walong336

We are planning a driving trip in June. We are flying into Denver and making a circle through Santa Fe, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and back to Denver. I would love some recommendations for sights, hotels, restaurants, etc.

We will be traveling with a senior who has had a stroke. He can walk slowly for a couple of blocks, but doesn't get around good. Any special recommendations you can provide which will help him enjoy this vacation will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

spirobulldog

Do you have places you are visiting in Colorado? It is a long way from Grand Canyon to Denver. You don't have to walk much to see a lot at Monument Valley or Grand Canyon. We enjoyed seeing the Grand Canyon by helicopter tour. Many of the overlooks at GC you can simply park your car and walk a very short way to it.

DebitNM

Will this person be able to handle the high altitude and heat in June?

Mesa Verde National Park [just outside of Durango CO] would be high on my list, along with Chaco Canyon [on the way from Santa Fe to Durango].

Denver is a long drive to Grand Canyon and Santa Fe, Monument Valley. Have you thought of flying into either Phoenix or Albuquerque??

Deb

sweetannie

While in Santa Fe, I hope you'll consider staying at a hotel on the Plaza. It will be easy for your senior to walk around, and nice for all to wander around or head back to the hotel as they please. Not sure what your budget is, we like La Fonda, but there are several options. annie

emalloy

You might consider driving across Colorado on I 70 and stopping to see Arches NP and Canyonlands, both of which have plenty to see even if you don't hike, of course they have plenty for hikers too. Then head down to Monument valley and over to Grand canyon and back on I 40 to Albuquerque and I 25 up to Santa Fe and on to Denver with a stop at Taos Pueblo and Great Sand Dunes. We did a similar trip last year except we did not go to the Canyon but did go to Chaco Canyon and Bandelier NM. We got into Denver at about 10AM and were at Arches (Moab) by dark. Spent the next day and one more night in the area and left mid day on our third day to stay in Monument Valley area. You'll have a lot of driving but it certainly is doable.

walong336

Thaanks for the information and questions. We do not have specifics sights in Colorado, but the mountains sound beautiful. We will look at Phoenix or Albuquerque airports as well. Hadn't thought about the altitude. Thought June would be pleasant - I guess it's going to be hot. We are open to ideas. No hotel reservations yet so recommendations are welcome. Thanks so much for your help!

emalloy

Doing your trip from Albuquerque would be just as easy but would involve going in a different loop. If you are real flexible, and daring, wait until 10 days before you go and look at the weather forcast for when you will be going, and decide how you will approach the loop. Do check for when you can stay at Grand Canyon. Call and ask about cancellations in the park. Have their number on speed dial so you can keep checking.