I am trying to plan a summer trip to this area, and am wondering if 8 or 9 days would be enough to see both the skyway in Colorado, and the trail in Colorado and Utah. Should I just focus on the Colorado leg? We would like to see the sights but also do some hiking, maybe 3 or 4 half day hikes. And I am wondering which airport(s) would be the most convenient - Alburqueque? Denver seems far, as do many of the other larger airports. And I am told that an SUV or Jeep would be the best transport, but I am having trouble finding a company that rents them in this location.
Any help on whether we are being too ambitious, or which airport to use, is appreciated.
Trail of the Ancients & San Juan Skyway
Recent Activity
View all United States activity »
- 1 Where to stay Charleston SC
- 2 Maine - July 5th to July 14
- 3 Kauai golf
- 4 Cape Ann area
- 5 stay near newark or nyc
- 6 Manzanita Or restaurants
- 7 Pick up north of Boston Logan
- 8 Need inexpensive trip: Northeastern Arkansas or Amarillo/Palo Duro Canyon?
- 9 Buy now or wait . . . airfare to Santa Barbara in late July?
- 10 ETHNIC RESTAURANTS IN DC W/ ETHNIC ENTERTAINMENT
- 11 Traveling the upper west coast into vancouver
- 12 Looking for "cheap and cheerful" hotel in Miami!
- 13 Carmel, California where to stay??
- 14 Which boat tour to take in New York with kids in June?
- 15 Sonoma CA Accommodations
- 16 San Franciso to Vancouver
- 17 time for a new countdown to Hawaii
- 18 Minneapolis Hotel
- 19 Place for lunch in Philly?
- 20 Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park opens today
- 21 South Tahoe around July 4 - GTG?
- 22 Driving from Seattle to San Fran
- 23 Washington Wineries
- 24 MERIDIAN HILL PARK DRUM CIRCLE
- 25
Charleston, Savannah and more cheesy grits please
ABQ is the closest airport. I will post more info shortly.
Yes, ABQ would be a good choice, not only are you closer to where you want to wander, but car rental is generally less expensive there than in Denver. We've usually rented a 4wd vehicle, but only have really needed it a couple of times when we were on wet muddy roads.
You could easily plan a half day hike at some of the sites you will be going to, eg. Mesa Verde.
Depending on your departure point, Frontier may offer reasonable fares to Durango via Denver. Though car rentals there would be higher than ABQ.
If you can fly via Southwest to ABQ, it may be much less $$. They are having a sale today, good prices. Frontier only has one flight a day in and out - IF there is an issue with weather or anything and the flight gets canceled, you are going to have a problem. The drive from ABQ to Durango is about 3 - 3.5 hours.
You can drive the San Juan Skyway in a very long day. To stop and explore, you will need to stay at one or 2 stops - Telluride, Ouray and/or Durango.
You won't really need an SUV or 4 WD to drive the Skyway or anywhere really, unless you are planning to go off roading [I don't recommend that unless you are VERY experienced and even then, it might void your rental agreement].
Personally, I would plan to spend at least 2 full days at Mesa Verde if you want to hike there, as well as see the ruins.
You should be able to see most of what you want in the time frame you have listed.
I lived in the area for 5 years and have been to most of the spots on the Trail of the Ancients. I think that Hovenweep and Lowry are worth seeing. I do not think Four Corners Monument is worth the money or time and certainly wouldn't take a day. Crow Canyon won't take a day either. Anasazi Heritage Center is worthwhile and should take a couple of hours. Cortez Cultural Center is ok but won't take more than an hour. Galloping Goose Railcar and Museum in Dolores [just up the road from Anasazi Heritage Center] would take less than an hour and a stop at Farmer's Market and dinner at the Dolores Brewery is worthwhile.
That's my input, hope it helps!