Colorado Suggestions Needed

[WrightOn]

Two couples with a pair of 19 YOs are planning a SW Colorado trip for this summer traveling from Illinois. Colorado Springs would be our second 500 mile day. Our final destination will be the Ouray/Silverton area. I'd like Colorado Springs to be the first stop as it is a logical place to land after the second long day, and given the Gardens and Pikes Peak, a nice place to spend two days.

Below is my tentative itinerary. Poke holes in it, please. I want to get the biggest bang out of the limited time we have. Several questions I have:

1) Is Ouray the best option to land and sightsee from?

2) Does Arches NP seem like a doable day trip?

3) Should we move the camper to the Durango area for a night or two in order to take the train before heading home? If so, what is the best CG option? If in Durango, should we add Mesa Verde to the plan and if so, how long should be designated for that (1 day)?

4) I don't like driving the same trip twice, so I thought going the southern Colorado to the east would be best. Is there any CG east of Colorado Springs near Limon?

5) What roads would you suggest that give us the best views but balanced with our set ups (Ford diesels and 39' FW/TT)?

Itinerary

Thank you for all your help.
Brian

[Thom02099]

WrightOn wrote:
All,
Thank you for the insight. Several years ago, I surprised my wife by flying us into Denver and taking in RMNP (Grand Lake), Dillion, and CoSprings for four days in October. Taking in the beauty of Colorado just got me more excited to bring the camper out.

There will be two families in two Ford diesels making the trip in late June/early July. I'm not interested in seeing RMNP, and with only 6 days in Colorado, I'm trying to cram as many things in as possible. If you would, please click the link - Itinerary - before commenting as much of your questions may be answered in that document. Renting a jeep, taking in a bit of a hike (not too strenuous), mountain "bobsled" track would be fun, and of course all the beautiful scenery is a must.

Since you have 6 days in Colorado, I actually think your plan to head to Ouray is sound. That can be a good base camp setting, there's much to do in that area. You'll be relatively close to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, as well as Telluride. There's all sorts of jeep/atv rentals available in that area. Also a lot of great hiking for a variety of fitness levels. A drive down the US 550 in your TVs to Silverton would be a wonderful day trip, you could see the trains there (IIRC, you can't take the train from Silverton down to Durango and return on a bus). You also are not too far from Grand Junction and could head up there to the Colorado National Monument outside of GJ, which would give you an alternative to Moab and Arches NP. Ouray also has a hot springs and that's also a must! It's very relaxing and there's various pools for different heat tolerance. I would strongly recommend the KOA north of town or Ridgway SP for your stay. Yes, there are some RV parks in Ouray, but I truly think you'll enjoy these recommendations, otherwise I wouldn't recommend them!

Have a wonderful trip! Hope you post a trip report when you get back to Illinois.

[voodoo101]

I've spent many summers in SW Colorado. A beautiful area with much to do. Don't try to do it all in a short trip. Slow down and do a few things well with time to relax and enjoy. Your plan sounds a lot like the let's see Europe on a one week tour. I agree with letting the kids have a say, they need to be invested in the plan. A few spots well enjoyed will be better than racing from one spot to the next. IMHO. Durango is a good base camp for a few days with trips to Silverton, Ouray etc. A jeep trip through the mountains from either Lake City or Silverton would be fun for all. Mesa Verde is a full day if you want to get anything out of it. If you just want to see what it looks like check the internet. It is an important archaeological sight that deserves enough time to absorb it. On a short visit, I suggest 2 base camps well placed for daytrips. (Durango is a very good choice for one.) And time each evening for time around the fire or grill, remembering the day and planning the next. Don't even think of going farther west than Colorado. Too many hours on the road for your trip. I hope you have a great vacation with good family memories. Bill

[WrightOn]

All,
Thank you for the insight. Several years ago, I surprised my wife by flying us into Denver and taking in RMNP (Grand Lake), Dillion, and CoSprings for four days in October. Taking in the beauty of Colorado just got me more excited to bring the camper out.

There will be two families in two Ford diesels making the trip in late June/early July. I'm not interested in seeing RMNP, and with only 6 days in Colorado, I'm trying to cram as many things in as possible. If you would, please click the link - Itinerary - before commenting as much of your questions may be answered in that document. Renting a jeep, taking in a bit of a hike (not too strenuous), mountain "bobsled" track would be fun, and of course all the beautiful scenery is a must.

[WrightOn]

Thom02099 wrote:
OP - In your signature, you mention a couple of fur friends. Will they be coming along on this trip? If they are, that can change recommendations significantly, particularly if you want to visit Mesa Verde.

One other thing. In looking at your itinerary, on the leg from the Springs to Ouray, you have 267 miles/5 hours. You won't be able to do this in 5 hours. That would be averaging 53 MPH. And from Ouray back to Limon, 367 miles in 6.5 hours = 56MPH. That is not realistic for either in the Colorado Mountains.

If you were to take US 24 out of the Springs to US 285/US 50/US 550 to Ouray, you have to go over Monarch Pass. Though it's not a difficult pass, you might be able to take it at 35-40MPH, on both sides. Much faster than that is not advisable, especially going down. In the summer, there will also be heavy traffic, and even in places where you're not climbing or descending, you still won't be able to get up to much beyond 50MPH is places. Plan on, at minimum, another 60-90 minutes on those daily drives. And that doesn't account for any stops you may want to make, such as the top of Monarch Pass where there's an aerial tram on the south side of the pass to a high point with vistas that are worth the stop for 45-60 minutes.

ETA: OP - just re-read your post, so it looks like you've actually got TWO rigs coming out, a pair of Ford Diesels and a FW with one and TT with the other, correct? If so, definitely plan on reservations at all places you want to potentially stay. Many places have a 180 day window for reservations. December 8th was the opening of the window for June 8th, so use that as a base for reservations with that window, such as Mesa Verde NP.

I appreciate the information. I knew that the travel times would change due to the changes in elevation. It is not my plan to take the dogs - they thank you for thinking of them.

[agesilaus]

When do you plan to make this trip, that is critical in high country.

[Thom02099]

OP - In your signature, you mention a couple of fur friends. Will they be coming along on this trip? If they are, that can change recommendations significantly, particularly if you want to visit Mesa Verde.

One other thing. In looking at your itinerary, on the leg from the Springs to Ouray, you have 267 miles/5 hours. You won't be able to do this in 5 hours. That would be averaging 53 MPH. And from Ouray back to Limon, 367 miles in 6.5 hours = 56MPH. That is not realistic for either in the Colorado Mountains.

If you were to take US 24 out of the Springs to US 285/US 50/US 550 to Ouray, you have to go over Monarch Pass. Though it's not a difficult pass, you might be able to take it at 35-40MPH, on both sides. Much faster than that is not advisable, especially going down. In the summer, there will also be heavy traffic, and even in places where you're not climbing or descending, you still won't be able to get up to much beyond 50MPH is places. Plan on, at minimum, another 60-90 minutes on those daily drives. And that doesn't account for any stops you may want to make, such as the top of Monarch Pass where there's an aerial tram on the south side of the pass to a high point with vistas that are worth the stop for 45-60 minutes.

ETA: OP - just re-read your post, so it looks like you've actually got TWO rigs coming out, a pair of Ford Diesels and a FW with one and TT with the other, correct? If so, definitely plan on reservations at all places you want to potentially stay. Many places have a 180 day window for reservations. December 8th was the opening of the window for June 8th, so use that as a base for reservations with that window, such as Mesa Verde NP.

[IA_boy]

Ouray is great, koa a good base.
Train is overrated
Drive truck to Silverton, rent a Jeep and do the "alpine loop"
Day trip to Telluride would be nice
Day trip to Mesa Verde NP if kids like history.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is worth a stop.

[Busskipper]

WrightOn wrote:

Two couples with a pair of 19 YOs are planning a SW Colorado trip for this summer traveling from Illinois.

Colorado Springs would be our second 500 mile day.

Our final destination will be the Ouray/Silverton area.

Why not Golden/RT 6 Peak to Peak and with 19 YO's possibly Boulder and the University for the 1/2-1 day?

I'd like Colorado Springs to be the first stop as it is a logical place to land after the second long day, and given the Gardens and Pikes Peak, a nice place to spend two days.

Sorry but the Springs is just too Commercial/Crowded for me - If you insist then Drive on through on RT 24 and end up in Buena Vista - Arkansas River - Collegiates - RT 82 Independence Pass - Marron Bells, Just IMHO, a lot more fun than the Springs can ever be.


Below is my tentative itinerary. Poke holes in it, please. I want to get the biggest bang out of the limited time we have. Several questions I have:

1) Is Ouray the best option to land and sightsee from?

Read through the link I posted at the end - the San Juan's are my favorite but ............. just soooooo much to see.

2) Does Arches NP seem like a doable day trip?

NO

3) Should we move the camper to the Durango area for a night or two in order to take the train before heading home?

I would not. You need to LOVE trains - as beautiful as it is it is just too slow a day for me if you do not have many days.

If so, what is the best CG option? If in Durango, should we add Mesa Verde to the plan and if so, how long should be designated for that (1 day)?

For me Durango is too big/crowded, sort of like the Springs just not for me

4) I don't like driving the same trip twice, so I thought going the southern Colorado to the east would be best. Is there any CG east of Colorado Springs near Limon?

IMHO in Colorado it's the foothills West and once you head East you just keep going HOME.

5) What roads would you suggest that give us the best views but balanced with our set ups (Ford diesels and 39' FW/TT)?

RT6 - Peak to Peak - RT91 - RT24 - RT550 - RT50 - I-70 RT160 ..........

Itinerary

Thank you for all your help.
Brian

You never told us HOW LONG - Where you are from - what you enjoy/Mission of the trip - so for the most part all I can give is what I enjoy and what my son's enjoyed when we traveled in Colorado 20 years ago - must have been pretty good as One Lives there Now.

Just as Thom has done I'll refer you to an old Post - http://www.irv2.com/forums/f42/western-routes-trip-planning-help-368172.html#post3907414 - This is what I have reccommended to many and it tends to be the way we have learned to Love Colorado - when we encounter Civilization it is generally pretty friendly folks.


Thom and 4runnerguy are the ones that always tell it like it is so - look at what they advise and follow it/use it as a guide, hard to go wrong.

One last thing, as it seems you are pressed for time, If you can get out right after work and even if only a couple hundred miles (have known many to get 400 on pure adrenaline) that first night it will pay off big time later in the trip.

No wrong choices, once you have made the decision to go.

Best of Luck,

edit - MAP - https://binged.it/2BYhvZT

[FunTwoDrv]

The advice we got from Thomas and Busskipper helped us a great deal during our trip through CO this past Summer.
We stayed at Riverside just 11 miles North of Durango. We had to stop at Alpen Rose to get LP and took a few minutes to walk around...very nice. From Riverside, it was a nice drive up to Silverton was a great day trip. If we were to return, I would stay at Aplen as our first choice. Riverside would be a good second but, we would stay in one of the riverfront sites.
good luck,
Gary

[Thom02099]

WrightOn wrote:
Two couples with a pair of 19 YOs are planning a SW Colorado trip for this summer traveling from Illinois. Colorado Springs would be our second 500 mile day. Our final destination will be the Ouray/Silverton area. I'd like Colorado Springs to be the first stop as it is a logical place to land after the second long day, and given the Gardens and Pikes Peak, a nice place to spend two days.

Below is my tentative itinerary. Poke holes in it, please. I want to get the biggest bang out of the limited time we have. Several questions I have:

1) Is Ouray the best option to land and sightsee from?

2) Does Arches NP seem like a doable day trip?

3) Should we move the camper to the Durango area for a night or two in order to take the train before heading home? If so, what is the best CG option? If in Durango, should we add Mesa Verde to the plan and if so, how long should be designated for that (1 day)?

4) I don't like driving the same trip twice, so I thought going the southern Colorado to the east would be best. Is there any CG east of Colorado Springs near Limon?

5) What roads would you suggest that give us the best views but balanced with our set ups (Ford diesels and 39' FW/TT)?

Itinerary

Thank you for all your help.
Brian

H E R E - SW Colorado recommendation is another thread with a somewhat similar query, and answers that may address some of your questions above.

1 - Ouray would be a good place to set up base if you want to spend time in that area. There's a KOA just north of town, and there's Ridgway State Park outside of Ridgway.

2- IMHO, Arches should be a separate trip unto itself, as Moab is a good base area, and since you'd be there, Canyonlands is an obvious area to also explore.

3 - Durango is absolutely a great place to set up base camp. As noted in the link above, there are several good CG/Parks in the Durango area. The 3 mentioned get good reviews and praise from posters here, as well as at rvparkreviews.com. If you are going to SW Colorado, the Durango and Silverton Train should be considered a must. Also noted in the link above, there's options for the train (train up/back vs combo train/bus).

As for Mesa Verde, it should be a destination unto itself. Trying to see all of MV in one day is ambitious at best. There are several cliff dwelling sites where advance reservations are required, and can be obtained on line or at the office near the entrance. Also as noted in the link above, a stay within the park should be seriously considered.

4 - There is practically nothing east of Colorado Springs to Limon. There is the Falcon Meadow CG in Falcon, east of the Springs. It is the oldest CG in the Springs area, and has a very funky vibe to it. Stayed there a few years ago when I needed to be on the east side of the Springs. It's fine for what it is; a place to stay overnight, and access the eastern part of the city. Friendly staff and reasonably priced.

As for Limon, there's a KOA there, I can't comment on it specifically as I've not stayed there, but it gets generally good reviews.

5 - Can't really answer the roads question, since nearly every road, major or minor in SW Colorado will offer views. A lot depends on where you ultimately decide to set up camp and explore.

However, one suggestion (two actually) would be the Million Dollar Highway between Durango and Ouray. That's also addressed in the link above, and an alternative (the two suggestion). Either of these drives would be a must, and would certainly account for a solid day of touring.

ETA - If you're planning on summer, also plan on making reservations well in advance, both for Mesa Verde if you decide to stay in the park, as well as the commercial CG/Parks in the Durango and/or Ouray area.

ETA More - For Colorado Springs, coming in on your 2nd day of driving, try for reservations at either Cheyenne Mountain SP or Mueller SP. Cheyenne Mountain is SW of the city center and is a superb destination unto itself. Spend some time in Manitou Springs, and if it interests you, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is a great way to get to the top of Pikes Peak. Also provides good access to Garden of the Gods.

Mueller SP is further to the west off US 24, and is convenient to driving up Pikes Peak. Also great access if you'd like to check out the Cripple Creek and Victor areas. Not quite as convenient to Colorado Springs, but certainly doable.

[Dick_B]

I usually suggest doing a Google search for `_____ tourism' and put the town, location, area, etc. in the blank space and read what the specialists recommend.
I'd also let the 19 year olds help plan the trip including the desirability of two 500 mile days in a row. Any way to do 500 miles one day then a 250 miler to allow some sightseeing then add another 500 miles? I know it's silly to suggest such a change but I'm thinking of the teens and dear wife.

[agesilaus]

WrightOn wrote:
Two couples with a pair of 19 YOs are planning a SW Colorado trip for this summer traveling from Illinois. Colorado Springs would be our second 500 mile day. Our final destination will be the Ouray/Silverton area. I'd like Colorado Springs to be the first stop as it is a logical place to land after the second long day, and given the Gardens and Pikes Peak, a nice place to spend two days.

Below is my tentative itinerary. Poke holes in it, please. I want to get the biggest bang out of the limited time we have. Several questions I have:

1) Is Ouray the best option to land and sightsee from?

Not really unless you plan to do 4WD roads like the Alpine loop. We spent a week there this summer doing just that. For the 4 corner parks Cortez is much better.

2) Does Arches NP seem like a doable day trip?

No, too far

Thank you for all your help.
Brian