Natural Landmark features spectacular sandstone formations, a colorful pioneer and American Indian history, and diverse plants and wildlife.
It is one of the most visited natural attractions in Colorado and is a paradise for artists and photographers.
United States Air Force Academy. The most visited man-made attraction in Colorado is the architecturally unique Cadet Chapel.
Experience also the excellent visitor center and the gorgeous natural setting of the Academy.
If the Academy is closed due to security reasons, the United States Olympic Training Center will be substituted.
Historic Downtown Cripple Creek
See also Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. This National Park Service property preserves one of the world's most comprehensive fossil sites of late Eocene life, including giant redwood tree stumps.
Finally, visit the Hornbeck Pioneer Homestead before retuning via scenic Ute Pass with views of the north face of Pikes Peak.
Pikes Peak - "America's Mountain"
The Cripple Creek and Gold Camp Scenic Byway trip is also a full-day tour.
Half-day tour options include Pikes Peak alone, or a combination of Garden of the Gods and the Air Force Academy.
Reservations and Rates: 719-322-5694
Full Day-Trips from Denver
Rocky Mountain National Park and Vail Village
See Estes Park Village and drive over famous Trail Ridge Road for views of the Continental Divide. Return via scenic Lake Granby and Winter Park Resort.
Vail and Breckenridge. These world-famous mountain villages are beautiful any season of the year. Enjoy the alpine scenery and learn about the mining history of Colorado.
Ride a gondola, hike or mountain bike a local trail, shop for souvenirs or quality gifts, visit the art galleries or relax at one of the many fine restaurants.
Pikes Peak Country. Travel south to Colorado Springs and visit the summit of Pikes Peak, stroll scenic trails through Garden of the Gods Park, and tour the United States Air Force Academy with a visit to the Cadet Chapel.
Learn about the fascinating history and colorful characters of the Pikes Peak region. If the Academy is closed due to security reasons, the United States Olympic Training Center will be substituted.
Reservations and Rates: 719-322-5694
Colorado National Parks Tour Highlights:
Royal Gorge Bridge
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Maroon Bells near Aspen