Is it just us, or are Colorado canyons criminally overlooked? Wait... you knew that Colorado has extraordinary canyons, right? You've surely seen them on a weekend road trip in Colorado. Since Colorado is famous for its mountains (and our neighbor state is renowned for its supposedly magnificent canyon), people often don't realize that we have gorges, so we have curated an incredible 3-day road trip in Colorado that visits three of the state's best canyons. You'll find it to be one of the best road trips in Colorado.
Check out the itinerary and adjust it as you like on our interactive map.
Day 1 - Canyons of the Ancients
Like all great canyons, Canyons of the Ancients is home to a beautiful landscape; unlike other canyons, however, there is also a fascinating archaeological component to the area! Spanning 176,000 acres, Canyon of the Ancients features plenty of outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, hunting, wildlife sightings, and more.
In addition to the landscape itself, Canyons of the Ancients is also home to the highest known archaeological site density in the United States via 8,300 recorded sites! Here, you will discover cliff dwellings, great kivas, villages, shrines, and other structures dating back thousands of years. When you visit the on-site Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum, you will also find ancient artifacts plus tons of hands-on exhibits and displays.
Since this is a canyon, the Canyon of the Ancients also houses an actual canyon complete with dramatic rock cliffs and a breathtaking Only in Western Colorado forest-scape.
Day 2 - Black Canyon of the Gunnison
After a great night of sleep, it is time to venture onto the most well-known canyon in Colorado: The Black Canyon of the Gunnison! Located just outside the town of Gunnison, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a stunning 30,750-acre paradise that houses some of the oldest rock, steepest cliffs, and craggiest spires in North America.
While the Black Canyon of the Gunnison does not have the same archeological history as the Canyons of the Ancients, it is still just as historic, as the rock and canyon were formed over billions of years via the collision of ancient volcanic island arcs and through separate geologic uplifts.
When you visit, you will find many ways to explore the area, as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison features trails for every skill level, designated overlooks, scenic drives, horseback riding, and more!
Day 3 - Glenwood Canyon
You have visited Hanging Lake, Glenwood Caverns, and the Hotel Colorado, but did you know that Glenwood Springs also has its own Canyon? Billed the "gateway to Glenwood Springs," Glenwood Canyon is hands down the perfect way to end your road trip.
Dating back some 3 million years, Glenwood Canyon is the area's favorite destination for outdoor recreation, thanks to its ample opportunities for hiking, wildlife sightings, and watersports -- fishing or rafting, anyone?
When you visit Glenwood Canyon, keep your eyes peeled, as the ravine is home to 40 bridges, 15 miles of retaining walls, 1,300-foot-tall cliffs, and two 4,000-foot-long tunnels.
Are you ready to head out on this magnificent 3-day road trip in Colorado? Have you been to any of these destinations before? Let us know about your experiences in the comments. For even more epic road trip inspiration, check out this stupendous road trip to the most beautiful waterfalls in Colorado:
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/colorado/co-waterfalls-trip/
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