Points of Interest between Charleston, West Virginia to Estes Park, Colorado

picture of Charleston, West Virginia

Best Things to do on a Road Trip from Charleston, WV and Estes Park, CO

The road trip from Charleston, West Virginia to Estes Park, Colorado is a breathtaking experience. The trip spans across four states and offers a diverse range of activities that cater to all interests. From national parks and wildlife reserves to historical sites and cultural hubs, the trip is an unforgettable adventure. The halfway point of the trip is Oak Grove, MO, which is a charming little town that offers a relaxing break from the road.

Top five things to do on the road trip:

Explore Denver, Colorado

Denver boasts a thriving art and cultural scene, making it a must-visit location. The vibrant area of the city, especially in the RiNo district, has many galleries, restaurants, and breweries to visit. The outdoor-lovers will enjoy many stunning parks and nearby hiking trails. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater - The only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect, outdoor theater in the world.

Visit the Badlands National Park, South Dakota

The Badlands’ magnificent scenery and the opportunity to see bison and bighorn sheep up close puts it at the top of the list. Visitors can drive down the Badlands Loop Road, hike one of the park’s trails, or have a picnic with a view. The park is one of the largest mammal-rich fossil beds in the world, featuring both marine and mammal fossils.

Discover Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park is a nature lover’s paradise and a must-visit for anyone who enjoys scenic drives, hiking, and wildlife watching. Its hiking trails are some of the most beautiful in the world. The park's highest peak is Longs Peak, and the park boasts over 415 square miles of alpine terrain to explore. The park is home to 72 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds.

Witness Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota

One of the most iconic landmarks in America — Mount Rushmore is a monumental sculpture that depicts four presidents of the United States: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The memorial is open year-round, and visitors can take guided tours for a more in-depth experience. The site attracts millions of visitors each year.

Relax at Hot Springs, South Dakota

Hot Springs is a small, cozy town with a big heart, offering natural mineral springs with therapeutic properties. Visitors can relax at the indoor or outdoor pool to release any tension from the journey so far. There’s also Wind Cave National Park, where visitors may see bison, elk, as well as an array of wildflowers. The park also offers several unique ranger-led programs.

Interesting facts about the locations:

  • Denver has over 300 sunny days each year, making it one of the sunniest states in the U.S.
  • The Badlands are an otherworldly landscape that was never inhabited by a single Native American tribe.
  • The Rocky Mountains are home to the American black bear, the Colorado state animal.
  • Mount Rushmore is named after New York lawyer Charles E. Rushmore, who stumbled upon the area while on a hunting trip in 1884.
  • The natural spring water in Hot Springs, South Dakota has been used for healing purposes for centuries.

After traveling nearly 1,400 miles and spending over 22 hours on the road, the trip proved to be incredible. The vast array of landscapes and scenery, unforgettable landmarks, and monuments will make a trip to remember. The road trip is a true adventure that everyone should experience at least once in their life.