Colorado - Road Trip from Frisco, TX

Day 1:
Started from Frisco - TX
Stopover and a drive inside Palo Duro Canyon
Drove to Colorado through New Mexico by night

We had booked a hotel close to the sand dunes, but due to fire the road was closed and the hotel canceled our booking, so we took a hotel on the way and stayed there.

Day 2:
Since we couldn't go to sand dunes as initially planned, we visited Twin Lakes, Went on a road trip through the independence pass and visited Maroon Bells.
We stayed in a hotel close to Maroon Bells

Independence Pass - It gets very cold in the Pass the drive is beautiful and there is snow even in the July long weekend time. 

Twin Lake - The entry to this lake is an honorary system, we pay in the self-pay kiosk in the entrance of the lake. 

Maroon Bells has an entry restriction, the vehicles can be driven either early morning or late in the evening. After 9:00 am we cannot drive in our own vehicle, we need to use public transportation by the park services to reach there.

Day 3:
We woke up earlier and just the adults, leaving the kids in the hotel with grandparents went for a walk to Maroon Bells early in the morning. It was such a peaceful time to be there. The place was so beautiful, calm and the view of glacier red mountain reflecting on the lake was out worldly.

 In our early morning visit, we hiked a little further in Maroon Bell, the place was so peaceful and serene. Lots of wildflowers filled the hiking trails.

After the visit, we went back to the hotel, had breakfast, packed up the kids, and went to Glenwood Hot Springs. Hot springs were maintained and it had pools of various temperature levels and various salt in different pools.


                                    

Glenwood HotSprings.

After the pools, we started and traveled to Denver, where we visited the downtown and walked in the night, had dinner in a Mexican restaurant.

Day 4:
Started the day with breakfast in the hotel and started driving towards Garden of Gods

When we visited the place it was almost afternoon and the place was hot, so we decided to take pictures in the famous tourist spot and leave for Seven Falls. 

Seven Falls is a commercialized location, the location was inaccessible through public transportation, we were taken in a bus and were dropped off at the entrance. From the entrance, we can either hike or take a tram ride to the bottom of the falls. We had the option to climb the stairs at the bottom of the falls to reach the top, the elevator was also available. Since the timing of our visit was around the evening, it was much cooler and more enjoyable. 

Day 5: 

We started the day by visiting the Garden of Gods very early in the morning, the location was calm with no tourists and we were able to hike in the park and saw a lot of wildlife activity in the morning. It was bliss and we fell in love with the place. 

After the early morning hike, we packed up from the hotel for a day of activity and adventure, we went on a helicopter ride to Royal Gorge and a rafting trip in the white waters.

Getting ready for Rafting, it was level 1 raft for kids 3 and older. Still, they had good rapids and the raft was enjoyable.

Day 6:

Royal Gorge  

Royal Gorge has several options and is a day trip in itself. The activities are for active adventurers, Lots of hiking options and kids play area. 

Day 7: 

Day in the Great Sand Dunes.

Sand Dunes get hot even when the temperatur.e in the rest of the city is low. But luckily it rained a lot when we visited the sand dunes and the place was too good. We had to rent a sandboard in the General store at the park entrance and it helped the kids to be occupied for hours in the dunes, skating in the sand. 

The visitor center was very informational and had lots of activities for the kids. 

Day 8: 

We drove back to Dallas. 

Since we drove back on daytime, the drive was very pleasant especially from New Mexico to Texas.