Route planning for our trip to Colorado next SpringI’m

[RKDAVE]

My wife and I are planning an RV Trip to Colorado next spring. We are taking our 34’ Big Horn fifth wheel. We want to visit Mesa Verde National Park which will be our first stop and work our way up from there. We are planning on driving to Durango to take the Narrow Gauge Railroad. From there, I’m interested in staying in Ouray, Breckinridge, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

We enjoy hiking, and biking, and exploring the wilderness. Colorado has been a bucket list destination for us. We’re retired so time is not an issue. We would really appreciate some recommendations for full hookup campgrounds and other “don’t miss destinations”. What are the National Forests we should include in our trip planning and what other cities should visit? Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, Aspen, The Red Rock Amphitheater, etc.

Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[danemayer]

Hi RKDAVE,

3 comments for you: 1) 550 from Durango to Ouray is not for the faint of heart. There are several stretches where you'll have to drop your speed to 5-10 mph and exercise extreme care. 2) In Breckenridge, you'll want to make a reservation at Tiger Run Resort. Spring reservations won't be a problem, but if you get into summer, you'll have to book very, very early. 3) April and May in Colorado, you may run into snowy conditions, especially going through the mountain passes. Be prepared to stay put for a day or two to wait for snow to melt. And I would not take 550 to Ouray except in dry conditions.

 

[RKDAVE]

Hi RKDAVE,

3 comments for you: 1) 550 from Durango to Ouray is not for the faint of heart. There are several stretches where you'll have to drop your speed to 5-10 mph and exercise extreme care. 2) In Breckenridge, you'll want to make a reservation at Tiger Run Resort. Spring reservations won't be a problem, but if you get into summer, you'll have to book very, very early. 3) April and May in Colorado, you may run into snowy conditions, especially going through the mountain passes. Be prepared to stay put for a day or two to wait for snow to melt. And I would not take 550 to Ouray except in dry conditions.

Hi Danemayer,
Were planning on making the trip the end of May after Labor Day. Is 550 sketchy in dry conditions? Would we be best suited taking Hwy 145? Tiger Run Resort looks awesome. Do you have any recommendations for Rocky Mountain National Park? Thanks!

 

[danemayer]

550 is a difficult drive anytime. Good towing skill and good nerves required. The alternative is 145 to 62 to 550. About 2 hours longer drive and while not as difficult, you've got to pay attention and stay focused. The road is narrow in many places, with no shoulders. We drove 145/62 on May 10th and went through blowing snow and 2" of slush in one of the passes.

We had an overnight stay planned for Tiger Run on May 19th, 2017 and had to re-route because a blizzard was forecast. I think they got between 6 and 10 inches of snow in Breckenridge.

We haven't stayed at RMNP, but I'm sure others can fill you in.

 

[NHCelt]

Having been there, I wouldn't drive 550 in anything.

 

[RKDAVE]

Having been there, I wouldn't drive 550 in anything.

Thanks for your input NHCelt! The feedback from you and Danemayer has convinced me to avoid 550 at all costs. Looks like 145 to the 62 is our best bet.

 

[MountainDon]

There are no full hookup sites in Rocky, but there are a bunch right outside the park in Estes park. If you are looking for budget, try Mary's lake at around $50 night, there are several around the us34 entrance for 60-70 per night

Sounds like a great trip!

fwiw 550 was exciting in a car with somewhat poor conditions, I do not need the stress of towing anything on that road, but it is gorgeous!!!

Don

 

[RKDAVE]

There are no full hookup sites in Rocky, but there are a bunch right outside the park in Estes park. If you are looking for budget, try Mary's lake at around $50 night, there are several around the us34 entrance for 60-70 per night

Sounds like a great trip!

fwiw 550 was exciting in a car with somewhat poor conditions, I do not need the stress of towing anything on that road, but it is gorgeous!!!

Don

Thanks Don! I don’t need that kind of excitement. My wife would not be happy with me! I’ll check out Mary’s Lake and the surrounding area.

 

[Shortest Straw]

Stay off of the million dollar highway, 550. I would recommend Spruce Lake RV park in Estes Park. There is a gas station, adult beverage store, shuttle stop on the edge of it, short walk, as well as a restaurant. We have stayed there many times and not only is it a nice park we have always been treated very well. It is not far from the entrance to RMNP.

 

[RKDAVE]

Stay off of the million dollar highway, 550. I would recommend Spruce Lake RV park in Estes Park. There is a gas station, adult beverage store, shuttle stop on the edge of it, short walk, as well as a restaurant. We have stayed there many times and not only is it a nice park we have always been treated very well. It is not far from the entrance to RMNP.

Thanks for your feedback and recommendations Mike. We’re making reservations at Spruce Lake RV Park this week. Have you ever driven Highway 145 to Highway 62 to Ridgway? We’re planning on staying in Mesa Verde, Ouray/Ridgway, Breckenridge, and Estes (RM National Park). Do you have any other recommendations (must see) areas in the state? Thanks!

 

[aatauses]

In Estes, we stayed in a yogi bear park that said "big rig" however we worked very hard to get our 40' in the site. If you plan to cross wolf pass it will take awhile, but the road is wide and no sharp turns. If you have the time Terry Bison ranch, just north of Estes is a fun thing to do and they have an RV park with large sites. If interested, in estes there are several micro breweries that are really good.
Enjoy yourself
al

 

[Shortest Straw]

Thanks for your feedback and recommendations Mike. We’re making reservations at Spruce Lake RV Park this week. Have you ever driven Highway 145 to Highway 62 to Ridgway? We’re planning on staying in Mesa Verde, Ouray/Ridgway, Breckenridge, and Estes (RM National Park). Do you have any other recommendations (must see) areas in the state? Thanks!

Yes we drove that stretch a couple of years ago. It has a few ups and downs and is curvy in places but is a very easy drive IMO. I think someone could spend all day giving you suggestions of things to see. In the mountains wherever you go you will not be disappointed.


Sent from my PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator.

 

[RKDAVE]

Yes we drove that stretch a couple of years ago. It has a few ups and downs and is curvy in places but is a very easy drive IMO. I think someone could spend all day giving you suggestions of things to see. In the mountains wherever you go you will not be disappointed.


Sent from my PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator.

Thank you for responding, I appreciate it. That looks like the way to go from Mesa Verde vs. the Million Dollar Highway (550).

- - - Updated - - -

In Estes, we stayed in a yogi bear park that said "big rig" however we worked very hard to get our 40' in the site. If you plan to cross wolf pass it will take awhile, but the road is wide and no sharp turns. If you have the time Terry Bison ranch, just north of Estes is a fun thing to do and they have an RV park with large sites. If interested, in estes there are several micro breweries that are really good.
Enjoy yourself
al

Thanks for your input and recommendations.We we’re looking Yogi Bear Park as a camping option. Like those micro breweries as well. We’ll be sure and check them out as well as Bison Ranch.

 

[JohnD]

Skip the Yogi Bear Park in Estes...

I was going to stay there four years ago and drove through to check out the RV parks in Estes Park first a couple of months before the trip...glad I did as I thought that the Yogi Bear Park was a dump...lots of kids and bikes left all over the place with a lot of residential sites, and a very tight squeeze to get any decent sized rig through the park.

Ended up staying at Manor Park, which is just across the river from Spruce Lake and owned by the same people.

Also, if you don't want to haul your Big Horn all the way to Estes Park, consider going up Hwy 40 off of I-70 in the mountains to Grand Lake on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park and stay at the Winding River Campground.

Very nice place with lots of space with a rustic look, unlike Spruce Lake and Manor Park in Estes where your neighbors are 10 feet away from you.

They also have horseback riding and a lot of other stuff going on there.

And from there you can make your day drive through RMNP to Estes Park without hauling the rig there.