Colorado Plateau.

**traveldawg** · 01-24-2021, 08:28 AM

The "Way Out West" thread seems to be piquing a good bit of interest and comments. I had thought it would stay focused on the northern routes but there were so many other good ideas there.

This time I'm going to ask about hidden gems of the Colorado Plateau. This will be difficult because it is a large area and hold some of most dearest treasures - gib national parks.

So here are some "rules".....
> NO NATIONAL PARKS
> National Mounuments are OK but try to be specific - like Canyon de Chelly is OK but WHAT SPECIFIC THING there - remember - hidden gems

Here is an example or two....
Ceder Mesa - House On Fire ruin; Moon House ruin (this list could be endless for Ceder Mesa)
Corona Arch

Have at it.

Remember - hidden gems are places not often talked about or explored but well worth going out of your way for; and a lot of time worth the hiking or dirt road trip.

**el Rojo** · 01-24-2021, 08:44 AM

OK help me out. What is the "Colorado Plateau"?

**traveldawg** · 01-24-2021, 08:05 PM

It’s probably best to Google it. Basically includes parts of AZ, NM, CO & UT. A lot of the places a lot of folks want to visit.

Here is a link......

**el Rojo** · 01-25-2021, 07:15 AM

Got it. Thanks Larry.

That's a fun area. We really enjoyed Moab. Took the river cruise, drove the canyon lands and visited Mesa Verde.

Close by you have Silverton CO. That's a fun mining town where you can walk the whole town from the RV parks.

**traveldawg** · 01-25-2021, 08:01 AM

Glad you found it. I think one could spend a lifetime there and never see everything.

If you've been to Moab/Arches/Canyonland you've been right by Corona Arch - a great hike and every bit as nice as Delicate Arch without the crowds.

If you research the Ceder Mesa area (it's pithing the Plateau) the places there are a special treat too. No tour busses full of folks, wonderful hikes/walks to surprisingly great sights.

**Always Learning** · 01-25-2021, 08:19 AM

The Colorado Plateau is huge and in my opinion is the best place in the country to go explore and get away from everything. If you want to stay on blacktop roads it is NOT the place for you.

Here are a few things to see in a small part of the plateau. Make Torrey Utah your base camp and do day trips. Torrey has several commerical RV parks making it a convient place to find a spot to park your rig. Just down the road is Capitol Reef NP which is well worth seeing. For less crowds head up HWY12 toward Boulder and Escalante. Stop at the over looks for incredible scenery. There are National Forest campgrounds along HWY12 if you dry camp and lots of other dispersed camping off HWY12 on Boulder Mountain. When you get to Boulder UT head down the Burr trail, it is blacktop. Beautiful scenery and great hiking. Explore the gravel roads that go off the Burr trail, most are usually in pretty good shape. If you drive all the way to the end of Burr trail it drops down the Waterpocket folds then turns to gravel, sand. You can get to Bullfrog or Capital Reef from there, make sure you check road conditions if you continue to these destinations.

https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvis...burr-trail.htm

**offtohavasu** · 01-25-2021, 09:38 AM

We visited Monument Valley for "The Duke" factor. We basically just did a drive through, and never got in to the park. Definitely on the list to go back to.