Route from Ft Worth to Estes Park
Anyone have any suggestions on best route from Fort Worth to Estes Park. We want to take about 2.5 days to get there. What towns are good stopping points for 2 nights.
Forum Discussion
Over that past 20 years I have towed my fifth-wheel over that route so many times I have lost count--average more than two times a year I would think. Raton Pass is one of the easiest passes in NM/CO. If you do not have experience with mountain towing this would be a good pass to practice on. We have stayed many times at the campground at the top of Raton Pass, though our recent experiences there have not been as good as our earlier ones.
So I am on the side of your staying on US 287 to Amarillo, then on through Dumas and Dalhart; on through Texline and Clayton to Raton.
You could make your first overnight in the Amarillo area and your second in the Colorado Springs area. There are plenty of choices in both places--from Walmart and Cracker Barrell to many commercial campgrounds.
Forth Worth to Amarillo is about 340 miles. If you want to drive further, there is a well known free campground with electric hookups in Dumas.
Amarillo to Colorado Springs is about 360 miles.
For a first day shorter drive there is the Ole Town Cotton Gin at Goodlett, TX--a great overnight stop. If that fits your plan then you could overnight at Raton Pass.
The very best place to stay in Colorado Springs is Cheyenne Mountain State Park but reservations are necessary and hard to get. But you might be lucky and find one night open. I often try for one or two nights and sometimes find an open spot.
There are many more possible variations of this route. Without going much out of the way there are Copper Canyon State Park and Palo Duro State Park along this general route. There are also two of the largest, best developed Texas rest stops near Quanah and Hedley. You have lots of choices.
So I am on the side of your staying on US 287 to Amarillo, then on through Dumas and Dalhart; on through Texline and Clayton to Raton.
You could make your first overnight in the Amarillo area and your second in the Colorado Springs area. There are plenty of choices in both places--from Walmart and Cracker Barrell to many commercial campgrounds.
Forth Worth to Amarillo is about 340 miles. If you want to drive further, there is a well known free campground with electric hookups in Dumas.
Amarillo to Colorado Springs is about 360 miles.
For a first day shorter drive there is the Ole Town Cotton Gin at Goodlett, TX--a great overnight stop. If that fits your plan then you could overnight at Raton Pass.
The very best place to stay in Colorado Springs is Cheyenne Mountain State Park but reservations are necessary and hard to get. But you might be lucky and find one night open. I often try for one or two nights and sometimes find an open spot.
There are many more possible variations of this route. Without going much out of the way there are Copper Canyon State Park and Palo Duro State Park along this general route. There are also two of the largest, best developed Texas rest stops near Quanah and Hedley. You have lots of choices.
