We are looking at a September trip to visit primarily three National Parks and the four corners. We have yet to add Gunnison National Park, Mesa Verde and Great Sand Dunes to our life lists. Map looks like we could stay on national highways by heading south from I70 on US-50 to Gunnison and then south on US-550 to Durango area. US-160 then looks to be a decent East West road to travel to Mesa Verde and Four Corners. US-160 also goes east toward Great Sand Dunes NP.We usually try to keep it simple with our MH routes and put a bunch of miles touring with our HHR. Suggestions and or comments on this route.

Ouray to Silverton, 550,is ahard or some people say difficult with an RV. It will take some medium to advanced driving skills. Silverton to Durango has some turns as well. You may want to backtrack and go south from Poncha Springs swing over to UT 17 and go by Great Sand Dunes. Don't miss the gator farm near Alamosa.

We live in Pagosa Springs CO which is on Highway 160. The road is just fine, however you need to spend some time in Pagosa Springs which is 50 miles east of Durango. Enjoy the spas, spend some time here and spend a bunch of cash. We need the money.

In general your route is good. You don't mention your previous experience driving up/down mountains, so you should be aware of Red Mountain Pass on 550 between Ouray & Silverton. Its steep, twisting, deep drop offs, and no guard rail. Many folks are scared by it and choose to leave 550 at Ridgway on 62 to 145 to Cortez & then 160. That bypass would work good if you start at 4 corners and then make your way east.Personally, I take my motorhome & toad up & down Red Mtn Pass at least twice a year with no issue, but I've been driving the Colorado Mtns for 30 yrs.Coming east on 160 you'll also go up & down Wolf Creek Pass between Pagosa Springs and my home in South Fork. Its much tamer than Red Mtn Pass, but still a long steep climb & descent.Mid Sept is usually prime season for our fall leaf colors.PS: Since you're driving right near it, you should include the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, a seldom visited but very impressive canyon.

US 550, (the Million Dollar Highway in 10 minutes) is a frequent discussion here. A beautiful not to be missed drive. But in an RV? Some say "no problem". Some say "no way". I would only say do it if you are very comfortable with mountainous driving and your rig is in very good condition for it.It is a steep, narrow, winding highway without shoulders and guardrails. And it is a long way down the sides into the valleys and canyons below as you can see from the video in the link above, although the video really does not do it justice. Three passes, one over 11,000 ft, one over 10,900 ft.You can turn west at Ridgeway (just north of Ouray) on US 62 to CO 145, the south to Cortez, and then over to Durango to miss that worst part.US 160 on the other hand is an RV pipeline across southern Colorado. There is a constant RV flow both ways all during the prime travel months. Wolf Creek Pass east bound from Pagosa Springs is a pretty good pull but it is a very good highway with two lanes going all the way up so you can take it easy in the right lane and let traffic pass in the left lane.

How about this loop:I70 or US50 to Gunnison.US550 to Ouray - check out rest of the drive to Silverton in carCO62, 145 via Telluride and Lizard Head to Cortez4 corners, Hovenweap NM, Mesa via carUS160 east via Durango etc.

SW Colorado travel question - | Good Sam Community

paulj
Explorer II
Aug 12, 2013
The one time I drove into Telluride (from Moab) I was intending to camp at the town park. But everything was full with a festival - something like Blue and Brews. So I just drove to the east end of town to get a good view of the switchbacks coming down the mountain, and then back to the highway, and south a bit, and took a FS road up to Alta Lakes - this was in a sportute, a 2 man tent size 'RV'. Remnants of a tropical storm passed through, so we had a wet and windy night, along with a nice rainbow over the cliff. Some B&B attendees had a much wetter night, coming up from town in the middle of the night only to find their tents blown over.

My plan was to drive some of the easier jeep trails. On a previous trip I'd taken a pickup from Silverton to Ouray via Animas Forks. But with the rain I decided it was wiser to stick with paved roads, so looped around to Ouray, Silverton via 550 and Durango, spending the next night in Cortez (and back into Utah).
JanTx
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
As a former Coloradoan, I have been over most all those roads and as for me, I usually avoid the 'touristy' towns,, ie,, Telluride,,, where all the richies have homes and hang out,, Oprah,, Kevin Costner,, et al,,,but I MUST recommend the Gunnison area and the camping between G and up toward Almont is superb. There are nf campgrounds all along the road/river that are delightful,that is unless you are of the type that have to have full hookups. The end of the paved road,,,Taylor Lake,, is a great little fishing spot where you can rent a small motorboat, or canoe,, etc.. very uncrowded and cool. course after school starts lots of places have cleared out save for us retired travelers so all is good. Just saying
JanTx
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
As a former Coloradoan, I have been over most all those roads and as for me, I usually avoid the 'touristy' towns,, ie,, Telluride,,, where all the richies have homes and hang out,, Oprah,, Kevin Costner,, et al,,,but I MUST recommend the Gunnison area and the camping between G and up toward Almont is superb. There are nf campgrounds all along the road/river that are delightful,that is unless you are of the type that have to have full hookups. The end of the paved road,,,Taylor Lake,, is a great little fishing spot where you can rent a small motorboat, or canoe,, etc.. very uncrowded and cool. course after school starts lots of places have cleared out save for us retired travelers so all is good. Just saying
padredw
Nomad
Aug 11, 2013
I am a newcomer to this forum, so this post may be too late. Anyway, it's worth a try. I agree that your decision NOT to tow from Ouray to Silverton is a wise one--one that I made myself less than a month ago.

BUT . . . if you are planning to turn at Ridgeway, I would strongly suggest that you drive on down into Ouray before making at turn. It is well worth a visit. We stayed there in July at the Ouray RV Park, right on the river, but there are several possibilities, including a state park at Ridgeway. If you could make an overnight in Ridgeway, you could drive in to Ouray for a visit. Not that there is any problem with towing into Ouray from the North--absolutely no problem. The problem is will towing in or out to the South on 550.
Lauren
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
We will be going back - once again - to that area this fall. We stay at the KOA in Montrose for the Black Canyon and will be staying at Mesa Verde RV Park for the first time - have friends who have been there and recommend it. We have atayed at Alpen Rose in Durango, the KOA in Cortez and Priest Gulch - all are very nice but Priest Gulch is pretty much in the middle of no where. It is was north of Dolores - about 40% the way to To Hell U Ride - so maybe close to 30 miles to Mesa Verde (it is 19 miles from Dolores to Mesa Verde). Have also heard that Dolores River RV park is nice but no personal experience.
sgrizzle
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
Riverside RV was great! We stayed there for four days last summer next to the river. It was so peaceful! Our kids and dog loved it!
campigloo
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
We went through that area in 09 and stayed at Durango Riverside RV. Really nice owners/managers that kept the place real nice. It had easy in/out level spots and close to Durango. I highly recommend the train ride from Durango to Silverton. If you go, the enclosed cars offer a coal dust free environment. That day, a couple of little boys showed us two moons! LOL
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 31, 2013
We stayed a two locations.
Elk Creek Campground in the Curecanti National Rec Area . This campground has hook ups and dump station. This is farther east on the Blue Mesa Reservoir.
The other was at Black Canyon Gunnnison National Park south entrance. Campground had electric. Fair road climbing into canyon rim.
okgc
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
One more request. Any suggestions / recommendations for camping closer to Black Canyon - Gunnison National Park.

Thanks
littlemo
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
There is a beautiful RV Park in Dolores, CO. The Dolores River runs through the middle of it. It is about 15 miles north of Mesa Verde

Priest Gulch RV park

We only stayed one night here since we were on our way home. I would like to go back and stay longer.

The drive to Telluride is really nice too.

Soak in the mineral pools in Ouray at dusk. It is like you're in a bowl surrounded by mountains.

Ride the train from Durango to Silverton