Road Trip: Between Denver & Glenwood Springs

Favorite Stops Between Denver & Glenwood Springs

For the trip west from Denver to Glenwood Springs, the journey is rather straightforward. From the airport you simply travel along the I-70 for about 180 miles, which will take around 3 hours if driving straight through. However, the trip can be as direct or as indirect as you want, depending on how much time that you have, the season, and your interests/planned activities. 

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater

Because of its close proximity to Denver, not including Red Rocks Amphitheater on a road trip itinerary from Denver to Glenwood Springs is a little like saying that you’re going to get away for the weekend to go on an incredible camping trip and then setting up a tent in the neighbor’s backyard… An epic road trip needs to include epic music, and Red Rocks is about as good as it gets when it comes to live music venues.

Red Rocks is in the town of Morrison, located 15-20 miles west of downtown Denver, and is a short distance off of the interstate right before you begin your ascent into the mountains. As you begin your Denver road trip, it’s worth your time to check their event calendar before getting completely out of town. If there is not an event, it is still worth a visit. The monolithic walls tower 300’ above the stage and stand as evidence of ancient seas that rose and fell over millions of years. Nearby there is further proof of the amphitheater’s early history where dinosaur tracks and fossils have been found – including remnants of the sea-faring plesiosaurus. This is a magical place where giants from the past once roamed, and the musical giants of today have blended together to help create the mystique and legacy that Red Rocks is famous for.

Pro Tip: The park is open one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset on non-event days. Taking a hike up the 193 steps inside the amphitheater is a good way to take in some impressive early road trip views, as well as getting some movement in before the rest of your drive – gotta get those steps in!

Lookout Mountain

If you’re the type to stop and smell the flowers, or at least drive slowly by them with your windows rolled down, another great opportunity for a worthwhile side trip is in the city of Golden. This is the home of the historic Coors Brewery where tours of the brewery and cold beer brewed with pure Rocky Mountain spring water is offered. Or, if you’re into cool, wild west history and spectacular views conveniently located in the same place, a trip up nearby Lookout Mountain is a worthwhile detour, and it’s not too far off the path.

To get there from I-70, take exit 256 a short distance west of the town of Golden. From there you travel about 3 miles up South Lookout Mountain Road to the top. Once you arrive at the top of the mountain, you will find the Buffalo Bill Museum AND stunning views of the greater Denver area. Buffalo Bill was an iconic figure in the American West. Before his passing in 1917, he had requested that he be buried on top of Lookout Mountain, overlooking the Denver area and surrounding plains. The museum was built around his gravesite and the views of the area from the overlook at 7,375’ are unmatched.

Mount Evans

If time – and time of the year are not factors, a trip up the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway to the top of the 14,264’ peak should be on your list of ‘must-dos’ on your journey west. The drive up this ‘fourteener’ has the distinction of being the highest paved road in North America. As such, if your road trip has an adventurous itinerary, it also has the distinction of hosting the highest road race in North America, which is typically held in late June. Be advised though that due to snowpack on the road and other factors, the scenic byway is not typically open until the first part of June.

To get there on I-70 from Denver, travel west to exit 240 in the town of Idaho Springs (yes, you’re still in Colorado), which is only about 33 miles and should take you around 40 minutes. Idaho Springs is a pretty cool town in its own right. You can see a lot of neat history still visible from the height of the gold rush on both sides of the highway and throughout the town. You can also find some good places to eat and drink including Tommy Knockers Brewery and Smokin’ Yard’s BBQ. You can choose to have a bite and/or a drink in town or take some food with you to go. There will be some great places with a view to have a picnic along the way.

As the journey up the mountain continues, you will take an approximately 27-mile trip up the CO-5 South to almost the top. The road goes up to a parking lot which is situated around 14,160’ in elevation. But to get to the actual top of Mt. Evans to earn the bragging rights of bagging a 14’er, you will need to hike the 0.6-mile summit trail, gaining around 104 more vertical feet. Need more convincing it is worth the time and effort? Here is a ‘sneak-peak’ of the view from the top.

Along the way you will encounter a number of opportunities to take a break, and take in the views that include the stunning Echo Lake which sits around 10,600’. This is a great place for lunch or to stretch your legs. Continuing about 3 miles on the road above the lake, there is an alpine garden where you can see 1,700-year-old Bristlecone Pines which are the oldest living things on earth. If you would like to break up the drive, you can take a hike on the Mount Goliath Trail, which takes you across open tundra and where you will be among fields of vibrant wildflowers. The road up is windy and you should keep your eyes on it, but additionally, you should keep your eyes peeled for frequently seen bighorn sheep, ermine, pika, and Rocky Mountain goats.

Pro Tip: You will need to make reservations to do this scenic byway, so if you’re planning on incorporating this into your trip, plan ahead accordingly.

East of the Divide…

As you continue traveling west along the interstate towards Western Colorado, you will eventually pass through the Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel which spans the Continental Divide. When it was opened in the 1970s, the tunnel was once the highest vehicular tunnel in the world. There have since been higher that have been built in other parts of the world, but it still maintains its title as the highest vehicular tunnel in North America. The historically profound tunnel is about 60 miles from Denver and is just under 2 miles long. So, if you’re traveling 60mph, plan on holding your breath through the tunnel for roughly 2 minutes. If you’re not quite there, Google “Wimhoff” for some breathing techniques to help you out for your return trip through the east-bound tunnel. 

Once you travel through the tunnel in the western direction, you will begin a descent down towards the town of Silverthorne. The (almost exact) halfway point between Denver and Glenwood Springs is a few more miles west at Copper Mountain. But Silverthorne offers one of the best chances along the way for food and gas, and also has some great hiking trails and a large reservoir called Dillon Reservoir. The town also has a large outlet store complex where you can pick up anything that you may need or have forgotten.

Dillon Reservoir is a large 3,233-acre body of water with 26.8 miles of shoreline. There are also great opportunities in the area for biking, hiking, or walking around including a stretch of the reservoir’s trail system that has a little over 7 miles of pavement for road bikers. If you need to stretch your legs, one popular trail that is easily accessible is the Old Dillon Reservoir Trail located near Heaton Bay Campground. This short, laidback trail offers amazing views of the Tenmile Range and the Continental Divide. If you’re not in a hurry or if you left Denver a little late, the reservoir also has a number of campgrounds. Heaton Bay Campground is the closest to town and the interstate, but it is very busy during the summer and you should try to reserve a spot if you are thinking about stopping.  

Vail

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Vail, Colorado is a year-round alpine paradise with its breathtaking scenery and vibrant charm. Renowned for its world-class skiing and snowboarding in winter, Vail transforms into a haven for hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor festivals during the warmer months. The pedestrian-friendly Vail Village offers a blend of European-inspired architecture, cobblestone streets, upscale boutiques, cozy cafés, and gourmet dining. Visitors can explore cultural gems like the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, or unwind with spa treatments and scenic gondola rides. 

🏛️ Historical Sites Along I-70

🧭 Bonus Stops with Cultural Impact

• Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave (near Golden): Honors the legendary showman and reflects early American frontier politics and myth-making.
• Leadville (slightly off I-70): A historic mining town with deep political and labor history, including the National Mining Hall of Fame.