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randco's avatar
randco
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013

Headed to the Mountains

The wife and I are planning a trip to Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota about this time next year. Really looking forward to the trip. I was raised just west of Denver and went to school in Boulder, but that was about 45 years ago. We will be driving a 40' DP pulling a toad. We plan to spend some time in Estes Park then head to the Teton's and Yellowstone. So far we are planning to take Hwy 287 (just west of Loveland) North to Laramie, WY where we will intersect with I-80. We plan to take I-80 to Rawlins, WY then head North on Hwy 287 again. We plan to take Hwy 287 / Hwy 26 to Coulter Bay Village RV Campground.

Is Hwy 287 a decent road with no surprises?

After Coulter Bay we are headed to Fishing Bridge. From Fishing Bridge we plan to head out the East entrance on Hwy 14 to Cody, WY, Greybull, WY and on to Sheridan, WY where we will intersect with I-90.

Is Hwy 14 a decent road with no surprises?

We like the back roads, just not the surprises that sometimes come with them.

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
Roads and Routes

7 Replies

  • newk's avatar
    newk
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2013
    We're members of Rushmore Shadows. We don't use it much, but we pay our annual dues. (Wanna buy a cheap membership?) LOL It's not a fancy campground, but I don't have anything bad to say about it. They've kept it rather rustic, which is generally our preference over perfectly groomed -- feels a little more like camping than sleeping out in the back yard.
  • randco's avatar
    randco
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2013
    Thanks again for all of you information. I have adjusted my route from Cody. I will take 14 to Greybull then 16 to Worland, Ten Sleep and Buffalo. Sheridan was not a destination stop, just a stop-over night. We will stay in Buffalo instead. From Buffalo we will take I-90 to Rapid City. We plan to stay at Rushmore Shadows RV Park. The park has some good reviews.

    The rest of the trip headed back Florida will be simple. We are going to the Wisconsin Dells. We haven't been there in 25 years. Then we are going to swing south and visit our old neighborhood in Westmont, IL then head to Indiana Dunes SP. As long as we are in Indiana, we might as well head to Elkhart and take the factory tour where our coach was built. We will leave Indiana on I-65 to Nashville, where we will probably spend a few days. After Nashville, we need to get back into reality mode because our trip will almost be over.
  • sweetnoni's avatar
    sweetnoni
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2013
    Took the 16 route last Monday, it was rather slippery on top 9200 ft. Foggy
    down the other side. Road work between both extremes, but oh, so beautiful!
  • randco's avatar
    randco
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2013
    Thanks for the tips. When I re-checked my route I found that I actually take CR-19 which is about a mile west of Hwy 287. It runs parallel to Hwy 287 but is west of downtown. Just north of Ft. Collins it intersects with Hwy 287.

    I will take a look at your suggestions about Hwy 14.
  • newk's avatar
    newk
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    I like your routing just fine, although I can't recall the section between Loveland and Ft. Collins. I've often taken 287 from Ft Collins to Laramie and from Rawlins to Moran Junction, likewise Hwy 14 from Greybull to Ranchester. They're normally good roads the whole route without unwanted surprises.

    As 1mtnman stated, Hwy 16 from Worland to Buffalo is a little more gentle drive up and down the mountain, but both are good, scenic highways. Hwy 14 is a little more scenic during the ascent and descent, but 16 is more scenic over the top. Going from Cody to Sheridan would be shorter/quicker via Hwy 14, but if your destination is the Black Hills, both routes are about the same, maybe a few minutes longer via Hwy 14. You'll want to gear down for the descent on either route. (I'd avoid 14A with your rig.)

    Welcome to Wyoming. Hope you have a great vacation!
  • 1mtnman's avatar
    1mtnman
    Explorer II
    Jun 06, 2013
    In answer to your question Hwy 287 from Loveland to the intersection of I80 is fine except you have to go right through the middle of downtown Ft Collins and traffic is a mess most of the time although being summer you will miss some of the CSU traffic. There are better was of getting around Ft Collins but I would have to detail them to you. I can do that if you like in a PM. Hwy 287 to Yellowstone is also fine with no surprises. The section you may want to reconsider is the leg from Cody to Sheridan. Unless you have driven Hwy 14 prior it can be challenging although it is a beautiful drive especially of you are astute at mountain driving.
    The alternate route would be Hwy 16 through Ten Sleep and on to Buffalo then I25 to Sheridan.
    There will be other comments by members regarding Hwy 14 so you should consider those also. I love Hwy 14 and even 14A but I don't have a big rig and I am a long time mountain driver.
    Sounds like a great trip and one I have taken many times.

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