From Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park

from Denver you will go up via I 25 to exit on hwy 36 to Lyons and EP. just saying . check your map and see which way you want to go.

Just depends on which side of Denver you are on.

We go to Estes Park every year and go up 36 thru Boulder and into Lyons. It's an easy drive for your gasser and toad. There is a little stop and go traffic in Boulder but in 15 minutes you will be thru it and on you way @ 55-60 mph to Lyons, then up the mountain to Estes.

If you ask me, i'd stay the HECK out of Boulder just because of the traffic and ppl! Because you have a toad... well, take that around to the tourist stuff... that was mentioned above,,, the Brewery, the train museum @ Golden,, all that stuff. The peak to peak is pretty but wind y.that's WYND y,, not wind ee....but so is 36 and 34. Ya just can't get up to Estes Park w/o taking a wind-y mtn road w/ drop-offs. That's the story/glory of mountains. (thank you, Lord!) I was meaning that coming into Denver from west I 25 is quicker than the southwest rt. again because of traffic. Just consult your map , preferably a state issued one,, those are best,,more detailed...rather than your atlas,,, im just so jealous that you're heading up to my version of heaven...just know that in a gasser,, the mtns are gonna be harder to pull so,,on the interstate they are 'ironed out' better and w/ climbing lanes and that sort of stuff... oh and did I tell you about the runaway truck ramps? ;) you will see them if you go on I 70 . I always imagined how it would be if your breaks failed. Those are life savers!

I hope im not going on and on telling you stuff you already know. :)

Maw, Jim & Jake wrote:
We will be leaving Denver in our 38 foot class A gas powered MOHO while pulling our toad, to Estes Park. Any suggestions on which route to take?
If I can add to that, from Estes Park to Montrose.
Thanks, JMAT

First choice would be to Head out to Golden, I-70 to CO 58 to Rt 6 -- if you have not been to Golden great time to stop -- highlights, Coors plant tour, Clear Creak, the Town of Golden, you could run up the mountain to see Buffalo Bill's Grave site and check out the story -- from there head out Rt 6 along Clear Creek, Beautiful drive along the Creek, this will take you up to Central City (Rt 119 to the right) -- Do you Feel Lucky -- and the Peak to Peak Highway, you will also drive by Black Hawk these two town are the Gamblers hideaway in the mountains(8,000)-- from there you will pass Golden Gate SP -- might just want to check it out for future trips -- usually full on the weekends but has space during the week. Now staying on Rt 119 you will drive up through Nederland -- good side trip is staying on 119 and going into Boulder -- College town and the Farmers Market is worth the trip alone -- Saturday and Wednesday if I remember. When you get to Nederland you take Rt 72 towards Ward, after going through Ward head towards Raymond and Riverside --Great little spot -- first time I drove through I picked out a House -- wife said NO - all along this route there are hiking areas and trail so if you are inclined take a Hike. When you hit Raymond you will take Rt 7 towards Allenspark and on to Estes -- I usually take Rt 7 to the right following the St Vrain River and Lyons -- Love the Town -- then will take Rt 36 up to Estes then 34 Trail Ridge to Lake Grandby, and the town of Grand Lake.

Other option is I-25 to Rt34 -- 34 is beautiful but I- 25 is not.

One more might be Rt 93 to Rt 36 through Boulder and Lyons -- lot of traffic an just outside the foothills.

Now if you liked the trip to Estes I can give you a couple of Routes to Montrose and the San Juan's, let me know.

BOL,

I was just looking at Rocky Mtn. Park yesterday and they have a lot of road construction going on this summer and predict a lot of waits of 1/2 hr. or so. Threy say that weekends willnot have construction and the waits. We enjoyed our last trip there but will wait until we are nearby for the final decision.

if you're in the middle of Denver,,, take I 25 to the RMNP/Lyons exit... hwy 34 I thnk or 36 I forget. I use to live up there and there are 2 ways into EP...take the first one,,,oh, I think the sign says Longmont. anyway,, that's the straightest and easiest road that's divided until you get to your exit about 20 miles out of Denver city limits. A great drive! I even made it in a blizzard by my little self.. in my car in the middle of the night,, coming back from Tx. on mother's day weekend. Have fun and kiss the mtns for me!!

You will go north on I 25 but then turn west!!

The SCENIC route would be the "peak to peak Highway (Colorado highway 7 out of Idaho Springs). Quick way would be I-25 north to Highway US 34 through Loveland. Are you looking for speed or scenery?

LOTS of possibilities for the Montrose leg but without knowing what you consider important in a route it's hard to be of much help. I'd probably want to go over Trail Ridge then US 40 over Berthoud Pass to I-70 through the tunnel then head south through Leadville on US 24 to US 50 at Salida, then take 50 west to Montrose. The route is fairly straight forward, scenic yet includes some Interstate to make time and it's not difficult driving.

Good luck / Skip