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Phoenix · 06-05-2012, 10:20 AM

Four Corners is still in the desert, so summer daytime temps will probably be 100+. The actual Four Corners Monument (where photos are usually taken showing people standing in all four states) is a couple of hundred yards off the highway on Indian land, and it has "store hours". Plan on arriving during daylight, as it will actually be closed at other times. This is mostly a photo op and Indian roadside stand for overpriced T-shirts and silver jewelry; and much of the tourist items are made in China. You may be disappointed if you plan this as a vacation destination, as it is just a curiosity to see if you happen to be driving by -- when they are open. It's similar to Arizona's famous "The Thing" with the pen of "baby rattlers", if you have ever stopped there...

Mesa Verde is in the foothills, a few miles northwest of Four Corners and Cortez, so it will still be hot in the summer. The best time to visit this area is in the late spring or fall when daytime temperatures are 60-75 degrees, which is much more conducive to hiking and climbing around the Indian cliff dwellings. Several are in the direct sun and are very hot from late morning through late afternoon. However, kids are pretty heat tolerant, and one can use the air conditioned visitor centers, etc., to cool off between tours. The campground inside Mesa Verde NP will be crowded, so reservations are recommended; or arrive early in the day when people are pulling out.

There is a KOA at the east end of Cortez, that borders a city park and lake, which are great for morning and evening walks; and it has a huge, fenced in, no-leash dog area. Also, there's a KOA at the east end of Durango. Both of these RV resorts are typical for KOAs, but they are very clean and well-maintained. Also, both parks have swimming pools and playgrounds for the kids. The KOA in Durango also has a free, horse-drawn hayride that functions as the park shuttle (to the pool and office), and they have organized family activities in the evenings (e.g., outdoor movies).

If you prefer a little more "camping" and less of an RV resort atmosphere, Mancos State Park is a beautiful area, a couple of miles off the highway, just north of town on a well-maintained, graded-dirt county road. Not many people stop here, because it is a little off the beaten path; so you will miss most of the summer tourist traffic. There's a little lake in the park and lots of hiking opportunities.

There are a lot of other RV resorts in these areas, so check online or consult your Trailer Life Directory. Also, in most National Forest and Bureau of Land Management areas, you can boondock by pulling a couple of hundred yards off the road. If this interests you, check at a local ranger station or search online for details.

By the way, if you don't already have one, don't forget the "America the Beautiful" National Park Annual Pass ($80), which will save you money each time you enter National Parks, Monuments, Forests, etc. that charge an entrance fee (valid for you and those in your vehicle, although some limits apply at certain parks). Also, if you are 62, a lifetime pass is just $10; and besides free park entry, camping is usually half price.

Happy trails!

====================

Links:

Cortez / Mesa Verde KOA | Camping in Colorado | KOA Campgrounds

Durango KOA | Camping in Colorado | KOA Campgrounds

Mancos | Colorado State Parks

U.S. National Park ServiceAmerica the Beautiful

Gene · 06-05-2012, 10:38 AM

I agree with Phoenix that 4 Corners is just a tourist stop. I've never cared enough to stop at an arbitrary convergence of lines and several years ago we learned the Colorado/Utah line is off a couple of miles, so does it matter?

Mesa Verde is east of the 4 Corners, not west. Some of the cliff dwellings are closed off season—budget cuts to NPS are responsible and this will probably become even more common soon. We camped at Mancos State Park last year—when you come in, look to the left for decent camping spaces. Straight across the dam are more, but they are barely suitable for tents and not for RV's.

There are some RV parks near the entrance to Mesa Verde, although they close off season too.

Another place to see cliff dwellings and other Anasazi settlements is Hovenweep NM. This is a dispersed monument with most of it in Colo., but some in Utah. Also less frequented by tourists, it is more developed than Canyons of the Ancients and less so than Mesa Verde.

There are trading posts in most towns off, but near the Navajo Res.—Durango, Cortez, Farmington, etc. If you are interested in Navajo items, buy from a reputable trading post because there are people who will sell you fake stuff—rugs made in India or Mexico, for ex. The Mexican (Zapotec) rugs are pretty good, but not the quality of Navajo's. Galleries in Santa Fe are overpriced, but you can buy some really nice historic rugs for $50,000-100,000 and up.

Gene

Diesel1 · 06-05-2012, 10:38 AM

Just north ( I think) of Chama there is a guy on the side of the road doing blacksmith work out of two old semi trailers. He has a coal forge & is quite talented. Worth a stop and look. Also the Million mile road is well worth the time. I did it it about 3 years ago in a semi hauling a load of sweet corn out of Montrose. You will be fine in a RV.

Diesel1 · 06-05-2012, 10:45 AM

I don't mean to be disagreeable but I think Four Corners is worth a stop. It was much better 35 or so years ago before it turned into a tourist trap, but it is still neat to me. I have stopped there a half dozen time over the years and get a kick out of it every time. Plus they ussually have a very nonhygenic food stand selling indian taco's which are delicious.

**azflycaster** · 06-05-2012, 10:59 AM

The Four Corners Monument is one of those things that I did about 30 years ago. Then it was just a pull off on the side of the road where you took a picture with a foot and a hand in different states, kind of like a geography twister game.

It has become a tourist trap, but still the only place you can be in four different states at the same time. The truth is that the monument is not actually at the correct spot, but is close enough for a classic picture.

The Cortez/Durango area is one of our favorite places to visit with many different things to see and do. We were in Cortez last month and stayed at the Cortez KOA which is one of the nicest KOAs we have stayed in. The staff is great and the city dog park being next door made it a big plus for us. Nearby is the Ute reservation which has a nice campground and casino. There is also a Ute Pottery store just up the road from the casino which has many beautiful items that are made on site by the native Americans.

Don't forget to visit the Silver Bean. It is an espresso shop inside of an Airstream trailer on Main Street in Cortez.

Phoenix · 06-05-2012, 11:17 AM

By the way, if you stop in Cortez, check out the "Silver Bean", a little coffee shop in a vintage Airstream that has a white picket fence surrounding umbrella tables where you can sit and enjoy your latte or smoothie. The trailer was originally used by the coffee shop owner's parents or grandparents, and they have old family photos and memorabilia inside. Good photo op with your Airstream parked in front of the shop, which is located on the main highway, near downtown.

TG Twinkie · 06-05-2012, 02:20 PM

While in Cortez.
Be sure to check out a place called "Mr. Happy's" Bakery and Cafe. Good food, good people. It's on the right as you are heading to the Four Corners.

Minno · 06-05-2012, 02:57 PM

If you like to watch the Durango/Silverton trains go by, this is a really nice campground: Durango Colorado Campgrounds

We've stayed there a couple of time over the years, with the most recent stay last June.

**azflycaster** · 06-05-2012, 11:11 PM

I forgot to post the Airstream in front of the Silver Bean. I never miss a photo op.

Another great eatery in Cortez is the Main Street Brewery. They make a fantastic Ruben sandwich.

lisacarner · 06-06-2012, 05:34 AM

Navaho St Park in Colorado is about 30 minutes from Durango and they have full hook ups. Navaho Lake State State Park in New Mexico is very nice too
it is about 45 minutes from Durango, they have some full hook ups.

mojo · 06-06-2012, 07:41 AM

Sounds like you are already headed to Monument Valley, so if you head north up the Moki Dugway (steep and twisty, but doable) you will find the Kane Ranger Station where they can direct you to some very remote but well preserved puebloan ruins. Further up is Natural Bridges where you can camp. Headed toward Durango, you can access Hovenweep and or Mesa Verde which is completely open. There is a fire currently burning north of Pagosa Springs so the area can be smokey still.

Brentsouth · 06-06-2012, 09:32 AM

Decided to skip Monument Valley at this time of year and due to all of you all's advice are going to spent the three days in the Cortez/Durango area. Probably two nights in Cortez at the Sundance RV park. Do a full day in Mesa Verde then one night north of Durango. Then back to our place in Santa Fe.

Thanks for all of the advice!!! This forum is GREAT!

Mike Leary · 06-06-2012, 10:52 AM

Happy trails, you'll love that area!

Gene · 06-06-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brentsouth

Decided to skip Monument Valley at this time of year and due to all of you all's advice are going to spent the three days in the Cortez/Durango area. Probably two nights in Cortez at the Sundance RV park. Do a full day in Mesa Verde then one night north of Durango. Then back to our place in Santa Fe.

Thanks for all of the advice!!! This forum is GREAT!

Glad to help. It can be hot at Mesa Verde too, but you have to deal with when you can travel. Monument Valley is probably hotter.

Curious where home is—under your avatar it says Houston, but you say "our place in Santa Fe".

Gene

Lumatic · 06-06-2012, 12:29 PM

I pulled my 71 Tradewind up the Moki Dugway and it was a bit of a challenge but a lot of fun. I would not want to pull anything much longer. Just about when you get to the bottom of the climb there is a sign posted, trailers not recommended. Would not want to do it when it was wet.

The Dugway was initially cut for uranium ore trucks. It is unpaved because it does not meet minimum highway codes so the state does not encourage it's use.

Great views of Monument Valley

Brentsouth · 06-06-2012, 09:59 PM

Gene,

We bought a place in Santa Fe a few years ago when the prices dropped. We are trying to spend a lot of time out here. Hopefully some day 6 months out of twelve. I have a Cessna 206T so we fly out as much as possible. My plan is to move the Airstream Interstate (Touring Coach) out here each may and do trips from Santa Fe through October then take it back to Houston for the winter.

Thanks again for the advice!

Brent

Missed-Em · 06-07-2012, 05:57 AM

Delores is central to the area, take your fly rod, we spent part of our summers there for 3 years. Several camp grounds right on the river, shops and restrants. Found the area on a trip west and ended up spending way to much time there and had to cut out other parts of our trip. Never regretted it! Dolores river CG had the most Hummingbirds we have ever seen.

Jim J · 06-23-2012, 11:32 PM

If you stay over in Durango, go to see the Melodrama. It is in a theatre building attached to an old Hotel near the train station. The Hotel has a nice restaurant where you can dine before the show.

hikerjim · 06-23-2012, 11:50 PM

Go to Taos. Park and get the bikes out.

Bk Yd Safari · 06-30-2012, 12:37 PM

We are making tentative plans to take similiar trip sometime in Spt. This will be our first trip out west "towing." TV is a 2009 Silverado with 5.3 ltr V8 with 6 speed automatic transmission and HD tow package; AS is 2008 20' Safari. Based on TV/AS set-up can I expect difficult grades on highways 84 and 160 thru Pagosa Springs or should I take 550 thru Bloomfield from Sante Fe to Durango? Also how is 160 from Durango and Cortez to Monument Valley UT?

Lots of questions and thanks for the input.