US 50

I would also vote for US 50. As suggested, spend the first night after Grand Junction at the Black Canyon NP campground. Cerro Summit is the long climb on US 50 between the Black Canyon and Blue Mesa Reservoir, which generally has some construction because it is on shale that is prone to landslides. After that you have a pretty level route until you reach the west approach to Monarch Pass at Sargents.

Plan to spend the second night on the east side of the pass at Salida. You should get there relatively early, so park your coach at Heart of the Rockies RV Park just east of town on US 50. Then tour historic downtown Salida. There are some very good restaurants, as well as businesses built around rafters and kayakers on the Arkansas River. The most popular rafting destination in the state is just north of town in Brown's Canyon. If you have a few extra hours, you might even take a short raft trip.

Before leaving Salida the next morning, take a look to the north at the Collegiate Range shining in the early morning light. It is one of Colorado's tallest and most impressive mountain ranges. Then head down the Arkansas River canyon to Canon City and Pueblo.

A few other attractions to visit if you have the time and interest. When leaving GJ, drive through Unaweap Canyon (the ancient valley of the Gunnison River) along CO 141 to the wide spot in the road called Gateway. The founder of the Discovery Channel has a ranch there and has built a unique automobile museum (see "Gateway Museum" on-line). Then in Montrose, check out the Colorado Historical Society's Ute Indian Museum before heading east to the Black Canyon. When you pass through Gunnison, stop at McDonald's for ice cream. Across the highway at the fairgrounds is one of the Denver & Rio Grande RR's narrow-gauge trains that ran through the Black Canyon from the 1880's to the 1950's. If you had more than two days for the GJ-Pueblo trip, I could recommend a lot more sights and side-trips because I have lived, worked, and played all over the state for over 50 years.

...another vote for Hwy 50! We'd prefer it over I-70 by far.

Hwy 50 is a good road but there may still be a small construction area East of Cimarron. A very scenic drive!

There are several campgrounds and RV parks West of Gunnison, plus 4-5 in Gunnison. From Gunnison to Salida, there are a couple of FS campgrounds, plus two RV parks just west of Poncha Springs. Salida has a couple of RV parks, too.

Between Salida and Canon City there are 3-4 RV parks along the river, plus State campgrounds. There are a bunch of RV parks near Royal Gorge.

From there, you are almost to Pueblo.

For fuel, it's Montrose, Gunnison, and Salida area....none in between.

Have fun and enjoy the beautiful drive.

We think US-50 is one of the most scenic roads in America and try to always schedule it so we can stay at Blue Mesa Reservoir. I see no reason for you to have any problems, other than a sore neck from trying to see everything. You definitely will not have any problems with your RV on that route.

polly sue wrote:

rk911 wrote:

polly sue wrote:
You can do it, no problem, but it involves Monarch Pass. You can look at the pass on cotrip.gov on their webcam map. It's a challenging pass if you haven't driven too many. Did it with a fifth wheel years ago, but haven't done it with the coach.

didn't find a cotrip.gov but did find www.cotrip.org

Sorry for that. It's bookmarked as "Road Conditions" so I forgot the address!

no worries.

If I was going from Junction to Pueblo, I would take 50. It really isn't that bad. As most posted, Monarch is the only real pass that way. There is a decent climb between Montrose and Gunnison, but it isn't bad.

If you need to make it in one day you can. If you want to take two, there are places to camp. I would consider Blue Mesa Reservoir, just West of Gunnison.

Should I figure 2 days for the trip and is there RV parks along the way?

rk911 wrote:

polly sue wrote:
You can do it, no problem, but it involves Monarch Pass. You can look at the pass on cotrip.gov on their webcam map. It's a challenging pass if you haven't driven too many. Did it with a fifth wheel years ago, but haven't done it with the coach.

didn't find a cotrip.gov but did find www.cotrip.org

Sorry for that. It's bookmarked as "Road Conditions" so I forgot the address!

US 50 is a beautiful route. I-70/I-25 will be much longer & has quite a long, hard climb from Vail to Georgetown. On 50, is the very nice small city of Montrose. A good place to stock up. Gas is cheapest at City Market. 50 takes you pass Black Canyon of Gunnison Nat'l Pk. A MUST see! Their campground up Rt.347 has electric/water on one loop. Sites large enough for U. The drive up 347 is quite steep in one place. At the junction of 50 & 347 is a very famous antique/nicknac shop. Everyone stops in to browse & is a good place to unhitch the TOAD so its easier to go up 347. Monarch pass is the only real climb on the route, altho not too bad, I always unhitch the Toad for the DW to drive. Pass Salida u travel along the very pretty, but curvy Arkansas river. Its a bit slo thru this section but beautiful drive. U'll go pass the Royal Gorge attraction near Canon City. If it open, big fire last year, its an amazing site to see.:)

polly sue wrote:
You can do it, no problem, but it involves Monarch Pass. You can look at the pass on cotrip.gov on their webcam map. It's a challenging pass if you haven't driven too many. Did it with a fifth wheel years ago, but haven't done it with the coach.

didn't find a cotrip.gov but did find www.cotrip.org