DH, DS and I are driving from Indiana to Colorado Springs in early November. We are considering going to Mesa Verde National Park afterwards, and possibly Chaco Canyon.
Looking for the best route, we see a possible I-70 south from Colorado Springs to 160 and over to Mesa Verde. Would that be the best route, since we're would prefer not to go through the mountains?
We'd also appreciate any input on what the area has to offer. We've been researching it but would like personal experiences.

Also, any experiences with Chaco Canyon would be helpful. We're both very much into history/pre-history, ancient ruins, scenery, etc. Time isn't a major issue. But, winter is coming, and we may have to schedule this another time if the weather isn't OK for driving and visiting.

Thanks for any help.

You will be able to see Cliff Palace on a ranger-led tour. You will see Spruce House on a self guided. The rest of the houses will not be open. Petroglyph Point trail is a nice hike. You could do all of this in a full day. The lodge will be closed, Terrace provides food, but nothing super. The indian tacos there are good.

Just a small correction. You will take I-25 south from Colorado Springs to Walsenburg where you will head west on 160. You will not be able to avoid the mountains on this route. Wolf Creek Pass is a rather steep high mountain pass on the way to Mesa Verde. The weather is a toss-up this time of year. Walsenburg is currently under a winter storm warning and this morning I was hearing a forecast for a foot of snow. I'm not trying to discourage you but obviously you will need to watch the weather forecasts. Most likely you'll have beautiful weather. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I live just 10 minutes from Mesa Verde NP. It is indeed a wonderful place to see and learn about the ancestral puebloans.

spiro is sort of right about tours. You will be able to see both Spruce Tree and Cliff Palace but only if you are there on or before November 7th. On November 8th, the only dwelling you can see will be Spruce Tree and there are only 3 tours offered [you cannot go on your own from the 8th on].

Chaco Canyon is almost all outdoors [only a small visitor's center is inside]. Chaco is 2 hours west of Albuquerque and about 1 1/4 hours east of Durango. There are no hotels close to Chaco. You would need to stay in Bloomfield NM, about 1/2 hour from the Chaco turnoff on 550. From the turnoff, it is about 30 minutes drive to visitor center and ruins.

In Aztec, just west of Bloomfield are Aztec Ruins, a nice stop.

I have pictures you can see:
http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/MesaVerdeInWinter
http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/ChacoCanyon
http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/MesaVerdeMay2009
http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/AztecRuins

If you come to Mesa Verde, you can stay in Durango or Cortez. I have threads on here about restaurants and hotels,if you want I can find them for you.

The others have talked about weather. Snow is always a possibility here. Coming from the springs, you will have to go over a mountain pass to get here, I don't think there is any way else. Wolf Creek can be a problem, but maybe early November will be okay.

Deb

In my original post I made a typo/senior moment mistake. We travel from Indiana to Colorado on I-70, so I meant to say we'd go south on 25.

Thank you all very much for the information. We were supposed to do this trip in October but DH's work delayed us a bit, and now it looks like the earliest we could go would be November 10. I believe we have missed out for this year, but we can wait and see how the weather is and decide closer to the time we leave.

Deb, those are beautiful photos! I can't wait to see the park. In Colorado Springs we always go to the Garden of the Gods and have visited the cliff dwellings nearby. But we had hoped to see Mesa Verde this time. Our grandson lives in Colorado Springs and we go out several times a year, so it will work out eventually. We usually fly, but even if we fly we can rent a car and explore from there.

We'll see!

We've been to Chaco a couple of times and it is certainly an amazing place, with wonderful stonework, interesting petroglyphs and lots of history. As Debit said the closest accommodations we have found for it are in Bloomfield, NM (a couple of chain motels, Best Western and Super 8 I think). This is about a half hour from Nageezi where you turn in for the site. The road in has about 5 miles of paved road and then 10 or 15 miles of gravel and then a little pavement as you enter the park service land. You need to check local conditions before traveling on the gravel road as there are places where it could flood if there is rain and if it hasn't been graded recently, it can be rough.

Between Mesa Verde and Chaco are Hovenweep and Aztec Ruin. Both have ancient ruins, Aztec is just above Bloomfield.

Have a great trip.

I think Deb meant to say NW of Albuquerque instead of west. Chaco Canyon may be a little chilly to hike the area. There is a lot to see but you could limit it to the largest ruin, Pueblo Bonito. Hopefully, the weather may be lovely and allow you to visit several of the ruins. Nageezi doesn't have a lot to offer so plan ahead for gas and snacks. Bloomington, while farther, will be a better bet for lodging.

I hope the weather works out for you.

I did mean NW of Albuquerque. And Beachie meant Bloomfield, not Bloomington. Thank goodness there are "checks and balances" here and proofreaders besides the poster

There is a gas station on 550 just before your turn off to start the road into Chaco. You can get typical gas station snacks and "food".

We will be going back and forth by that area a couple of times in the next few weeks, I can let you know what weather is like.

As has been said, the weather can be great and road conditions too -- but they can just as easily be not so great and go from one to the other in a flash.

Deb

LOL! Muchas gracias, Deb! I hadn't had my coffee yet. (p.s. I think we're going to have fabulous weather in Santa Fe this weekend. )

Yes, this weekend is looking good for SF - there was 12" of snow in the Sandia's yesterday! Not sure how much Ski Santa Fe got.

Have a 'rita and some tapas or a rellenos for me!

Deb

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! GLAD YOU COUGHT THE TYPOS. I've almost learned to have at least one cup of coffee before posting, but the preview option would be good advice for me to follow.
So, we'll wait and see as it gets closer. I know this is a beautiful area and can't wait to explore it.

debit is correct, I looked at the dates wrong. The majority of the things we saw will be closed when you are there.

Two years ago we went across Wolf Creek Pass on US 160 in August. There was several inches of wet snow and slush on top.