Advice on Campgrounds in Durango-Taos-Santa Fe Area...

[driftwood1]

We heading west from the Southeast US next June to the Zion National Park area. There will be a group of 6 trailers, and we are considering staying a few nights in the mountain areas near Durango/Taos/Sante Fe region on the return home. I have been snow skiing in Durango many years ago, but do not remember much about it the area. I have only driven through Santa Fe, and don't know much about that area either.

After spending a week in the Zion/Bryce/North Rim GC area, the group would like to see some high mountains. Any suggestions for campgrounds in this area? While I prefer national forest campgrounds and am fine with no hookups, that is not the case with the rest of my group. The may can go without sewer, but electric and water a must. But I would like some scenic beauty, in or near the mountains, and at higher elevations if possible.

Any info on road conditions between Zion and Durango would be appreciated as well.

[KJRitchie]

You really restrict yourself if water/electricity is a must. That means you are stuck in private RV parks.

North Rim GC, North Rim campground is dry camping but there is water faucets dotted around the campground and there is a dump station with potable water. Nearest RV park with hookups is Jacobs Lake 40 miles away.

Zion: Watchman Campground in the Park has two loops with electric only. Water is available throughout the campground and dump stations. Showers are available at local businesses outside the park. There are several private RV parks in Springdale and Virgin.

Bryce: All park campgrounds are dry but with water faucets in the campground/dump station. Nearest RV park is just outside the park, Ruby's Inn

Kelvin

[RamblinManGa]

Hi from AZ. . .Kelvin is right, that hook-up thing really restricts y'all. For Zion & the red rock country, we stayed at Kanab RV Corral, in Kanab. It's a nice enough place, VERY clean bathrooms & laundry, and nice folks. It is, however, right in the middle of town. In Angel Fire, way north NM, there's Monte Vista RV Park, a good place too. You will want to make reservations ASAP, those Utah places fill early for 'the season'. . . travel safe, Craig

[mojo]

Yes, hookups are a rarity in forest service campground out West. You will only find them in private parks and some National Parks will have electric. If you want to camp in the mountains around Durango, there are 3-4 private places in Silverton with hookups. For Taos, check out Monte Bello RV park and in Santa Fe, Santa Fe Skies is close to town.

[ghamr]

Durango - United Campgrounds of Durango N of town (last stop on bus route into town) We loved Durango!
Mesa Verde - Ancient Cedars Mesa Verde RV Resort just outside the NP entrance
Ouray - Four J RV is on the creek & off the Hwy (this 'Little Switzerland' is great!)

[msimon]

Originally Posted by ghamr

Durango - United Campgrounds of Durango N of town (last stop on bus route into town) We loved Durango!

I second the endorsement for United in Durango. The Durango/Silverton narrow gauge steam train goes right through the campground. Great photo ops.

[graysailor]

In Durango I felt that Arpen RV was a much better stay then at United. Parking can be tricky at United where as at Arpen mostly drive thru's. Also much more picturesque.

[baldwin6601]

In Santa Fe, the KOA is above average and about 5-10 minutes out of town...

[Bayou]

Beware of the road between Ouray and Silverton. We live in the mountains but that road scares me to death and we would not think of towing on it.
Durango: We like Lightner Creek Campground convenient to both Durango and Mesa Verde which is a must see National Park. Santa Fe: Santa Fe Skies. Taos is a day trip for us so no recommendations other than route yourself through SF and Taos(the gorge bridge over the river is WOW.) Hwy 64 to 84 Pagosa Springs, 160 over to Durango. You will see and be in mountains. Charlene
Charlene

[Emh142]

I'm sure there is an itinerary of the WBCCI SW Adventure on the WBCCI.org site that covers that area. Some of the camping was dry but it seems like most had at least water and electric. Check it out it may help.

[Grateful2]

Santa Fe was a great KOA 10 mins from town.

[barrettjl]

There is a very nice National Forest Campground, Cayton Campground between Rico and Telluride that has some sites with electric. There is water available to fill your fresh water tank and there is a dump station. Some of the electric and non-electric sites are reservable.

The San Juan Skyway, the loop between Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, and Durango is beautiful, but as someone else posted, do NOT take a trailer that way!

In Santa Fe we stayed at Trailer Ranch RV Resort which was fine, although you have to be there by a certain time in the evening (5pm I think). In Taos we stayed at Taos Valley RV Park which was fine; no shade, but not surprising in that area .

We will stay at all those places again next time we are in that area.

[nrgtrakr]

Navajo Lake State Park
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/nav...statepark.html

[Aviator]

Ouray RV Park. It is a great place within walking distance of downtown Ouray. As a bonus the owners are Airstreamers as well. We camped there for a couple of nights after the International Rally in Farmington. The tow over Red Mountain Pass from the South into Ouray is challenging, but other than taking it slow, it isn't that bad. We did it with a non-turbo F150 and our 34' Airstream. Give Amber and Jason a call with plenty of notice and you will not be disappointed.

[MidCentury]

In Taos, the two best full hookup options are the Taos Valley RV park, which is off the main highway on Este Es Rd. in the southern part of town, which can have nice views, or Monte Bello RV park, which is north of town and has gorgeous views but a bit of highway noise.

[NoNameinNM]

Navajo Lake State Park has already been mentioned, but check out the New Mexico State Parks website-- there are a number of nice state parks in northern NM, and most have a good percentage of sites with water and electric, with a dump station nearby. Plus, many of the campsites can be reserved in advance if you set up an account on their website. You'll find something that suits the needs of your party (Heron Lake State Park is my own current favorite).

Also, check out Morefield campground inside Mesa Verde National Park, which is less than 40 miles from Durango. There are 15 full hook-up sites that can be reserved well in advance. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves there over Labor Day weekend.

[DHart]

We're heading to Ouray from Phoenix this week... what's the best route... Farmington north on 550 to Ouray? Is that the route that people are advising against?

How is 145 from Cortez to Placerville, then 62 to 550, then south on 550 to Ouray? Better than going north on 550 from Farmington?

[mojo]

Originally Posted by DHart

We're heading to Ouray from Phoenix this week... what's the best route... Farmington north on 550 to Ouray? Is that the route that people are advising against?

How is 145 from Cortez to Placerville, then 62 to 550, then south on 550 to Ouray? Better than going north on 550 from Farmington?

You will want to take 145 North out of Cortez and circle down to Ouray. Hwy 550 is closed 8a to noon and 1p to 5p on Red Mountain between Silverton and Ouray for avalanche work.

[DHart]

Originally Posted by mojo

You will want to take 145 North out of Cortez and circle down to Ouray. Hwy 550 is closed 8a to noon and 1p to 5p on Red Mountain between Silverton and Ouray for avalanche work.

mojo... thank you, friend, for that inportant info!

[bhooves]

Ranchero is South of Sante Fe and you will see it on the same road as the KOA. In fact, you will see it just before you get to the KOA. Plus: hookups and wifi are great, lighting at night requires a flashlight, but the number of stars that you can see is incredible (rare and astonishing for me), many trees for shade. yet my satellite tv reception is great, propane and ice on premises. Minuses: gravel roads and sites, somewhat dusty, for the end of the season the pool closed 2 days ago and nightly movies ended 2 days ago. Ready access to downtown Sante Fe.