Trip Planning Advice Needed

Mesa Verde is the best of the Indian Ruin parks, and there are quite a few of them in CO, AZ, and NM. It is an easy daytrip from Durango but be sure to make reservations for the tours online before going. On our last visit we didn't know about the online reservations and they were all booked up except for one non-reservation tour. That was our third visit so we didn't miss much.

While you are in Durango take the Durango and Silverton rail trip. The scenery
is spectacular. Ride the train north and take the bus back to Durango.

One very important hint for visits out west. Make sure that everyone in your group has plenty of water with them at all times. At least a quart each for full sized folk. You will become dehydrated. You can set a fresh slice of bread out and within 15 minutes it will be dry and stale, very different from the east.

Unless you have a lot of time, I wouldn't spend four days going from Durango to Jackson Hole. The Black Canyon is spectacular but only takes a few hours to drive the scenic road. I am not especially impressed with Colorado NP but you may like it more since you have not visited the red rock parks in Utah. Dinosaur NM is another 2 or 3 hour visit.

I'd move some of that time up into the slot you have for GTNP and YNP. You will not have enough time in YNP I promise you.

Thanks, agesilaus! Have not done Mesa Verde. First time out West with the family and have only been to Tetons & Yellowstone before.

Mesa Verde worth a look?

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado National Park, Dinosaur National Mounment are the major parks. I assume you will or have done Mesa Verde. Hwy 530 thru the Flaming Gorge is worth driving.

We stayed at Junction West RV Park in Grand Mesa and it was a nice park. The owners get a bit carried away with rules tho. We stayed at the Vernal KOA which was also nice, unless they've also insanely increased prices like many other KOAs.