Route from Ft Worth to Estes Park

[Mtray927]

Anyone have any suggestions on best route from Fort Worth to Estes Park. We want to take about 2.5 days to get there. What towns are good stopping points for 2 nights.

[Mtray927]

Thanks for the info. Joined several RV groups but do you recommend one that focuses on trips and routes

[WILDEBILL308]

Mtray927 wrote:
Great info. Thank you Will follow your advise

Mtray927,
Well I have to ask what the rush is to get to Estes Park? There are several places to explore on the way. You were talking about a 3 month trip after you get there.
I live in FW to and drove up that way last year at least 3 times..
My first stop was the Oasis in Amarillo,2715 Arnot Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124.https://www.myrvoasis.com/
I generally make Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post my next stop in Albuquerque. 14305 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121 . Can't help it I have some restaurants I like in the area. http://www.enchantedtrails.com/.
My next stop if going North is Santa Fe Skies RV Park, 14 Browncastle Ranch, Santa Fe, NM 87508. http://www.santafeskiesrvpark.com/.
Same thing lots to do and see and good food.
Next stop up I-25 is Raton Pass Camp & Café Not hard to find it is at the top of the pass, check their website for directions. http://www.ratonpasscamp.com/
I stayed in the Loveland area last time at Riverview RV Park, 2444 River Rim Rd, Loveland, CO 80537. River Rim Rd is actually hiway 34 that takes you to Estes Park and through RMNP.
When we left Riverview RV Resort we went north to a rally in Gillette, WY then came back down on the western side of the hills to Granby, CO. 1051 Summit Trail, Granby, CO 80446. It is on the outher end of Hiway 34. I would recommend pre driving 34 with your toad first. It is a spectacular drive and interesting.
Any questions just ask.
Have you joined any of the local clubs?
Bill

[Mtray927]

Great info. Thank you Will follow your advise

[padredw]

Over that past 20 years I have towed my fifth-wheel over that route so many times I have lost count--average more than two times a year I would think. Raton Pass is one of the easiest passes in NM/CO. If you do not have experience with mountain towing this would be a good pass to practice on. We have stayed many times at the campground at the top of Raton Pass, though our recent experiences there have not been as good as our earlier ones.

So I am on the side of your staying on US 287 to Amarillo, then on through Dumas and Dalhart; on through Texline and Clayton to Raton.

You could make your first overnight in the Amarillo area and your second in the Colorado Springs area. There are plenty of choices in both places--from Walmart and Cracker Barrell to many commercial campgrounds.

Forth Worth to Amarillo is about 340 miles. If you want to drive further, there is a well known free campground with electric hookups in Dumas.

Amarillo to Colorado Springs is about 360 miles.

For a first day shorter drive there is the Ole Town Cotton Gin at Goodlett, TX--a great overnight stop. If that fits your plan then you could overnight at Raton Pass.

The very best place to stay in Colorado Springs is Cheyenne Mountain State Park but reservations are necessary and hard to get. But you might be lucky and find one night open. I often try for one or two nights and sometimes find an open spot.

There are many more possible variations of this route. Without going much out of the way there are Copper Canyon State Park and Palo Duro State Park along this general route. There are also two of the largest, best developed Texas rest stops near Quanah and Hedley. You have lots of choices.

[Thom02099]

US 287 from Texas to Limon has absolutely no hills of any kind. As stated, flat and boring. At Limon, CO you do not want to stay on US 287. It piggybacks I-70 in to Denver. There is a better way.

In Limon, take CO 71 north to Brush, where you get on I-76 west to Wiggins and then split off on US 34 through Greeley, Loveland, and on in to Estes Park. Going through Greeley and Loveland is far less stressful than dealing with the traffic and construction in the Denver Metro area.

CO 71 is a good state highway, albeit still a rather boring drive. It's about 75 miles of mostly straight roadway but it keeps you away from the parking lot that is also known as I-25 north of Denver. 😉 There's also a lot of construction on I-25 from about Mead all the way up to the Loveland exits, and the I-25/US 34 interchange is a mess due to the construction. Easier to deal with coming in from Greeley rather than the ramp back ups from the exit.

[2112]

If you are looking for flatland, go 287 as Scott outlined. Raton Pass is south of Trinidad.

[Mtray927]

Thanks I definitely want to eliminate as many hills as possible. Until I start journey to Montana. Will go to Amarillo to Trinidad through NM. Thanks for the input

[scottandgaye]

2112 wrote:
Are you looking for parks to overnight or are you fine with rest stops, truck stops, Wal-Mart or other parking lots? Palo Duro Canyon is a little bit out of the way and has a steep climb. Woodland Park sets you up to travel up 67 the next day.

There are many truck stops and RV parks to overnight in Amarillo. To me, 287 north of Amarillo is some of the most boring stretch of road in the nation, but it will get you there.

I totally agree. It is boring road. Just flatland and prairie as you get farther north. But, we have always had good success going that route when heading to Wyoming. We have also taken the I-25 route, where you go to Amarillo, the turn and head over to Raton, NM. I just don't care for that hill coming out of Raton headed north to the Springs. It's steep and fast. My two cents.

Scott

[Mtray927]

Probably just overnight stops. We are starting from Estes park through Montana, Wyoming, Utah and then back home Take about 3 month. So to Estes park, just doing 300 to 400 a day to Estes park. Thanks

[2112]

Are you looking for parks to overnight or are you fine with rest stops, truck stops, Wal-Mart or other parking lots? Palo Duro Canyon is a little bit out of the way and has a steep climb. Woodland Park sets you up to travel up 67 the next day.

There are many truck stops and RV parks to overnight in Amarillo. To me, 287 north of Amarillo is some of the most boring stretch of road in the nation, but it will get you there.

[Mtray927]

I have a 37 class A pulling a jeep. Is that still a good route? Thank you !

[2112]

That's ~900 miles. What are you driving/towing? A TC or B may take a different route than an A or huge FW.

If I had to do this in 2.5 days, Palo Duro Canyon SP would be my 1st stop. Then I would shoot for The Woodland Park/Divide/Florissant/Cripple Creek area. From there I would take 67-285-36 into Estes Park.

Enjoy your trip.

[scottandgaye]

This is the route we usually take when heading in that direction. Either to Estes Park or heading even farther north. We take 287 to Limon, Co, then continue north to I76 and then west to Highway 34. It bypasses Denver and takes you directly into Estes Park.
We don't have any suggestions for campgrounds or sightseeing, but you can Google the route and see what might be of interest.
It's an easy drive on relatively good roads.

Sorry about having to do it as a link. I haven't quite figured out how to embed pictures here.

Scott

Route from Ft. Worth to Estes Park