Driving 32' motorhome from Durango to Silverton

Be aware that there is still a LOT of snow in and around Silverton. Last I heard, the San Juan Mountains were averaging 700% of normal snow pack! So while the town itself may be melted out, many of the trails, roads, etc. will not be easily accessible. Postholing a hiking trail isn't something most kids will enjoy.

South Mineral is in the trees so may still be filled with snowdrifts, even if it is open. At Molas Pass, the highway is surround by deep snow drifts, so Molas Lake might also be a little rough.

Maybe consider camping around Durango. You can still day trip into Silverton, or better yet, take the kids on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway. One of the finest (and "funnest") things you can do in the area. Your kids will remember riding behind a steam locomotive above the river canyon with amazing mountains all around. Also from the Durango area, you could do a day trip to Mesa Verde. Get reservations for a guided tour of one of the cliff dwellings. Yes, you have many NM with natve ruins in your area, but these are pretty special. Rafting the Animas River should also be good right now.

Near Durango: Of the 43 campsites at Haviland Lake, 20 miles north of Durango, 26 are reservable meaning 17 are first come, first served. Junction Creek CG is around five miles NW of Durango and still had reservable sites mid-week plus there are 15 first come, first served. If these two are full, check Target Tree, 20 miles east of town and centrally located between Durango and Mesa Verde.

We've stayed many times at all these CG's around Durango and Silverton. Given the snow pack right now and your arrival time, your best bet may be Junction Creek CG out of Durango. Haviland Lake is nicer, but there are no reservable campsites left and arriving after noon, even on a Monday, would be dicey. Plus you can still get a reservation at Junction Creek so you don't have to rush to get there.

Cambryce wrote:
Good evening,

I'm new to the forum and new to our motorhome, having only a couple long drives under my belt (700 miles and 1000 miles). Prior to that we had a 27' travel trailer. I do almost all the driving in our family.

My kids and I will be doing 10 days in the motorhome, Tucson to T or C to Albuquerque, to Durango, and back again, with a couple nights at each stop along the way. I have been struggling with where to stay near Durango, CO. Honestly don't really want to stay at an RV park as the rest of our stops are at fairground parking areas on asphalt (we show dogs) and the kids really need a few days to run wild and be in nature. I found a primitive campground, South Mineral Campground, near Silverton that sounds beautiful and as though it can accommodate a 32' rig. However I'm not sure how hairy the drive from Durango to Silverton is in a motorhome. We will not have a vehicle/toad so if we camp in an RV park that's where we're stuck for 4 days.

Am I being overambitious taking this on? Are there other suggestions where we could camp in the Durango area? Any tips or ideas for us?

Thank you so much!
Jill

YouTube may help with RT 550 and the drive RT 550 to Silverton

Fanrgs will help with cheap campsites This may help with CampSites

This post will fill every minute you have in the San Juan's

If I were you and could get to the San Juan's Quicker I'd strongly suggest it - it is Heaven and the Kids will Love You for it:)

JMHO,

You are all wonderful! Thank you! We are going the next week, Monday thru Thursday. Do you think there will be a problem finding a spot on a Monday afternoon? Planning to leave Albuquerque Monday morning around 9 am. GPS says 4 1/2 hours but with the mountains I'm expecting at least an hour longer, getting me in around 3pm. The kids are 10 and 12 years old.

Thanks again! You put my mind at ease. I'm a fairly confident driver and will take my time I just wanted to be sure I'm not going to send us flying over the edge of a cliff!

Jill

Don't know when you are going but be aware that that is a busy camping area. Mineral is popular. There is an actual campground or two or three along the road to it but just know it is busy especially weekends. A bit closer than going up past Silverton is Molas Lake and Little Molas Lake about as far south of Silverton as Mineral is north. Both are nice, both have lakes. Molas lake actually has a little store as well and is reservable, town of Silverton owns it

http://www.molaslake.com/reservations.html

I can say on weekends midday when I have been through there have been no empty spots, weekdays may not be as big an issue. Dont know how old the kids are but one of the best hikes around there is ice lakes make sure and go to the upper ice lake at least, there are other lakes up there as well iirc Island lake and Fuller lake are within a mile or so of upper Ice lake
http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/ice-lakes.htm

Truckers use the road all the time. It has plenty of traffic. But I am here to tell you that there are few roads in the US that will scare the **** out of flat landers more than the road you are considering. It is narrow, it is windy and has extremem drop offs. There are few guard rails. There can be snow and hail any time around Red Mountain Pass.

Was just there May 7th, nice drive you will be fine just drive slow and enjoy the view. If you haven't drove in the mountains before use low gears going down hill to save your brakes.

Large Tour buses drive it taking the train passengers back and forth each day. It should not be a problem for you.

Slow and steady! Good road some incline ‘s and curve very driveable