Things to See on SDAK, Wyo, Colo Trip

[covetsthesun]

DH and I are reprising a trip we took over 25 years ago when we didn't have time to stop and see much of anything. We're headed up I29 from KCMO to South Dakota. We plan to stop in Wall and spend 2 days rambling through the Badlands etc. There's a lot to see south of Rapid City too.

We also plan to go to Thermopolis Wyo for the hot springs. And then South to Colorado. No RV...just us and the truck. Any hotels/motels that are good? Any to avoid?? Sites to see? Sites to not bother with?

We aren't big shoppers, more in to the natural wonders and petroglyph stuff.

thanks
cts

[covetsthesun]

Well folks, we will have to try again next year. 😞 Stayed in Colo Springs first night. Some guy was hacking all over everywhere and I thought..."uh oh". :R

Next day we are driving through this gorgeous canyon and DH starts rubbing his eyes... we're thinking allergies. Nope. By the time we got to Pagosa Springs he has a full on case of PINKEYE. :E And his sinuses, throat and lungs are joining the party. PERFECT. :S Spent half of the next day at a doc's office and Walmart waiting for antibiotics for his eyes and bod. We had reservations at The Springs for two nights.

Ordinarily... that would be paradise for me. But... DH can't see to put the ointment in both eyes...and can't see once it's in there. So I'm up nearly round the clock cleaning his eyes, applying ointment etc. :R

Cancelled our reservations at The Lodge in Mesa Verde and came home. I was extremely careful to avoid contamination...didn't want this mess myself. I thought I'd dodged the bullet. Nope. Exactly one week later... I woke up with one eye stuck shut, throat on fire, lungs tight and sinuses swollen. :M Went to see the doc...antibiotics for eye and bod. Used my credit card to pay for copay. They screw up and it looks like I have a balance due of 12k. Yep... Twelve THOUSAND. Whaaaaa?????:E They made a mistake and fixed it...but... I didn't need my BP spiked like that!

I am finally human again. If I could find the young man who was hacking all over everything in Colo Springs......:B well use your imagination.

Anyway... we did manage to see some pretty country coming and going. Definitely appreciate all the sites to see advice and will do it again next year...without the sickies!

thanks
cts

[Busskipper]

covetsthesun wrote:
Told DH about Busskipper's idea to reverse course through Colorado...Then 4runnerguys comments about Ouray.... and now we are going to Colorado! We've been all over Colorado many times. But hey, what's one more time? So, it's off to Colorado Springs, on to Salida for some terrific Mexican food...down to Pagosa Springs, Mesa Verde, Durango and Ouray. DH worked in Eagle for awhile so we'll check that out again.

Going to save all the great recommendations for SDAK and Wyo for next year.

Thanks for the input!
cts

Not a bad decision,

You might just see things like this!

Never been down a road in Colorado I couldn't wait to return to.(Except Downtown Denver)

Use 4runnerguy as you search and you will have your plate full if not already.

BOL<

[covetsthesun]

Told DH about Busskipper's idea to reverse course through Colorado...Then 4runnerguys comments about Ouray.... and now we are going to Colorado! We've been all over Colorado many times. But hey, what's one more time? So, it's off to Colorado Springs, on to Salida for some terrific Mexican food...down to Pagosa Springs, Mesa Verde, Durango and Ouray. DH worked in Eagle for awhile so we'll check that out again.

Going to save all the great recommendations for SDAK and Wyo for next year.

Thanks for the input!
cts

[padredw]

Ken wrote:
The scenery south to Durango with fill you with awe. There are few drives in this country that equal this one.

We are going to try this next month for the first time. We have driven the "Million Dollar Highway" many times, and both directions, but never pulling our trailer. For one reason, it was natural for us to go back by Gunnison (our daughter lived in Crested Butte), but I have to admit there was also a bit of reluctance.

Now, we have decided to "give it a go," from Ouray to Durango. Our original plan was to go around by Telluride to Mesa Verde (we have done that before), but that didn't work out. So, near the end of my 84th year which I will celebrate in October, this old dog is going to learn one new trick. Wish me well. -- No! better wish my wife well, it is her reluctance which has prevailed in the past.

[4runnerguy]

How much time do you have? I could give you a list of recommendations that would take months to do.

Some observations:

If Rocky Mountain NP is on your agenda, the Estes Park side has more "action" and better hiking. The Grand Lake side has been hit extensively by pine beetle (and other insects). But, if you're looking for a place to "motel it", Grand Lake has some cute, old cabins within a block or two of the main drag through town. Quite pleasant to go out walking down to the lake in the morning or evening, plus one can walk to a variety of restaurants. You can't really get that same experience in Estes Park.

If you go to the Upper Arkansas River Valley, I'd look to stay in Leadville or Salida. Leadville is an old mining town with interesting old buildings along the main road. More of a historical stop. Salida has an amazingly active downtown with many restaurants, local artists galleries, and fun walking down by the river. One of our favorite little towns to visit. Tons to do and see in this area. Do a search on Salida and 4Runnerguy and you'll see suggestions I've made in previous posts.

Natural wonders? Take the drive from Ouray to Durango. If you stay in Ouray, the Box Canyon lodge has their own private, natural hot springs tubs overlooking the valley. Probably not cheap, but if you're into hot springs, this motel is a must visit. The scenery south to Durango with fill you with awe. There are few drives in this country that equal this one. Plan on some time in Silverton. The gravel road up to Animas Forks is worth the time to see some amazing scenery.

For petroglyphs and other Native American points of interest, head to the SW part of the state. Of course there's Mesa Verde NP, but spend some time exploring down there and you'll find lots to keep you busy. Check out the Anasazi Heritage Center near Dolores. They can point you to some more out of the way places to explore. In that part of the state, Durango is the hopping town because it's the beginning and ending of the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge RR (well worth taking if you have the time). That means lots of motels and other tourist supported businesses. I've never stayed there, but you might check into lodging at Purgatory Resort north of Durango. Busy with skiers in the wintertime, but many of these smaller resorts have cheap rooms in the summer. Up a little higher in elevation so cooler than staying down in Mancos or Cortez.

If you're wanting to see a lot of petroglyphs, do a search on Nine Mile Canyon in east-central Utah. Kind of a long drive in, but many different panels up and down the canyon. There are also several different places around Moab and Canyonlands with good rock art.

If we had a better idea of the time, timing and general route, we could all give better suggestions.

[rbtglove]

If went to Deadwood years ago, recommend skipping it, just a big expensive tourist trap (unless you like casinos, and the same goes for Crazy Horse there has been surprisingly little change over the years and is primarily a commercial operation now (these are worth visiting if you haven't done them in the past however. We still like Wall Drug and the Corn Palace in Mitchell worth a short visit.

[Busskipper]

covetsthesun wrote:
DH and I are reprising a trip we took over 25 years ago when we didn't have time to stop and see much of anything. We're headed up I29 from KCMO to South Dakota. We plan to stop in Wall and spend 2 days rambling through the Badlands etc. There's a lot to see south of Rapid City too.

We also plan to go to Thermopolis Wyo for the hot springs. And then South to Colorado. No RV...just us and the truck. Any hotels/motels that are good? Any to avoid?? Sites to see? Sites to not bother with?

We aren't big shoppers, more in to the natural wonders and petroglyph stuff.

thanks
cts

Hard to give you direct advice other that a list of places I would make a point of trying to drive through and Enjoy!

First thought is to reverse the circle to clockwise - I'd head up to St Joseph and Rt 36 that would give you a chance to get on the less traveled road which will likely give you a chance to save a little money on hotels/motels. Not sure exactly where but you will be close to the Geographical Center of the US, just off Rt36, that might be interesting, After 36 in Limond take Rt 24 to Buena Vista - Great stop - Look at the Collegiates great hikes and trails - Crested Butte is interesting - Leadville - Turquoise Lake - Quincy's - more hikes and good 4x4 trails - Leave out of Buena Vista by Twin Lakes and Independence Pass - to Maroon Bells and Aspen - two places you might find lodging are Marble and Redstone - both interesting places with a lot of History, again with a ton of 4x4 trails.

Now all along this route there will be hot springs - but the Biggest might be In Glenwood Springs so head that way before stopping by Dinosaur NM then up to Flaming Gorge (we like the West side but you need to look for lodging? - from there to Shoshoni and up the Wind River Canyon to Thermopolis - It might be just me but everytime I drive this road it sure feels like the river flows up hill!! Thermopolis will have a great Hot Springs then from there you can use you time to decide how long you need to spend in Custer/Rapid City/Mt. Rushmore area - just a short drive to Badlands and back to home.

Hope this is something that might help - lots of great sites on the Road less traveled.

Best of Luck,

[Off_Pavement]

Near Rapid City is a tourist trap on the way to Mt. Rushmore called "Bear Country USA". We went and really enjoyed it.

We like Wall Drug simply because of it's history. Now-a-days it's crowded, expensive, and not that much fun to us, but it still has it's "Free Ice Water" that made the place famous in the first place.

You might like the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site east of Wall... Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

We have not been, but my father spent a day at the Winchester Firearms Museum, and it shocked me as he was never all that interested in firearms. I've spoken to several others that agree it's well worth whatever time you can spend there.

Near Idaho Springs, CO, you might like to drive to the top of Mt. Evans, the highest paved road in USA... Mount Evans Scenic Byway. At Georgetown The Georgetown Loop Historic Railroad is a ride into history that can include a mine tour, and the Argo Gold Mill tour shows how the old timers got that gold out of the rocks.

On your way home to MO depending on the time of year you will be traveling, the Comanche National Grasslands office located in La Junta, CO offers guided 4x4 (very easy just need high clearance vehicle) trips into Picketwire Canyon. Historic ranching area with perhaps the USA's best dinosaur track site... Picketwire Canyon Information

Another tourist trap you shouldn't miss on your travels is in southern Nebraska along US 6/34 in Minden. You can easily spend a whole day in the place... Pioneer Village

Have a great trip!

[Dick_B]

When you have time search this Forum for the locations of interest. Then do a Google search for `________ tourism' and insert the city, state, location in the blank space and read what the specialists recommend.
We usually leave our camp site to see the sights in the area.

[russkerri]

In Thermopolis, the Wyoming Dinosaur Museum is a must see. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but they have some huge dinosaurs and good information inside.

When you visit Wall Drug, be sure to stop at the Minuteman Missile National Monument. There are 3 parts: a visitors center, an actual missile silo, and a launch facility. To see the launch facility, you have to get to the visitors center super early in the morning (our family didn't do this). The silo has a self-guided audio tour. You can see our photos here as well as some other things we enjoyed in the area: I-90 Roadside Attractions in Western South Dakota.

If you have time to make it up to the Devil's Tower, that's a great stop for at least a night. It really is impressive in person.

Have fun planning!

[Corky12]

Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, WY is worth at least one day. The Best Western in Thermopolis is a nice place to stay right in the state park. Las Fuentes Mexican restaurant in Thermopolis is one of the best Mexican in the western US and I've been in a lot of them. Take Hwy 20/26/789/28/191 from Thermopolis to Rock Springs then over to Flaming Gorge. From there go to Dinosaur NM in NW Colorado and across Hwy 40 to the Denver area. Best Western in Craig CO is a decent hotel and Gino's Pizzeria and Italian is a good place to eat. Enjoy your trip.

[Itchey_Feet]

From Thermopolis to Colo.you will go thru Casper Wy. Stop by the "Trails Center" very much worth the time and if you have a Nat. Parks Pass it is free. There are a lot of Motels there, some new ones on the East side of town. While in Thermop. go to their Dino. Museum there is another one about 25 mi. South of Casper in a town called Glenrock

[Trackrig]

Besides the more known things, go see the Wind Caves, one of the longest cave systems in the world.

Wind Cave National Park, SD

Take highway 16A, IN THE TOAD, NOT THE RV. Note that you can see Mt Rushmore through two of the tunnels.

Take the road up to Needles, again in the toad.

Bill

[Bumpyroad]

covetsthesun wrote:
Sites to not bother with?


thanks
cts

yes, Wall drug. I drove thru the badlands and it paled compared to the SW US. spend more time South of Rapid city.
bumpy