Hi
We will be driving (pulling our motorcycle)to SW Colorado ( Gunnison, Ouray, Crested Butte, Durango )in Sept. I would like to stay in a central location where we can use as a home base and then explore for the day. We could stay in a couple of locations if possible.
Can anyone recommend a location AND lodging....anywhere in SW Colorado?

My husband has done a motorcycle trip in this area the last two years. He likes to stay in Ridgeway State Park (since he is camping) but the town of Ridgeway or Montrose have motels. These towns aren't the most scenic but the area all around them are.

Some of his favorite rides are north over Grand Mesa (so much better than it looks on the map), hwy 149 from South Fork to Gunnison, the whole Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride, Cortez loop, and hwy 92 which goes along the north side of the Black Canyon and through Crawford.

Joe Cocker (the singer) has a really nice restaurant in Crawford. All his gold records, memorabilia, etc are in a back banquet room.

I think it would be difficult to stay in a central location for those four towns. Durango is probably a 3 hour drive from Gunnison. I suggest stay in Crested Butte for a couple of days. Condo's would be a good choice at that time. In Gunnison, your choices (other than camping) are chain motels as the Holiday Inn Express and a new Comfort Inn on the north end of Gunnison on the way to Crested Butte. This would be a good base for the exploring the West Elks, Crested Butte (and a little north),Black Canyon, and Fossil Ridge. Check National Forest maps because there are many locations that allow motorized bikes. Then, base yourself out of Durango for the SW. During the weekdays, you might find a good rate for the Hotel Strater. But, it could be busy that time of year. Very Victorian and has a resident ghost.

Thanks! Very helpful info.

I am a Durango resident, and I agree with gb that dividing your stay between Crested Butte and Durango is your best option. Ridgway is actually centrally located with great views, but it would be very tedious to drive the passes Between Ouray and Durango repeatedly to see anything south of Ridgway. Although Ouray and Durango are about 70 road miles apart, the trip takes 2 hours.

tt

You don't have to drive south of Ridgway repeatedly. You can do that ride down and back one day and then go west out of Ridgway and down to Telluride another day.

I have found that in mounainous areas, the scenery driving one way is very different from the scenery you see driving the opposite way. Besides, I could never see it enough times.

BTW, the restaurant in Crawford is called the Mad Dog Cafe.

Don't miss Ouray!

thanks!

more?

In terms of lodging, what is your price range? The Strater and the Doubletree are good, somewhat upscale options. The Strater is a historic hotel ideally located for wandering around downtown.

we just returned from durango, silverton, ouray, telluride. We did not make it to crested butte. THe scenery was beautiful. We loved telluride. Stayed at a condo in moutain village for a good price. It was gorgeous--pool, sauna, views, etc. We did not find the other towns as fun for overnight. The accomodations were very basic--holiday inn like. WE did do some great camping in ouray but it is cold (in the 30) at night--and that was August. Depending on your taste--I say stay in Ouray 1 night and then plan at least 3 nights in telluride, maybe even longer. (the condo place in telluride is bear creek lodge--it was around $130 a night and well worth it--you can get a room for less if you dont want a kitchen)

If you are looking for the ultimate getaway, go to Blue Lake Ranch between Durango and Mesa Verde National Park. This Country Inn has its own lake and great views of the Mountains, very relaxing, good location.