Colorado + New Mexico!

Start in Denver drive south to Taos. Go further south to Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Then further south to White Sands & Carlsbad National Parks. Then west to the International Dark Sky Sanctuary. North from there to Bisti Badlands. Continue North to Durango. On your way back from Durango to Denver, stop in Mesa Verde and Great Sand Dunes National Park.

I did this in 2022. It’s different landscapes, 4 national parks, and a wide range of cities. Great food and scenery. It’s a lot of driving but you will not be bored!