|
|
05-07-2012, 01:48 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Big Bear, Ca
Posts: 392
|
East through Durango and also Leadville, CO Camping
Anyone know the best place to stay in Durango CO. We are making our way east this summer and want to spend a few days in Durango on our way. Has anyone found a really good campground in that area or in Silverton and Leadville continuing east?
__________________
Jim & Vivian
2007 Alpine Apex
40FT FDFS #75725
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
05-07-2012, 03:58 PM
|
#2
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 81
|
We enjoyed our stay at Bayfield Riverside RV Park. About 13 miles out of Durango but a nice park.
__________________
Dale & Suzi C.
2005 Country Coach Inspire - 2004 Jeep Rubicon Towed
|
|
|
05-07-2012, 04:13 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mcdonough, Ga.
Posts: 5,927
|
Alpen rose was a great campground. It has big sites and plenty of room. At the edge of town and on the road to Silverado.
__________________
1998 Pace Arrow 35 ft. F53 Ford V10 2014 Honda CRV toad
32 years mechanic at Delta Air Lines 15 year motorhome service manager. 3 popups....2 travel trailers....5 motorhomes....loved them all.
|
|
|
05-07-2012, 05:48 PM
|
#4
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 41
|
We are going through Durango this summer in June and staying for four days. After a lot of research and advice on this site we decided to make on reservations at Alpen Rose RV. Good luck and safe travels.
__________________
The journey is the Reward!
|
|
|
05-07-2012, 07:10 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 626
|
We were in Alpen Rose two weeks ago and found it to be nice. Helpful staff, too. Just don't step in the Elk Duds.
There is a small campground in Silverton but it looked kind rough.
We just drove to Silverton and Ourey from Durango in the toad and were glad we did.
Enjoy the trip. It is beautiful country.
|
|
|
05-08-2012, 11:04 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Big Bear, Ca
Posts: 392
|
We will be traveling from Durango to Aspen during our trip would like any information on the best way to get there in a 40' motor home and tow car. I have been exploring US 550 and US 50 and they seem to be narrow and steep. Has anyone used these highways and is there a better way even if a little longer to get to Aspen from Durango?
Jim
__________________
Jim & Vivian
2007 Alpine Apex
40FT FDFS #75725
|
|
|
05-08-2012, 12:19 PM
|
#7
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 81
|
Jim,
550 between Durango and Ouray is a fantastic drive but is a narrow with steep passes with extreme grades and high elevation, it is "doable" with the rig but best done in the toad. My recommendation would be to avoid it although, big trucks do travel it at times. Some great Jeep trails along the way too. (The photo is in one of the less extreme areas.)
The best way with the rig from Durango to Aspen, in my opinion, would be west to Cortez and then 145 and 62 to Ridgeway and then north on 550 and 50. There is still some mountain country but not nearly as difficult as 550. Form your avatar it looks like you may be familiar with mountain country driving. Honestly there isn't a real good way from Durango to Aspen without going the long way around.
I have not experienced a good RV park in Silverton or Leadville, doesn't mean they aren't there. There is dispersed camping available in both areas. The KOA in Ouray used to be just OK and there is a couple of decent parks in Montrose. If you like resort type parks Tiger Run between Frisco and Breckenridge is very nice and a relatively short drive to the Leadville area.
You are in for an awesome adventure! I love Colorado.
__________________
Dale & Suzi C.
2005 Country Coach Inspire - 2004 Jeep Rubicon Towed
|
|
|
05-08-2012, 12:30 PM
|
#8
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 81
|
Oh yeah, one of our favorite places to spend a few days is at McPhee reservoir just north of Delores (which is north of Cortez). It is COE? NFS? (don't remember) dry camping but a wonderful spot!
__________________
Dale & Suzi C.
2005 Country Coach Inspire - 2004 Jeep Rubicon Towed
|
|
|
05-08-2012, 12:34 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rio Verde and Show Low AZ
Posts: 136
|
We drove northeast out of Durango through Dolores and then up and over to Telluride. Stayed at Dolores River RV park. Very nice folks there. On the way to Telluride stayed at Matterhorn NF campground. Fantastic newly renovated. All of the NF CGs in that area were very nice. So if instead of coming along HI 160 you come HI 50 you can duck down at Montrose to reach Durango.
The park at Mesa Verde NP is also nicer but usually crowded so make reservations. If you don't reach all the way to Durango on that day consider Blanco River RV resort south of Pagosa Springs. A young couple purchased this park a couple of years ago and are making it a very nice place to stay.
|
|
|
05-08-2012, 12:45 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: On Wheels
Posts: 1,983
|
For RustyBear - I'm with Dale C on the route. We did that exact drive last year. Wouldn't (personally) want to do the 550 from Durango to Ouray in the rig. It's a beautiful drive, but way too many drop-offs and turns for us. We took it in the toad (which I DO recommend), but for our rig the route along 145 was much more relaxed. Some GORGEOUS country along 145 too. We actually spent several weeks camped in the mountains at Cayton NF and exploring the Lizard Head Wilderness. I've got pics of the campground we stayed at HERE and pics of the Wilderness area HERE. Man, I LOVE that area!! Would go back in a heartbeat.
After 145 we headed over to Ridgeway and stayed at the State Park there. Very nice!
__________________
12 paws, 40 feet and the open road
|
|
|
05-08-2012, 12:51 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: On Wheels
Posts: 1,983
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dale C
Oh yeah, one of our favorite places to spend a few days is at McPhee reservoir just north of Delores (which is north of Cortez). It is COE? NFS? (don't remember) dry camping but a wonderful spot!
|
NFS. We stayed there too and loved it (pics HERE). They do offer some electric hook-ups (even a few FHU), but it's mostly dry-camping. Lots to explore around Dolores area incl. the Galloping Goose, the Anasazi Hertitage Center & Trail of the Ancients.
__________________
12 paws, 40 feet and the open road
|
|
|
05-08-2012, 01:10 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,692
|
550 is a great drive but can be a nail biter in the higer elevations. VERY steep drop offs and few guard rails. The day we drove it, it was raining in the lower elevation and began icing at the top which made it a bit interesting. Had to pull off at the top and take a few deep breaths. Beautiful country and am looking forward to visiting it again. Hope you enjoy your time there.
__________________
Steve & Sally / Hudson Our Little Pom / Heidi, Houston & HiTee Forever in our Hearts
04 NEWMAR MACA 3778 W22 / 05 PT Vert
Michigan (Summer) Michigan (Winter For Now)
|
|
|
05-08-2012, 01:11 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,549
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rusty Bear
Anyone know the best place to stay in Durango CO. We are making our way east this summer and want to spend a few days in Durango on our way. Has anyone found a really good campground in that area or in Silverton and Leadville continuing east?
|
We live in Pagosa Springs, 55 miles east of Durango, and have traveled those roads many times.
Highway 550 from Durango through Silverton/Ouray to Montrose is beautiful, but it is a very steep climb out of Durango through Molas Pass and Red Mountain pass. As others have pointed out, the "Million Dollar Highway" section is relatively narrow and has a steep drop off to the west. But it's beautiful! We see 18 wheelers, Greyhound buses and RVs on the road frequently. BUT - it's steep, twisty - and did I mention beautiful?
This link may be of assistance for CGs in Colorado:
Colorado RV parks & campgrounds, camping information, camping Buena Vista, Salida, Leadville, Creede, South Park
In Durango, there is also a KOA campground on the east side of town. Don't think you can go wrong with any of the CGs around Durango.
Silverton is a rustic mining town and fun to see - it's the northern terminus of the narrow gauge railroad from Durango. It's at 9300 feet elevation. The only RV park I'm aware of there is:
Silver Summit RV Park and Jeep Rentals, Silverton Colorado
Be sure to check out the Handlebars Restaurant and Saloon, and sit at John Wayne's table - he went there when filming movies in the area.
If you plan on going from Ouray ("The Switzerland of America", and the northern end of the Million Dollar Highway) to Montrose on highway 550, it's an easy drive. Turn east on Highway 50, and it will take you to Poncha Springs/Salida, then turn north on Highway 285 through Buena Vista (pronounced byoon-uh vista locally) and on to Leadville. Also a relatively easy drive.
Leadville is way up there (10,152 feet), and it too is a fun mining town to visit. There are several RV CGs I'm aware of:
Leadville, Colorado Camping at the Leadville RV Corral - Reservations
camping camp grounds Leadville, Colorado Sugar Loafin Campground
As others have pointed out, just be aware that some of the passes are very steep, some narrow and some very twisty, and all of them are beautiful! The attached picture is of the narrow, twisty section of the million dollar highway, northbound. You'll be on the inside of the road headed north, which is the "best" side - the drop offs are on the west side of the highway. As you can see, there are no guard rails in this view.
Not sure how you plan to get to Aspen, but from Leadville, it's a relatively easy drive, except for some twisty sections.
Enjoy!
__________________
Joe and Debbie, Emma the Aussie Cattle Dog who adopted us
2012 Discovery 36J, Blue Ox and Air Force One, 2010 GMC Acadia Toad
USAF (Ret) WDØM https://wd0m.com
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|