Las Vegas to Monument Valley to Mesa Verde Dec-Jan
Any suggestions or recommendations from anyone that has driven this route in late December to early January? Typical road conditions, weather, places to stay with travel trailer. etc. Thanks
Forum Discussion
Aside from the normal you could get snow any day during that time frame. It usually isn't a problem but .... Temps can range from relatively mild to down right cold again just the vagaries of the weather that time of year. Someone previously mentioned elevation and that can make a big difference if snow does move in. We have some property right across the highway from Mesa Verde. I am down there frequently in the winter to deal with burning slash due to beetle kill. It can snow a foot on our place and just a light dusting in Cortez. Or a few inches at our place and nothing in Cortez. There is less than 1000 ft elevation difference.
There are two campgrounds right there as well Ancient Cedars and Mesa Verde RV Resort both of which are right outside the park. The ones mentioned previously in Cortez are good as well and may not be subject to the same snow if it does snow. Do be aware that Mesa Verde while fantastic in winter does have a lot of closures. Weatherill Mesa is closed, Balcony House is closed and am pretty sure Cliff Palace is closed for tours. You can still see Cliff Palace from above and across the canyon. Spruce Tree House while normally open during the winter has been closed due to rockfall and instability. I do not know the current status but it is probably closed as well though you can still see it from above.
As Busskipper mentioned Canyon De Chelly is awesome and another much less known one Navajo National Monument nice as well(it is about 20 miles west of Kayenta). Though the big ruins (Keet Seel and Betatakin) will be closed there are still a few rim trails that are a nice break from the drive and do give you views of some ruins. And don't forget about Hovenweep NM.
There are two campgrounds right there as well Ancient Cedars and Mesa Verde RV Resort both of which are right outside the park. The ones mentioned previously in Cortez are good as well and may not be subject to the same snow if it does snow. Do be aware that Mesa Verde while fantastic in winter does have a lot of closures. Weatherill Mesa is closed, Balcony House is closed and am pretty sure Cliff Palace is closed for tours. You can still see Cliff Palace from above and across the canyon. Spruce Tree House while normally open during the winter has been closed due to rockfall and instability. I do not know the current status but it is probably closed as well though you can still see it from above.
As Busskipper mentioned Canyon De Chelly is awesome and another much less known one Navajo National Monument nice as well(it is about 20 miles west of Kayenta). Though the big ruins (Keet Seel and Betatakin) will be closed there are still a few rim trails that are a nice break from the drive and do give you views of some ruins. And don't forget about Hovenweep NM.
