Your Geotrek van is packed, keys are in hand, and the open road is calling. But where do you go first?
Matt McGee, Geotrek’s Customer Success Manager, has logged countless miles helping owners discover the best routes from our Boulder headquarters. His go-to recommendation for that crucial first adventure? The scenic drive west to Glenwood Springs.
This route hits the sweet spot between accessible and adventurous. You’ll cover manageable highway miles while experiencing everything that makes van life extraordinary: natural hot springs, mountain views, and your first taste of dispersed camping under Colorado skies
Stop One: Stock Up Smart
Before you leave the Front Range behind, there’s a strategic supply stop that makes the entire trip smoother. Exit 168 westbound on I-70 brings you to a Walmart Supercenter and Home Depot. This is your last chance to grab forgotten essentials before climbing into the mountains.
Whether you need groceries, camping gear, or those last-minute items you realize you forgot while loading up, this stop has you covered. The parking lot easily accommodates your new van, and you’ll be back on the road in under an hour with everything you need for a perfect first night.
Stop Two: Soak and Unwind
After a few hours of driving, Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs offers the ideal midday break.
This facility stands out among Colorado’s hot springs for its unique approach: each pool recreates the mineral composition of famous hot springs from around the world. You can essentially tour global bathing traditions without leaving the Colorado Rockies.
Beyond the unique pools, Iron Mountain delivers on the practical details too. Clean locker rooms, quality showers, and an on-site restaurant mean you can truly relax without worrying about logistics. Plan to spend at least two or three hours here. Your body will thank you after the excitement and minor stress of pickup day, and you’ll arrive at your camping spot completely refreshed rather than road-weary.
Stop Three: Lunch in Glenwood
Doc Holliday’s Bar and Grill makes for a satisfying lunch stop in downtown Glenwood Springs. The food is solid, the atmosphere captures that Colorado mountain town vibe, and parking is surprisingly easy. One of the unexpected perks of van life: you can navigate and park in places that would stress out RV owners.
Your First Camp: Transfer Trail
Here’s where the adventure really begins. Just off I-70 near Glenwood Springs, a short dirt road with a few switchbacks leads to Transfer Trail, a Bureau of Land Management area that offers exactly what you’re hoping for in dispersed camping.
The road up requires about a mile of careful driving with some zigzags, but nothing that should concern anyone comfortable with basic dirt roads. Your reward: a high-elevation perch overlooking the Colorado River Valley with Glenwood Springs spread out below. As the sun sets and lights begin twinkling in the valley, you’ll understand why this spot consistently makes the list of recommended first camps.
The Overlander app proves invaluable for finding spots like this. The app crowdsources camping locations and provides GPS coordinates, user reviews, and important details about road conditions and facilities. Download it before you leave Boulder.
If the dispersed camping vibe doesn’t appeal to you yet, or if you want facilities nearby, No Name Rest Stop sits close to Transfer Trail. This developed area offers bathrooms and a more traditional camping experience while still putting you in beautiful surroundings.
Why This Route Works for First-Timers
This Boulder-to-Glenwood Springs route succeeds because it layers experiences without overwhelming new van owners. You’re not driving hundreds of miles on your first day. You’re not navigating complex dirt roads or testing your systems in remote locations. Instead, you’re building confidence gradually.
The hot springs stop breaks up the drive and gives you a chance to practice parking, using your van’s systems, and settling into this new way of traveling. By the time you reach your camp spot, you’ve already spent enough time in the van to feel comfortable with the basics.
The dispersed camping at Transfer Trail introduces you to boondocking without throwing you into the deep end. You’re still close to town, you have cell service, and if something goes wrong, you can easily return to developed areas. Yet you’re far enough from civilization to experience that profound quiet and connection to nature that draws people to van life in the first place.
Making It Your Own
This route provides a tested framework, but the real magic happens when you adapt it to your interests. Not into hot springs? Skip Iron Mountain and spend more time exploring Glenwood Canyon. Prefer cooking in your van to dining out? Load up on groceries at that Walmart stop and prepare your first van-cooked meal at camp.
The flexibility to customize based on mood, weather, and personal preferences is what makes van travel so compelling. Whether you spend one night at Transfer Trail or use it as a launching point for deeper exploration, you’re experiencing what drew you to van life in the first place: the freedom to park wherever adventure calls and wake up to mountain views just a few hours from Boulder.
If you’re ready to see where the road takes you, start your first adventure with a Geotrek built for real travel.
