Traveling from Chaco to Denver on 160/112/280 ?

[smcrea]

Hi,

We are considering traveling from Chaco Cultural Site in NM to Denver on the 160/112/280

Is this route OK for our rig (27" TT with TV)

Thanks

[Allworth]

I agree that the last part of the road into Chaco will beat your trailer to death. We stayed in Bloomfield. and day-tripped.

Also go see Aztec Ruins National Monument at Aztec, NM. (Named for the town, not the tribe.)

[NMDriver]

There is/was RV parking at Apache Nugget Casino on 550 at the 537 turn off to Dulce and US 84 (about 30 mi from Chaco turn off). I boondocked there in 2005 in the parking lot. If you want to avoid going north on 550 to get to 160 you can use 537 to 84 to 160 at Pagosa Springs or cut down on 84 to Chama to avoid Wolf Creek and see the Chama/Antonio steam train train link.

[smcrea]

Dadio24 wrote:
The road to Chaco is paved for the first 8 miles...not too bad. Then it becomes dirt for about 5-7 miles and then 5-6 miles of the worst road that can be driven. The dust is unbelievable and be sure to watch the weather. Rains can cause rapid flooding and you cannot get back to the highway. Getting to the park in a TT might be doable but IMO could possibly shake everything so bad that it could cause damage inside and cause future damage to the TT structure. I would not do it myself, many do and camp inside the park. We stayed in Bloomfield, NM at the Desert Rose RV Park and commuted to Chaco. The roads in the park are paved and very nice. Several groups continue to protest the paving of the road from 550 to the park. They are trying to protect it from too many visitors. I think Chaco should be on everyone’s bucket list. If Chaco is too difficult, the Aztec Ruins in Aztec, NM (10 miles north of Bloomfield and 15 NE of Farmington) is great to see what they are like. Easy to get to and walk around and very nice…and you can get A&W Root Beer at a Drive-Inn is just a few blocks from the ruins on the main road…

Thanks, this is great advise!.. We certainly want to see Chaco and have a 4x4 truck, but will follow your advise and leave the TT back at an RV place. So you recommend "Bloomfield, NM at the Desert Rose RV Park"? We'll take a look! Thanks again!

[Dadio24]

The road to Chaco is paved for the first 8 miles...not too bad. Then it becomes dirt for about 5-7 miles and then 5-6 miles of the worst road that can be driven. The dust is unbelievable and be sure to watch the weather. Rains can cause rapid flooding and you cannot get back to the highway. Getting to the park in a TT might be doable but IMO could possibly shake everything so bad that it could cause damage inside and cause future damage to the TT structure. I would not do it myself, many do and camp inside the park. We stayed in Bloomfield, NM at the Desert Rose RV Park and commuted to Chaco. The roads in the park are paved and very nice. Several groups continue to protest the paving of the road from 550 to the park. They are trying to protect it from too many visitors. I think Chaco should be on everyone’s bucket list. If Chaco is too difficult, the Aztec Ruins in Aztec, NM (10 miles north of Bloomfield and 15 NE of Farmington) is great to see what they are like. Easy to get to and walk around and very nice…and you can get A&W Root Beer at a Drive-Inn is just a few blocks from the ruins on the main road…

[smcrea]

Thanks for the input!

Where would be the closest place that we can camp with the trailer for the night and leave it for the day while we explore?

Initially we were planning on camping at the Chaco camp ground, but we are thinking twice if thats the wise thing to do?

If we are taking the TT into Chaco then how long will it take from the 550?

Thanks again for the help!

[jrp]

I think you meant 285 not 280. That's the preferred route between those 2 points. You will be going over Wolf Creek Pass on 160, which is a long steep climb & descent, but all good road and no problem in summer time.
The only reasonable alternate would be through Chama, Antonito and Alamosa, but I don't see much advantage to it, just depends on what if any stops & sights you want to hit along the way.

[Dadio24]

C7XR7 wrote:
If you get into and out of Chaco canyon okay I don't thing those highways are going to present you with any real issues.

2X...the roads to Chaco are the worst I have ever traveled...but worth every inch & bump.

[C7XR7]

If you get into and out of Chaco canyon okay I don't think those highways are going to present you with any real issues.