loading spinner
Colorado

The Mighty Seven: Colorado’s Majestic National Parks & Monuments

Program No. 22961RJ
Learn about Colorado’s natural wonders as you journey across the state exploring seven of its most stunning and diverse national parks and monuments.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jun 14 - Jun 24, 2024
Starting at
4,449
Jul 19 - Jul 29, 2024
Starting at
4,449
Aug 16 - Aug 26, 2024
Starting at
4,449
Sep 20 - Sep 30, 2024
Starting at
4,449
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jun 14 - Jun 24, 2024
Starting at
5,699
Jul 19 - Jul 29, 2024
Starting at
5,699
Aug 16 - Aug 26, 2024
Starting at
5,699
Sep 20 - Sep 30, 2024
Starting at
5,699

At a Glance

Known for its towering Rocky Mountains and rushing Colorado River, the Centennial State is bathed with magnificent landscapes unlike any other in the United States. Immerse yourself in these landscapes as you loop around western Colorado to explore seven uniquely beautiful national parks and monuments. From the tallest sand dunes in North America, to one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world, discover Colorado’s geographic phenomena with expert instructors, and take a peek into the lives of the natives that thrived off these lands long ago.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walk up to 2 miles a day on uneven terrain with elevations up to 12,000 feet.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Explore Mesa Verde, the only National Park dedicated to human habitation, as you look into the lives of ancestral Pueblo people.
  • Cross the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park, and discover massive monoliths within a vast plateau and a canyon panorama at the lesser-known Colorado National Monument.
  • Venture off the beaten path to the Dinosaur National Monument, and experience its amazing Dinosaur Quarry amidst spectacular faults and deeply carved river canyons.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Joan Fields
A Colorado native, Joan Fields has always had a deep interest in the culture and history of the state. She is a member of several historical organizations and has had many years of experience in leading study explorations for various groups. She is a past president of Ghost Town Club of Colorado, an organization that focuses on the preservation and study of Colorado’s past. Her deep love of the state and passion for history brings everything together.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Joan Fields
Joan Fields View biography
A Colorado native, Joan Fields has always had a deep interest in the culture and history of the state. She is a member of several historical organizations and has had many years of experience in leading study explorations for various groups. She is a past president of Ghost Town Club of Colorado, an organization that focuses on the preservation and study of Colorado’s past. Her deep love of the state and passion for history brings everything together.
Profile Image of Lee Dahl
A Minnesota native, Lee Dahl graduated from Mankato State University with a degree in sociology and law enforcement. In 1998, he formed his own learning excursion company and offers visitors a look into the history, birding, geology and cultural highlights of the region. Lee is a member of several historical organizations and is a past president of Ghost Town Club of Colorado, an organization that focuses on the preservation and study of Colorado’s past.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Centennial
by James A. Michener
Written to commemorate the Bicentennial in 1976, James A. Michener’s magnificent saga of Colorado is an enthralling celebration of the frontier. Brimming with the glory of America’s past, the story of Colorado—the Centennial State—is manifested through its people: Lame Beaver, the Arapaho chieftain and warrior, and his Comanche and Pawnee enemies; Levi Zendt, fleeing with his child bride from the Amish country; the cowboy, Jim Lloyd, who falls in love with a wealthy and cultured Englishwoman, Charlotte Seccombe. In Centennial, trappers, traders, homesteaders, gold seekers, ranchers, and hunters are brought together in the dramatic conflicts that shape the destiny of Colorado and the West.
The Ute Indians of Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico
by Virginia Simmons
Using government documents, archives, and local histories, Simmons has painstakingly separated the often repeated and often incorrect hearsay from more accurate accounts of the Ute Indians.
Colorado Scenic Byways Road Atlas & Travel Guide
by Jim Steinberg, Susan Tweit
This book is a guide to the open road, to the opportunities that beckon just around the bend, over the next hill, beyond the far horizon. But not just any open road: this Road Atlas & Travel Guide details the sights and stories of Colorado's 25 scenic and historic Byways, reveals the heart and soul of each route in spectacular photography and insightful essays. These diverse byways shows off the state's extraordinary variety in landscapes and history, from ruler-straight roads traversing the wide-open expanses of the far eastern plains where bison once flowed in herds like dark rivers, to winding routes through rumpled foothills dissected by river canyons and dotted with aspen groves and historic lodges; from bumpy jeep tracks to ascending nose-bleed heights over alpine ridges splashed with summer wildflowers and acid-bright mine tailings; from the surprise of two lanes traversing mountain parks to gravel roads winding between massive walls of red sandstone that hide centuries-old cliff dwellings in the canyon country of the far western edge of the state. This rich network of scenic and Historic Byways shows off Colorado's captivating spaces and lives, both wild and human. Colorado Scenic Byways Road Atlas & Travel Guide is for travelers who prefer winding roads to straight, choose to explore a new route rather than get there fast, are curious enough to stop and read a roadside sign, and marvel at a waterfall, wildflowers or a flock of sandhill cranes high overhead. It is for those who think they know Colorado, as well as those who are new to the state's enchantments. Open these pages, pick a byway at random, and set off on a journey.
Messages in Stone: Colorado's Colorful Geology
by Vince Mathews and the Colorado Geological Survey
Introduction to the rocks, structures and geologic history of Colorado. Includes discussion of landforms and geologic hazards. Lavishly illustrated with photographs of Colorado sites and maps. Appropriate for geologists and non-geologists.
Meals
23 Meals
10 Breakfasts
7 Lunches
6 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance:
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 30, 2024
  • Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 30, 2024
  • Jun 14, 2024 - Jun 24, 2024
  • Jul 19, 2024 - Jul 29, 2024
  • Aug 16, 2024 - Aug 26, 2024
  • Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 30, 2024
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Denver Airport
2 nights
Denver
SpringHill Suites is a spacious and clean Denver Airport suites hotel with thoughtful amenities, including free Wi-Fi (speed upgrade available), work desks, pull-out sofas and kitchenettes with mini-fridges, in-room pantries, microwaves & wet bars. Amenities at the hotel near Denver International Airport include a 24/7 fitness center, 24-hour market, and the SpringHill Suites Lounge offering beer, wine and cocktails. Hotel offers complimentary continental breakfast buffet daily from 6:30 A.M. to 9:00A.M. There are several restaurants within short walking distance. Complimentary self-parking is available but participants need to notify front desk upon arrival that they are part of the Road Scholar group. Denver Airport shuttle offered from 3:30 a.m. to midnight.
2 nights
Ignacio
Sky Ute Resort is located amidst the rugged beauty and scenic landscapes of the Southwest Colorado Four Corners region. The Resort offers warm colors, pillow-top mattresses, business center, free high-speed internet access, 24-hour hotel front desk and gift shop, 24-lane bowling center, 18-hole miniature golf course, 200-seat bingo hall and more. All hotel guests can enjoy full access to the resort amenities including the refreshing lazy river indoor pool area and fitness center, Vegas style gaming with slot and video machines and table games. With five dining options, there is a venue for every appetite; from casual dining to quick bites to a relaxing dinner at the Four Corners only authentic steakhouse, Seven Rivers Steaks Seafood Spirits.
Holiday Inn Express
1 night
Montrose
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Montrose is on the beautiful western slope of Colorado and is a perfect oasis for all travelers. Our hotel is just 12 miles from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, guests are within minutes of a plethora of outdoor activities, including fishing, biking, hiking and rafting. With friendly service and exceptional amenities, this hotel provides a carefree stay in Montrose, CO. We offer you such perks as an indoor salt pool with a 60 ft. lap lane, 2 whirlpools and a Fitness Center. The Express Start Breakfast Bar starts each morning at 6am for ease of travelling. All of our hotels use the IHG Green Engage system, an innovative online environmental sustainability system that gives our hotels the means to measure and manage their impact on the environment. It’s our way of making sure we’re protecting our surroundings for our guests for today and tomorrow.
2 nights
Palisade
Experience the romance of the vineyards at the Wine Country Inn, Colorado’s first wine-themed hotel located in Palisade. Stroll through the working vineyards that surround the inn, an 80-room Victorian style hotel, which sits in the middle of 21 acres of vines. Wine Country Inn is adjacent to two wineries and a short drive from a dozen more. Get to know our ever-expanding wine industry, popular orchards and local art scene, while pampering yourself with first-class accommodations.
1 night
Rangely
No description
1 night
Steamboat Springs
No description
See All Lodging Options
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Denver Airport
2 nights
Denver
SpringHill Suites is a spacious and clean Denver Airport suites hotel with thoughtful amenities, including free Wi-Fi (speed upgrade available), work desks, pull-out sofas and kitchenettes with mini-fridges, in-room pantries, microwaves & wet bars. Amenities at the hotel near Denver International Airport include a 24/7 fitness center, 24-hour market, and the SpringHill Suites Lounge offering beer, wine and cocktails. Hotel offers complimentary continental breakfast buffet daily from 6:30 A.M. to 9:00A.M. There are several restaurants within short walking distance. Complimentary self-parking is available but participants need to notify front desk upon arrival that they are part of the Road Scholar group. Denver Airport shuttle offered from 3:30 a.m. to midnight.
2 nights
Ignacio
Sky Ute Resort is located amidst the rugged beauty and scenic landscapes of the Southwest Colorado Four Corners region. The Resort offers warm colors, pillow-top mattresses, business center, free high-speed internet access, 24-hour hotel front desk and gift shop, 24-lane bowling center, 18-hole miniature golf course, 200-seat bingo hall and more. All hotel guests can enjoy full access to the resort amenities including the refreshing lazy river indoor pool area and fitness center, Vegas style gaming with slot and video machines and table games. With five dining options, there is a venue for every appetite; from casual dining to quick bites to a relaxing dinner at the Four Corners only authentic steakhouse, Seven Rivers Steaks Seafood Spirits.
Holiday Inn Express
1 night
Montrose
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Montrose is on the beautiful western slope of Colorado and is a perfect oasis for all travelers. Our hotel is just 12 miles from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, guests are within minutes of a plethora of outdoor activities, including fishing, biking, hiking and rafting. With friendly service and exceptional amenities, this hotel provides a carefree stay in Montrose, CO. We offer you such perks as an indoor salt pool with a 60 ft. lap lane, 2 whirlpools and a Fitness Center. The Express Start Breakfast Bar starts each morning at 6am for ease of travelling. All of our hotels use the IHG Green Engage system, an innovative online environmental sustainability system that gives our hotels the means to measure and manage their impact on the environment. It’s our way of making sure we’re protecting our surroundings for our guests for today and tomorrow.
2 nights
Palisade
Experience the romance of the vineyards at the Wine Country Inn, Colorado’s first wine-themed hotel located in Palisade. Stroll through the working vineyards that surround the inn, an 80-room Victorian style hotel, which sits in the middle of 21 acres of vines. Wine Country Inn is adjacent to two wineries and a short drive from a dozen more. Get to know our ever-expanding wine industry, popular orchards and local art scene, while pampering yourself with first-class accommodations.
1 night
Rangely
No description
1 night
Steamboat Springs
No description
See All Lodging Options
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Denver Airport
2 nights
Denver
SpringHill Suites is a spacious and clean Denver Airport suites hotel with thoughtful amenities, including free Wi-Fi (speed upgrade available), work desks, pull-out sofas and kitchenettes with mini-fridges, in-room pantries, microwaves & wet bars. Amenities at the hotel near Denver International Airport include a 24/7 fitness center, 24-hour market, and the SpringHill Suites Lounge offering beer, wine and cocktails. Hotel offers complimentary continental breakfast buffet daily from 6:30 A.M. to 9:00A.M. There are several restaurants within short walking distance. Complimentary self-parking is available but participants need to notify front desk upon arrival that they are part of the Road Scholar group. Denver Airport shuttle offered from 3:30 a.m. to midnight.
1 night
Alamosa
No description
2 nights
Ignacio
Sky Ute Resort is located amidst the rugged beauty and scenic landscapes of the Southwest Colorado Four Corners region. The Resort offers warm colors, pillow-top mattresses, business center, free high-speed internet access, 24-hour hotel front desk and gift shop, 24-lane bowling center, 18-hole miniature golf course, 200-seat bingo hall and more. All hotel guests can enjoy full access to the resort amenities including the refreshing lazy river indoor pool area and fitness center, Vegas style gaming with slot and video machines and table games. With five dining options, there is a venue for every appetite; from casual dining to quick bites to a relaxing dinner at the Four Corners only authentic steakhouse, Seven Rivers Steaks Seafood Spirits.
Holiday Inn Express
1 night
Montrose
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Montrose is on the beautiful western slope of Colorado and is a perfect oasis for all travelers. Our hotel is just 12 miles from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, guests are within minutes of a plethora of outdoor activities, including fishing, biking, hiking and rafting. With friendly service and exceptional amenities, this hotel provides a carefree stay in Montrose, CO. We offer you such perks as an indoor salt pool with a 60 ft. lap lane, 2 whirlpools and a Fitness Center. The Express Start Breakfast Bar starts each morning at 6am for ease of travelling. All of our hotels use the IHG Green Engage system, an innovative online environmental sustainability system that gives our hotels the means to measure and manage their impact on the environment. It’s our way of making sure we’re protecting our surroundings for our guests for today and tomorrow.
2 nights
Palisade
Experience the romance of the vineyards at the Wine Country Inn, Colorado’s first wine-themed hotel located in Palisade. Stroll through the working vineyards that surround the inn, an 80-room Victorian style hotel, which sits in the middle of 21 acres of vines. Wine Country Inn is adjacent to two wineries and a short drive from a dozen more. Get to know our ever-expanding wine industry, popular orchards and local art scene, while pampering yourself with first-class accommodations.
1 night
Rangely
No description
1 night
Steamboat Springs
No description
See All Lodging Options
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Denver Airport
2 nights
Denver
SpringHill Suites is a spacious and clean Denver Airport suites hotel with thoughtful amenities, including free Wi-Fi (speed upgrade available), work desks, pull-out sofas and kitchenettes with mini-fridges, in-room pantries, microwaves & wet bars. Amenities at the hotel near Denver International Airport include a 24/7 fitness center, 24-hour market, and the SpringHill Suites Lounge offering beer, wine and cocktails. Hotel offers complimentary continental breakfast buffet daily from 6:30 A.M. to 9:00A.M. There are several restaurants within short walking distance. Complimentary self-parking is available but participants need to notify front desk upon arrival that they are part of the Road Scholar group. Denver Airport shuttle offered from 3:30 a.m. to midnight.
2 nights
Ignacio
Sky Ute Resort is located amidst the rugged beauty and scenic landscapes of the Southwest Colorado Four Corners region. The Resort offers warm colors, pillow-top mattresses, business center, free high-speed internet access, 24-hour hotel front desk and gift shop, 24-lane bowling center, 18-hole miniature golf course, 200-seat bingo hall and more. All hotel guests can enjoy full access to the resort amenities including the refreshing lazy river indoor pool area and fitness center, Vegas style gaming with slot and video machines and table games. With five dining options, there is a venue for every appetite; from casual dining to quick bites to a relaxing dinner at the Four Corners only authentic steakhouse, Seven Rivers Steaks Seafood Spirits.
Holiday Inn Express
1 night
Montrose
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Montrose is on the beautiful western slope of Colorado and is a perfect oasis for all travelers. Our hotel is just 12 miles from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, guests are within minutes of a plethora of outdoor activities, including fishing, biking, hiking and rafting. With friendly service and exceptional amenities, this hotel provides a carefree stay in Montrose, CO. We offer you such perks as an indoor salt pool with a 60 ft. lap lane, 2 whirlpools and a Fitness Center. The Express Start Breakfast Bar starts each morning at 6am for ease of travelling. All of our hotels use the IHG Green Engage system, an innovative online environmental sustainability system that gives our hotels the means to measure and manage their impact on the environment. It’s our way of making sure we’re protecting our surroundings for our guests for today and tomorrow.
2 nights
Palisade
Experience the romance of the vineyards at the Wine Country Inn, Colorado’s first wine-themed hotel located in Palisade. Stroll through the working vineyards that surround the inn, an 80-room Victorian style hotel, which sits in the middle of 21 acres of vines. Wine Country Inn is adjacent to two wineries and a short drive from a dozen more. Get to know our ever-expanding wine industry, popular orchards and local art scene, while pampering yourself with first-class accommodations.
1 night
Rangely
No description
1 night
Steamboat Springs
No description
See All Lodging Options





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.