A visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is high on a lot of bucket lists across the country, and it’s easy to see why. This Colorado wonderland is home to seemingly endless alpine peaks, mountain streams, and vibrant blue lakes.

I’ve spent many a weekend in this park, and have complied our best itinerary to both get a feel for the park, and see some of the most notable sites for those who only have a few days. Keep in mind that this itinerary was designed for those who love long hikes and rustic camping on summer and fall adventures – many roads and trails are closed in the winter, making this route impossible once there is snow on the ground.

Great Sand Dunes National Park. The park is home to 13,000-foot mountains, lush forest trails, the flowing Medano Creek, and of course, a 30-mile dunefield that contains 1.2 million cubic miles of sand. Hiking in the dunefield is otherworldly and a sharp contrast to the towering mountains that act as a backdrop to the endless sand.