Durango, Colorado
 

Mybwife and I have the opportunity to spend a week in Durango next May. Is that too long to spend there? We would visit around the area, not just Durango. Any opinions, suggestions
Thanks,
Tdiddy

With a week, I would spend at least two of the days visiting Mesa Verde. You might also visit Chimney Rock state park if it is open when you are there.

You also could do the Million Dollar Highway both by car beyond Silverton and by train.

Reminds me of a vacation we took, where I booked a week in a timeshare in Durango. Hubby felt that was too long, and so we made plans that cut short the stay by a couple of days - and always regretted it. Yes, you could fill a week. Definitely plan to go to Mesa Verde at least 2 days. We also took a day trip up to Telluride, and a day trip on the train to Silverton.

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is only 50 miles away (Lowry Pueblo, Hovenweep, etc.) The visitors center and museum is just north of Cortez.

I was there a week, but I was really staying at a dude ranch a bit outside of town, so spent a lot of the day riding. Otherwise, I wouldn't have wanted a week there but you can probably find enough to do Other than Mesa Verde, I went to Silverton one day (I didn't take the train which takes a long time, but some like it). SIlverton isn't that exciting, but it's a beautiful drive. I also went down into NM to see various Indian ruins there. I think that was the Aztec ruins in Aztec, NM.

Thanks Sludick - I was thinking we could fill up a week. Plus we will have been traveling from Sedona to Flagstaff and then on to Durango. Probably won't do that trip soon again, so stay awhile!
Tdiddy

Spend a day driving across the pass to Ouray - 'the Switzerland of America' - visit the hot springs or take a jeep tour. Plenty to do in the area to fill a week.

https://www.ouraycolorado.com/

Tdiddy12, enjoy. Are you staying anywhere particular?

I live in Durango and I am never bored. Depending on your activity level and if you are an outdoors type person, the options are many; hiking, kayaking, mountaineering, rafting, horseback riding, biking, fishing, jeeping to name a few. The scenery in the four corners area is also outstanding. It's also a good location if you are interested in western history and Pueblo indian history. It offers many art galleries and more restaurants per capita than San Francisco.

your biggest issue will probably be what time in May? May can be an unpredictable month for weather. It could be anywhere from the mid seventies to snowing during the day. Usually, the last week or two is very pleasant, with nights 40-55 degrees and daytime in the seventies.

if riding the train to Silverton is on your list, check their schedule, they don't start to run the train the full distance until sometime in May.

We have a Wyndham timeshare which I believe is by the train station.

Hey MeInq8!
I forgot you were from Colorado. I read about the San Juan Skyway Tour which takes you up to Ouray from Durango, so we will definitely do that. I read that the tour is 236 miles, so I'm thinking that it will be a long day. On a side note, can't stop thinking about New Zealand.
Tdiddy

Tdiddy12, we stayed at the same Wyndham timeshare! Yes, it's in a very convenient location. Hubby loves trains so it was fun to be able to be right next door. It's set in a little cul-de-sac, which is also nice. I recommend a tour of the roundhouse, very interesting. The restaurant & lounge attached to the train depot is also a convenient and enjoyable stop. You'll be able to walk just about everywhere in the touristy section, although you'll want to use a car to go to the grocery store, etc. Enjoy.

Thanks all! Bailey 123, we are looking at the week of May 25 - 31 so it will be just at the start of summer.

The weather should be really nice. I've only seen snow that week a few times in 30 years. Memorial Day weekend is Ironhorse weekend and a lot of fun. Over 2,000 professional and amateur cyclists from all over the country will be here. Just a warning, don't try to drive to Ouray or the entire loop on Saturday. The road between Durango and Silverton will be closed from very early morning until mid afternoon for the road race. On Sunday there will be some fun events in downtown Durango including a unique parade that gives a taste of Durango's personality.

When you leave Sedona for Flagstaff, the more scenic route is through Oak Creek Canyon on highway 89A

Hi Tiddy -

The drive from Durango to Ouray is only 70 miles - takes just under two hours. The tour you link to includes Telluride, Delores and Mesa Verde, so yes that would be a much longer trek.

Enjoy Colorado (and I hope you make it back to NZ too!)

Melnq8, trip from Durango to Ouray is around 70 miles but you need to double that for round trip so it's 140. If San Juan Byway is taken with it's alt. Route from Dolores to Mancos rather than Dolores to Cortez, it's about 225 miles. I would recommend the loop to be able to take in more scenery and include Telluride. It's really not a bad drive since the scenery is so nice. During fall color, I often take the alt. Route, start out from Durango in the morning, go north to Ouray, have lunch in either Ouray or Telluride and finish the loop in Durango only about 2-2 1/2 hours after leaving Telluride. The other bonus for those who may be concerned about the drop offs on Red Mountain pass, taking the loop means only having to drive Red in one direction.

bailey - understood. I thought Tiddy might consider it as a stopover. It's one of our favorite local getaways.

Great thread and responses. Colorado and Mesa Verde have recently moved to the top of my list of places I long to visit. I'm saving this thread.

Hey Tuscan!
Let's keep this thread going then! So we are going to Durango from Monument Valley, there seem to be a number of ways to do that. One would be Hwy 163 past Kayenta, follow 163 up through White Mesa and go through Canyons of the Ancients. There seems to be a road that does that according to Google, it looks like a real small road, doesn't even have a number, maybe 262 to Hovenweep Rd? But, the other part of me has to stop at the Four Corners Monument, taking 162 through Aneth and back track down 160. Any thoughts??

Hovenweep on to Cortez via Canyons of the Ancients vs a plaque marking a state boundary point? Is that really a question?!