I'm in the planning stages of a 10 day trip for July 2017 and looking for feedback and advice on campgrounds and activities.We'll be leaving from San Antonio area. It'll be my wife and I with our older daughter and her husband (they are 30) and our youngest son (15). Originally wanted a full two weeks, but couldn't make the timing work. That means we have to leave some sights out that we wanted to get to (including RMNP). Our goals: see beautiful scenery, be active - hiking, fishing, etc.Here's the current plan:Day 1: Drive to Amarillo (530 miles)Day 2: Drive to Buena Vista (400 miles). Stay 3 nights. Will do white water rafting for sure, some fishing. Suggestions on campgrounds and other activities in Buena Vista? Looking at KOA or Valley RVDay 5: Drive to Ouray (180 miles). Stay 3 nights. Take a jeep tour. Drive back up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Looking at KOA or Ridgeway SP. Other ideas?Day 8: Drive to Durango (150 miles). Take 145 instead of 550/Million Dollar Highway. Stop at Mesa Verde NP on way.Day 9 & 10, return drive back.As I said, we would have like to make it to RMNP and/or Colorado Springs, but don't have enough days. So, in addition to the questions above, a few more- Instead of doing our current plan (BV, Ouray, etc), we could just go straight up to RMNP and spend days there. If could only do one or the other, which would you do?We could cut a day from Buena Vista or Ouray and add it to Durango. Worth it?Thanks in Advance!

Sounds like my kind of trip! We love that part of Colorado.We have stayed at the KOA north of Ouray several times. Nice place and convenient to town.Starvin' Arvin's in Montrose will serve you a breakfast second to none. Make sure you opt for the cinnamon roll! Huge.Snowy Peaks CG on the north edge of Buena Vista is nice if you can get a reservation.We would opt for a train ride on the Durango/Silverton if you can work it in. The Black Canyon is nice but to us wouldn't need a full day.Good luck and have a great time.

Personally, I'd do RMNP, but I'm prejudiced. I spent a lot of weekends up there throughout the late 80's and early 90's before I met my wife to be. I love the park, but I can't fault your plan either. If you go that way, you could still get in a raft trip on the Poudre river north of RNMP. There are a lot a lot of National Forest campgrounds along the river which are easy to get into on weekdays.

- Instead of doing our current plan (BV, Ouray, etc), we could just go straight up to RMNP and spend days there. If could only do one or the other, which would you do?If I had to make this choice (as I think you do) I would choose your original plan.Day 2: Drive to Buena Vista (400 miles). Stay 3 nights. Will do white water rafting for sure, some fishing.Suggestions on campgrounds and other activities in Buena Vista? Looking at KOA or Valley RV Our two favorite campgrounds around Buena Vista are the Arrowhead RV Park north of town and the KOA out south at Johnson Village. The KOA was our favorite when I was a few years younger because I could hike right out of the campground to do rock climbing all the way up to Midland Hill and then, if I wished, on into the town of Buena Vista. There is a trail from the top down to town but none from the KOA to the top of the hill. I always enjoyed the "trail blazing" and rock scrambling on that climb right out of the KOA.Day 5: Drive to Ouray (180 miles). Stay 3 nights. Take a jeep tour. Drive back up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Looking at KOA or Ridgeway SP. Other ideas?We stayed at the Ridgeway State Park in September and enjoyed it. We have also stayed at the Ouray RV park in town. The only reason to do that is the convenience of being right in town. We have never stayed at the KOA so have no idea about that.Day 8: Drive to Durango (150 miles). Take 145 instead of 550/Million Dollar Highway. Stop at Mesa Verde NP on way.Here is where I might want an overnight at Mesa Verde to have time to make a good visit to the ruins. There is a nice RV park right across the highway from the entrance to the National Park. The alternative, of course, is to spend several hours visiting Mesa Verde and then driving on for the overnight in Durango.

The Steam Powered train ride from Durango to Silverton is AWESOME!!!You can train up and bus back or train up and back. Will take all day.It would be an experience of a lifetime for your 15 yr old as well as you and the wife.Stop at the Black Canyon on the way to Ouray. 145 to Delores is very scenic. Take 184/160 to Mesa Verde NP. 160 to Durango. DO THE TRAIN RIDE. 160 East thru Pagosa Springs, South Fork, Alamosa. 15 miles east on 160 turn North to the Great Sand Dunes NP. Back to 160 east to I 25 and home. Have a great trip.PS: Ask directions to Cottonwood Lake out of Buena Vista for great scenery and Trout fishing!!!!! Twin Lakes North of Buena Vista is good fishing at the Dam.

SO MANY THINGS TO DO, so little time. Fought that for years while working and raising the girls.You will enjoy whatever you choose.

Texas to Colorado Itinerary | Good Sam Community

4runnerguy
Explorer
Dec 05, 2016
astepatatime wrote:
Day 2: Drive to Buena Vista (400 miles). Stay 3 nights. Will do white water rafting for sure, some fishing.
Suggestions on campgrounds and other activities in Buena Vista? Looking at KOA or Valley RV

Take a trip up to the ghost town of St. Elmo. If you want an interesting hike, continue on up the old railroad grade past the site of Hancock to the trailhead for the Alpine Tunnel. Interesting historical hike - easy but high altitude. Great wildflowers above timberline. Spend one evening down in Salida visiting the very interesting stores that have stuff from local artists and grab a bite at one of the many fine restaurants that have opened in the last few years.

Day 5: Drive to Ouray (180 miles). Stay 3 nights. Take a jeep tour. Drive back up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Looking at KOA or Ridgeway SP. Other ideas?

Black Canyon NP is nice, given your very limited time frame, I wouldn't backtrack all that way. Instead of a jeep tour, rent one and drive yourself. Head over Red Mountain Pass to Silverton. Head up past the site of Eureka to the ghost town of Animas Forks. Depending on how confident you are feeling, head on over to the Engineer Pass road and return to the highway. In Ouray, plan an afternoon or evening at the Hot Springs Pool. Amazing views while you soak.

Day 8: Drive to Durango (150 miles). Take 145 instead of 550/Million Dollar Highway. Stop at Mesa Verde NP on way.

I might stay only two days in Ouray and plan another day in Durango, just so you can take the Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Absolutely stunning scenery and a very interesting experience on the train. I'm not a big fan of tourist attractions, but this is one I really, really like. As far as Mesa Verde is concerned, that's almost a full day even for a rather minimal visit. It's a fair climb up to the mesa and a bit of driving when you get there. Another problem is the one main cliff dwelling (Spruce Tree House) one can access without a guide or permit has been closed for quite some time with no estimate of when it will reopen. So many of the other fine cliff dwellings require a permit one must obtain from the visitors center up to two days in advance, so if you get there in the afternoon, chances are you'll find they are sold out for the day. Mesa Verde is very interesting, but given the logistics of visiting the park and your very limited time frame, I'd skip it this time.

Day 9 & 10, return drive back.

As I said, we would have like to make it to RMNP and/or Colorado Springs, but don't have enough days. So, in addition to the questions above, a few more

- Instead of doing our current plan (BV, Ouray, etc), we could just go straight up to RMNP and spend days there. If could only do one or the other, which would you do?

Your plan. Personally I find the mountains of SW CO around Ouray, Silverton, and Durango to be every bit as scenic as RMNP.

We could cut a day from Buena Vista or Ouray and add it to Durango. Worth it?

Yes, as I noted above, although you could take a day from DV instead of Ouray if you wished.
Busskipper
Explorer
Dec 05, 2016
Thom02099 wrote:
I think your original plan is well thought out and planned. You could tweak a few things here and there, but by and large I'd say that would be a good trip, with a lot of memories for your family.

Now, this is not to say that I don't recommend Rocky. I do. It's where I spend a lot of my time, as well as in the Poudre Canyon area NW of Fort Collins. That said, trying to add in RMNP to your itinerary would make you feel rushed for the time you have reserved. Staying with the plan for central and southwestern Colorado gives your trip more of a sense of purpose.

For Mesa Verde NP, you may want to consider camping inside the park at Morefield. There's a LOT of driving involved with MVNP, and being inside makes it a bit more convenient.

Durango is a fun town, don't overlook the historic downtown area, where there's a lot going on most weekends. Lightner Creek is where I've stayed and is recommended, although there are others in the area that are also highly recommended. The Silverton and Durango RR is a must do, spending some time in Silverton is a lot of fun. There's also some hot springs in the area that can be enjoyable for soaking after a hectic day.

And while in Ouray, don't forget the downtown there as well as the Ouray Hot Springs. Both the KOA north of town, as well as Ridgway SP are excellent choices.

Can't say enough about the Arkansas River Valley area around Buena Vista. So much to see and do, the vistas of all the 14ers in the area is impressive. Take some time to visit downtown Salida as well the Victorian homes in Leadville. Up and over Cottonwood Pass is the Taylor Park area, with excellent camping and fishing, and ATV activities.

With all that to see and do, you won't miss RMNP. Unfortunately, most folks do Rocky in one day, go up on Trail Ridge Road, and that's it. There's so much more to see in the park if one gets off the beaten trail, and there's more than enough hiking to spend several days there. Should really be a trip unto itself, perhaps combined with some of the other sights in the northern Colorado area of Poudre Canyon,North Park, and Steamboat Springs.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

^^^^Hard to add to this^^^^

As usual Thom has summed it up pretty well, it will be interesting to see what you decide. Remember to get back to us with any revised plans.

BOL,
Thom02099
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2016
I think your original plan is well thought out and planned. You could tweak a few things here and there, but by and large I'd say that would be a good trip, with a lot of memories for your family.

Now, this is not to say that I don't recommend Rocky. I do. It's where I spend a lot of my time, as well as in the Poudre Canyon area NW of Fort Collins. That said, trying to add in RMNP to your itinerary would make you feel rushed for the time you have reserved. Staying with the plan for central and southwestern Colorado gives your trip more of a sense of purpose.

For Mesa Verde NP, you may want to consider camping inside the park at Morefield. There's a LOT of driving involved with MVNP, and being inside makes it a bit more convenient.

Durango is a fun town, don't overlook the historic downtown area, where there's a lot going on most weekends. Lightner Creek is where I've stayed and is recommended, although there are others in the area that are also highly recommended. The Silverton and Durango RR is a must do, spending some time in Silverton is a lot of fun. There's also some hot springs in the area that can be enjoyable for soaking after a hectic day.

And while in Ouray, don't forget the downtown there as well as the Ouray Hot Springs. Both the KOA north of town, as well as Ridgway SP are excellent choices.

Can't say enough about the Arkansas River Valley area around Buena Vista. So much to see and do, the vistas of all the 14ers in the area is impressive. Take some time to visit downtown Salida as well the Victorian homes in Leadville. Up and over Cottonwood Pass is the Taylor Park area, with excellent camping and fishing, and ATV activities.

With all that to see and do, you won't miss RMNP. Unfortunately, most folks do Rocky in one day, go up on Trail Ridge Road, and that's it. There's so much more to see in the park if one gets off the beaten trail, and there's more than enough hiking to spend several days there. Should really be a trip unto itself, perhaps combined with some of the other sights in the northern Colorado area of Poudre Canyon,North Park, and Steamboat Springs.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Flapper
Explorer
Dec 05, 2016
Just did a trip through that area in Sept.

KOA in Buena Vista is decent - note that they abut some national forest, so there is a trail over a style, and into a web of nice walking trails. Not too big, so makes for a good morning/evening stroll. Judging by the tracks, Mtn. Bikers also use the trails. Fishing access nearby is limited - an almost hidden access point at the bridge in Johnson Village, or at the drive to town park in Buena. Other access points are further up or down the highway, and require more of a drive. To me, wasn't worth getting the gear out and making a try for any of it. Look into the drive up to St. Elmo from Buena to view a classic "ghost town". You may want to consider an out-and-back trip to Cottonwood pass from Buena. Very scenic, and very high!

Ridgeway is pretty nice! Lake levels were very low, but one of the campgrounds is right on the river - so you can easily walk from the campground to the river for a brief bit of fishing early in the morning, or in the evening. Plus they have two ponds for fishing right in the campground. Lots of mule deer come into camp.

Mesa Verde really needs almost a day - or at bare minimum 1/2 day. The drives between basic overlooks are longer/slower than you would think, so between the drive, Mesa, and setting up camp, things might get pretty pushed for time.

Durango itself is not such a much, but as a jumping off point for the railway, the drive on the Million Dollar Highway, etc. it serves nicely. We stayed at Lightner Creek Campground and were very pleased with it. With your limited time, it is a tough choice, but I would advise adding the day to Durango.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 05, 2016
I'd highly recommend spending your time in Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park. Set up camp once and hike the many awesome trails for various abilities.

Your other plan involves too much driving and short stays. You could also take in Santa Fe or Taos on the way to RMNP.

Save your original plan for when you have more time.
Bipeflier
Explorer
Dec 04, 2016
SO MANY THINGS TO DO, so little time. Fought that for years while working and raising the girls.

You will enjoy whatever you choose.
MWJones
Explorer
Dec 04, 2016
The Steam Powered train ride from Durango to Silverton is AWESOME!!!
You can train up and bus back or train up and back. Will take all day.
It would be an experience of a lifetime for your 15 yr old as well as you and the wife.
Stop at the Black Canyon on the way to Ouray. 145 to Delores is very scenic. Take 184/160 to Mesa Verde NP. 160 to Durango. DO THE TRAIN RIDE. 160 East thru Pagosa Springs, South Fork, Alamosa. 15 miles east on 160 turn North to the Great Sand Dunes NP. Back to 160 east to I 25 and home.
Have a great trip.

PS: Ask directions to Cottonwood Lake out of Buena Vista for great scenery and Trout fishing!!!!! Twin Lakes North of Buena Vista is good fishing at the Dam.
padredw
Nomad
Dec 04, 2016

- Instead of doing our current plan (BV, Ouray, etc), we could just go straight up to RMNP and spend days there. If could only do one or the other, which would you do?

If I had to make this choice (as I think you do) I would choose your original plan.

Day 2: Drive to Buena Vista (400 miles). Stay 3 nights. Will do white water rafting for sure, some fishing.
Suggestions on campgrounds and other activities in Buena Vista? Looking at KOA or Valley RV

Our two favorite campgrounds around Buena Vista are the Arrowhead RV Park north of town and the KOA out south at Johnson Village. The KOA was our favorite when I was a few years younger because I could hike right out of the campground to do rock climbing all the way up to Midland Hill and then, if I wished, on into the town of Buena Vista. There is a trail from the top down to town but none from the KOA to the top of the hill. I always enjoyed the "trail blazing" and rock scrambling on that climb right out of the KOA.

Day 5: Drive to Ouray (180 miles). Stay 3 nights. Take a jeep tour. Drive back up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Looking at KOA or Ridgeway SP. Other ideas?

We stayed at the Ridgeway State Park in September and enjoyed it. We have also stayed at the Ouray RV park in town. The only reason to do that is the convenience of being right in town. We have never stayed at the KOA so have no idea about that.

Day 8: Drive to Durango (150 miles). Take 145 instead of 550/Million Dollar Highway. Stop at Mesa Verde NP on way.

Here is where I might want an overnight at Mesa Verde to have time to make a good visit to the ruins. There is a nice RV park right across the highway from the entrance to the National Park. The alternative, of course, is to spend several hours visiting Mesa Verde and then driving on for the overnight in Durango.
RPreeb
Explorer
Dec 04, 2016
Personally, I'd do RMNP, but I'm prejudiced. I spent a lot of weekends up there throughout the late 80's and early 90's before I met my wife to be. I love the park, but I can't fault your plan either. If you go that way, you could still get in a raft trip on the Poudre river north of RNMP. There are a lot a lot of National Forest campgrounds along the river which are easy to get into on weekdays.
Bipeflier
Explorer
Dec 04, 2016
Sounds like my kind of trip! We love that part of Colorado.

We have stayed at the KOA north of Ouray several times. Nice place and convenient to town.

Starvin' Arvin's in Montrose will serve you a breakfast second to none. Make sure you opt for the cinnamon roll! Huge.

Snowy Peaks CG on the north edge of Buena Vista is nice if you can get a reservation.

We would opt for a train ride on the Durango/Silverton if you can work it in. The Black Canyon is nice but to us wouldn't need a full day.

Good luck and have a great time.

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