Estes Park Campgrounds
Hello, We are planning on going to Rocky Mountain National Park next summer, with only our motorhome. Wondering where we should stay to make it easiest to tour the park. It seems like there are a...
Forum Discussion
For seven days IN Colorado, here is what I would recommend:
1 day to get from Grand Junction to Estes Park
I-70 to US 6 (short) to CO 119 North to Nederland
72 North to 7 to Estes Park
The portion from 199 to Estes is called the "Peak to Peak Highway"
Then 3 nights, 2 full days in Estes Park and RMNP.
1 day to get from Estes Park to Gunnison, CO
Use Peak to Peak to get back to I-70 W to CO 91 @ Copper Mt.
@ Leadville, US 24 through Buena Vista, Poncha Springs
and over Monarch on US 50 to Gunnison.
Then 2 nights, 1 full day at Gunnison, Visit Black Canyon, Blue Mesa,
drive up to Crested Butte, Taylor Creek
1 day to get from Gunnison to Mesa Verde
US 50 to Montrose, US 550 to Ridgeway
then 62 and 145 to Cortez. 160 to Mesa Verde (short)
Then 2 nights, 1 full day to visit Mesa Verde
This could all be done in reversed order. Note that I have eliminated Great Sand Dunes because I think you need your seven days for these three stops AND because these routes: Peak to Peak highway and through Leadville, Buena Vista (Arkansas Valley and the Collegiate Peaks) will be a far better taste of Colorado.
Peak to Peak is a curvy, unlevel road but no difficult passes. Just a slow but beautiful drive. Monarch is the only major pass on this trip except on I-70 and it is an excellent roadway.
If you are interested I can give you much more information about this route and the places you could overnight. You may send a PM if you wish.
1 day to get from Grand Junction to Estes Park
I-70 to US 6 (short) to CO 119 North to Nederland
72 North to 7 to Estes Park
The portion from 199 to Estes is called the "Peak to Peak Highway"
Then 3 nights, 2 full days in Estes Park and RMNP.
1 day to get from Estes Park to Gunnison, CO
Use Peak to Peak to get back to I-70 W to CO 91 @ Copper Mt.
@ Leadville, US 24 through Buena Vista, Poncha Springs
and over Monarch on US 50 to Gunnison.
Then 2 nights, 1 full day at Gunnison, Visit Black Canyon, Blue Mesa,
drive up to Crested Butte, Taylor Creek
1 day to get from Gunnison to Mesa Verde
US 50 to Montrose, US 550 to Ridgeway
then 62 and 145 to Cortez. 160 to Mesa Verde (short)
Then 2 nights, 1 full day to visit Mesa Verde
This could all be done in reversed order. Note that I have eliminated Great Sand Dunes because I think you need your seven days for these three stops AND because these routes: Peak to Peak highway and through Leadville, Buena Vista (Arkansas Valley and the Collegiate Peaks) will be a far better taste of Colorado.
Peak to Peak is a curvy, unlevel road but no difficult passes. Just a slow but beautiful drive. Monarch is the only major pass on this trip except on I-70 and it is an excellent roadway.
If you are interested I can give you much more information about this route and the places you could overnight. You may send a PM if you wish.
