High Passes & Hot Springs of the Rockies
High Passes & Hot Springs of the Rockies
Morrison, CO 80465Telluride, CO 81435
Trip overview
Experience the ultimate high-altitude journey across Colorado's most dramatic mountain passes, historic mining outposts, and soothing geothermal pools. This route weaves through towering fourteeners, deep canyons, and legendary alpine towns.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Morrison
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
A world-famous outdoor music venue sculpted into monolithic red sandstone formations, offering incredible morning views of the Denver basin.
18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465
Trail Ridge Road
The highest continuous paved highway in North America, offering sweeping, tundra-level views of the Continental Divide above 12,000 feet.
Trail Ridge Rd, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO 80517
Grand Lake Lodge
A historic, rustic-chic mountain lodge perched on a hillside overlooking Colorado's deepest natural body of water.
1550 Lake Ave, Grand Lake, CO 80447
Day 2 — Dillon
Loveland Pass
An exhilarating high mountain pass crossing the Continental Divide at 11,990 feet, perfect for dramatic photos and crisp mountain air.
U.S. Highway 6, Dillon, CO 80435
Silver Dollar Saloon
Step back to 1879 in this legendary mining-era saloon, once frequented by Doc Holliday and Oscar Wilde, serving drinks in Colorado's highest city.
315 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Soak in natural thermal rock pools bubbling directly into the rushing waters of Chalk Creek, surrounded by towering 14,000-foot peaks.
15870 County Road 162, Nathrop, CO 81236
Surf Hotel & Chateau
A boutique hotel combining European-inspired design with the rugged charm of Buena Vista's vibrant river park district.
1012 Front Loop, Buena Vista, CO 81211
Day 3 — Salida
Monarch Pass Scenic Tramway
Ride a historic cable tram to the 11,312-foot observatory on the Continental Divide for a panoramic 150-mile view of the Southern Rockies.
23715 US-50, Salida, CO 81201
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Witness some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and sheerest spires in North America, carved over two million years by the Gunnison River.
South Rim Road, Montrose, CO 81401
The Beaumont Hotel & Spa
A beautifully restored Victorian masterpiece built in 1886, offering luxury historic lodging in the heart of the 'Switzerland of America'.
505 Main St, Ouray, CO 81427
Day 4 — Silverton to Ouray
Million Dollar Highway
One of the nation's most jaw-dropping and nerve-wracking scenic drives, hugging steep cliffs and crossing Red Mountain Pass with no guardrails.
US-550, Silverton to Ouray, CO 81433
Bridal Veil Falls
The tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado, cascading 365 feet down a massive canyon headwall topped by a historic power plant.
End of Box Canyon Road, Telluride, CO 81435
Smuggler Union Brewery
A beloved local hangout serving house-brewed craft beers and upscale comfort food sourced from local Colorado farms.
225 S Pine St, Telluride, CO 81435
Experiences & guides
Bookable tours and stops worth a detour along this route.
Experiences
Guide content may not reflect current conditions. Always verify information before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
The Rockies Divide road trip covers about 604 mi and roughly 13h 46m of driving, comfortably spread across about 4 days.
This itinerary maps out 13 stops from Morrison, CO 80465 to Telluride, CO 81435. Highlights include Trail Ridge Road, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Million Dollar Highway.
It begins in Morrison, CO 80465 and ends in Telluride, CO 81435, following a mapped, road-following route the whole way.
The estimated cost is around $1,489, covering fuel, lodging, food, and activities. Your actual total varies with the season, your pace, and the choices you make along the way.
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