Good place for base camp at 4 corners

Kit Carson wrote:
We stayed one night at Ute Mountain Casino on our way home from Utah. Very nice park. Enjoyed the buffet for dinner and breakfast. Had a Pow-Wow going on that was very interesting.

We stayed there for a couple of nights as well. It was a decent stay and we would go back.

However, I would NOT do the buffet again- the casino reeks of cigarette smoke and even in the restaurant, it was hard to get away from the smell.

If you want some other ideas about camping in the Cortez-Dolores area, see my blog HERE.

I recommend staying in an electric hookup site at McPhee Recreation Complex if you can't get into Morefield. And DO NOT MISS the Anasazi Heritage Center just west of Dolores while you are in the area. It is the best museum in the Four Corners region. You can read more about both in my blog post.

In Durango, there are two campgrounds to consider.

Lightner Creek Campground and Cabins is on the west side of town, set back off the highway, so no highway noise. In a bit of a valley with varied site sizes to accommodate a variety of rigs.

United Campground of Durango is on the north side of town, right off the highway. There are full hook up sites that are rather close together and are separated from another section by the Durango and Siverton RR. Yes, the train goes right through the park several times a day -- great photo ops.

In Ouray, if you decide to stay there, consider the KOA north of town. It is not your garden variety KOA, it's a great location and value. Also consider Ridgway State Park, a bit further north of Ouray, on the way to Telluride.

Thanks fanrgs, and Thom02099, thats just what I'm looking for. Priest Gulch RV Park north of Delores looks good also.
Thinking of a jeep rental in Ouray to Teluride or part of the Alpine Loop.

garyp4951 wrote:
Thanks fanrgs, and Thom02099, thats just what I'm looking for. Priest Gulch RV Park north of Delores looks good also.
Thinking of a jeep rental in Ouray to Teluride or part of the Alpine Loop.

Two very different places to explore.

H E R E - Black Bear Pass are some videos on the challenge of Black Bear Pass, while is the route from US 550 at Red Mountain Pass to Telluride. As you will see, it is not for the faint of heart. There are, however, tours that one can book that take on the BBP.

H E R E - Alpine Loop are vids for the Alpine Loop -- far more doable, you could do it in your RAM, or rent a jeep.

Of the 2, the Alpine Loop is far less stressful. There are all sorts of warning signs as you approach BBP, giving ample time to turn around. If one takes appropriate time and caution on BBP, it's doable. One of the biggest problems is getting BEHIND someone who's overestimated their abilities and/or underestimated how difficult BBP is, and panic. Yes. It happens. :E

Black Bear pass is for the hardcore 4WD crowd with a vehicle fitted out for that sort of thing. Not a rental jeep.

Priest Gulch north of Delores is a beautiful park. It is along the Delores River. One of the nicest parks we have ever stayed at. We visited Mesa Verde and were not impressed at all. Betsy.

mittshel wrote:
Priest Gulch north of Delores is a beautiful park. It is along the Delores River. One of the nicest parks we have ever stayed at. We visited Mesa Verde and were not impressed at all. Betsy.

It's Dolores, not Delores, and is the Spanish word for "sorrow."

We stayed at Mesa Verde RV Resort(not Ancient Cedars/Mesa Verde RV Park). Very nice, quiet park a mile down the road from Mesa Verde National Park.

A little late to the party here, but been spending too much time skiing this year (finally!).

Mid May will probably be pretty early for some of the 4x4 trails. I know the counties do make an effort to plow them out, but how far they get will depend on what else happens this winter. I've been over some when the walls of snow were 10' to 15' high on the sides of the road at the pass.

For historic towns, I think Silverton is tops. Take a trip on up to Animas Forks at least. The train ride from Durango to Silverton is one of the top attractions around and is absolutely worth the full day and cost. Ouray is also a neat little town with a great hot springs pool nestled right in the mountains. Telluride is historic but has gotten so upscale it's hard to see it for what it was 100 years ago. Drive to the end of the road to get a view up to Bridal Veil Falls.

Mesa Verde is also worth the time. Do take one or more of the guided tours. The CG has FHU if you need them. Over by Dolores, check out the Anasazi Heritage Center. Really great little museum and they can steer you to other ruins in the area. A day trip to Hovenweep NM in UT to at least visit Square Tower will get you off the beaten path but some very interesting ruins.