
My 2020 National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
As I began to plan my 2020 National Parks Road Trip that I outlined for you a few weeks back, I began to realize how beneficial it might be for me to share the process I use to plan long road trips. Believe it or not, even though they don’t include air travel or the other complexities associated with fly-and-stay travel, road trips can be surprisingly difficult to plan. This is especially true during a global pandemic. That is why I have chosen to share my detailed road trip itinerary and planning process with you in case it might help you in navigating the planning process for your next big road trip. I have included links to each day’s itinerary plan, as well as the main itinerary article, below to assist you with navigation.
Day’s Driving Map
In the morning, we will be driving from our campground near Great Sand Dunes National Park to the Park. After visiting the park in the afternoon, we will be driving to Durango, CO to spend the night. On the way to the campground, we will stop at the two western-most sites on the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument itinerary.
Driving to Great Sand Dunes National Park

Driving to Durango Area to Camp

Day’s Itinerary
- Drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Visit Great Sand Dunes
- Drive to Durango, CO area to camp
- Stop and See Chimney Rock National Monument and Great Kiva on the way
What to See
We will be touring the Great Sand Dunes National Park and parts of the Canyon of the Ancients National and Chimney Rock National Monuments on the way to our campground that night.
Top Things to See for Great Sand Dunes National Park

Top Things to See for Canyon of the Ancients National Monument

![]() | The Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum |
![]() | Lowry Pueblo |
![]() | Chimney Rock National Monument |
![]() | The Great Kiva |
![]() | Painted Hand Pueblo |
![]() | Sand Canyon Trail |
![]() | Sand Canyon Pueblo |
![]() | Hovenweep National Monument |
Where to Stay

- Ute Campground
- United Campgrounds of Durango
- Junction Creek Campground
- Lightner Creek Campground and Cabins *
- Pine Point Campground
- North Canyon Campground

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