What are the most popular national parks visited directly after leaving Denver?

Travelers typically head to Rocky Mountain National Park first located 70 miles from Denver. From there the journey often branches in two directions: west to Utah's collection of five national parks (Arches Canyonlands Capitol Reef Bryce Canyon and Zion) or deeper into Colorado to explore Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Starting from Denver the transition into Rocky Mountain National Park was breathtaking - a perfect first stop."

What is the best time of year to take a tour starting from Denver?

Denver-based tours are busiest from June through September when weather conditions support outdoor activities. The height of the season falls in July and August with tour companies like Globus and Collette scheduling additional departures. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We lucked out with perfect weather in September - warm days cool nights and stunning fall colors in the mountains."

What are the most common first-day activities for tours departing from Denver?

The first day usually starts with exploring Denver's key sites including the gold-domed State Capitol and the Mile High marker. Groups spend time in the historic downtown areas before meeting for an evening welcome gathering often at the Sheraton Denver Downtown. Most tours head to Rocky Mountain National Park the next day. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Starting in Denver gave us a perfect introduction to the city before heading into the mountains - the contrast was amazing."

What are the most common accommodations for tours starting in Denver?

Accommodation options range from city hotels to wilderness camping sites. In Denver popular choices include the DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Central Park and Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. When visiting national parks guests stay in places like Canyon Lodge in Yellowstone or designated camping areas. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The hotels were great quality especially the Strater Hotel in Durango with its Louis L'Amore history and the Embassy Suites in Colorado Springs."

What meal arrangements are typically included on Denver-based tours?

Tour packages generally cover daily breakfasts and select dinners including welcome and farewell meals. Many tours feature regional dining experiences such as western BBQ dinners and chuckwagon cookouts. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The included meals were excellent especially the Bar T-5 Chuckwagon dinner in Jackson with authentic western cooking and entertainment."

What transportation options are available from Denver International Airport to tour starting points?

Many tours provide shuttle service from Denver International Airport to downtown hotels. Companies like Collette and Globus include private transfers while other visitors can use the airport's light rail to Union Station. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The shuttle transfer made arrival very smooth - we were met at the airport and taken directly to our hotel in downtown Denver."

How does the altitude in Denver affect the first few days of tours?

Denver's elevation of 5280 feet means tours usually set aside the first day for adjustment before ascending into the Rockies. Guides advise drinking plenty of water avoiding alcohol and taking a slow pace initially. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our guide made sure we understood the altitude effects and gave us time to adjust in Denver before heading to the mountains."

USA Tours from Denver

Find your perfect adventure! We have 26 tours of USA that start in Denver, USA. The most popular month is September, and tour lengths range between 3 and 19 days.

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Explorer
Best of the Canyonlands
4.5 (5 traveler reviews)
"Monument Valley was the highlight of the trip for me."
Eugenie, traveled in May
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Denver, Vail, Moab, Arches National Park,Mesa Verde National Park,Monument Valley,Grand Canyon National Park,Las Vegas+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky Mountains+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
12% Off
From $5,675
NZ$4,994per person
Price based on Shared Room
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$America\'s National Parks with Denver Tour$
$America\'s National Parks with Denver - 11 destinations$
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In-depth Cultural
America's National Parks with Denver
5.0 (897 traveler reviews)
"The places we visited were wonderful and Steve's knowledge of the area added so much to the trip."
Shelley, traveled in September
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Denver, Rapid City, Mount Rushmore National Memorial,Deadwood,Sheridan,Cody,Yellowstone National Park,Grand Teton National Park,Jackson,Salt Lake City+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
4% Off
From $7,549
NZ$7,249per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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$America\'s Greatest Treasures with Denver Start Tour$
$America\'s Greatest Treasures with Denver Start - 11 destinations$
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Explorer
America's Greatest Treasures with Denver Start
5.0 (164 traveler reviews)
"First bus tour and I was throughly pleased with everything!"
Dari, traveled in September
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Denver, Cheyenne, Rapid City,Mount Rushmore National Memorial,Deadwood,Sheridan,Cody,Yellowstone National Park,Grand Teton National Park,Jackson,Salt Lake City+8 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Cosmos
5% Off
From $4,369
NZ$4,169per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Western Rails & Canyons with Rocky Mountaineer
5.0 (26 traveler reviews)
"Pleasant. Very knowledgeable."
Loretta, traveled in September
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Denver, Colorado Springs, Great Sand Dunes National Park,Durango,Silverton,Mesa Verde National Park,Moab,Canyonlands National Park,Arches National Park,Glenwood Springs+7 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky Mountains+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
3% Off
From $9,569
NZ$9,319per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Painted Canyons of the West featuring Utah’s Five National Parks (Denver, CO to Las Vegas, NV) (2025)
4.8 (118 traveler reviews)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Denver, Grand Junction, Colorado National Monument, Moab,Arches National Park,Canyonlands National Park,Capitol Reef National Park,Bryce Canyon National Park,Springdale,Zion National Park,Las Vegas+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersMighty 5Rocky MountainsUtah+5 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
3% Off
From
NZ$6,599per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Historic Trains of the Colorado Rocky Mountains
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Denver, Estes Park, Grand Junction,Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park,Silverton,Durango,Mesa Verde National Park,Colorado Springs+5 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky MountainsColorado+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Tours of Distinction
3% Off
From
NZ$5,257per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Historic Trains of the Old West with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
5.0 (212 traveler reviews)
"The balloons fly. I would definitely travel with either of them again."
Marian, traveled in October
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Denver, Breckenridge, Glenwood Springs, Ouray, Silverton,Durango,Mesa Verde National Park,Taos,Santa Fe,Chimayo,Albuquerque,Colorado Springs+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky Mountains+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
3% Off
From $8,839
NZ$8,539per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Painted Canyons of the West featuring Utah’s Five National Parks (Denver, CO to Las Vegas, NV) (2026)
4.8 (118 traveler reviews)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Denver, Grand Junction, Colorado National Monument, Moab,Arches National Park,Canyonlands National Park,Capitol Reef National Park,Bryce Canyon National Park,Springdale,Zion National Park,Las Vegas+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersMighty 5Utah+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
2% Off
From $6,499
NZ$6,349per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
National Parks, Mount Rushmore & Little Big Horn
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Denver, Rapid City, Fort Laramie, Laramie,Badlands National Park,Deadwood,Sheridan,Yellowstone National Park,Grand Teton National Park,Jackson,West Yellowstone,Salt Lake City,Canyonlands National Park,Moab,Arches National Park,Mesa Verde National Park,Monument Valley,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Las Vegas+16 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Western USA
Operated in
English
Operator
Just You
5% Off
From $12,449
NZ$11,883per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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Hiking & Trekking
USA Rockies & Canyon Spirit
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Denver, Cheyenne, Rapid City, Fort Laramie, Laramie,Mount Rushmore National Memorial,Cody,Yellowstone National Park,Salt Lake City,Moab,Arches National Park,Glenwood Springs+7 more
Age Range
Ages 7+
Country Region
Western USA
Operated in
English
Operator
DERTOUR
5% Off
From
NZ$7,778per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
National Parks of Colorado
4.2 (5 traveler reviews)
"An excellent experience. The entire trip was seamless."
Theresa, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Denver, Colorado Springs, Great Sand Dunes National Park,Durango,Mesa Verde National Park,Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park,Grand Junction,Glenwood Springs,Rocky Mountain National Park+6 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky MountainsColorado+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Southwest Adventure Tours
5% Off
From
NZ$6,445per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Welcome to Colorado
4.2 (6 traveler reviews)
"All 3 made our trip exceptional."
Debra, traveled in August
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder, Vail,Glenwood Springs,Aspen,Colorado National Monument,Palisade,Silverton,Durango,Mesa Verde National Park,Great Sand Dunes National Park,Colorado Springs+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky MountainsColorado+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
10% Off
From $8,075
NZ$7,268per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
The Colorado Rockies featuring National Parks and Historic Trains (Denver, CO to Colorado Springs, CO)
4.7 (12 traveler reviews)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Junction,Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park,Silverton,Durango,Mesa Verde National Park,Colorado Springs+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky MountainsColorado+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
10% Off
From
NZ$6,499per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
U.S. National Parks - The Rockies to San Francisco
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park, Cheyenne,Fort Laramie,Mount Rushmore National Memorial,Rapid City,Bighorn National Forest,Cody,Yellowstone National Park,Salt Lake City,Canyonlands National Park,Moab,Arches National Park,Capitol Reef National Park,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Las Vegas,Death Valley National Park,Mammoth Lakes,Yosemite National Park,San Francisco+18 more
Age Range
Ages 21+
Country Region
Western USA
Operated in
English
Operator
Omega Tours
10% Off
From
NZ$7,269per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Railroads of the Old West
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Denver, Grand Junction, Durango,Great Sand Dunes National Park,Canon City,Colorado Springs+3 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersColorado+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Southwest Adventure Tours
10% Off
From
NZ$6,445per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour