West - Colorado or Montana?

We are considering the following itineraries for a 2-week road trip in late August. Aside for the dig-for-a-day program, which my 8 year old is set on, what do you recommend?

Colorado / Utah
Denver (day 1)
Dinosaur National Monument (day 2, 3)
Rafting (day 4, 5)
Dinosaur Dig near Grand Junction organized by Museum of Western Colorado (day 6,7)
Canyon Lands (day 8, 9)
Mesa Verde (day 10,11)
Durango (day 12, 13)

Wyoming / Montana
Yellowstone (day 1-4)
ROW Canoe trip on Lewis & Clark Route (day 5-10)
Dinosaur dig near Jordan organized by Paleoworld research foundation (day 11-13)

These are very different itineraries and one's choice would have a lot to do with personal preferences. Having said that, here are my personal experiences with kids -

1 - Minimize driving time. Long car rides are not what most kids like.
2 - Minimize activities that involve "just sightseeing". Kids like to be doing things.
3 - Don't spend too much time doing any one thing.


If you do the Colorado itinerary and get to Durango, I recommend the railroad trip. But be sure to make reservations. Also, I don't think Mesa Verde is worth two days unless you know a lot about the history and want to pursue the details of what you are looking at.

JerryFF,

These are very different itineraries

Hence the difficult choice! My fear about the Colorado trip is the amount of time in the car, Denver to DNM, Canyon Lands to Mesa Verde and Durango to Denver are 3 long trips.

If you do the Colorado itinerary and get to Durango, I recommend the railroad trip

Glad to hear! The narrow gauge railroad is the reason for the stop in Durango.

Any suggestions for things to do near Yellowstone and Billings?

If you do the Colorado option, there is a small dinosaur "park" called Dinosaur Ridge located just west of Denver (along C-470 near Morrison). It'll pale in comparison to what you'll be doing on the West Slope, but it's a nice hour-long excursion.

Perhaps a stop in Glenwood Springs to enjoy the hot springs?

All the stuff in Colorado looks great, but Yellowstone is a must-see! I'd go for Wyoming / Montana!


We are considering the following itineraries for a 2-week road trip in late August. Aside for the dig-for-a-day program, which my 8 year old is set on, what do you recommend?

Colorado / Utah
Denver (day 1)
Dinosaur National Monument (day 2, 3)
Rafting (day 4, 5)
Dinosaur Dig near Grand Junction organized by Museum of Western Colorado (day 6,7)
Canyon Lands (day 8, 9)
Mesa Verde (day 10,11)
Durango (day 12, 13)

Wyoming / Montana
Yellowstone (day 1-4)
ROW Canoe trip on Lewis & Clark Route (day 5-10)
Dinosaur dig near Jordan organized by Paleoworld research foundation (day 11-13)

thanks for all for your great input!!!

When I was a little kid my parents took me on a trip very similiar to the first itinerary you mention. If you haven't visited those places, you really must. Some of the most breathtaking country - if you're a camper there are many options along those routes.

I am a big fan of Yellowstone, and I think it would be great for a 8 yr. old. With only 4 days/3 nights, you might feel shortchanged. I am not familiar with the canoe trip or dig you mentioned, so I can't comment on those. There are a number of other threads with helpful comments on visiting YNP.

If you choose the Colorado option though, I would look into flying into Grand Junction rather than stopping in Denver. That would cut some of your car travel time.

In case it would be a problem with anyone with you, there are parts of the highway between Durango and Grand Junction which lack guardrails (primarily south of Ouray as I recall). In those places, there are no barriers and only a few feet between the edge of the road and the cliff. The last time I was on this road, this situation really bothered one of my passengers.

The Colorado trip would be wonderful, but it occurs to me that the mix of activities is more varied on the Wy/MT trip. Plus, there is simply no way around the fact that even flying into Grand Junction, you will be spending lots of time in the car in areas that don't have a lot of places to stop on the way. The road to Dinosaur-there is VERY little out that way at all.... Plus, in late August it can be pretty hot...Are you prepared for several long days in the sun keeping an 8-year old hydrated?

I do agree that the steam train is lots of fun, however....
(Also near Grand Junction: Colorado Nat'l Monument, near Durango Black Canyon of the Gunnison)

In case it would be a problem with anyone with you, there are parts of the highway between Durango and Grand Junction which lack guardrails (primarily south of Ouray as I recall). In those places, there are no barriers and only a few feet between the edge of the road and the cliff. The last time I was on this road, this situation really bothered one of my passengers.

The OP is from Italy. That's pretty normal when driving in the mountains. ;)

If you decide to do Wyoming, don't miss Grand Teton NP.

The initial transits for the Billings/Yellowstone trip are much shorter than the Colorado trip. Eastern Montana is largely prairie and hills but the dinosaur digs are exquisite (Home to 2 T-Rex findings). Is Dr. Horner in charge of the dig at Jordan? If not, you can go to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman where he is based. The state paleontology lab is there, a decent dinosaur exhibit and some Montana history.

If you are choosing between Bozeman or the Tetons, go to the Tetons for a day but don't shortchange any time in YP for it. I would recommend Billings-YP-Billings (assuming Lewis/Clark starts in Billings) would be to loop through Bozeman-YP-Cooke City-Red Lodge. Either direction would be fun and fairly scenic with campsites or small towns to stop at if necessary. If time constrained, use the Gardner entrance for in/out as West Yellowstone is further away from Billings and the Cooke City entrance is over Beartooth Pass, which can take some time to get through. Have fun!