Where to Go in Colorado
 

We are a family of four with 2 boys ages 24 and 20. We're thinking of Colorado for a family trip this summer. We like seeing cities and interesting towns and also enjoy horseback riding, biking and seeing the scenery. We would appreciate some guidelines as to where go in Colorado as none of us have ever been there. Thanks for any input.

My favorite area in SW is the San Juans:

Ouray - great little town; hot springs pool; hiking; great jeep tours to Yankee Boy Basin; interesting but small historical museum

Silverton - great 4wd starting point; nearby Cinnamon Pass Trail (Lake City is a quaint little town) and Animas Forks ghost town

Telluride - neat small town in a spectacular setting

Mesa Verde NP - fascinating cliff dwellings

Near Durango is an alpine slide - my kids love those.

On the way, we enjoy stopping in Breckenridge and the Glenwood Springs pool.

I second karens suggestions.

The SW area of Colorado is, in my opinion the most beautiful and the most interesting.

I love Telluride especially - it is gorgeous and quirky. Hike up to Tomboy (abandoned mining camp) for a great view of the mountains. .
Durango has the Narrow Gauge Railroad, Rodeo and River Rafting trips.

If you love horseback riding you could consider doing a dude-ranch type vacation too if that interests you at all.

As a resident of the area, I have to go with the previous replies. SW Colorado is a wonderful place to visit.

Fly into Albuquerque for a 3 hour drive to start you trip in Durango. It will be the most economical flight. You can fly into Durango or Montrose but it will cost more, especially for 4 people. Check out Southwest if it services an airport near you. They have great rates if it works for you.


Maybe even stay a few days going through NM - lots of great outdoor things to do too:

Here are some suggestions and some web sites to look at see if any of this is of interest to you.

I would drive from ABQ airport to Santa Fe via The Turquoise Trail. http://www.turquoisetrail.org/

This will take you through a ghost town and will get you to Santa Fe without having to go on interstate. Take a trip up to Sandia Crest along the way and see ABQ from a great view point.

I would spend at least a day in Santa Fe. A walk around the plaza is easy and filled with insights into sw history. Fodors does a great job with walking tour and high points in SF.

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...;feature=30002

I love the museums on Museum Hill - http://www.museumhill.org/index.html --

From Santa Fe, then head north to Taos. There are lots of shops and galleries in Taos and pretty drives. I would go to Taos pueblo to see what life is like there and again gain insight into the SW. I would drive the Enchanted Circle to see Angel Fire and Red River. http://www.taosvacationguide.com/day...ted_circle.php

Go over the Gorge bridge on your drive to Durango http://www.sangres.com/statenm/index.htm

The drive from Taos to Durango and then on to Mesa Verde is a bit mountainous but is quite do-able. Plan on at least a day at Mesa Verde. Stay the night in Cortez, less $$ than Durango and on the way to AZ.


{A drive from Durango up the million dollar highway into Silverton, Ouray and then Telluride would add a great deal of beauty to the trip. OP did not want to drive on mountainous roads, so this was not included in my first answer}

Plan on at least a day at Mesa Verde. Stay the night in Cortez, less $$ than Durango

Some links to threads I have written about SW Colorado:

Apple Orchard B&B in Durango:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35097250

Summer Trip with Adult Children
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34899408

SW Colorodo:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34887440

SW Trip Report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34912957

Info on Ouray

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34824783

http://www.ouraycolorado.com/

To find more of my threads, type my name in the search box and then use the drop down menu and highlight Colorado and then hit the search button. Lots there for you to review. Email me directly if you's like.

Hope this helps...
Deb

I have a few more link that I will post shortly.

SW Scenic & Historic Drives

www.swcolotravel.org/drives.html

San Juan Skyway
Starting from Durango, head north into Silverton and on to Ouray; continue west to Telluride and then south to Dolores and Cortez; then go east to Mesa Verde NP and continue east back to Durango.

http://www.telluridevisitorguide.com.../day-trips.asp

Helpful info and links for area
www.cityofcortez.com/visiting.shtml

Tent Rocks
This is north of ABQ, if you are going directly from ABQ to Durango, think about stopping at this most unusual place [go early morning as it gets hot in the summer]

http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/rec...ent_rocks.html

Marina in Durango
http://www.vallecitolakechamber.com/Marinas/index.asp

Deb

Wow! You guys are amazing! Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

If you're going to be there around the Fourth of July, then don't miss going to Pagosa Springs, just a little east of Durango. They have the Red Ryder Boy Ranch Rodeo every year during that time period...which is a great regional, not just local, event. There is something like 30 of the state's most beautiful waterfalls in the Pagosa Springs area as well.

At Durango, take the train to Silverton...it's one of the greatest train rides with the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Just west of Durango is Cortez with the Publeo Indian Ruins, which you take a walking tour through.

www.pagosa-springs.com
www.swcolo.org
www.durango.org

Also, go to www.lightninrv.com and click on "Rentals" in the menu on the left. Once we come up, again in the menu on the left, take a look at our "Special Events Calendar" for a lot of great ideas on things to see/do all over the country. But, don't just look at it for the time period you're going to be there, as the sites we list are great 12 months a years.

Then take a look at our "Travel Links" for some fun links like "The Wackiest Tourist Attractions in the U.S." and "The Largest Roadside Attractions in the U.S." which you might be suprised how close you are to some of them. There are also some very helpful travel links as well.

Have a great time!

What would the weather be like in SW Colorado in August? We would approach Colorado from the east. We would like do visit the Olympic Training Center (maybe), US Mint, bike trip, raft trip, railroad to Pike's Peak. From there, how long would it take to drive to Mesa Verde and do some things in SW Colorado?

The weather in summer in sW Colorado can be in the 90's during the day but little humidity [yes, its a dry heat, but nowhere near AZ temps] but as you go up in elevation, the temps drop during the day. Dressing in layers is key. Sunny days and blue skies. It is our rainy season, but fortunately for visitors [unfortunately for us who need the water] we have been experiencing drought conditions for several summers so the chance of rain hasn't been real high. Even if it does rain here, it isn't usually for long durations. And when the rain stop, the air is clear and smells wonderful There is no steam or humidity after like other places [back east for example when after an August rain, the air is heavy and wetter than a steam bath].

The temps drop as soon as the sun goes down - 40 or more degrees, so nights are cool and comfortable - a fire roaring in a fire pit is not uncommon!

One of the nicest things about the weather here is summer[ again unlike Phoenix for example where it never seems to cool off] that no matter how hot it is during the day, the next morning will start off cool and fresh.

I am not good with driving times but from Denver to Durango/ Mesa Verde area it is about 7 hours by car.

Mesa Verde NP is absolutely a must see if you are in SW. Nothing like it, not even the Grand Canyon.

Deb

We really enjoyed Great Sand Dunes Nat. park last August. Our daughters were 19 & 22 and the hike to the top of the dunes was their highlight of our Colorado trip, which included Mesa Verde and a raft trip in Durango.

trip report
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...=LHS&fid=1

First, I totally agree that SW CO and NW NM are great destinations (and DebitNM is one of our resident experts so do a search and read all of her threads - great suggestions).

Since you haven't been before, I'd at least like to throw out a couple of other areas just in case. We also like to stay in the Frisco/Dillion area, which is great as a base and close to Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Beaver Creek. Beautiful scenery. Lots of activities in the area for the summer - hiking, biking, jeep tours, sledding, white water rafting, etc. It's also close to the old mining town of Leadville.

We also like the Steamboat Springs area for the same reasons. It's a little more "isolated" than Vail/Breck, but we still think it's a great destination.

I second what dfr says about the ski mountains of CO. And don't forget Aspen, Marroon Bells, fishing,hot springs pools. And if you shop for fares, flying into Denver can be very reasonable for those not driving. Also be ready if you are driving from the east--when you hit the Colorado state line, you are still a good way from Denver!! It can be deceiving!! But the mountain ski areas are an easy pretty 1 1/2 to 2 hour (Vail) drive from Denver.

I love Glenwood Springs. There is a lot to do there. The Fairy Caves are interesting, worlds largest hot springs pool, biking, hiking up Hanging Lake. Near to Aspen, Vail.

We spent 6 weeks in Colorado last summer and went all over. (We also spent one week in Santa Fe). The southwest section of Colorado is quite beautiful, as everyone says. We were also quite taken with Crested Butte, a cool little town, especially if you like to mountain bike and hike in out of the way places. Plus, must not forget to mention Rocky Mountain National Park, one of my favorite parks in the country! And if you make it to that part of the state (Front Range north of Denver), spend at least a day or two in Boulder---what a fantastic, hip and energetic college town! I have to say that I honestly was somewhat disappointed in Colorado Springs. Pike's Peak is quite nice but there are many more beautiful sections of the Rockies in Colorado in my humble opinion. Colorado Springs does have a great state park right in the middle of it which you should not miss if you insist on going there, called Garden of the Gods. Whatever you do, have a great trip.

If your up for adventure do the Durango/Silverton and include the
ZIPLINE.