A Road Trip from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Denver, Colorado
Embarking on a road trip from North Carolina to Colorado is an exciting venture. A long drive filled with beautiful sights and unforgettable adventures makes it worth every mile. The route will take you through twisting roads, ever-changing landscapes, and will give you an opportunity to explore unique museums, scenic parks, and captivating landmarks.
Interesting fact: The road trip from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Denver, Colorado, covers over 1,500 miles of open roads, with no shortage of things to discover and admire.
Halfway point: Jonesburg, MO, marks the halfway point of the trip, with plenty of restaurants, historical museums, and antique stores to fill up your gas tank and journey ahead.
The trip lasts about 23 hours of driving, and it is recommended to take it across a few days to enjoy the stops and avoid exhaustion.
Here are the top five places to visit on your road trip:
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Head along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, starting from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Known for its rolling mountains, dense forest, mountain streams, and waterfalls, it is one of the most visited national parks in the country. The park is also home to numerous hiking trails and wildlife.
Point of interest: Don't forget to visit Clingmans Dome, the highest mountain peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trailhead is conveniently located off the Clingmans Dome Road near the parking area, and it is an easy 0.5-mile hike to the summit.
2. St. Louis Gateway Arch
From Jonesburg, MO, take a slight detour off I-70 to St. Louis, Missouri, and explore the famous Gateway Arch. Built-in honor of the westward expansion of the United States, the arch stands as a symbol of the country's opening of the west.
Point of interest: Take a tram ride to the observation deck on top of the arch, which offers stunning views of downtown St. Louis and the Mississippi River.
3. Rocky Mountain National Park
As you enter the Rocky Mountain region, make a stop at Rocky Mountain National Park, located just outside of Estes Park, Colorado. It is a place of breathtaking natural beauty, with towering peaks, glacial lakes, and miles of alpine trails.
Point of interest: Head over to the Trail Ridge Road, one of the highest continuous paved roads in North America, which provides stunning views of the park's high peaks and valleys.
4. Garden of the Gods
Just an hour's drive south of Denver, the Garden of Gods, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is definitely worth a visit. The stunning red rocks formations date back millions of years and were formed by natural erosion. Today, it is a popular destination for hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives.
Point of interest: Take a guided tour to discover the park's history, geology, and wildlife.
5. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
On your return trip, make a stop in Keystone, South Dakota, and visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The gigantic 60-foot-tall carvings of four US Presidents' heads- George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln - draws over 3 million visitors every year.
Point of interest: Check out the visitor's center, where you can learn about the monument's history and construction.
Conclusion:
The road trip from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Denver, Colorado, offers a diverse range of landscapes, from rolling mountains, deep forests, to striking rock formations. The five destinations mentioned here are merely the tip of the iceberg, with many attractions and places worth exploration. The trip will take around 23 hours of driving, but it is recommended to take your time, even more, to experience the best of what North Carolina and Colorado have to offer.