Denver to Salt Lake City Road Trip Guide

Less than two hours from Denver is Breckenridge. Known for its skiing, Breckenridge has a lot to offer year-round. During the winter months, visitors come for the skiing, and the town and its surrounding area offer trails for snowshoeing. During the summer, visitors to Breckenridge can enjoy mountain biking trails, horseback riding, and alpine hikes; near the town is the trail to the peak of Quandary, one of Colorado’s 14ers. Fishing in crystal clear water is also part of the area’s appeal. Breckenridge offers things to do indoors, like an escape room, as well as exceptional dining and shopping opportunities. Not only will you find a lot to do in Breckenridge, you will also be treated to some gorgeous scenery as you will be surrounded by mountains!

This world-renowned ski resort transforms into a hiking and mountain biking paradise during the summer months. The European-style village offers pedestrian-friendly streets lined with boutique shops and world-class restaurants. Vail's location in the White River National Forest provides access to numerous hiking trails, including the popular Booth Falls trail.

RV-Friendly Access: While Vail itself has parking limitations for large RVs, nearby campgrounds provide excellent base camps. The surrounding Gore Range offers spectacular photography opportunities and wildlife viewing, including elk herds that frequent the valley during evening hours.

Known as the "Spa in the Rockies," Glenwood Springs features the world's largest mineral hot springs pool. The historic resort has been attracting visitors since 1888, including famous guests like President Teddy Roosevelt. The naturally heated waters maintain temperatures between 90-104°F year-round.

Hot Springs Experience: The main pool spans over two city blocks and offers therapeutic mineral waters sourced from the underground Yampah Spring. After a long day of mountain driving, soaking in these healing waters provides perfect relaxation. The adjacent adventure park offers year-round activities from zip-lining to alpine slides.

Located near Grand Junction, this 123,000-acre conservation area protects one of North America's largest concentrations of natural arches. The area features ancient petroglyphs, remnants of the Old Spanish Trail, and stunning red rock formations that rival more famous Utah destinations without the crowds.

Geological Wonders: The conservation area showcases the dramatic transition from Rocky Mountain geology to Colorado Plateau formations. Hiking trails wind through desert canyons and offer excellent opportunities for photography and wildlife observation. The area serves as an excellent introduction to the red rock country that dominates Utah.

This otherworldly landscape features thousands of mushroom-shaped rock formations called "goblins." The unique sandstone pillars result from millions of years of erosion creating a landscape so surreal it's been featured in numerous science fiction films. The valley offers a playground-like environment where visitors can explore freely among the formations.

Desert Exploration: The park provides excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution and clear desert skies. Hiking trails wind through different "goblin" formations, each offering unique photographic perspectives. The park's remote location ensures a peaceful experience away from crowded tourist destinations.

If you find dinosaurs interesting, the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry at Jurassic National Monument in Elmo is worth checking out. A little more than an hour from Green River, the Quarry has the densest concentration of dinosaur bones from the Jurassic age that have ever been found.

More than 12,000 bones have been found there, which are believed to have belonged to at least 74 different dinosaurs, with more than 75% of the bones coming from carnivores. The Quarry has been key in helping paleontologists learn about the period and also brings about some questions, like why there were so many dead animals in one place, with most of them being ones that eat meat? The Quarry is open from April through October.