Sights to See Panhandle of Texas, New Mexico, 4 corners, Durango Co

[gjbales]

Hello all -- in mid-May, wife and I are headed out west to the Rockies. We live in northeastern Louisiana and plan on traveling up to Oklahoma City to catch Route 66 and then head west thru panhandle of Texas, into New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, 4 corners, and then spend a few days in the Durango, CO area before heading back home.

Just wondering if anyone has any special sites that are "must see" sites along this particular route. We have no definitive route and timeline -- just "going" and hope to return safely in about 2 weeks.

Thanks.

Gene & Jeanette
West Monroe, LA
2015 Thor Palazzo 36.1 DP
2016 Jeep Wrangler (Toad)

[rk911]

Monument Valley. not that much farther than 4-Corners but well worth the time. BTW, you may be disappointed in 4-Corners. it’s on the Navajo reservation and not much more than a trading post. fee to park, small exhibits, lots of vendors selling their wares. and the US Geologic Survey moved the real location of 4-Corners years ago after realizing an error had been made. 4-C is, IMO, a 1-2 hr stop at best. Monument Valley is also on the Navajo res but lives up to its reputation.

[twogypsies]

Are you retired and have more time for this trip? You'll be missing a lot.... Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands national parks. Cortez, NM has Mesa Verde national park. Four Corners isn't much. From Durango, take the train up to Silverton and return via the bus. Stop in Pagosa Springs, CO and used the immaculate, concrete hot springs of varying temperatures. We pack a small cooler and spend the whole morning there overlooking the river and going from pool to pool. Very relaxing.

NM: Taos, Santa Fe


You could easily make this into a two-month trip!

[Peto]

Take the tour boat ride up to Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell.

[TonyDi]

You have lots of good ideas already. Add Santa Fe and Taos, NM. The old part of Santa Fe is so historic and the arts at Taos will keep you interested for a long time.

[dix39]

I would echo what the others have said. We've been to most of the places they recommend seeing that interested us and think they are worth a visit also. I think it would be nearly impossible to see all of them in two weeks, so pick those that interest you and fit them into your time frame. I was about to say impossible before I remembered our first trip from WV across I-40 to G.C., through Redwood and Yosemite, on to Olympic NP and back in just 3 weeks. We visited some additional NP's and places of interest on that trip, but couldn't stay long at any of them.

Once when we were in the Santa Fe/Taos area my wife bought some bread that was cooked in the "beehive" ovens. When I asked why she bought so much of it, she said it was for the relatives in WV. She had eaten all of it in just a few days so it must have been good.

There is also the Meteor Crater east of Flagstaff and a bit south from I-40.

Have a great trip.

Steve

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by gjbales

Hello all -- in mid-May, wife and I are headed out west to the Rockies. We live in northeastern Louisiana and plan on traveling up to Oklahoma City to catch Route 66 and then head west thru panhandle of Texas, into New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, 4 corners, and then spend a few days in the Durango, CO area before heading back home.

Just wondering if anyone has any special sites that are "must see" sites along this particular route. We have no definitive route and timeline -- just "going" and hope to return safely in about 2 weeks.

Thanks

IMHO, easier more enjoyable drive would be to catch the road out of Texarkana - on to Paris - then on to Colorado and the Rockies

The San Juan’s are Beautiful and wild think about catching possibly Silverton - Ouray - Lake City - Telluride. Any one - two or all as this is just a specially beautiful area.

Think about taking an extra week or two making a loop with Mesa Verde and Monument Valley either coming or going as that would be a Great contrast in areas - both beautiful and memorable -and totally different.

Hope this helps,

[Gladie]

When we travelled thru the Texas panhandle, we camped at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, a “must see” site. We thought it was awesome!

[Big Dude]

While in Durango I would consider the RR to Silverton or drive the million dollar hwy up to Silverton & Ouray in your toad.

[Carlos Marti]

Uh, Two Gypsies. I thought Mesa Verde was in Colorado.
"Cortez, NM has Mesa Verde national park"

[Tradition]

Should be a fantastic trip, watch for wind sometimes the wind is very strong, lots of flat open country
Four corners area is attractive, might encounter lots of motorcycles,

[LarryJB]

Originally Posted by Gladie

When we travelled thru the Texas panhandle, we camped at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, a “must see” site. We thought it was awesome!

+1 on Palo Duro Canyon. It is sort of a mini Grand Canyon. They have a very nice RV park inside the Canyon. We stayed there one night on our way to the Balloon Fiesta last year. Well worth the little side trip off of I-40.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by Carlos Marti

Uh, Two Gypsies. I thought Mesa Verde was in Colorado.
"Cortez, NM has Mesa Verde national park"

Oops! You caught my first mistake of the year! Mesa Verde is in Cortez, COLORADO.

[Isaac-1]

I too would suggest taking US 82 / 287 across northern Texas vs driving through Oklahoma, which seems to have some of the worst roads in the region.