Does the title of this post sound contradictory? We’re on an unplanned road trip to Colorado, yet I’m still trying to plan parts of it. That’s the truth — we set out without a rigid schedule, but some planning helps me enjoy the journey more.
Let me explain our Colorado road trip a bit more.
We haven’t taken our honeymoon yet (that’s scheduled for July). One Wednesday morning, Wes woke up and suggested we pack up, take the dogs, and hit the road right away — leaving for wherever the trip would take us. As tempting as that sounded, pure spontaneity isn’t my default. I usually like to plan most things down to the details. I read travel guides the way some people read novels. I want to know as much as I can about a place before I arrive.
That habit has upsides and downsides. On the positive side, I can quickly learn facts and logistics about a destination. On the downside, knowing every little detail can sometimes remove the element of surprise that makes travel exciting. Lately, I’ve been forcing myself to loosen up and enjoy the unknown. A little spontaneity is healthy, and it turns out Wes really wanted this kind of trip. Now that we’re on the road, I’m discovering that spontaneous travel can be a lot of fun. We’re planning as we go and spending extra time where we feel inspired to stay.
Where are we heading on this unplanned road trip?
Yes, this is meant to be unplanned, but I still researched several places along our route. The drive from St. Louis to Denver is roughly 12 hours, so I prepared a few possible itineraries to make the long drive easier and more enjoyable.
At one point we considered detouring to Yellowstone, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, San Diego, and Las Vegas, but that would have turned this into a West Coast odyssey. We decided last night to focus our time on Colorado and save the coast for another trip. So far, Colorado has been fantastic. We have plenty of time left and aren’t sure when we’ll head home — probably in about ten days, but it could be sooner or later. The freedom to change plans on the fly is one of the best parts of this trip.
Our current itinerary so far:
- Depart from our home in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.
- Stop at Wes’s family property in Warrenton, Missouri (about an hour from home). We stayed there two nights to rest and prepare for the long drive.
- Travel to Denver and stay two days. We explored the city and I was especially excited about visiting the local REI store.
- Leave Denver for Arapaho National Forest, staying near Silverthorne, Colorado. We spent time driving the dirt roads and mountain trails and plan to return for more exploring.
- Head to Lake Granby next, where we’ll look for a tent site and likely camp for one to two nights.
- From there, travel to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We expect to camp for at least a day and take in the dramatic canyon views.
- Visit Colorado National Monument next. We’re deciding whether to camp or book a hotel to refresh, do laundry, and enjoy a hot shower after several nights outdoors.
- Leave Colorado for a few days to visit Canyonlands National Park in Utah. We hope to explore the park thoroughly and, if possible, make a side trip to Bluejohn Canyon.
- Return to Colorado to explore Mesa Verde National Park, with plans to camp for a night and learn about the cliff dwellings and archaeological sites.
- Next up are the Great Sand Dunes, which I’m particularly excited about. We may need protective booties for the dogs so their paws don’t burn on hot sand.
- Finally, we’ll head back to Denver for a day to rest and prepare for the approximately 12-hour drive home.
That’s the general outline, but the beauty of our trip is the flexibility. We’ll add or remove stops depending on how we feel, the weather, and how the dogs handle each leg of the journey.
How you can help
I’d love your input. Is there anything we should add to our plan? Anything on our list that looks like overkill and could be skipped? What are your favorite experiences in Colorado — must-see hikes, scenic drives, dog-friendly spots, or local foods we shouldn’t miss? Practical tips about camping with dogs, places to stay, or how to save money on the road are also welcome. We’re trying to strike a balance between seeing as much as possible and staying relaxed enough to enjoy each stop.
Questions for readers
When was the last time you took an unplanned trip? Tell me about it — what surprised you the most? How did spontaneity change the experience?
Do you have tips for road-tripping, saving money while traveling, or working remotely on the road? Share your best strategies for keeping costs down, finding reliable Wi-Fi, and balancing work with travel life.
We’ll share more updates from the road, including photos and lessons learned, so check back soon for a travel journal of our Colorado adventure. P.S. If you recommend specific trails or campgrounds, please mention whether they are dog-friendly and any reservation advice — we want to make the most of our time while keeping the pups safe and happy.