8 Most Scenic Road Trip Stops from Denver to Santa Fe 2024 (Best Routes & Tips)

Road Trip from Denver to Santa Fe

Best Scenic Routes

Denver - Manitou Springs - Colorado Springs - Trinidad - Fort Garland - Taos - Pueblo - Santa Fe - Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve - Cañon City - Denver

1. Manitou Cliff Dwellings (Manitou Springs)

Suggested duration: 1-2 hours

Open Seven Days a Week (Weather Permitting)

Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas

May, June, July, & August: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

March, April, September & October: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

November: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

December, January & February: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings is located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, five miles west of Colorado Springs, just off US Highway 24.

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings is a rare historical treasure. Preserved under a protective red sandstone overhang, authentic Anasazi cliff dwellings over 800 years old await you here. You are encouraged to explore the dwellings room by room using a self-guided tour. These fascinating architectural remnants are from an American Indian culture that roamed the Four Corners area of the Southwest from 1200 B.C. to 1300 A.D.

Wander leisurely through the preserve and explore the fascinating architecture of the Ancient Puebloan people. This preserve was first open to the public in 1907 and represents some of the finest architecture of the Anasazi Culture throughout Colorado and New Mexico.

2. Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)

Suggested duration: 2-3 hours

Open & close time:

• May–Oct 5am–11pm

• Nov–April 5am–9pm

Located at the base of Pikes Peak, this National Natural Landmark and popular park features stunning geological formations, rock climbing, nature trails and the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center.

An urban park and designated national landmark in Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods encompasses 1,367 acres of unique wilderness, Great Plains grassland, and juniper woodlands. The most iconic section of the park features a towering ridge of eroded red rock formations that reveal 300 million years of geological history, while the famous red rock formations include Balanced Rock, Gateway Rock and the Three Graces. Among the crags and overhangs, visitors can spot petroglyphs from the Native American Ute tribe that once roamed these lands.

Garden of the Gods: Tours and Tickets low to $115

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3. Trinidad

Nestled in the beautiful Purgatoire River Valley at around 6,010 feet in elevation, Trinidad features a large, hilly historic downtown district. It’s one of the most southern Colorado towns on I-25, located thirteen miles north from the New Mexico border.

There’s a lot to see and do around this often-overlooked section of Colorado. Downtown has everything you need in terms of commerce. The picturesque Victorian architecture and red-brick streets are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Main Attractions

• Highway of Legends – Trinidad lies at the southern start to this national scenic byway. It wrap up past historic mining towns like Cokedale, thru Cuchara and La Veta and finishing in Walsenburg.

• Trinidad Trolley – From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Trinidad Trolley provides free town tours daily from 10am to 2pm, every hour. It’s a railroad bus on wheels, guiding you the historic, hilly city. The Trinidad Welcome Center serves as a visitor center town and state.

• Trinidad Lake – 2700 acre state park nestled in the foothills west of town. This year round attraction features camping, fishing, hiking and seasonal boating.

Where to stay in Trinidad?

We highly recommend the La Quinta by Wyndham Trinidad. 

Featuring an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, this Trinidad, Colorado hotel is 90 miles from Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. Free Wi-Fi is provided in all rooms.

Along with free Wi-Fi, each room has a cable TV and a private bathroom at La Quinta Inn & Suites Trinidad. Coffee-making facilities are also available.

A free continental breakfast is provided at Trinidad La Quinta Inn & Suites. A fitness center and laundromat are also on site.

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4.  Fort Garland

The town of Fort Garland rests along U.S. 160 under the watchful eye of 14,345-foot Mount Blanca. Adobe buildings and wide-open skies characterize this rural town about 25 miles east of Alamosa. Home to a mission-style Catholic church and a couple of restaurants, the town is most noted for its namesake structure, the historic Fort Garland.

Built in 1858, the fort was designed to protect settlers in the San Luis Valley, then a territory of New Mexico. The parallelogram-shaped fort once housed more than 200 men, including soldiers, volunteers and Kit Carson, the fort's commander at the time.

Fort Garland was abandoned in 1883, but survives now as the Fort Garland Museum, a prominent example of Colorado's living history. Here visitors wander the fort's parade grounds and adobe buildings while taking in the some of the region's Hispanic folk art. Just a couple of miles from the fort await fishing areas and shady campsites along Ute Creek. Other nearby attractions include the not-to-be-missed Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve as well as a trailhead to Mount Blanca, the Shrine of the Stations of the Cross in nearby San Luis and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

5.  Taos

A rolling mesa at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos has a magical quality. Its rugged beauty, majestic mountains, wild Rio Grande river and unique blend of cultures - Spanish, Native American and Anglo - have historically drawn artists and photographers, evidenced by the plentiful galleries, museums and festivals. To experience the Native American culture here, explore Taos Pueblo, where the Tiwa Native Americans have practiced their traditions for centuries. Finally, the Anglo influence is prevalent in the business district, with its shops, art galleries and some of the finest restaurants in New Mexico. Skiing is also a major draw, but the challenging slopes are geared to the more advanced crowd. There's no rat race here; a fair share of non-mainstreamers have made this laid-back, low-key mecca their home. You, too, may not want to leave its tranquility and natural beauty. 

6.  Pueblo

With 300 days of sunshine annually and a consistently mild climate, Pueblo is a great place to enjoy an outstanding quality of life. Colorado’s most historic and culturally diverse city boasts year-round outdoor activities, celebrated and varied dining options, one of only 12 state designated creative arts districts, and exceptional business opportunities.

Summer in Pueblo means legendary sunsets with plenty of outdoor activities like biking, hiking, boating, fishing, golfing, rafting, rock climbing and exploring San Isabel National Forest. Savor delicious local cuisine along the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk, explore our region's extensive farmer's markets and live it up at our outdoor music festivals and activities for the entire family. 

Autumn in Pueblo turns the leaves vibrant yellows and oranges, the air smells of roasted chiles and your favorite summer activities are still available as the summer heat shifts to temps of late Spring. The acclaimed Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival celebrates harvest season with freshly roasted chiles, hayrides and pumpkin patches kick off around the farms and nights offer a cooler experience around waterfront campfires. 

Things to do:

• Boat, dine and unwind at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo, located in the heart of Downtown Pueblo.

• Spend some time in the historic Rosemount Museum, a 19th-century mansion with authentic furnishings.

• Visit local farm stands for fresh produce, tasty baked goods and much more.

• Tour the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, where there’s always an exciting new exhibit on display.

• Check out Pueblo Neon Alley, a one-of-a-kind, glowing art museum.

• Learn how aircraft played a key role in America’s wartime history at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum.

• Catch a glimpse of animals from around the world at the Pueblo Zoo.

• Sample a world famous Pueblo Slopper or two.

• Explore the Pueblo Creative Corridor, one of 12 Colorado state designated creative districts.

• Fall in love with the famed Pueblo Chile at the annual Chile & Frijoles Festival.

7.  Santa Fe

Santa Fe, New Mexico is a city unlike any other, truly living up to its tagline, The City Different, at every turn. With legendary history and culture around every corner, an art scene that spans from traditional to contemporary, accommodations with a local feel yet world-class status, award-winning cuisine that’s as eclectic as it is sumptuous, and countless experiences to encounter, you’re sure to uncover something different about yourself when you visit.

8.  Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (Colorado)

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is home to the tallest dunes in North America, topping out at around 755 feet. These ever-shifting hills and mounds sit west of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, creating a mind-boggling, desert-like landscape surrounded by 14,000-foot snow-capped peaks. Compared to most of Colorado’s mountains, the Sangres are extremely rugged, due to the earth’s sudden upheaval that created their relief. The landscape here is one of the most stunning scenes in the entire country.

The dunes are also surrounded by a variety of environments, including grasslands, wetlands, aspen forests, and alpine lakes. Nearby, a grove of 200 ponderosa pine trees, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was historically peeled by indigenous tribes for food and medicine.

Things to do:

1. Walk on te Dunes

2. Hike to the tallest dune in North America

3. Go sandboarding or sand sledding

4. Spend the night under the stars

5. See the stars

6. Photograph the Dunes

7. Drive the medano pass primitive road

8. Zapata falls

9.  Royal Gorge Bridge & Park (Cañon City)

The Royal Gorge Bridge is a tourist attraction near Cañon City, Colorado within Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, a 360-acre amusement park located along the edge of the Royal Gorge around both ends of the bridge. Home of America’s Highest Suspension Bridge & Zip Line! 360° of adrenaline packed rides and breathtaking views of Colorado’s natural wonders.

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park: Tours and Tickets from $86

Best time to go on a road trip from Denver to Santa Fe

Considering the terrain of the route and the City Different's climate, certain seasons are definitely better suited than others for a road trip from Denver to Santa Fe.

Santa Fe is sunny for most of the year, but there's a very clear delineation between the seasons – the summers are fittingly warm while winters are cold and snowy.

In addition, the nights tend to be quite cold because of the high desert climate, often leading to drastic temperature swings in the summer. With that said, extreme heat and cold are very rarely recorded out of season.

The city itself attracts visitors all year round since there are heaps of events and festivals in the area.

To strike the perfect balance between good weather and fun things to do, we'd recommend visiting in the fall – the daytime temperatures are quite pleasant, and notable events include the Burning of Zozobra, the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, and a bit further south, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Winter, on the other hand, might not be the best time to visit Santa Fe, at least not via this route. Not only is the city cold (with the occasional snow in March!), but you'll need to be careful while driving through the largely mountainous trail in the first half of the route.

This is especially true if there's lots of snow – because of the terrain, it's harder to keep Hwy 285 consistently clean in the winter. If you do decide to go for it, keep a close eye on the forecast and pack extra blankets and warm clothes!

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