Ideas for a week in Colorado

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Rifle Falls State Park not Rifle State Park but Rifle Falls

I stayed in a FHU pull thru site at Rifle Gap SP. My pass was also good at Rifle Falls and a 3rd nearby park whose name I forget. With all 3 I had the best of all worlds from an improved site with a great view to serious wilderness hiking.

When you say "from the NW corner", I'm assuming you're coming in via US 40? If so, then:

Head south on CO 664 through Rangely then CO 139 down to I-70. East to US 50 and south. Spend a night at Colorado National Monument.

Continue south on US 550 and camp near Ouray/Ridgway (search here for suggestions). Spend at least two nights. Day trip on south to Silverton. Leave the TC at the CG and you'll be able to drive up to Eureka. By the time you're done with this little excursion, you may decide you want to spend the entire week in this area. Another day drive up to Yankee Boy Basin (again w/o the truck camper). Lot of great flowers. The pool in Ouray has amazing views while you soak in the warm waters.

But moving on, head west on CO 62/CO145 past Telluride and Dolores to Cortez or Durango. Beautiful drive. Spend a couple more nights in this area. Spend a day at Mesa Verde NP. Tour a couple of ruins. Take the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge RR (full day). This is not to be missed.

Next, head east on US 160 to US 285 up to Salida. Spend the next 2-3 days in this area. Ghost towns, mining ruins, tall peaks, hiking, biking, fishing, rafting. It's all there.

This is a very quick tour of CO, but hits my highlights.

Dick_B wrote:
Easy. Do a Google search for `Colorado tourism' and read what the experts recommend.

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Is it just me or is this a ridiculous recommendation.

Matthew_B wrote:
Hi Folks,
I'm looking for suggestions about what one should see spending a week in Colorado. We'll be entering from the NW corner. We'll have a 27' TT behind a pickup and a 11.5' truck camper.

Also - is it worth taking a toad behind the TC? Any day trips to take that can't take the TC & TT?

What did you decide?

Dino? - Steamboat (Three really good state Parks inside and hour) - Grand Lake RMNP?

Or South?

Or Mid-State - Maroon Bells -Independence Pass?

Just curious,

If entering from the NW don't try to drive east. You don't have enough time. Just continue heading south toward Mesa Verde Nat'l Park, Durango area. At Montrose is Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Ridgeway State Park at Ridgeway is nice. At Grand Junction is Colorado Nat'l Monument with a nice campground or there's a state park nearby. Have a great trip!

If you're entering at the NW corner and only spending a week, you won't get very far in seeing Colorado. If you wanted to see all 4 corners of Colorado, you'd need 4 weeks. So what to see, depends on which direction you're headed next. You could start with Dinosaur National Park, the nearby Green River if you like white water rafting, & Steamboat Springs. From there it depends if you're headed east or south next. You could stay on 40 to Grand Lake and into RMNP.
or you could head south past the I-70 corridor into the central mountains around Leadville and Buena Vista. But if you're held to only 1 week, you'll be doing more driving that sight seeing.

Rifle Falls State Park not Rifle State Park but Rifle Falls

Are you planning on staying in the NorthWest part of the state? What are your interests?

We really like the Steamboat Springs area. Fishing, hiking, horseback riding, ATVs, etc.

Quite a bit to do in and around Glenwood Springs.

Southwest part of the state Durango/Ouray, etc.

Collegiate Peaks.

X2 Garden of the Gods if in the Colorado Springs area. We did this yesterday and really enjoyed it. Also Seven Falls near there - so unique!

Easy. Do a Google search for `Colorado tourism' and read what the experts recommend.

Dinosaur National Monument at the NW corner.

Colorado National Monument - stunning red rock scenery, nice drive through it. Looms over Grand Junction, and there's a nice state park there at Fruita by the river. Wineries all around GJ open for visitors.

Ouray - pretty mountain town, shops and restaurants, 4J RV campground two blocks from the main drag on the Uncompahgre River. Easy climb up a box canyon nearby.

And of course Mesa Verde National Park at the SW corner.