Mesa Verde, CO to Hot Springs, AR
Traveling from Mesa Verde to Hot Springs as part of our western U.S. loop trip and don't see any must see sites along this stretch, but I'm sure there are. Also see potential mountain range to naviga...
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If you do not mind driving in the mountains, then US 160 across to I-25 at Walsenburg is a very good highway. But Wolf Creek Pass is a pretty long and steep climb up the west side. If your C doesn't have much reserve power, you might consider disconnecting the toad until you get to the top and then hook back up. But RVs of all sizes run that highway constantly in the summer.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is an interesting stop not too far off the highway east of Alamosa. Between there and I-25 you will also hit La Veta Pass. Not nearly as bad as Wolf Creek though.
From I-25 you can go south to Raton, then pick up US 87/64 to Amarillo and I-40. You can follow I-40 to Arkansas. OK City has the National Cowboy and Western Heritage museum that is worth a visit. And, of course, the national memorial at the site of the Murrah building bombing.
From I-40 in Arkansas you could take AR 7 to Hot Springs. Somewhat of a narrow and twisting highway, but pretty drive if you are not in a hurry. Otherwise continue on I-40 to Little Rock, I-430 south to I-30, and west to US 70 to Hot Springs.
If you prefer to avoid the mountain passes, then take US 84 at Pagosa Springs down to Santa Fe. An interesting town with lots to see. From Santa Fe take US 285 to I-40 and proceed as noted above.
Amarillo has the National Quarter Horse museum if that is of interest. And Sizemore's RV museum with a collection of old RVs.
An alternate route would be take US 287 at Amarillo southeast down thru Wichita Falls, from US 287 southeast of Wichita Falls take US 82 east all the way to I-30 at New Boston in far east Texas, I-30 up to either AR 7 or US 270 to Hot Springs.
Lots of variations with any of the above if there are any particular areas or sights you might want to see.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is an interesting stop not too far off the highway east of Alamosa. Between there and I-25 you will also hit La Veta Pass. Not nearly as bad as Wolf Creek though.
From I-25 you can go south to Raton, then pick up US 87/64 to Amarillo and I-40. You can follow I-40 to Arkansas. OK City has the National Cowboy and Western Heritage museum that is worth a visit. And, of course, the national memorial at the site of the Murrah building bombing.
From I-40 in Arkansas you could take AR 7 to Hot Springs. Somewhat of a narrow and twisting highway, but pretty drive if you are not in a hurry. Otherwise continue on I-40 to Little Rock, I-430 south to I-30, and west to US 70 to Hot Springs.
If you prefer to avoid the mountain passes, then take US 84 at Pagosa Springs down to Santa Fe. An interesting town with lots to see. From Santa Fe take US 285 to I-40 and proceed as noted above.
Amarillo has the National Quarter Horse museum if that is of interest. And Sizemore's RV museum with a collection of old RVs.
An alternate route would be take US 287 at Amarillo southeast down thru Wichita Falls, from US 287 southeast of Wichita Falls take US 82 east all the way to I-30 at New Boston in far east Texas, I-30 up to either AR 7 or US 270 to Hot Springs.
Lots of variations with any of the above if there are any particular areas or sights you might want to see.
