road trip
Shoulder Season Road Trip Wilderness + Wine By Julia Clarke
This Four-Night Road Trip Takes in Two National Parks and Culminates With a Relaxing Stopover in Wine Country
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c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JULIA CLARKE; PALISADE PHOTO BY CHELSEA CONNOLLY
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e all know Vail locals love to hop on a plane and head for warmer climes come shoulder season, but there’s plenty of opportunity for adventure to be found in our own backyard. If you’re seeking a short but satisfying Colorado getaway, look no further than this circular road trip that showcases two national parks, lots of scenic driving and culminates with a relaxing stop-over in wine country. Our itinerary takes place over four nights, but you can extend this trip any way you want to enjoy more special sights. From Vail, hop on 91 South, soaking in the majestic views of the Sawatch range on your way to Buena Vista, where you can stop for lunch and stretch your legs in this laid-back mountain town. Then, it’s onwards to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which is just over three hours from Vail but offers a whole different type of mountain from the ones we’re used to. This national park is often overlooked because it sounds, well, like a giant sandbox. In reality, here you’ll find virtual mountains made of sand, some up to 750 feet high, making up the tallest sand dunes in North America over an area
