Sample Overland Itineraries

Town stays, scenic trails, and dispersed camping—designed for real-world Colorado & Utah adventures.

Most guests prefer a mix of experiences during their overland trip: a night or two exploring mountain towns, a night or two in a hotel to clean up, then scenic trails and peaceful off-grid camping. These sample itineraries blend the best of both worlds—historic towns, great dining, cultural stops, and approachable 4×4 routes.

Use these itineraries as planning inspiration. Adjust based on weather, comfort level, and season. For deeper route info, see Colorado Routes and Moab & Utah Routes.

2-Day Itinerary: Front Range Explorer

Perfect for guests flying into Denver or wanting a quick weekend escape.

Day 1: Denver → Breckenridge via Boreas Pass

Pick up your Adventure Ready™ rig at Denver International Airport.
Drive to Como and cross Boreas Pass—a scenic, gentle alpine route.
Arrive in Breckenridge: walk Main Street, stock up on supplies, enjoy restaurants and shops.
Stay overnight in a local hotel or dispersed camp near Tiger Road or Dillon Reservoir.

Day 2: Shrine Pass → Return to Denver

Drive over Shrine Pass (seasonal, mellow, great scenery).
Optional short hikes or photography stops.
Return to Denver in the afternoon.

Best for: First-time overlanders or short family trips.

2–3 Day Itinerary: Montezuma Alpine Weekend

A close-to-Denver mountain town with endless jeep roads and dispersed camping.

Day 1: Denver → Keystone → Montezuma

Drive about an hour to Keystone, then continue into Montezuma, an old mining town.
Explore mellow forest roads to scenic overlooks.
Camp in surrounding dispersed sites or stay in Keystone.

Day 2: Choose Your Trail Day

Scenic/Easier option: High viewpoints, forest roads, photography stops.
Experienced drivers: Webster Pass or Red Cone (conditions dependent).
Return to Denver or extend to Day 3.

Optional Day 3

Explore Breckenridge or Frisco, enjoy restaurants, coffee shops, or lakeside strolls.
Visit local gear shops to prepare for future trips.

Best for: Guests wanting a short trip with real alpine views.

3–4 Day Itinerary: Leadville & Halfmoon Creek Adventure

Historic mining towns, wilderness camping, and approachable 4×4 trails.

Day 1: Denver → Leadville

Drive 1.5–1.75 hrs to Leadville.
Walk historic downtown—one of Colorado’s most iconic mining towns.
Stock up on supplies and stay overnight in town or nearby dispersed sites.

Day 2: Explore Halfmoon Creek

Drive into the Halfmoon Creek area for scenic 4×4 trails.
Hike, fish, explore mining relics, or climb a 14er if acclimated.
Camp along the creek under dense pines and starry skies.

Day 3: Buena Vista Loop or Relaxed Return

Drive south into Buena Vista for river views and optional trails.
Enjoy dinner in town or return to a dispersed camp.
Head back to Denver in the afternoon.

Optional Day 4

Add Cottonwood Pass or explore more of the Arkansas River valley.

Best for: Couples, families, and anyone wanting a balanced “town + trails + camping” experience.

3–4 Day Itinerary: Buena Vista Scenic Loop

River valleys, mountain peaks, hot springs, and peaceful dispersed camping.

Day 1: Denver → Buena Vista

Arrive in Buena Vista, surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks.
Walk downtown, visit shops, grab dinner, and prepare for trail days.
Stay in town or camp along the Arkansas River.

Day 2: Local Trails & Camping

Explore mellow-to-intermediate 4×4 routes in the foothills.
Option for fishing, paddle boarding, or hot springs.
Camp in dispersed sites west of town for incredible stars.

Day 3: Cottonwood Pass → Return or Continue Trip

Drive Cottonwood Pass for alpine views.
Return to Denver or continue toward Leadville or Montrose.

Optional Day 4

Visit Salida, hike a 14er, or explore Browns Canyon recreation area.

Best for: Guests wanting warm valley weather and great trail variety.

3-Day Itinerary: San Juan Sampler (From Montrose)

A perfect introduction to the San Juan Mountains using scenic, low-intermediate routes.

Day 1: Montrose → Owl Creek Pass

Pick up your rig in Montrose.
Drive scenic Owl Creek Pass—great photography, gentle terrain.
Camp near Silver Jack Reservoir.

Day 2: Ouray → Yankee Boy Basin (Lower)

Walk around Ouray—coffee shops, outfitters, restaurants.
Drive lower Yankee Boy Basin for waterfalls and wildflowers.
Camp near Ridgway or return toward Montrose.

Day 3: Last Dollar Road → Return Vehicle

Drive the rolling ridges of Last Dollar Road near Telluride.
Enjoy iconic San Juan scenery.

Best for: Guests flying into Montrose wanting big scenery without extreme trails.

4-Day Itinerary: Durango, Mesa Verde & San Juan Mountains

A family-friendly mix of culture, history, hotel stays, and scenic off-road routes.

Day 1: Denver or Montrose → Durango

Explore historic Durango: shops, galleries, Victorian architecture.
Stay at the Strater Hotel or General Palmer Hotel, or camp nearby.

Day 2: Narrow Gauge Railroad or Purgatory Resort

Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (unforgettable for kids).
Or visit Purgatory Resort for year-round outdoor activities.

Day 3: Mesa Verde National Park

Spend the day exploring cliff dwellings and overlooks.
Camp in the park or return to Durango.

Day 4: Durango → Silverton → Montrose

Drive the scenic Million Dollar Highway.
Optional mellow trail stops or short hikes.

Best for: Families or groups wanting culture + adventure.

5-Day Itinerary: Alpine & Desert Grand Tour

The ultimate sampler: mountain towns, scenic passes, desert canyons, and iconic routes.

Day 1: Denver → Breckenridge via Boreas Pass

Warm up with scenic Boreas Pass.
Stay in Breckenridge or dispersed camp nearby.

Day 2: Breckenridge → Glenwood → Moab

Drive west through Glenwood Canyon.
Arrive in Moab for dinner and optional hotel stay.

Day 3: Moab Scenic Route (Gemini Bridges or Shafer Canyon)

Select a scenic desert route appropriate for your comfort level.
Explore desert overlooks and return to camp.
For more routes, see Moab & Utah Routes.

Day 4: Moab → Montrose

Transition from desert back into alpine terrain.
Overnight in Montrose or Ridgway.

Day 5: Last Dollar Road or Owl Creek Pass → Return Vehicle

Finish strong with one more scenic route before returning the vehicle.

Best for: Guests wanting one unforgettable trip without extreme technical driving.

Plan Your Trip

Once you choose an itinerary, explore our planning resources:

Ready to go? Choose your rig from our Adventure Ready™ fleet and start planning your overland journey.