Heading to Durango, CO

We were passing through, between campgrounds in Pagosa Springs and Cortez, but wanted to take a quick side jaunt up toward Silverton to get high (elevation wise). We were looking for a place to drop the trailer for a few hours and stopped at the Alpen Rose. Although there were obviously vacant trailers there, they wouldn't consider letting us park. I thought that was being just a little chicken $hit on their part. I won't be staying there in the future.

Been looking at Junction Creek CG, anyone been there?

Alpen Rose is a nice CG with the train going by from a distance, plus a huge dog area and United CG is a nice CG too but the Train comes thruogh the CG so noise can b a issue...as for the train, take it one way to silverton and the coach back ...now if you have your car with you I feel the ride to Silverton and then Oray on rt550 is just a wild ride...After driving it both ways I give the truck drivers that make deliveries credit..but its worth driving just to stop and take pictures..

Another vote for United. There's a $1 shuttle into town to catch the train. We've taken it both ways twice and never tire of doing so. You'll spend an hour or more in Silverton so you'll be able to grab lunch there. The train comes right through United's campground so you'll see it twice daily. Many sites face the railroad track. Enjoy the trip...Dennis

We have loved our stays at Haviland Lake national forest campground just north of Durango off 550 - all paved. There are a few electric sites but most are non-electric. It's in a beautiful setting. It's getting popular so you'll probably need reservations.

If you are towing a vehicle you might want to consider just driving it on your own up to Silverton. It's a neat frontier mining town to poke around at your leisure and you'd be able to drive any kind of vehicle to Animas Ghost Town which is a must.If you have a 4x4 you'll be able to do more roads up there. If you're taking the train you'll have only a short time in town, plus it's very expensive.

Another option is just driving your motorhome to Silverton from Durango. It's very doable and there are plenty of RV parks right in town.

From Silverton, I wouldn't advise driving the motorhome further north to Ouray unless you feel very comfortable on mountain roads. Many RVers do it, however, as we have done multiple times. If you want to get up to Ouray take 145 out of Cortez. It's a mountain drive, also, but easier than Red Mountain Hwy 550 from Silverton to Ouray.

Have a good trip!

haddy1 wrote:
Unless they build something new it will always be Alpen Rose for us.

X2

We go to Durango on a regular basis and have "checked them all out".

Unless they build something new it will always be Alpen Rose for us.

We stayed at the Alpen Rose and it was good. Our site was a little short for our MH and toad so we had to park the toad in a near by common area. I agree with others about the train ride and bus.

Take the bus up and the train down. The train takes three hours so two train rides eat up a day. The bus drivers add commentary to the 45 minute ride which helps you understand the area.

Also can take city bus from United to the train station.