Top 10 Stops on Your Denver to Moab Road Trip

Embarking on a Moab road trip from Denver takes you through some of Colorado’s most stunning landscapes and attractions. Through a series of road trips on this stretch of road, we’ve come up with our list of the top 10 stops to make your Moab road trip memorable. If you are planning your Moab vacation, check out 10 Things to Do in Moab, Utah Off-the-Beaten-Path and Tips for Avoiding Crowds in Moab.

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Our Top 10 Stops:

• Silver Plume Area Trails
• Frisco
• Vail
• Glenwood Springs
• Rifle Falls State Park
• Palisade
• Colorado National Monument
• Fruita
• Trail Through Time
• River Road 128

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1. Silver Plume Area Trails

There are 2 excellent options for hiking trails around Silver Plume, one moderate and one more challenging. In winter, skiing at Loveland Ski Area for a half-day is a fun alternative to these hikes. For coffee or a snack while in Silver Plume, give the Plume Coffee Bar a try.

Pavilion Point via Argentine Central Railroad Grade Trail

This former rail trail is popular for cross-country skiing, hiking, and horseback riding. Though this is a steady uphill, it is gradual.

Trail Facts

• Distance: 5.7 miles (9.2 km)
• Elevation gain: 997 ft. (303 m)
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Pet friendly: dogs welcome on leash
• How to get there: From Denver, take exit 226 to mountain road.

Herman Gulch Trail

This hard and steep hike rewards hikers with beautiful wildflowers and views in the summer. The trailhead is just off of I-70 near Silver Plume, making this a convenient stopping point. This trail is absolutely gorgeous, but it is truly challenging. The lakes at the top are over 12,000 feet in elevation.

Trail facts

• Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5 km)
• Elevation gain: 1755 ft. (535 m)
• Difficulty level: Hard
• Pet friendly: dogs welcome on leash
• How to get there: From Denver, take exit 218. Turn right to Watrous Way and you’ll see the trailhead.

2. Frisco

This versatile destination offers Nordic skiing in winter at the Frisco Nordic Center (with downhill skiing at nearby Breckenridge and Copper Mountain). Summer activities include kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding on Lake Dillon or cycling the scenic bike trail bike trails to Copper Mountain or Breckenridge.

Need a bad weather alternative? The Silverthorne Recreation Center is nearby and just off I-70, offering an indoor pool with slide and lazy river.

If you plan to spend the night in Frisco or neighboring Breckenridge, consider checking out the top rated Ridden Fat Bike Beer & Distillery Tour.

3. Vail

Park at the Lionshead or Vail Village parking structure and walk along Gore Creek to the serene Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. This easy walk starts at Antler at Vail and ends at the Alpine Gardens, though you can walk any portions you would like. There’s no required admission fee to the gardens. The suggested donation is $20. You can find more information on the gardens here.

If you have a bit more time to spend in Vail, consider a bike tour or ride down the mountain. This route down Vail pass has stunning views over the valley below.

In winter, another option is to explore Vail’s Nordic Center when the landscape is blanketed in snow. The nordic center is at Vail’s golf course. The nordic center has free parking, ski rentals, and a small restaurant for lunch.

4. Glenwood Springs

Hanging Lake

Before you reach Glenwood Springs, make a stop at Hanging Lake. A must-visit, this incredible hike features a stunning lake suspended on the edge of Glenwood Canyon. It is one of the best day hikes in the US. The moderate hike goes straight up, but there are plenty of spots to rest and catch your breath on the way. If there is snow on the ground, bring along microspikes and poles to keep from slipping on the way down.

Trail facts

• Distance: 3.1 miles (5 km)
• Elevation gain: 1187 ft. (362 m)
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Pet friendly: not allowed
• How to get there: From Denver, take exit 125. The parking lot is on the left.

Hot Springs, Adventure Park, and Biking

Once in Glenwood Springs, there are many choices for activities. A few recommended ones:

• Relax in the therapeutic hot springs pools, either Glenwood Hot Springs Pool or Iron Mountain Hot Springs or both.
• Seek thrills at the Glenwood Caverns adventure park. Visitors take the gondola to the adventure park, then partake in cave tours, thrill rides, or family friendly rides.
• Rent a bike and ride the bike trail through Glenwood Canyon. Alternatively, ride the bus to Aspen and bike the Rio Grande trail slightly downhill back to Glenwood Springs.
• Sign up for a rafting adventure, with tours to suit all ability levels.

To plan a few days in Glenwood Springs, check out our post Epic 2-Day Itinerary for Glenwood Springs Colorado.

5. Rifle Falls State Park

Known for its picturesque triple waterfall, this park is ideal for hiking, picnicking, and wildlife photography. This is further from I-70 than the others included so far (a 30 minute drive). There are a handful of easy trails in the park. This information is for the most direct route to the falls.

Trail Facts

• Distance: 0.7 miles (1.1 km)
• Elevation gain: 82 ft. (25 m)
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Pet friendly: dogs welcome on leash
• How to get there: From Denver, take exit 105. It is a 30 minute drive from here to get to the trailhead.
• Entry fee: if you don’t have a Colorado state park pass, entry is $9/vehicle or $4/person for any non-vehicle entry.

6. Palisade

Indulge in wine tasting and explore the scenic bike routes in Colorado’s wine country, where the landscape is as exquisite as the wines. The Peach Shack, just off the I-70 exit, is a great spot for coffee, pastries, and Palisade fruit. During the summer, they also have u-pick peaches, cherries, and apricots. These are great to bring along for a Moab vacation.

Looking for a unique experience? Visit Suncrest Orchard Alpacas to take a walk with alpacas through the orchards. Or visit the 13 Brix Cider Bistro for lunch or dinner. We like to stop for lunch, and pick up locally made cider to bring along for our time in Moab.

Just 4-5 minutes off of I-70, Riverbend Park in Palisade is a great stop for a quick walk along the river. There’s also a large children’s playground.

7. Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument sits between Grand Junction and Fruita. Marvel at towering monoliths and vast plateaus while driving through the park or while biking or hiking the trails. This is a great road bike ride (33 miles for the loop), though bikes must have lights to go through the tunnels. You can find more biking information here.

Colorado National Monument’s rock formations are very different from those you may have seen on your Denver red rocks hikes, and are definitely worth a visit. Check out the Ultimate Guide to the Colorado National Monument for more details on how to plan your visit.

8. Fruita

Dinosaur enthusiasts and bikers alike will love Fruita for its museum, bike park, and the family-friendly Little Salt Wash Trail. There are extensive mountain bike trails in and around Fruita to explore.

If visiting in summer, Highline Lake State Park in Loma (just past Fruita) is a great spot for camping and enjoying time on the lake.

9. Trail Through Time

Explore this fascinating trail near Mack, CO to see dinosaur fossils, providing a unique glimpse into the earth’s prehistoric past. This is an easy 1.5 mile walk, though be aware that there is no shade.

10. River Road 128

Instead of taking the regular route into Moab (US 191), drive along US 128 from Cisco to Moab. This adds about 15 minutes to the drive, but rewards travelers to stunning views and landmarks like Dewey Bridge, Fisher Towers, and Grandstaff Canyon. US 128, often referred to as the River Road, is part of the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, and also forms part of the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway.

Recommended stops (in order from east to west):

• Cisco ghost town (44 miles from Moab, 5 miles off I-70): Cisco was originally established to support the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. The end of the steam engines aligned with the demise of Cisco.
• Dewey Bridge (30 miles from Moab) was the longest suspension bridge in Utah until it burned down in 2008.
• Fisher Towers Viewpoint (24.8 miles from Moab) is a roadside pullover with spectacular views of Fisher Towers with the La Sal mountains as a backdrop.
• Fisher Towers Trail (21.8 miles from Moab) is an out and back trail offering stunning views of Castle Rock and the Colorado River.
• JJ’s Mercantile at Sorrel River Ranch (17.3 miles from Moab) has u-pick garden, pastries, food, and supplies.
• Red Cliffs Lodge (14.2 miles from Moab) has an outdoor lunch along the banks of the river, open to non-guests during the season.
• Don’t miss the Fisher Towers Rafting Tour once you arrive in Moab, which takes you down the Colorado River, giving you a different perspective of this scenic route.

Denver to Moab Road Trip Wrap-Up

Each stop on this Denver to Moab road trip offers unique experiences, from outdoor adventures to peaceful nature escapes. If you time a fall visit to Moab right, the foliage along the river road on your way in will be stunning. If you continue your road trip on to Salt Lake City, don’t miss a stop at Homestead Crater in Midway, for a unique swimming, diving, or paddle board yoga experience.

Denver to Moab Road Trip Information

Almost the entire drive is on I-70, until the turn off to Cisco, Utah and 128 (the River Road).

• Total Distance (driving directly): 354 miles
• Average driving time (driving directly): 5 hr 30 min

The best places to stop to split this drive in half are Glenwood Springs and Palisade. Glenwood Springs is the half way point, while Palisade is a good stopping point to have more time in Moab on arrival day.

Where to Stay on your Moab Road Trip

• Glenwood Springs: Hotel Colorado is a historic hotel with a convenient location to the hot springs.
• Glenwood Springs: Residence Inn by Marriott is a newer hotel with studios-2 bedrooms with kitchens. Note that it is not a short walk from here to the hot springs area.
• Palisade: Wine Country Inn is in a great location to base yourself in this area, with pool, gardens, and a restaurant.
• Check out Moab’s unique places to stay here, from campgrounds and glamping to luxury hotels. Search for additional lodging options below:

Essential Hiking Tips

• Mountain weather: Always check the forecast before heading out and watch for rapid weather changes. When you see bad weather coming, get below timberline.
• Hydration and Fuel: Bring more water for your day hikes than you think you’ll need. Electrolytes can help you stay hydrated (e.g., Nuun and LiquidIV). Don’t drink water from streams and ponds, unless you are using a LifeStraw or similar. Pack energy-boosting snacks like nuts, fruits, and energy bars.
• Leave no Trace: Preserve the natural beauty by following the Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and avoid disturbing wildlife.
• Wildlife Awareness: Be aware of the wildlife in the area. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising animals and know what to do in an encounter with local animals.
• Navigation: If you are using a map on your phone, make sure that it is downloaded. Cell service can be unreliable in the wilderness areas. Inform someone of your hiking plan and expected return time.
• First Aid: Carry a basic first aid kit for minor injuries. This should include, at minimum, Band-Aids, antiseptic, aspirin, mirror, matches, and a jack-knife, a whistle, flashlight, and multi-tool.
• Check our post on Day Hike Essentials for a more comprehensive list of items to bring on your day hike.

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