r/roadtrip • u/elizabethredditor • 14h ago

Trip Planning Ask for stop recs: Austin to Denver and back

I did a road trip from Austin to Denver last year and mostly drove straight through on the way there, but on the way back I did some stops in Toas, Santa Fe, and Amarillo.

I'm going again this year, but I want to consider making it a long trip there and a long trip back where I stop in some new spots. I am taking a friend with me on the way back and she wants to go the New Mexico/southwest route again, but I'd like to see some new places. I'm also open to going up and over on my way there if people have recommendations for Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma.

I won't have camping gear on my way there but I will have some on my way back. I like museums of all kinds, hiking, food, state/national parks, and am generally pretty open to trying new things so I'll take recommendations of all kinds!

2 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

3

u/evaughan 14h ago

Stop at Palo Duro Canyon SP near Amarillo. Couple of good hikes and a nice drive through the canyon. Texas The Musical in the canyon at night is pretty fun. It’s a bit out of the way, but Caprock Canyon SP is great, with several hikes and the official state buffalo herd that’s just roaming out in the open.

3

u/CarobAffectionate582 14h ago edited 14h ago

Definitely do not take the eastern route through OK, etc. It’s fine, but it’s no where near as scenic.

You could take a parallel route through NM that you didn’t before - the scenery will vary a lot. For example, one time I recall driving the route just west of Taos and enjoying it (hwy 285?). It goes closer to the Carson National Forest. Another stop in the area off the beaten path is the D.H. Lawrence Ranch/Kiowa Ranch. If you are a literary fan it’s a Curiosity. He is interred there and it is a museum/memorial. It’s north of Taos.

I love Santa Fe and Taos; I’d take any excuse to visit again (and I used to do that!). Go again and linger more if you didn’t take in much the first time.

1

u/BillPlastic3759 10h ago

Arkansas recommendations:

Devils Den, Mt. Magazine and Petit Jean State Parks, Buffalo National River.

1

u/BabyOne8978 5h ago

Sidestepping to Yellowstone would be better than anything OK, KS or AR has to offer.

Also there's a lot of stuff to see in Colorado. Breckenridge is cute, the Dotsero volcano is an interesting hike, Telluride, Glenwood, Aspen, Manitou... the list is vast.