I’ve now been to Santa Fe several times and always find something new and interesting to explore along the way. There are actually multiple ways to do this road trip. We help you break down some amazing things to stop and see.
We pick two of the ways we usually do for the road trip. If you go a different route or have other suggestions, let us know and we’ll visit them on our next trip and see how it goes.
About this Road Trip
Below is a view at the road trip options we mapped out.
The road trip above goes via two different options that split around Pueblo, Colorado. Each way has its own excellent sites. Even though this road trip is written from Denver to Santa Fe, it works well in either direction.
Start: Denver, Colorado
Denver, the capital and largest city in Colorado. Denver is home to lots of great restaurants, museums, parks, and more. Denver is one of my favorite cities which is why I found myself living here as well.
There are quite a few things to do in Denver. In many ways, it’s a good city but its strength is its proximity to incredible nature while still having a good mix of urban activities and services.
We recommend you spend a few days in Denver. Exploring the city and some of the sites nearby as well.
Things to Do
- Catch a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Even if there’s no show, you can enjoy exploring the park and people-watch the folks with their crazy training regimens.
- Explore the trendy RiNo (River North) neighborhood with its fun shops, good restaurants, and excellent street art.
- Catch a Sports Game at one of the stadiums. Denver has some great sports teams.
- Explore the exceptional Denver Art Museum. It’s a great space, and we recommend checking out the American Indian artwork.
- Get a surreal art experience at Meow Wolf – Denver.
- Visit Lookout Mountain. Catch the beautiful view of Denver and pay homage to famous Western personality Buffalo Bill Cody
- Drive up Mount Blue Sky—the highest paved road in North America. Stop, relax, and hike along Echo Lake while you’re there, too.
WANT MORE: Check out our Things to Do in Denver and Best Denver Day Trips
Where to Stay in Denver
- Vib Hotel: I love this newer RiNo option. It’s clean, with a cool vibe, and a great rooftop taco spot.
- The Ramble: One of my favorite spots and a beautiful hotel. I also like Death & Company in the lobby and other nearby spots.
- Capitol Hill B&B: I just love the look and location of this spot. In the Heart of Capitol Hill with some old Denver charm.
- The Art Hotel Denver: I love this cool spot, and its location near the art museum is great. It’s walkable, and there are great restaurant spots nearby. I recommend Cuba Cuba.
Stop: Castle Rock, Colorado
Castle Rock, located south of Denver is a cool little community. The town is named for the rocky outcropping you can see from the highway or downtown.
I knew very little about the place until I visited to meet a friend here for dinner. It has a small, compact downtown but hits above its weight in restaurants and shops. The town also has good hiking, climbing, and biking in the area.
Things To Do
- Hike or climb along the namesake rock.
- Try the Mini-Incline for a nice workout if you are not up for the manitou incline in Colorado Springs
- Get your adrenaline pumping at the Edge Adventure Park
Where to Eat
- Ecclesia Market: Nice selection of small restaurant booths.
- Courtyard Social: Delicious food in a nice space. Good outdoor seating, too.
- Pegasus: Breakfast spot with a delicious selection
Stop: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado’s second city, The “Springs,” as they are affectionately known, is famous for red rocks, Pike’s Peak, Olympians, and the US Air Force Academy. The town has a lovely walkable downtown and some great things to explore.
There’s plenty to do in a day or even several days. There’s plenty to do in town, as well as some fantastic day trips from the city.
Things to Do
- Wander the towering red rocks of the Garden of the Gods
- Explore the beautiful and interactive US Olympic Museum
- Get underground at the Cave of the Winds in nearby Manitou
- Drive, take the train, or hike to the top of Pike’s Peak.
- Try your stamina on the over 2,000 steps of the Manitou Incline
- Explore the petrified redwoods and fossils at nearby Florissant Fossil Bed National Monument
WANT MORE: Explore the Best Things to Do in Colorado Springs and Day Trips from Colorado Springs
Where to Eat
- Bambino’s Urban Pizzeria: Delicious Neapolitan-style pizza downtown. Be sure to get the ranch dressing as well.
- Marigold Café & Bakery: Delicious bakery options and savory meals are available.
- Lucky Dumpling Co: Really good dumplings with excellent and imaginative flavors.
- Bird Dog BBQ: I’m told it’s the best in the Springs, although I haven’t tried others. Still excellent BBQ.
Where to Stay
- Towne Place Suites Garden of the Gods: Close to Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. Kitchenettes and free breakfast. Clean, comfortable rooms
- Hyatt Place Colorado Springs Downtown: Great location close to attractions and restaurants downtown.
- Cliff House at Pikes Peak: Located in cute downtown Manitou Springs. Close to Manitou Springs attractions and restaurants.
Stop: Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is a nice little town along the Arkansas River. It’s a bit rough on the edges but it has a nice downtown area with some good restaurants, bookshops, and more. It makes a nice stop for lunch or even longer if you want to explore things in the area.
What to Do
- Take a walk along the historic Arkansas Riverwalk. It’s cute, although water levels can be very low
- Explore the grand mansion of the Rosemont Museum
- Wander through the history of Pueblo in the Union Avenue Historic District
- Learn about the steel history at The Steelworks Museum
- Check out my favorite bookstore in town Analogue Books & Records
Where to Eat
- Bistoro: Nice tapas restaurant with a good selection and reasonable (for tapas) prices.
- B&C Tacos: Excellent tacos with all homemade sauces and salsa. Friendly service too.
- Fuel & Iron: Nice food hall with a good selection of options. Something hopefully for everyone
Where to Stay
- Courtyard by Marriott: Great family-friendly option walking distance from food, shopping, and the river.
- Springhill Suites: My favorite option. Close to the Courtyard as well. Clean rooms, family-friendly, great staff
- Hampton Inn: Located in Pueblo North. Further from the action but a great hotel for less money.
Detour: Cañon City, Colorado
One of my favorite spots in Colorado. Canon City is known for the jaw-dropping Royal Gorge that weaves its way through town. This is the main draw for most people and one of the reasons we recommend doing a detour here.
There’s quite a few things to do in the area. But you’d be remiss not to take time to explore the gorge while here. Many of those activities close early so you should plan your visit around closing times.
Things to Do
- Ride the Royal Gorge Train and admire the massive canyon and the highest suspension bridge from below.
- Conquer your fear of heights by walking, riding, ziplining, or along the Via Ferrata in Royal Gorge Park.
- Ride the rapids kayaking or rafting on the Arkansas River.
Where to Eat
- Nirvana: Best Indian food in the area. A good option for those who are in town.
- Fremont Provisions: Delicious option with a good selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads.
Where to Stay
- Royal Gorge Cabins: Extremely luxurious way to spend a night around the Royal Gorge
- Royal Gorge Yurts: Unique way to really enjoy spending time out here. My recommendation.
Route 1 via Taos
There are two options we recommend for routes in this particular road trip guide. After Pueblo, the route splits. This option takes you into the Colorado Mountains, along mountain towns, and some of our favorite places.
This option should not be attempted if there’s a high chance of winter weather. Some of the roads through the area can become treacherous.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes is a place that defies logic. They are the largest dunes in North America and seem completely out of place among the snow-capped mountains of Colorado.
The sand makes it ways out here and gets trapped in this area which is how these dunes grew over thousands of years. The dunes are the highlight of the park, but there’s hiking and other exploring in the area too.
Check out our guide for information like renting boards.
What to Do
- Hike along the dune field. Take a hike and try to find the highest dunes in the park, Hidden or Star Dune
- Grab a board and do some sandboarding. You can rent some from nearby shops
- Go for a forest hike along some of the surrounding trails. You’ll have more solitude here vs the dunes.
MORE?: Read our Guide for Great Sand Dunes National Park
Where to Stay
- Zapata Ranch: One of the most beautiful locations to stay close to Great Sand Dunes National Park. I recommend it if you plan to stay a few days and make the most of the ranch amenities.
- Holiday Inn Express Alamosa: Standard Holiday Inn Express. Reasonably close to the park with good facilities and breakfast.
- Fairfield Inn Alamosa: Super clean, facilities are pretty good. I would check between this and Holiday Inn for which is cheaper when booking.
Río Grande del Norte National Monument
This area is a massive BLM National Monument along the northern part of New Mexico. There’s so much to explore in this rugged area of volcanos, canyons, gorges, plains, and more. Honestly, I’ve only scratched the surface of what to see here.
If you have time and interest, take the opportunity to spend a few hours or even a few days exploring the park. At least be sure to check out one of the highest bridges in North America, which is in the park. There’s a small parking/overlook next to it.
This is a BLM site so it is not quite as developed as you’d see for National Park Service Monuments. That’s both good and bad. It takes more effort to see things but you’ll have more solitude and pristine places.
Taos New Mexico
Taos is an interesting community surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The town has a cute downtown square with shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. I found the city to be a mix of ski bums, artists, hippies, and now quite a few folks here to work remotely.
It also has a large native american community at the adjacent Taos Pueblo, one of the best preserved and most impressive representations of native Puebloan villages. It’s also the main town before heading to the Taos ski area. The area is particularly beautiful leading up to the Christmas holiday.
Things To Do
- Explore the impressive architecture and history of Taos Pueblo
- Wander the compact square of downtown Taos
- Spend the holidays admiring the farolitos and luminarias
- Shred the thrilling fast slopes of Taos Ski Area
Where to Stay
- Hotel La Fonda: My favorite hotel in Taos and probably the best location right on the square.
- Historic Taos Inn: Second favorite. It’s a beautiful hotel, not on the square but close enough.
- Inn on La Loma Plaza: Gorgeous hotel with traditional pueblo architecture. Also, there is a free shuttle to the ski area.
Route 2 via Interstate 25
This route is the fastest in terms of time driving, however, even if it’s mostly highway that does not mean it’s devoid of great sites. Actually, some of my favorite sites on the road trip are along this route.
This route, while missing the National Park, has many NPS sites including 2 national monuments and a historical park.
Trinidad, Colorado
I only recently visited Trinidad, but my visit made me realize I need to make more stops here on road trips. The town has a funky vibe, a thriving art scene, and friendly locals. The main draw here is the shops with works from local and Native American artists. The town is one of the best small cities in southern Colorado.
Things to Do
- Wander and Shop the various Galleries of downtown Trinidad
- Get some great views and peaceful vibes at Trinidad Lake State Park
- Learn about local history at Trinidad History Museum
- Get a birds-eye view from atop Simpson’s Rest
Where to Eat
- Bella Luna: Great pizza option in downtown Trinidad
- Sita’s Kitchen: Best option for vegan. A big pricey but good.
- Tees Me Treat Me: Fun sandwich shop. Some really delicious options
Where to Stay
- Hilton Garden Inn: A good respite but located off the main Trinidad strip. Very clean and good for families.
- Tarabino Inn: Short distance from the main attractions. Great for couples. Probably the most romantic option in town.
- Travelodge: Clean, reasonably priced, and close enough to everything. What more could you ask for?
Capulin Volcano National Monument
Capulin Volcano National Monument was established in 1916 to protect an incredibly well-preserved and extinct symmetrical cinder cone volcano that is an amazing specimen of its kind. Despite its age of roughly 55,000 – 62,000 years, it looks relatively young.
The National Monument covers an area of about 800 acres, with the volcano at its center, which is covered with trees that almost make you forget it’s a cinder cone.
The volcano is one of the best and most beautiful examples within the 8,000 square-mile Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field and offers incredible landscape views from its peak. Additionally, it’s a great place for stargazing as it’s located in a very dark sky area.
Expect to spend 1+ hours here, depending on what you plan to do. We recommend at least an hour to drive to the top of the volcano and a short hike into the caldera.
MORE: Read Out Guide to Capulin Volcano National Monument
Fort Union National Monument
Fort Union National Monument, established in 1954, preserves the remnants of a 19th-century military fort in northeastern New Mexico. It served as a vital supply depot during the era of Western expansion and conflicts with Native American tribes. Visitors can explore well-preserved adobe ruins and interpretive exhibits.
The monument offers opportunities for hiking and picnicking, with ranger-led tours available. Fort Union National Monument is an important landmark in US history and a historical stop along the Sante Fe Trail.
Expect to spend about 1 – 2 hours here for a good visit to the area.
Pecos National Historical Park
Pecos National Historical Park preserves important Pueblo dwellings and later Spanish colonial mission sites. This area has been inhabited for thousands of years,, and you can feel its history as you wander through the various ruins.
Hundreds of pueblos dotted this landscape during the 14th—17th century. Unlike other important Puebloan sites (such as Mesa Verde), this area was not abandoned prior to European expansion. The area started attracting Spanish conquistadors’ attention during the 16th century.
The main activities in the park include the exhibits in the visitor center and the ancestral site trail. This 1.25-mile trail loops visitors through the historic buildings with informative panels to explain the sites.
Plan to spend about 1 – 2 hours at the site for a proper visit.
End: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, the beautiful capital of New Mexico is one of my favorite places in the country. It has beautiful historical architecture, amazing food, art, and history. For those who don’t know, Sante Fe is actually the oldest state capital city in the United States.
Founded by the Spanish in the early 1600s, the city became the capital of the Spanish province in 1610. The city continued to rise to prominence as it was an important market and stopping place for traders and settlers moving along what was called the Sante Fe Trail.
The city continues to keep its traditions and you’ll find beautiful buildings and historic sites along every corner. While the city now is the 4th largest city in the state, there’s no denying its draw outpaces its size.
Things to Do
- Visit the Art Museum of Art legend Georgia O’Keefe
- Wander the art galleries of Canyon Road
- Experience the original trippy art installation of Meow Wolf Santa Fe
- Learn local history at the New Mexico Museum of History
- Climb and Explore incredible petroglyphs and cliff dwellings in Bandelier National Monument
- Enjoy the expansive nature of Valles Caldera National Preserve
WANT MORE: Explore the Best Things to Do in Santa Fe
Where to Eat
Eating is probably my favorite thing to do in Santa Fe. There are chiles for sure but more to the city than just that.
- The Shed: Possibly the best New Mexican food restaurant in town. Get reservations or on the wait list if you plan to go.
- La Choza: Same owners and mostly the same menu as the Shed. It may be easier to get reservations. Great, but the Shed is better.
- Cafe Pasqual’s: One of my favorite spots. The food is so good. Best brunch I think in Santa Fe
- Jambo’s: A really good East African restaurant. Very popular with the locals. It’s halal too.
Where to Stay
- La Fonda on the Plaza: Beautiful hotel located right on the plaza in downtown Santa Fe. You can’t get much better than this.
- House of Three Moons: Not on the plaza but close to the action. Beautiful rooms, great service, local style.
- Hotel St. Francis: Gorgeous hotel, is close to the Plaza and in the city’s center. Very clean rooms, and great service. Can be pricey.
How to Get to Denver or Santa Fe
This road trip can be completed in either direction. I mostly wrote it from Denver as that’s where I mostly begin the road trip. Denver is also the easier option for flights with more carriers landing at Denver International Airport (DIA).
Note: You’ll also need to get a rental car if you fly into either location. The best option for rental cars is probably Denver. However, you may get deals for Santa Fe or Albuquerque if you start from that end.
Closest Airport to Denver: Denver International Airport (DIA). As one of the busiest and largest US airports; Denver has the most connections, and best connections of any of the airports recommended.
Closest Airport to Santa Fe: Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF). This is by far the closest to Santa Fe. The only trouble is there are few connections here.
Cheapest Airport for Santa Fe: Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ). Located an hour outside of Santa Fe. This is your best bet for prices.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide helps with your trip planning. Is there something I missed, or a direction you would prefer? I am always looking for ideas to expand. I haven’t visited everywhere in New Mexico or Colorado but always work on visiting everywhere I can.
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