We plan on traveling out West this spring and are going to spend a few days in the Durango area. We will be traveling in the coach within our signature below. After spending a few days in Santa Fe NM we plan to head north on Hwy 84 to 64/84 which will take us to Pagosa Springs CO where we would cut across to Durango on Hwy 160.(Is this section of 160 good for an RV?) We will spend several days in Durango using it as our base. Can anybody recommend a good campground in Durango with full hook ups? One day we will run up to Ouray CO on Hwy 550 in our toad as we understand this is a pretty ride but not designed for a motor home. We will then check out Mesa Verde NP with our toad. When we head out we will be heading west on I 40 so I would like to head west on Hwy 160 to Cortez and head south on Hwy 160/491 direct to Gallup on I 40. Another option would be to head out of Cortez on 160 and stay on it all of the way to Hwy 89 which will take we into Flagstaff. Which route is better in a motor home. Thanks for your help.

The highway to Ouray is indeed a spectacular drive, but don't stop there. Head north almost to Ridgway and head west and then south to hit Telluride, too. The view of the big waterfall from Telluride is worth seeing. Continue south to loop back to Durango.The road from Pagosa to Durango has been very good every time I've been on it; no challenges for large RVs.

Bob and Ann, this certainly seems like a good plan to me. While you are in Durango, I hope you can make a drive out to Vallecita Reservoir. Also hope you can spend some time in the town of Ouray.We consider that drive up from New Mexico into Pagosa Springs one of the most scenic; enjoy the drve.We have only stayed at the United RV Park in Durango (and that only once.) We enjoyed staying out at Blue Spruce north of Vallecita. But that is a long way out of Durango and I would only suggest it if you could spend some time there just relaxing. There are several RV Parks with full hook-ups around Durango.I can't comment with personal experience on your route west from Cortez, but all the rest seems good to me. We stayed at a very nice small RV park across the highway from Mesa Verde: I believe it is called (appropriately) "Mesa Verde RV Park."Sounds like a great trip to me.Edit to say that your route will take you through Chama, NM. There is a narrow guage railway there as well as the more famous one in Durango.We usually stay at Santa Fe Skies in that city. Hope you have some time to enjoy that most interesting city.

On the north end of Durango is a very nice Cg called United. The Steam engine train goes rite thru to CG. Y not take the train ride from Durango to Silverton. Its THE quenticential (American BEST) Steam engine train ride.

We made a trip to Durango from Dallas, Texas last June. Used the same route you are looking at and had no problems pulling a 34 ft. 5th wheel. We stayed at the KOA on 160. It is about 6 miles East of Durango. The Lightner Creek Campground is also nice. We decided on the KOA because there was construction on the road up to Lightner Creek and it would have been difficult to get my 5th wheel through. Also Lightner Creek only had about 3 sites with 50 amp service.

Durango/ Mesa Verde/ Ouray Colorado Travel Plans

rexlion
Explorer
Feb 19, 2014
The highway to Ouray is indeed a spectacular drive, but don't stop there. Head north almost to Ridgway and head west and then south to hit Telluride, too. The view of the big waterfall from Telluride is worth seeing. Continue south to loop back to Durango.

The road from Pagosa to Durango has been very good every time I've been on it; no challenges for large RVs.
padredw
Nomad
Feb 20, 2014
Bob and Ann, this certainly seems like a good plan to me. While you are in Durango, I hope you can make a drive out to Vallecita Reservoir. Also hope you can spend some time in the town of Ouray.

We consider that drive up from New Mexico into Pagosa Springs one of the most scenic; enjoy the drve.

We have only stayed at the United RV Park in Durango (and that only once.) We enjoyed staying out at Blue Spruce north of Vallecita. But that is a long way out of Durango and I would only suggest it if you could spend some time there just relaxing. There are several RV Parks with full hook-ups around Durango.

I can't comment with personal experience on your route west from Cortez, but all the rest seems good to me. We stayed at a very nice small RV park across the highway from Mesa Verde: I believe it is called (appropriately) "Mesa Verde RV Park."

Sounds like a great trip to me.

Edit to say that your route will take you through Chama, NM. There is a narrow guage railway there as well as the more famous one in Durango.

We usually stay at Santa Fe Skies in that city. Hope you have some time to enjoy that most interesting city.
jolooote
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
On the north end of Durango is a very nice Cg called United. The Steam engine train goes rite thru to CG. Y not take the train ride from Durango to Silverton. Its THE quenticential (American BEST) Steam engine train ride.
jolooote
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
On the north end of Durango is a very nice Cg called United. The Steam engine train goes rite thru to CG. Y not take the train ride from Durango to Silverton. Its THE quenticential (American BEST) Steam engine train ride.
tmoore2
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
We made a trip to Durango from Dallas, Texas last June. Used the same route you are looking at and had no problems pulling a 34 ft. 5th wheel. We stayed at the KOA on 160. It is about 6 miles East of Durango. The Lightner Creek Campground is also nice. We decided on the KOA because there was construction on the road up to Lightner Creek and it would have been difficult to get my 5th wheel through. Also Lightner Creek only had about 3 sites with 50 amp service.
cocos_cabana
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Bob & Ann wrote:
We will then check out Mesa Verde NP with our toad. ...... Thanks for your help.

Mesa Verde is very interesting and historic. We stayed there for 3 days, just to see it all, and do some hiking. Very nice RV park opposite the entrance on the highway
Lauren
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Alpen Rose in Durango is good as well.

Second the comment about Ouray and To Hell U Ride, aka Telluride, Both great places. Great area.

We were going to spend a week at Blue Spruce last fall as it sounded great; but had to abort our trip.

Love that area of CO.
Bob___Ann
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Thanks for all of the input. We already have plans to stay at Santa Fe Skies in Santa Fe. It is a great place! From what I am hearing I guess that we will go with United RV park in Durango. The round trip north of Ouray I have made note of as it sounds great. We will not be spending days touring Mesa Verde. My DW has had both knees replaced so there will not be a lot of hiking. Short walks work but that is about it. Thanks for your help
kalynzoo
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
We,re planning on staying at the Alpen Rose in Durango. It will be our fourth visit to this campground over the years.
Janss
Explorer II
Feb 20, 2014
We like Alpen Rose too.

Either route from Cortez to Flagstaff is good. Both pretty desolate except for I-40. Depends if you want to drive on two lane road or get on the interstate. Hwy 89 has sections with passing lanes. If you stay on 160, have you considered visiting Monument Valley and Page/Lake Powell?