Colorado - 5 Days in an RV
Jul 23rd, 2012, 07:42 PM
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Colorado - 5 Days in an RV
Any suggestions on where to go in Colorado in an RV in only 5 days? We will be in Denver for a conference and then have 5 days before we need to drive back to MN in our RV. We will be traveling with our 12 & 10 year old boys. We would love to see Durango and Mesa Verde but it looks to be in the opposite direction of Denver and MN. This is our first time to Colorado, we would love some suggestions!
Jul 24th, 2012, 03:42 AM
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Most of the Colorado you want to see is theopposite direction from MN, but you could get to Mesa Verde and Durango in a 5 day loop of just the state.
Go down to the Great Sand Dunes and then across to MV. It would be a nice trip.
Go down to the Great Sand Dunes and then across to MV. It would be a nice trip.
Jul 24th, 2012, 05:49 AM
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We will be there in August.
Thank you for the suggestions.
Gretchen, do you feel we would get to see/do a lot on that loop or would we mostly be driving? We were looking at the Great Sand Dunes as well. There is so much to see and experience in CO! We would like to take in as much as possible but not spend the entire time driving, if that makes sense
.
Thank you for the suggestions.
Gretchen, do you feel we would get to see/do a lot on that loop or would we mostly be driving? We were looking at the Great Sand Dunes as well. There is so much to see and experience in CO! We would like to take in as much as possible but not spend the entire time driving, if that makes sense
.
Jul 24th, 2012, 06:13 AM
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Look at the mileage, but I think you could make Durango in a day and a half with a stop (not very long) at the Dunes. Then you have X days in the Mesa Verde area, and head back across Colorado toward MN, and on. I guess you will need to "do the math" that way. BUT I do think MV is the prize for that length of time.
Jul 24th, 2012, 09:30 AM
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I love the Sand Dunes and really loved Mesa Verde
Another option (though pricy) would be the Durango Train/Zipline Combo. www.soaringcolorado.com
Another option (though pricy) would be the Durango Train/Zipline Combo. www.soaringcolorado.com
Jul 24th, 2012, 09:54 AM
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If you are driving back to MN, I wouldn't suggest driving that far south in Colorado. I suggest you go north and west, to Boulder, then on to Rocky Mtn Natl Park. So much to see in Colorado, and Durango is lovely, but that would be a LOT of driving then back to MN. Just IMHO.
Jul 24th, 2012, 10:25 AM
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Yes, we are driving back to MN in the RV. It looks like a 20 hour drive from Mesa Verde/Durango to MN on the return route. Looks to be roughly six hours from Denver to Durango... does that sound about right? I will research each area to see what the boys would enjoy the most. Thanks for all the suggestions!
Jul 24th, 2012, 01:54 PM
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I'm going to say again for MV. It is hard to get to, and you are almost there. You have 5 full days in colorado, before going to MN. The last day of the 5 could be starting back toward MN, down I70 through the mountains with nice stops for more to see.
I am a huge fan of RMNP, but it is so much more accessible if you get back to CO--comparatively close to Denver.
I will agree that there is much much to see and love in CO, but Mesa Verde is one of the true wonders of teh world in my opinion, and is stunning. Concentrate on it--don't do Durango. Bypass the Dunes if you want to maximize it, but they are worth a driveby.
I am a huge fan of RMNP, but it is so much more accessible if you get back to CO--comparatively close to Denver.
I will agree that there is much much to see and love in CO, but Mesa Verde is one of the true wonders of teh world in my opinion, and is stunning. Concentrate on it--don't do Durango. Bypass the Dunes if you want to maximize it, but they are worth a driveby.
Jul 24th, 2012, 02:12 PM
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I think you need 2-3 full days at Mesa Verde. See all the ruins/houses. Most people don't take the time to see Weatherill Section, but I would try to see it. I like the Petroglyph trail there for hiking.
I think you could easily sneak a 1/2 day in at the dunes or a full day at Durango(but probably not both). I like the dunes far better in the spring when Medanno Creek is running. It will be dry right now for sure. And I think you get more out of it, if you can do the primitive road in a 4 wheel drive vehicle too.
the zipline deal I mention is expensive. It would be something your kids would really like though. IMOP, it's easily the best zipline outfit there is. There is no other comparison(iv'e done several ziplines in several states)-and it includes the best scenic portion of the train and lunch.
I think you could easily sneak a 1/2 day in at the dunes or a full day at Durango(but probably not both). I like the dunes far better in the spring when Medanno Creek is running. It will be dry right now for sure. And I think you get more out of it, if you can do the primitive road in a 4 wheel drive vehicle too.
the zipline deal I mention is expensive. It would be something your kids would really like though. IMOP, it's easily the best zipline outfit there is. There is no other comparison(iv'e done several ziplines in several states)-and it includes the best scenic portion of the train and lunch.
Jul 24th, 2012, 02:19 PM
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Some of our photos to the areas.
Link to a trip to Great Sand Dunes and the Royal Gorge(which is a tacky touristy place-but kinda cool too) 2009
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWbQ
Mesa Verde, Zipline, 4 Corners 2008
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWbj
Camping trip to RMNP 2011
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWby
Link to a trip to Great Sand Dunes and the Royal Gorge(which is a tacky touristy place-but kinda cool too) 2009
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWbQ
Mesa Verde, Zipline, 4 Corners 2008
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWbj
Camping trip to RMNP 2011
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWby
Jul 24th, 2012, 02:26 PM
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http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWcM
Try that link for the Mesa Verde, not sure what happened.
Try that link for the Mesa Verde, not sure what happened.
Jul 24th, 2012, 03:05 PM
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I think Gretchen is on the right track by encouraging you to check out southern Colorado. That part of the state is so beautiful, it's worth the extra drive time. Rocky Mountain National Park is closer, but it's going to be a mob scene in August.
As great as I think Mesa Verde is, making that the center of your trip, in August, during the hottest year on record in Colorado, just might kill you. Instead, spend more time in Durango, maybe camp at Vallecito Reservoir to help cool off, take the drive over Red Mountain Pass for some truly amazing scenery, take the train to Silverton for a low-key activity, etc.
Also, in a car, I've never done the drive from Denver to Durango in less than 7 and a half hours. You'll need to add to that for your RV.
As a second option, as someone already suggested, think about Glenwood Springs. It's also beautiful, lots to do for the whole family, not far from Aspen, you could make a stop in Vail, etc.
But hey, no matter what you choose, it's Colorado! You're going to love it! Good luck and have a great trip!
As great as I think Mesa Verde is, making that the center of your trip, in August, during the hottest year on record in Colorado, just might kill you. Instead, spend more time in Durango, maybe camp at Vallecito Reservoir to help cool off, take the drive over Red Mountain Pass for some truly amazing scenery, take the train to Silverton for a low-key activity, etc.
Also, in a car, I've never done the drive from Denver to Durango in less than 7 and a half hours. You'll need to add to that for your RV.
As a second option, as someone already suggested, think about Glenwood Springs. It's also beautiful, lots to do for the whole family, not far from Aspen, you could make a stop in Vail, etc.
But hey, no matter what you choose, it's Colorado! You're going to love it! Good luck and have a great trip!
Jul 25th, 2012, 06:02 AM
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Wow, Thanks so much for all the great suggestions and options of things to do! It sounds like a beautiful state and we may just need to plan another trip in the near future to see both ends of the state
Jul 25th, 2012, 07:22 AM
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I think you have to ask yourself if your kids would enjoy Mesa Verde so much that they would want to spend that much time there vs. another part of the state.
Personally I think you would want to minimize the driving with an RV. You don't have to spend the entire time in Colorado, do you? You could visit RMNP for a couple days and then the Black Hills for a few days on your way home? Or just focus on RMNP for 5 days, there's enough there to keep you all busy. I just think the additional driving to Mesa Verde in an RV in August doesn't sound like a lot of fun, especially for the 2 kids. I'm trying to picture myself at that age wanting to look at cliff dwellings and ruins for several days and I would know I would not be happy about it.
Personally I think you would want to minimize the driving with an RV. You don't have to spend the entire time in Colorado, do you? You could visit RMNP for a couple days and then the Black Hills for a few days on your way home? Or just focus on RMNP for 5 days, there's enough there to keep you all busy. I just think the additional driving to Mesa Verde in an RV in August doesn't sound like a lot of fun, especially for the 2 kids. I'm trying to picture myself at that age wanting to look at cliff dwellings and ruins for several days and I would know I would not be happy about it.
