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We're renting an RV in Denver in July. Kids are 8 and 10. Want to focus on national parks and hiking, rafting, wildlife. Can you suggest a 7-8 day itinerary? Can return to Denver or another city. Trying not to drive more than 2-4 hours a day. OK to have one long driving day. All suggestions appreciated.
Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!
We don't really do full-up pre-planned itineraries. That would simply defeat the whole philosophy behind a RoadTrip - to enjoy the freedom to do what you want to do. But within the limitations that you are setting, your best bet would be something like a loop trip through southwestern Colorado (Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde), across southern Utah (Monument Valley, Grand Staircase Escalante, Zion), back north and east (Bryce Canyon, Arches) and east back to Denver (Colorado National Monument, Loveland Pass).
AZBuck
With 7-8 days available, you have a lot of options, but they might be more limited particularly when taking into account your wish to drive ust 2-4 hours a day and to do rafting trips etc. That's not to say it won't be a great trip, but it would most likely need to be a one way trip or a loop that doesn't reach out too far. You could have a great one way trip, say to Vegas, but that would involve a one way drop fee on the RV rental.
A loop trip from Denver might have you go to Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado NM, Moab [Arches NP] Mesa Verde NP and travel the Million dollar Highway from Durango through Silverton and Ouray to Montrose. After which you could head along US50 [Black Canyon, Currecanti Rec Area and Monarch Pass] to Poncha Springs. As you head north toward Historic Leadville [highest incorporated town in the USA] you could try rafting at the Arkansas Headwater State park. You could continue back to I70 or from Buena Vista head to Manitou Springs/ Colorado Springs where nearby are Pikes Peak, Cave of the Winds and Garden of the Gods.
If you wish to camp in any of the National parks it would be advisable to book in advance as they get busy and there are a limited number of RV sites. As Buck mentioned, you should make the trip your own. Once you have decided what you want to do as a family [include the Kid's in the planning, it'll be more fun for everyone!] and have some dots on the map, we can help to 'fine tune' your trip and make alternative suggestions.
This trip report might give you an insight into RV'ing in the area mentioned.
There are RV outfitters that perform that role. As the members above have stated, RTA is more about providing tips about planning and specific routes that we've followed ourselves. We don't do any "heavy-lifting" -- The very best RV outfitter in the USA is Tracks and Trails and they specialize in creating family RV road trips where they dot the i's and cross the ts. At the least, you'll get a kick out of the beautiful photos on their site!
That being said, the RTA Moderator Team and RoadTrip Enthusiast group are comprised some of the most experienced roadtrippers in America and we love to share our ideas. So, wade on in there and we'll share what we do best.
Mark