Colorado is one of the places we would like to visit in the motorhome. Any recommnedations of good places to go? Perhaps a good base camp or two? Things that are a must see?

I really enjoyed the Durango to Silverton Train..4 corners was a sight to not see again. Monument Valley and Canyon DeChelley where much better, even if in Arizona. Royal Gorge bridge is interesting. I recall it being over 1,000' above the river, and you can take a incline rail car to the river, to look up at it, walk across the bridge, or just look around from the top side. You can also ride a excursion train up and down the canyon at the bottom of the bridge, some of it's bridges are hanging above the river, because the canyon is so narrow there was not 8' of space on either side of the river to place the rails. Pikes Peak is the highest now paved roadway in the United States. It reaches 14,141 feet altitude, and you can drive your car all the way to the top. Make sure that you are out of overdrive, or in '2' gear on the way down, as the brakes might overheat if you are not taking the grade in the correct gear when going down the mountain. Signs warn of the problem of overheating your brakes, still there is a safety checkpoint 1/2 way down the mountain, where they use infra red thermometer to check for overheating brakes, and send you to the nearby visitor's center for a mandatory 30 minute break if your brakes are to hot. So many other places, how to count them? Remember that at 5,000' altitude, it is a bit more difficult to breath. So climbing a mountain will be much more difficult than in your home state. It is recommended to spend at least 2 days not doing anything strenous, until you have been at 5000 + feet altitude for about 24 - 48 hours. You have to breath about 25% more to make up for the lack of oxygen in the air. And it is REALLY easy to get a sunburn on even a partly cloudy day, the higher altitude means less air to bock out the sunlight.Fred.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a must see. Be sure and drive the "Old Fall River Road" up to the Alpine visitors center. The drive, however, is not for those who don't like steep grades and fantastic views. It is a "one way", dirt road to the top of the mountain range. The town of Estes Park, which is at the east entrance to the park, is a great place to also spend some time. As a matter of fact, my wife and I are leaving today to spend a couple of weeks out in Colorado, and one of those weeks will be in Estes Park. We love it there.

Durango, Ouray, Silverton, Million dollar Highway (550), Nice parks in Ouray, or Ridgeway State Park is nice too. Ridgeway State ParkRide the trainOuray Mineral Pools

Have to agree, Durango area and north . Lots to do and see in the area.

Last year we stayed at the KOA in Cortez CO...a really nice rv park with a lake and nice walking trails. It's not far from there to Mesa Verde Indian dwellings, Silverton, Durango, Four Corners, all of which we did as day trips. If you are very 'adventurous' there is a ghost town called Animas Forks about 12 miles out of Silverton. I say 'adventurous' because the road is very narrow and high up in places. There was snow everywhere when we were there last May.Also, from Cortez, it's only about 120 miles to Moab, UT. We left Cortez and stayed there about a week--visiting Arches, Canyonlands, etc.

Thinking Ahead - Colorado | Good Sam Community

mister_d
Explorer
Jun 12, 2013
great thread/info .. we're in the same boat as the OP
br549redneck
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013
Look at the South Fork, Creede and Lake City areas. Its not the tourist trap some places have become. Several BLM areas to camp.
DBW
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
There is no need for 4x4 in Arches or Canyonlands NP's. Moab is a great jeeping area outside of the parks. In Colorado, I have been up Pikes Peak by train and by highway (it was partially gravel when I went up). The train is my preference for Pikes Peak. You can get all of the mountain driving you need on Hwy 550 between Durango and Ouray (best or worst is between Silverton and Ouray). Animas Forks can be done in almost any 2-wheel drive vehicle but moderate clearance (think pickup truck) is probably best. I have seen mini-vans there, but that is not probably for someone that has never driven on gravel/rocky roads.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 07, 2013
Lots of good info here. Just keep in mind that you really can't see Colorado from a base camp or two. That would involve a lot of unnecessary driving. Move around and explore one area at a time. You'll enjoy it a lot more! Also, don't go too early in the season for some of the high elevations (snow) and for those high elevations you probably don't want to stay after the end of Sept. The month of Sept. is awesome with the colors! Would recommend you purchase the 'Mountain Directory West' for excellent mountain highway driving information and also the 'Colorado Atlas' from BENCHMARK. It will be your constant source of information. Planning a trip is fun, too. Good luck!
SkipJ
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
If you go to Moab, don't reserve too many days unless you are bringing your 4x4 vehicle. Our RV park, Canyonlands Rv park, doesn't refund if you leave early!! They told us over the phone when we reserved they would. But when we checked in they said the opposite. People we spoke to who mountain bike were disappointed because they share patches with 4x4 and didn't feel safe. They wish they made shorter reservations. Can't do too much in the N. P. without a 4x4.
SkipJ
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
Thanks a lot for the replies folks. I will definitely print this out and keep it. We hope to make it out that way in the next year or two. I have a couple of high school friends who live out there now and an Air Force buddy that lives there as well. Hopefully, we can incorporate something into being able to see them as well.
havasu
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
Have you any experience of Mountain Views Resort in Creede?

Their pictures look nice but Google Maps shows it to be a little sparse but I don't know when the satellite photo was taken.

I'd like to pay extra and stay alongside the river but I need to know if it's as good as their web site makes out.
noe-place
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
I've nothing more to add except that we've been to Colorado a few times and absolutely think it's the greatest. I told DW if we ever hit the lottery we were going to build a house in the mountains and fly out in our new jet on the weekends from Kentucky just for the views.
kennethwooster
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
Were in Colorado right now and will be untill school starts. Most of my life we went to Colorado Springs. Now we park at Fun Valley outside of South Fork. From their we go different directions. We will go to Pagosa Springs Thur. For anniversary. Later we will drive to Darango and xride the train. We also go to Creede and go to their theatre for excdiellant live shows. Also many lakes to fish from. Thats just the beginning.
AlabamaTraveler
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
littlemo wrote:
Durango, Ouray, Silverton, Million dollar Highway (550), Nice parks in Ouray,

We have been to Colorado several times and our favorite area is the southwest part of the state.

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