Visit Mesa Verde, Arches, Canyonlands, and Great Sand Dunes national parks as we explore the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and the red rocks of Utah. Three distinct train rides infuse our travels with a sense of Old West adventure, history, and the pure joy of riding the rails. From the Durango and Silverton Railroad to the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the Royal Gorge Railroad, it’s all aboard for good times.

June 21-29, 2026

 

Itinerary Highlights:

• Three train experiences: Durango and Silverton Railroad, Pikes Peak Cog Railway, and Royal Gorge Railroad
• Four national park visits: Mesa Verde, Arches, Canyonlands, Great Sand Dunes
• Vail, Colorado
• Moab, Utah
• Dead Horse State Park
• Garden of the Gods
• U.S. Olympic Training Center

 

Package Includes:

• Round-trip airfare from Raleigh-Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport
• Eight nights’ hotel accommodations
• 12 meals: eight breakfasts and four dinners
• All sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
• Deluxe motor coach transportation
• Professional tour guide and driver
• Our State host
• Wine and beer reception
• Baggage handling and hotel transfers

 

Accommodations:

• One night in Denver, Colorado: Sheraton or Embassy Suites
• Two nights in Grand Junction, Colorado: DoubleTree by Hilton
• Two nights in Durango, Colorado: Rio Grande Inn, DoubleTree, or The Strater Hotel
• Three nights in Colorado Springs, Colorado: Hilton Garden Inn or Wyndham Antler’s Hotel

*Note: Hotels are subject to change.

 

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Denver
Sunday, June 21, 2026

Upon arrival in Denver, meet your tour director and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay in the Mile-High City. This evening, join your fellow Our State travelers for a wine and beer reception and welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Sheraton or Embassy Suites in Denver

 

Day 2: Vail • Grand Junction
Monday, June 22, 2026

Today, travel west of Denver and stop in Vail, a favorite year-round resort destination for tourism and outdoor activity. Explore Vail Village and its downtown district reminiscent of a Bavarian village, with a clock tower, diverse shops and restaurants, and breathtaking mountain views. Later, continue west and arrive in Grand Junction for a two-night stay.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton in Grand Junction

 

Day 3: Canyonlands & Arches National Parks
Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Travel west into Utah to visit two of our country’s great national parks. This morning, visit Canyonlands National Park, featuring deeply eroded canyons interspersed with sheer-sided mesas and a variety of spires, arches, and unusual rock formations. Then, stop at Dead Horse Point State Park for an amazing view of the Colorado River. A short ride brings you to Moab, Utah, for lunch on your own in this town famous for western movie productions. This afternoon, visit Arches National Park to see some of the famous arches (more than 2,000 total) and marvel at other red rock formations and canyons. Return to Grand Junction for dinner with your fellow Our State travelers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton in Grand Junction

 

Day 4: Durango & Silverton Railroad
Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Journey south to Silverton, secluded in a mountain valley at an elevation of 9,318 feet, to begin a wonderful train experience. It’s all aboard the 1881 coal-fired, steam-powered Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a spectacular rail journey through the San Juan National Forest, following the sheer cliffs of the Animas River. Arrive in historic Durango for a two-night stay. Durango began as a mining town during the gold and silver booms. Today, it’s a center of year-round tourism, commerce, culture, and ranching, featuring a Victorian downtown where you can enjoy the spirit of a bygone era.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Rio Grande Inn, DoubleTree, or The Strater Hotel in Durango

 

Day 5: Mesa Verde National Park • Durango
Thursday, June 25, 2026

This morning, visit Mesa Verde National Park, home to the largest and best preserved Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings in the Southwest, including the famous Cliff Palace. Venture out on the Mesa Top Loop Road, which winds around overlooks to see some of the 4,000 ruin sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. This evening in the Durango area, enjoy a fun-filled dining experience at the Bar D Chuckwagon Supper & Western Stage Show.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Rio Grande Inn, DoubleTree, or The Strater Hotel in Durango

 

Day 6: Great Sand Dunes National Park • Colorado Springs
Friday, June 26, 2026

Today, travel east to Great Sand Dunes National Park, established in 2004 and known for huge dunes and beaches. Stop at a vistor center to learn more about this national park, containing the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising to a maximum height of 750 feet from the floor of the San Luis Valley on the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. Later, journey to Colorado Springs, a picturesque city situated at the foot of famous Pikes Peak, and check in for a three-night stay. “The Springs,” as it is commonly referred to, attracts thousands of visitors each year for its picturesque setting, natural wonders, history, and military sights.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn or Wyndham Antler’s Hotel in Colorado Springs

 

 

Day 7: Pikes Peak Cog Rail • Garden of the Gods • U.S. Olympic Training Center
Saturday, June 27, 2026

This morning, board the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world’s highest cog railroad, for an 8.9-mile trip to the summit of Pikes Peak (approximately 14,110 feet). On a clear day, you can see 75 miles to Denver and more than 100 miles to New Mexico. Later, visit the famous Garden of the Gods, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Located where the Great Plains meet the mighty Rockies, this 1,300-acre park is home to towering sandstone formations. Then visit the U.S. Olympic Training Center, where Olympic dreams begin and talented athletes live and train. A mild climate, incredible natural training grounds, and awe-inspiring beauty all make Colorado Springs a popular location for many aspiring Olympic athletes.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn or Wyndham Antler’s Hotel in Colorado Springs

 

Day 8: Royal Gorge Railroad
Sunday, June 28, 2026

Today, travel to see the Royal Gorge and experience some of the most arresting scenery in all of American railroading aboard the Royal Gorge Railroad. The rail journey travels from Cañon City to Parkdale along the Arkansas River through the scenic Royal Gorge and features dramatic views of the Royal Gorge Bridge, the world’s highest suspension bridge. Tonight, experience a farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant in the Colorado Springs area.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn or Wyndham Antler’s Hotel in Colorado Springs

 

Day 9: Departure
Monday, June 29, 2026

Transfer to the Denver airport for your flight home, filled with wonderful memories of your travel experience. Want to share your memories with other travelers? Post your favorite pictures in the Our State Travel Club Facebook group!

Meals: Breakfast

 

Tour Rates:

Discounted rate*: $4,549 per person (based on double occupancy)
Regular rate: $4,649 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single rate: $5,949 ($5,849 with booking discount)

Click here for information on payment schedule, cancellation policy, and trip insurance.

*Make your final payment by check prior to the final payment due date and receive a booking discount of $100 per person.

 

For Reservations & More Information:

Premier World Discovery
Melissa Grant
(877) 953-8687, ext. 238 (Pacific Standard Time)
mgrant@premierworlddiscovery.com

Online booking option: Click here and use booking number 205976 to make your deposit online.

Altitude: This tour is spent at some high altitudes: Silverton, 9,000 feet; Durango, 6,500 feet; Colorado Springs/Denver, 6,000 feet; and visits to higher altitudes, like Pikes Peak, for shorter amounts of time.

This tour is rated Activity Level 3 of 4 — Active. For more information on physical requirements and what to expect on an Our State trip, click here.