theMilesWeKeep

The Pandemic Pivot: A National Parks Girls Trip

March 12, 2026

In the summer of 2021, like many travelers, we had a trip that didn’t happen.

My best friend and I had originally planned an international adventure. Flights researched, destinations bookmarked, Pinterest boards overflowing. But it was August of 2021 (still firmly in the era of COVID travel uncertainty). International borders were opening and closing like revolving doors, and the idea of getting stuck somewhere halfway across the world didn’t exactly scream “relaxing vacation.” Nor did our loved ones seem particularly excited by the idea!

So we pivoted.

Instead of passports and airport lounges, we packed hiking boots, trail snacks, and an ambitious plan: visit every national park in Colorado in six days.

What followed was over 50 miles of hiking, a mix of car camping and Marriott hotels (because let’s be honest… I’m more of a glamper than a survivalist), a new park almost every day, and a lot of laughing at the reality that we.. ehem I… was not exactly coordinated enough for a trip this intense.

But we did it anyway.

And honestly… it turned into one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever taken.

Rocky Mountain National Park

If Colorado’s national parks had a headliner, Rocky Mountain National Park would probably be it.

Towering peaks, alpine lakes, wildlife sightings, and some of the most breathtaking drives in the country… this park feels like stepping straight into a postcard.

We tackled multiple hikes here, including alpine lake trails that reward you quickly with views that make every uphill step worth it.

Why it’s worth visiting:

Trail Ridge Road (one of the highest paved roads in North America)
Incredible alpine lake hikes like Dream Lake and Emerald Lake
Frequent wildlife sightings (elk, moose, marmots)
Stunning sunrise photography spots

This park was also our first reminder that altitude is real. There is nothing quite like realizing halfway up a trail that sea level lungs and 12,000 feet do not exactly get along.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

If Rocky Mountain National Park is Colorado’s crown jewel, Great Sand Dunes National Park is its most surprising.

Imagine the tallest sand dunes in North America rising dramatically against a backdrop of snow capped mountains. It feels almost surreal… like someone dropped a slice of the Sahara into the Rockies.

Climbing sand dunes is not hiking.

It is more like taking one step forward and sliding half a step back (repeatedly)… while laughing and questioning your life choices.

But the views from the top are completely worth it.

Why it’s worth visiting:

One of the best dark sky locations in the country (incredible stargazing)
Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America
Sand boarding and sledding opportunities
Stunning contrast between dunes and mountains

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Where the others feel expansive and open, this canyon is steep, dramatic, and intense. The walls drop nearly straight down to the Gunnison River thousands of feet below.

Standing at the rim is the kind of experience that makes you instinctively take a step back.

Why it’s worth visiting:

Some of the steepest cliffs in North America
The Painted Wall (Colorado’s tallest cliff)
Fewer crowds than many other national parks
Jaw dropping overlooks along the South Rim

It also felt like the park where we finally started to get our rhythm… or at least our version of it. Which mostly meant slightly less tripping over rocks.

Mesa Verde National Park

Our final stop brought a completely different kind of wonder: Mesa Verde National Park.

While the other parks wow you with dramatic landscapes, Mesa Verde tells a story (one that stretches back more than 700 years).

The park protects nearly 5,000 archaeological sites including more than 600 cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo people. Seeing them carved directly into the canyon walls is almost hard to comprehend until you are standing there in person.

After days of hiking mountains and dunes, slowing down to explore this piece of history felt like the perfect way to end the trip.

Why it’s worth visiting:

Home to some of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America
Incredible cultural and historical significance
Ranger led tours that take you directly into the dwellings
Beautiful canyon views throughout the park

The Glamper’s Guide to National Park Road Trips

Now let’s talk logistics.

This trip was a hybrid adventure.

We did some car camping (because waking up inside a national park is magical). This was great for sunrise hikes so we didn’t have to leave even earlier to make the commute into the park before our on-foot journey began.

But we also balanced it with Marriott hotels, hot showers, and actual beds because I fully embrace being a bougie hiker.

There is absolutely no rule that says you cannot love the outdoors and love good hotel checkpoints… especially when you use points to book!

In fact… I highly recommend the combination.

50 Plus Miles and Countless Laughs

By the end of the six days we had hiked over 50 miles and visited all four of Colorado’s national parks. We climbed mountains, dunes, and canyon overlooks… consumed an impressive amount of trail snacks… and “discovered” that I am particularly ungraceful on uneven terrain.

There were moments when we were exhausted, covered in dust, and questioning the ambitiousness of the itinerary.

But we never quit.

And somewhere between the early morning trailheads, the ridiculous laughter, the mountain views, the ancient cliff dwellings, and the realization that we had actually pulled it off… the trip became one of those memories you keep forever.

Planning Your Own National Park Adventure

One of the things I learned from this trip is that national park road trips can feel overwhelming to plan.

Distances between parks, where to stay, which hikes are worth it, what permits you need (and how far in advance you need them)… it can be a lot to figure out.

If you are dreaming about doing a national park adventure like this but are not sure where to start, I would love to help.

Planning travel experiences like this is exactly what The Miles We Keep is about: creating trips that combine adventure, comfort, and unforgettable moments.

Whether you want to visit multiple national parks in one trip, plan a hiking adventure that still includes great hotels, design a girls trip or couples adventure, or simply figure out the best itinerary… reach out.

I would be happy to help you plan your own version of this kind of adventure. Just say the word!

Because sometimes the best trips start with a pivot.