I'm in the planning stages of a 10 day trip for July 2017 and looking for feedback and advice on campgrounds and activities.We'll be leaving from San Antonio area. It'll be my wife and I with our older daughter and her husband (they are 30) and our youngest son (15). Originally wanted a full two weeks, but couldn't make the timing work. That means we have to leave some sights out that we wanted to get to (including RMNP). Our goals: see beautiful scenery, be active - hiking, fishing, etc.Here's the current plan:Day 1: Drive to Amarillo (530 miles)Day 2: Drive to Buena Vista (400 miles). Stay 3 nights. Will do white water rafting for sure, some fishing. Suggestions on campgrounds and other activities in Buena Vista? Looking at KOA or Valley RVDay 5: Drive to Ouray (180 miles). Stay 3 nights. Take a jeep tour. Drive back up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Looking at KOA or Ridgeway SP. Other ideas?Day 8: Drive to Durango (150 miles). Take 145 instead of 550/Million Dollar Highway. Stop at Mesa Verde NP on way.Day 9 & 10, return drive back.As I said, we would have like to make it to RMNP and/or Colorado Springs, but don't have enough days. So, in addition to the questions above, a few more- Instead of doing our current plan (BV, Ouray, etc), we could just go straight up to RMNP and spend days there. If could only do one or the other, which would you do?We could cut a day from Buena Vista or Ouray and add it to Durango. Worth it?Thanks in Advance!

Sounds like my kind of trip! We love that part of Colorado.We have stayed at the KOA north of Ouray several times. Nice place and convenient to town.Starvin' Arvin's in Montrose will serve you a breakfast second to none. Make sure you opt for the cinnamon roll! Huge.Snowy Peaks CG on the north edge of Buena Vista is nice if you can get a reservation.We would opt for a train ride on the Durango/Silverton if you can work it in. The Black Canyon is nice but to us wouldn't need a full day.Good luck and have a great time.

Personally, I'd do RMNP, but I'm prejudiced. I spent a lot of weekends up there throughout the late 80's and early 90's before I met my wife to be. I love the park, but I can't fault your plan either. If you go that way, you could still get in a raft trip on the Poudre river north of RNMP. There are a lot a lot of National Forest campgrounds along the river which are easy to get into on weekdays.

- Instead of doing our current plan (BV, Ouray, etc), we could just go straight up to RMNP and spend days there. If could only do one or the other, which would you do?If I had to make this choice (as I think you do) I would choose your original plan.Day 2: Drive to Buena Vista (400 miles). Stay 3 nights. Will do white water rafting for sure, some fishing.Suggestions on campgrounds and other activities in Buena Vista? Looking at KOA or Valley RV Our two favorite campgrounds around Buena Vista are the Arrowhead RV Park north of town and the KOA out south at Johnson Village. The KOA was our favorite when I was a few years younger because I could hike right out of the campground to do rock climbing all the way up to Midland Hill and then, if I wished, on into the town of Buena Vista. There is a trail from the top down to town but none from the KOA to the top of the hill. I always enjoyed the "trail blazing" and rock scrambling on that climb right out of the KOA.Day 5: Drive to Ouray (180 miles). Stay 3 nights. Take a jeep tour. Drive back up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Looking at KOA or Ridgeway SP. Other ideas?We stayed at the Ridgeway State Park in September and enjoyed it. We have also stayed at the Ouray RV park in town. The only reason to do that is the convenience of being right in town. We have never stayed at the KOA so have no idea about that.Day 8: Drive to Durango (150 miles). Take 145 instead of 550/Million Dollar Highway. Stop at Mesa Verde NP on way.Here is where I might want an overnight at Mesa Verde to have time to make a good visit to the ruins. There is a nice RV park right across the highway from the entrance to the National Park. The alternative, of course, is to spend several hours visiting Mesa Verde and then driving on for the overnight in Durango.

The Steam Powered train ride from Durango to Silverton is AWESOME!!!You can train up and bus back or train up and back. Will take all day.It would be an experience of a lifetime for your 15 yr old as well as you and the wife.Stop at the Black Canyon on the way to Ouray. 145 to Delores is very scenic. Take 184/160 to Mesa Verde NP. 160 to Durango. DO THE TRAIN RIDE. 160 East thru Pagosa Springs, South Fork, Alamosa. 15 miles east on 160 turn North to the Great Sand Dunes NP. Back to 160 east to I 25 and home. Have a great trip.PS: Ask directions to Cottonwood Lake out of Buena Vista for great scenery and Trout fishing!!!!! Twin Lakes North of Buena Vista is good fishing at the Dam.

SO MANY THINGS TO DO, so little time. Fought that for years while working and raising the girls.You will enjoy whatever you choose.

Texas to Colorado Itinerary | Good Sam Community

Heisenberg
Explorer
Feb 04, 2017
Junction Creek campground is a nice place to enjoy the woods @ Durango. 50 amp electrical in a forest service campground. Really close to town.
Busskipper
Explorer
Feb 04, 2017
astepatatime wrote:
I wanted to do a followup post in appreciation for all those who took time to share their experiences. We've now firmed up the trip plan and reserved most campsites. Holy cow does Colorado book early....many sites at our preferred campgrounds were already booked! So here's the current plan:

Books early but the weekends are the worst, (Many Cancelations) so with the exception of a few State Parks you can still squeeze in.

Day 1: drive from New Braunfels TX to Amarillo. May just use hotel points for a quick getaway the next day.

Day 2: drive to Buena Vista Co. Reserved at Valley RV for 2 nights

Day 3: white water rafting (1/2 day) and then explore, maybe Cottonwood Lake or up to St. Elmo

Take a look at Independence pass and Aspen/Maroon Bells - just Beautiful! - a Hike in the Collegiates is Great - K's in town is fun for Lunch - Crested Butte is just over the Mountain - Browns Canyon was just made a National Monument - so much to see/do.........

Quincy's in Leadville for a Steak Dinner - Worth the drive.

Fly Fishing to Die For!

Day 4: drive to Ouray. Likely stop at Black Canyon of Gunnison along the way. Stay at Ridgway State Park for 3 nights. Reserved in Elk Ridge section.

With your schedule - no time for adult beverages :W - get to bed early and get up to see the sunrise then just GO - Crystal Mill - Marble - Redstone - just a few names to drop/see along the way.

Day 5 and Day 6. Explore area. Possible jeep tour.

Have your fishing gear and camera gear READY!

Alpine Loop? - Telluride - Trout Lake - Lizard Head - Silverton - Lake City - Train Ride - Note here***** Be sure to have a good Camera and good Batteries with a lot of Memory, take 2 or 3 pictures every time you think one will do.

Day 7: Drive to Durango. Possibly stop at Mesa Verde NP along the way. Stay at Durango Riverside park on a river spot.

Option on drive is Rt 550 or Rt 145 both are Great drives - if Mesa Verde is on the route then 145 might just be better, possible side/slide trip into Uncompahgre National Forest, if your toad is good (4X4) - Telluride and Trout Lake are also on this route.

Day 8: Durango train ride and zip line experience at Soaring Colorado -

While the train ride is not to be missed - it is a long slow ride and you might look at the one way option with a bus ride back? IMHO a lot of time.

Day 9: Drive to Carlsbad NM

Flash lights and jackets - buddy up to one of the older Rangers, possibly he'll give you a private tour - we got one once was great - Flashlights really help -

Day 10: Quick stop at Carlsbad Canyon then drive home

I wish we had another few days to extend each stay. I've got the vacation days but our young adult children are new in their careers and couldn't take any more days. So we're fitting a lot in! That's okay...we're all very active and want to see and do things instead of just relax.

Just a thought on the 4 days travels to and from Colorado..........an option might be a fly in fly out for the kids to extend the days and Adventures in Colorado and not waste time on the drive to and back - Just a thought, we have often done the repositioning in the Coach and picked the Kids up at the airport to expedite the available travel days, and it has proved valuable in saving time and extending adventures.

I did not see your Coach or Toad listed so advise is just general in nature. Sounds like the trip of a Life Time - Lots of Pic's and a Daily Group shot in the Morning and in the Evening will be a great way to document your Adventure.

Best of Luck and be sure to get back to us with a report and Pictures after you finish the adventure.
astepatatime
Explorer
Feb 01, 2017
I wanted to do a followup post in appreciation for all those who took time to share their experiences. We've now firmed up the trip plan and reserved most campsites. Holy cow does Colorado book early....many sites at our preferred campgrounds were already booked! So here's the current plan:

Day 1: drive from New Braunfels TX to Amarillo. May just use hotel points for a quick getaway the next day.
Day 2: drive to Buena Vista Co. Reserved at Valley RV for 2 nights
Day 3: white water rafting (1/2 day) and then explore, maybe Cottonwood Lake or up to St. Elmo
Day 4: drive to Ouray. Likely stop at Black Canyon of Gunnison along the way. Stay at Ridgeway State Park for 3 nights. Reserved in Elk Ridge section.
Day 5 and Day 6. Explore area. Possible jeep tour.
Day 7: Drive to Durango. Possibly stop at Mesa Verde NP along the way. Stay at Durango Riverside park on a river spot.
Day 8: Durango train ride and zip line experience at Soaring Colorado
Day 9: Drive to Carlsbad NM
Day 10: Quick stop at Carlsbad Canyon then drive home

I wish we had another few days to extend each stay. I've got the vacation days but our young adult children are new in their careers and couldn't take any more days. So we're fitting a lot in! That's okay...we're all very active and want to see and do things instead of just relax.
Tom_Mary_Lou
Explorer
Dec 10, 2016
If you can manage to drive a few miles further than Amarillo there is a city run free RV spot in Dumas that we stay at a lot. Nothing to brag on but it does have electricity and water is available as well as a dumpsite. For me RMNP is a must see. Going into Estes Park on US 34 through the Big Thompson canyon is spectacular. If you don't want to boondock there are several RV parks in Estes. The other place I would go is Durango. Mesa Verde is easy from there & the train is also a must. We have ridden it 4 times now I think & it never gets boring. Do the open gondola car too. Lightner Creek has always been our home there as well. Enjoy!!!
timandsusan
Explorer
Dec 10, 2016
Hello from San Antonio! I recommend either taking in the Western Slope of the Rocky Mtns or the Eastern Slope on 2 different trips. There is so much to do and enjoy in both locations. With your available time, that will give you more time to hike, fish, etc. I have been going to the Durango area since the 1960's and still return! Any questions, send me private message.
MWJones
Explorer
Dec 09, 2016
Please be aware that these 150 mile drives in that part of Colorado takes TWO to THREE times as long as they do in Texas. The are VERY mountainous with lots of 15 & 20 mph hairpin curves. Some have 10 MPH curves!!!! Save RMNP for another trip. Stay with Southwest Colorado!!
IMO it is the best scenic part of Colorado.
MWJones
Explorer
Dec 09, 2016
Please be aware that these 150 mile drives in that part of Colorado takes TWO to THREE times as long as they do in Texas. The are VERY mountainous with lots of 15 & 20 mph hairpin curves. Some have 10 MPH curves!!!! Save RMNP for another trip. Stay with Southwest Colorado!!
IMO it is the best scenic part of Colorado.
astepatatime
Explorer
Dec 09, 2016
Wow! So many fantastic responses and valuable information. I really appreciate it.

I think we'll stick with the original plan instead of RMNP. Going to make a few tweaks to it based on all your info.

Thanks!
huachuca
Explorer
Dec 05, 2016
Sounds like a good plan. 500+ miles on the first day is a hard push but we did it many times before retirement and I understand where you're coming from.

If you'll be camping that night in the Amarillo area, I'd highly recommend Palo Duro Canyon SP and possibly the outdoor drama 'Texas'. When travelling from NC to the southwest, we always schedule a stop there but, since our trips are usually Spring or Fall, we've never stayed when the play was being performed. It was written by Paul Green who also wrote 'The Lost Colony', performed here on our coast and an event we've enjoyed many times over the years.

I don't think you can reserve a specific site at Texas SPs and all three RV campgrounds are good but our favorite is Mesquite if you can get a spot there.
Golfcart
Explorer
Dec 05, 2016
Id recommend sticking with your original plan. Sounds like a fun trip!

RMNP anywhere near july 4th means its going to be VERY busy. Id recommend taking that trip on the edge of the off season and use the extra days to fully enjoy/explore it. the whole Estes Park area is nice and there is a ton of things to do