|
|
04-24-2015, 07:02 AM
|
#1
|
Rivet Master
2010 27' FB Classic
N/A
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,809
|
Mesa Verde Nat'l Pk Need Recommendations
I need your help on this one.
Never been to Durango,CO or Mesa Verde National Park and I feel that I'm missing something so I have the urge to go there.
I'm looking for some first hand experiences as the best places to stay for a couple of days to a week. National Parks, private parks, state campgrounds. When hooked together my trailer and TV measure 50'3" so that may be a consideration as well. Trailer alone is 28' long.
The main thing is that I want to enjoy the National park and the ruins for a few days and have a relaxing time back at the trailer in the evenings.
Also if you feel like sharing about any must see things/places and best place to get a good meal in the area will help too.
Thanks!
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 07:32 AM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
|
The camp grounds in Mesa Verde Nat. Park are nice, and will accommodate your trailer, no problem. We were there with a 31', and no problem. However, do call and make a reservation and tell them the length of your trailer.
The Rangers will give you plenty of information on things to see and do in the park once you get there. You will enjoy it.
Durango of course the main attraction is the narrow gage train to Silverton. But I think it's a nicer and more scenic drive than train ride. And, if you drive to Silverton, you also need to continue on to Ouray, CO. Very nice little town, and very pretty drive.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 08:04 AM
|
#3
|
Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,156
|
The drive to most of the ruins at MV are 30+ miles, so staying at the parks Morefield CG makes it more convenient. There are two RV parks at the entrance if you want full hook-ups but with a longer drive.
In Durango, the closest CG to town is the United CG which is on the river and the train goes through the middle of it every morning and evening, 3 times a day in summer. Alpen Rose is a few miles north of there. Also KOA south of town.
In Durango there are many good restaurants, Ken & Sues, Steamworks, Old Tymers, Carvers are local hangouts. Tequilas Mexican, Gazpachos New Mexican. Diamond Belle saloon for a Victorian bar & grill....too many to list.
You can take the train to Silverton but taking the bus back is quicker as the round trip train is an all-day event. If you want to experience mountain camping, The Mineral Creek CG is close to Silverton and there are boondocking areas around it. In Silverton try Handlebars for buffalo burgers.
Ouray is a neat town and the 4x4 off-road capitol of CO. However towing your big rig up there is not for the faint of heart, especially for those without mountain towing experience.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison
2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 08:38 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
|
The sites we were in in the Mesa Verde campground had full hookups, (there were two trailers) but I don't remember the name of it. I think there were two campgrounds close together.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 09:00 AM
|
#5
|
Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,156
|
Right Steve, but as I remember, there are only 10-15 E/W sites available...and yes they did upgrade those with sewer hookups. Need to reserve well in advance.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison
2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 09:31 AM
|
#6
|
3 Rivet Member
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Merkel
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 153
|
In addition to Mesa Verde, there are numerous ruins in the area, if you are not overloaded when you are through there. Canyons of the Ancients is only about 10 miles north of Cortez, and it has an excellent visitor center. I have been to many of these ruins several times and they never cease to intrigue me.
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 10:06 AM
|
#7
|
Len and Jeanne
2005 16' International CCD
2015 19' Flying Cloud
Creston Valley
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,793
|
One of our ancestral Puebloan favourites is Hovenweep National Monument in nearby Utah, on the border with Colorado and Canyon of the Ancients. Its small campground has a few sites for longer trailers and doesn't seem to get too crowded.
Hovenweep National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Mesa Verde is a big park with spectacular ruins, so you could easily spend a week there!
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 10:41 AM
|
#8
|
4 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Superior
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 442
|
I have to recommend the Fall for Mesa Verde. Cooler temps, and WAY less crowds. We got to do every tour we wanted to, which in the summer (I hear) is nearly impossible.
Eric
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 11:33 AM
|
#9
|
2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
irving
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 70
|
We have stay at Sundowner rv park short drive to np restaurant next door you can walk to that is decent has long rv sites at back was in 40ft dp pulling jeep they do a lot of long term we stay a week very friendly clean park
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 12:58 PM
|
#10
|
3 Rivet Member
2004 28' International CCD
rockwall
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 129
|
We stayed at the Morefield campground last September. It was OK and is closer to the ruins than the others.(less driving)
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 02:22 PM
|
#11
|
4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Flying Cloud
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 411
|
We stayed at the Alpen Rose CG in Durango which was very good. The trip over to Oray is worthwhile, but it is a very narrow, curvy road. We stayed in a Mesa Verde CG with no hookups. We were with 34' AS's and they had no difficulty negotiating the place. The showers, etc. at the camp store are very good as well. Mesa Verde is more than worth the trip. Enjoy.
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 04:41 PM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
|
I second the Alpen Rose in Durango. Nice place, nice people. It is a drive to Mesa Verde though. It is located 2 miles north of Durango on the left.
I think the train ride is worth every penny and time spent. Especially if you ride in the open cars. Dress accordingly. It can be chilly in the morning.
Mesa Verde RV resort is about a mile from the entrance to MVNP. Very clean and tidy. No grass, just gravel. We have and will stay there again.
Sent from my iPod touch using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 04:49 PM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
|
You are going to what I call Road Trip Heaven
Take a drive in any direction. The drive from Durango to Silverton will be more enjoyable without a trailer.
I really like Monument Valley.
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 05:11 PM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
2016 28' Flying Cloud
Brandenburg
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 898
|
Mesa Verde National Park is a great place to stay. It makes the visit easier by being closer, driving/time wise, to see the entire park. The drive alone to the peaks for either sunrise/sunset view is well worth the stay. Go as soon as possible to visit the ruins. A Ranger told us, this past October, that they are going to stop tours to at least one if not two of the ruins. Wonderful photo opportunities.
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 05:33 PM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
2016 28' Flying Cloud
Brandenburg
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 898
|
Mesa Verde Photos
Couple photos from Mesa Verde Nat. Park
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 06:37 PM
|
#16
|
Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
|
I live here - I know every raves about Alpen Rose - I think because the restrooms are highly rated - but I think United is way cooler because you are on the river and a train runs through it :-)
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 07:05 PM
|
#17
|
3 Rivet Member
2013 30' Flying Cloud
Cincinnati
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 205
|
We loved, loved, loved Mesa Verde last year. Read the Nevada Barr book before you go "Ill Wind" is set in MV. Go to a few of the Ranger led tours - we did Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree, and Balcony House. We stayed in Morefield. It was late August, and we were one of maybe 10 campers in the 250 sites with no hookups. The 15 sites with Electric were full. Also ranger talks each evening in the Campground amplitheatre. There were two hikes in the campground we did too. We hiked Point Lookout - Amazing. I can't remember the name of the other hike. We have factory solar, and ran the furnace at night. We were in MV for 4 nights, and had just come from 3 nights boondocking in the Taos mesa, so we gave our batteries a workout.
As for size of your rig (OP) we are also 50 feet. The ranger let us drive around and pick the site we wanted. Many sites were too small for our trailer, but there were plenty that were big enough. We went with no reservations - I don't like being tied to a schedule on vacation. Now what was our campsite? I want to say it was the Apache Loop. We had no problems in or out.
If you go to Durango, be careful. We were returning at night and a deer came in front of us. I had the Sierra from 60 to zero in a few seconds (and really glad I wasn't towing!). The deer turned back. Love Mesa Verde, will definitely go back.
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 07:16 PM
|
#18
|
4 Rivet Member
2008 20' Safari
Tunnel Hill
, Georgia
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 291
|
We were in Durango a couple of years ago during the month of Spt. We really enjoyed Mesa Verde. The trip across Lizards Head Pass to Telluride was great as the Aspens were in full autumn color. As several others mentioned Alpen Rose is a very nice campground.
__________________
Remember its not the destination, but rather the journey.... its what's in the middle that matters the most!
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 08:27 PM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
|
We came thru Wyoming to Uray, then moved to Silverton, rode the train round trip,then moved thru Durango to Mancos,a couple miles before we turned to the right to a marked campground located in a ranch , a couple miles off the highway before Mancos, then drove around to all of the ruins, a very nice area........
|
|
|
04-25-2015, 03:14 PM
|
#20
|
2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
irving
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 70
|
Ps on the sundowner its Sundance rv park owner are bill and sandy Williams it is in CORTEZ maybe three mile from entrance to np a mr David Stowe put me on this park and we did enjoy our stay
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|