Clocking in at 14.58 hours and 810 miles if you circle back around to Denver, this is one of the most thrilling road trips to see all that Colorado has to offer. From hot springs and sand dunes, to 14,000 foot peaks, and as many hikes as your heart desires; what better way to start out your vacation than exploring all that this state has to offer.

This road trip is perfect for couples looking to elope, honeymooners, locals, for couples looking for that perfect spot in Colorado to propose, or if you’re just trying to find some cool trails to hike as a couple.

The Colorado Honeymoon: Denver to Buena Vista

This Colorado honeymoon road trip starts out in Denver, heading southwest toward Buena Vista. ‘BV’ as the locals call it because no one actually knows the correct pronunciation of Buena Vista (some say Be-yuna, some say Bwenna). BV has everything a Colorado mountain town could ever offer. Hikes, snow capped mountains, pine forests, star gazing, mountain passes, river rafting, and more.

With the Arkansas River running north to south through the town you have rafting opportunities a-plenty. There are also two developed hot spring resorts near BV as well, Cottonwood and Mount Princeton Hot Spring. You can also find airbnbs with private hot springs like the Holloway and Merrifield Cabins. Cottonwood Pass, a road that tops out at 12,000 feet, runs east to west and has trailheads around every corner, one of my favorites being Lost Lake. When you’re done hiking and rafting, you can head into town and stop at House Rock Kitchen for THE best bowls and burgers in town.

Buena Vista to Great Sand Dunes National Park

From Buena Vista you head south on 285 toward Great Sand Dunes National Park. This is a great spot to see plenty of wildlife and climb the tallest sand dune in North America, Star Dune! In runoff season, you can cool your feet in Medano Creek, just be sure to bring some big repellent because the mosquitos are actually INSANE here, and often the nearby convenience store is out. If you have 4x4 clearance and are comfortable driving up gnarly 4WD roads and you have high clearance to drive through 3-4 foot water swells, I would head up Medano Pass for some great primitive camping, then wake up at sunrise to hike the 2,000+ feet up to Medano Lake! If you don’t have 4WD, nearby Zapata Falls is another great short hike to do, no matter the season.

compilation of images from the area around Great Sand Dunes National Park including inside the park, star dune, and zapata falls

Great Sand Dunes National Park to Pagosa Springs

From the Sand Dunes you head west toward Pagosa Springs! You’ll go over Wolf Creek Pass, be sure to keep an eye out for the many great pull-offs to take in the view as you climb up over the divide. If you want to stop and stretch your legs, I recommend Treasure Falls just as you get down the other side of the pass, before you get into Pagosa Springs. In Pagosa Springs, you can stop and grab lunch at The Peak Deli, or stop at the Hot Springs Resort in town.

Pagosa Springs to Durango, Colorado

From Pagosa you’re going to keep heading west toward Durango, Colorado. You can do a quick day detour over to Mesa Verde National Park, just be sure to grab your passes to tour the cliff dwellings, they often sell out the day before. Like many other Colorado mountain towns, Durango too has hot springs you can soak in, like Durango Hot Springs.

The coolest thing hands down in Durango is the Durango + Silverton train. The train leaves directly from downtown Durango, taking you up and over mountain passes down into Durango. It’s expensive but also an all day affair, clocking in 3 1/2 hours each way, as well as a 2 hour stop to explore Silverton.

Durango to Silverton

Next, you’re going to hop on the Million Dollar Highway and start heading north to Silverton, Colorado. Be sure to stop at the different pull offs along the way to take in the expansive views that the area offers. One of my favorites is Molas Pass Overlook. Once you get into Silverton, rent a Jeep or side by side and - if you aren’t terrified of heights like me - take the Alpine Loop to get the most out of your experience in the high country. End you day with a tour of one of the local mines before you head to Handlebars Food & Saloon. Just try to avoid staying in town around 11:00 am to 3:00 pm as that’s when the Durango to Silverton train arrives and offloads a ton of passengers.

Silverton to Ouray

From Silverton you’re going to keep heading north over Red Mountain Pass down into Ouray. While famous for the Ouray Ice Fest that happens in the winter, Ouray is a hiking destination in its own right during the summer! If you have 4x4 clearance you can head up to Yankee Boy Basin or Imogene Pass, or if you want to drive up one of the most dangerous roads in the world, you can head up Black Bear Pass! Other fun things to do in Ouray include Box Canyon Falls (a small fee) and Bear Creek Falls (a small turnout just south of town on Red Mountain Pass). On your way out of Ouray to Ridgeway you can also stop at Orvis Hot Spring, my favorite developed hot spring that is clothing optional and has pools from 100 degrees to 120 (called the lobster pot)!

From Ouray to Telluride or Montrose

From Ouray/Ridgeway you can detour over to Telluride, where they have the famed Telluride Film Fest & Blue Grass Festival and take the free gondola to the top of the mountains, or you can head north toward Montrose and stop in at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Black Canyon sits atop a steep walled gorge that overlooks the Gunnison River. There are plenty of hiking trails and a paved road on the south side of the park, or in the summer you can take the less traveled dirt road to the north side of the park.

From Montrose to Grand Junction

From Montrose you head north toward Grand Junction! The town I now call home is famed for Colorado National Monument that sits to the southwest of the city and has roads and trails that wind in and out over the canyon. Grand Junction is a one stop shop for anything outdoors. We are most known for our mountain bike trails (if you’re a beginner like me, I recommend Rustlers Loop in Fruita). To the east is the Grand Mesa, the largest flat top mesa in the world and home to hundreds of different lakes and trails. Besides the hundreds of different hiking trails, one of my favorite things to do in Grand Junction is head to the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area to see, you guessed it, wild horses! When you’re done hiking, head to one of the many different wineries around the city of Palisade, stop in at Copeka for a latte and some sweets from Sweet Kiwi Bakery, or head over to Fruita for some of the best pizza at Hot Tomato! For more things to do in Grand Junction, check out this other blog post “Things to do in Grand Junction”.

If you’re looking to celebrate your honeymoon with some adventurous Colorado photos, be sure to reach out about the different packages I offer to help you document your time in this magnificent scenery together!

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Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs and Vail

From Grand Junction you’re going to head back to Denver on I-70. Keep your eyes on the landscape around you and notice how it changes on the 225+ miles up and over the Rocky Mountains and back into Denver! On your way you can stop at Glenwood Springs for some great BBQ at Smoke Modern BBQ, sit in one of their hot springs or vapor caves, or grab a permit and take the shuttle to one of the most popular trail in Colorado, Hanging Lake. This drive will also take you through Glenwood Canyon, one of my favorite parts on all of I70. As you drive through Glenwood you’ll see the burn scar of the 2020 wildfire that ravaged the area. Once you get through Glenwood, you’ll start the long drive through Edwards, Avon, and Vail before you start heading up Vail Pass. If you’re looking for somewhere to stretch your feet, pull over at the rest stop on top of Vail Pass, you can drive ten minutes up the dirt road to Shrine Pass for a couple hour-long hike and a more private view of the range, or walk down to the Black Lakes.

From Vail to Denver

From Vail Pass it’s a straight shot back to Denver. If you’re looking for food along the way, Northside Kitchen in Avon has great donuts that are discounted in the afternoon, and Bread Bar in Silver Plume is a fun cocktail bar you can stop at if you have a designated driver. They specialize in craft cocktails and even make their own bitters from plants foraged around the state that you can buy and take home (or give as a gift!)! Beaujo’s in Idaho Springs is a busy little pizzeria you can stop at as well, be sure to try dipping your crust in the honey they offer, it is an unexpected treat! If you want a day trip, head north through Granby in the summer, or north through Fort Collins to Rocky Mountain National Park, just be sure to get a timed entry reservation to get you through the gates!