My spring trip to the Rocky Mountains

[Wicked ace]

If things get squared away where I want them I am planning on taking a trip via a more southern route to the Rocky Mountains. I live outside Philadelphia and I have in the past gone west to the Rocky's via Rt. 70 into Denver and Colorado. More recently a trip by way of Rts 80 then 90 through the northern plains to Glacier National Park, down the Continental Divide to the Tetons through Cheyanne Wy. and back on Rt 80. If you know of highlights, attractions, county, state or national parks worth the time I'd appreciate the input. If I think it's worthwhile I'll stay 2 to 3 days to explore an area.
This time because I have time and the season I want to explore a more southerly route. I'll be leaving late April to mid May. A nice time to see spring come alive.
I plan on getting to Rt 68 and then on to Morgantown, WV and Rt 79 staying around Morgantown. That's about 300 to 325 miles in a day, about mine and my dog's limit without taxing ourselves. Rt64 will get us through Lexington Ky. to Louisville. I would really like to explore Louisville Ky. some. Passing through about 8 years ago, I got to get a glimpse of Churchill Downs and the Six Flags Amusement Park. I'm sure there is more. Staying on Rt 64, St Louis is the next stop. I recall years ago, coming home from Colorado stopping at a steak house and because I had little money, asking the waitress what was the best steak I could get on a budget. Memories are a wonderful thing. I still think that was the best steak I ever had. Then I take a southerly tack on Rt44 into Oklahoma. Tulsa looks like the next stop. Maybe I could catch the Street Outlaws testing at Tulsa Raceway Park and meet a few of those guys. I spent 3 of the hottest months of my life in Oklahoma City doing a job at OU eight and half years ago. I was staying in the Village near Lake Hefner. I don't know why but I feel compelled to go back. If for no other reason than to have lunch again at Van's Pig Stand in Norman, loved that place!
From here on is uncharted territory. I would like to get to Albuquerque or Sante Fe NM. and start a journey west through the mountains. They are both too far to arrive in a day so a stop in Amarillo is probable. I'll work my way around New Mexico (when do those wildflowers bloom in Death valley?), Arizona, Utah and Colorado. I used to live in Crested Butte 40 years ago and I was back once about 20 years ago. I'm sure it's unrecognizable now.
All suggestions will be appreciated, considered and new ideas welcome.

 

[andrewssteve]

I would like to get to Albuquerque or Santa Fe NM...

I'd recommend skipping Santa Fe. Pretty much taken over by people invested in making a buck off of tourists nowadays.

If you want to see parts of New Mexico most folks never do, and you can do without electric hookup for a day or two, follow the Rio Grande river up along Rt 68 and get off on Rt 570 for several great camping spots. Awesome views, great bicycling. Make a day trip the back-way to the Rio Grande Bridge -- a bridge and canyon so unexpected it's a shock to the system. Hopewell Lake Campground is up in the mountains on Rt. 64. Chama, NM has a fabulous narrow gauge all day rail trip that's fantastic. You take a bus to the other end in Colorado, then choo-choo back into New Mexico. Same route the gold and silver ore trains took in the 1800's Highly recommend it.

-Steve

 

[D2Reid]

Wow, what a wonderful trip. You have asked for a really large amount of information. There is so much to see and do. So just a couple of small things. First I use Mountain Directory to get an idea of mountain pass road conditions. I bought the original PDF version because internet was not very good when I first started out. I still refer to it often.

A-OK Rv park in Amarillo is a first come first serve park. The good part is the Passport America Rate is $14 a night cash or check. The bad part is it's a little dumpy. But we stayed there a few nights ago and had no issues, it's a decent one night stay kind of park. Flat long pull through, FHU, didn't unhook.

AZ and NM have always been passing through states for us. We will stop for a week or two to do some hiking and such. But I always look for BLM land to boondock on. There is a lot of it out there. We enjoyed Santa Fe, stayed up on the hill. We explored the down town area did a lot of Indian artifact hiking. Wan't real impressed with Albuquerque but enjoyed Toas.

You just have to do your own exploring to find what you like best, there is plenty to choose from.

 

[Wicked ace]

Wow, what a wonderful trip. You have asked for a really large amount of information. There is so much to see and do. So just a couple of small things. First I use Mountain Directory to get an idea of mountain pass road conditions. I bought the original PDF version because internet was not very good when I first started out. I still refer to it often.

A-OK Rv park in Amarillo is a first come first serve park. The good part is the Passport America Rate is $14 a night cash or check. The bad part is it's a little dumpy. But we stayed there a few nights ago and had no issues, it's a decent one night stay kind of park. Flat long pull through, FHU, didn't unhook.

AZ and NM have always been passing through states for us. We will stop for a week or two to do some hiking and such. But I always look for BLM land to boondock on. There is a lot of it out there. We enjoyed Santa Fe, stayed up on the hill. We explored the down town area did a lot of Indian artifact hiking. Wan't real impressed with Albuquerque but enjoyed Toas.

You just have to do your own exploring to find what you like best, there is plenty to choose from.

Thanks for pointing me to that directory, really good to know! Please fill me in BLM land and how to locate / identify. With my new generator I can make two to three night stays a thing.

 

[offtohavasu]

If you stop in Amarillo, TX, you have to eat at the Big Texan. They have a 72oz steak challenge there. https://www.bigtexan.com/72-oz-steak/ Not many try, but it's a fun place to stop and the steaks are good!

Northern Arizona has some pretty spots. If you go north of the 40 towards UT, you can stop by Monument Valley. Many John Wayen/John Ford movies were filmed there, and so was Forest Gump.

When we return from our summer trip to South Dakota, we're going to take 160 across the south part of CO and hit 4 Corners just to say we did, stay at Meteor Crater, AZ and maybe stand on the corner.

 

[Wicked ace]

If you stop in Amarillo, TX, you have to eat at the Big Texan. They have a 72oz steak challenge there. https://www.bigtexan.com/72-oz-steak/ Not many try, but it's a fun place to stop and the steaks are good!

Northern Arizona has some pretty spots. If you go north of the 40 towards UT, you can stop by Monument Valley. Many John Wayen/John Ford movies were filmed there, and so was Forest Gump.

When we return from our summer trip to South Dakota, we're going to take 160 across the south part of CO and hit 4 Corners just to say we did, stay at Meteor Crater, AZ and maybe stand on the corner.

My days of 72 oz. steaks are long past. Monument Valley was on my mind I'll add Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest.
I was just looking at the map around Homolovi state park and saw Winslow. I just got got what you meant," standing on the corner'.....cool

 

[offtohavasu]

Even if you go for just a steak it's worth it. Just a fun place. Have a safe trip.

 

[D2Reid]

Please fill me in BLM land and how to locate / identify. With my new generator I can make two to three night stays a thing.

Oh boy! You have asked a really big question. Here is the short answer; BLM Camping

But now you have opened the whole boondocking can of worms. It gets to be an art form in the west. There are some new web pages out there listing boondocking locations, you can search this forum and get links. You can google Harvest Hosts for another interesting list of places to stay, essentially they are ranchers that allow one or two people to park for a night or two. Then you have recreation.gov for other federal land campsites, reserveamerica.com does a pretty good list also.

I have been fulltiming for 8 years. Think about it, camping in an RV all across america every night of the year for 8 years. I have only begun to scratch the surface of all that is available. My best advice is to find a place, any place, go there, then scout around, then spend a week, maybe a month depending on what you find interesting.

 

[ksbowman]

I've camped on BLM land several times in Wyoming and loved it. One place we stayed about 40miles north of Medicine Bow we had been there about 1/2 a day and it was late afternoon . We had the awning out and lawn chairs set up and a cowboy and his dog (following him) came riding into camp. I ask if he would like a beer and he said "Hell yah". He got off his horse, told the dog to lay down, ground tied his horse and sit in an open lawn chair and drank a beer. Really neat conversation and when he finished the beer, he said thanks. Remounted his horse and rode off. We had a map showing BLM land and it was very accurate.

 

[Ghdorn]

I would recommend eleven Mile Canyon west of Colorado Springs. I think it is one of the most spectacular little canyons you ever want to see. The May Museum near Fort Carson in Colorado Springs is worth a look as well. Places to stay in Colorado Springs can be hard to find on short notice so plan ahead. Traffic from Denver to Colorado Springs can be a bear, dont hit it at rush hour cause you will not rush through, you will grind through. Fall colors start in Sept. (late) and go through October and aspes around Antonito (west along the Conejos River) can be breathtaking. Ponderosa Campground is a favorite, but again plan ahead. Looks like a great trip.

 

[orbiker]

Dallas. I'm ready. I've got to wait till my wife want to retire. love this thought. KEN

"My best advice is to find a place, any place, go there, then scout around, then spend a week, maybe a month depending on what you find interesting."

 

[cforman61]

Tons of BLM land here in Colorado to boon dock on. Just jump online and you can find a lot of information. If you plan on staying in a state park here you have to reserve a spot 6 months in advance or you won't get one. The gap (I-25) between Colorado Springs and Denver is under construction now, and will be for a while, and it is a bear to drive. Every time we pull through there it is a white nuckle drive between the big rigs and the crazies.

Sounds like a great time. Be safe and have fun.

 

[ElSimon]

Winslow is a great stop. I was standing on that corner when my wife pulled up in a Fleetside Ford to pick me up!

 

[Big Blue]

We, (The wife, dog & I,) head west from Florida every spring... Spring weather on the Great Plains has changed our plans more than once... New Mexico State Parks are reasonably priced, Arizona not so much... We like National Forest CG's... https://www.fs.fed.us/ivm/ and look for higher altitudes as the weather gets warmer. Thereby keeping the dog cool... And it is all about the dog!

 

[ElSimon]

Tons of BLM land here in Colorado to boon dock on. Just jump online and you can find a lot of information. If you plan on staying in a state park here you have to reserve a spot 6 months in advance or you won't get one. The gap (I-25) between Colorado Springs and Denver is under construction now, and will be for a while, and it is a bear to drive. Every time we pull through there it is a white nuckle drive between the big rigs and the crazies.

Sounds like a great time. Be safe and have fun.

WAIT...WHAT...I-25 is still under construction? When our son and his family moved to Fort Carson (2 kids ago) it was under construction and looked like it had been for a while. I thought I-15 in Utah (home state) was the only major road constantly under construction. We have about 100 miles between Payson at the South and Ogden at the North which has been under construction since before we hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002! I have driven your I-25 with and without a trailer. It's not just the Big Rigs and the Crazies, it can be the Crazies driving the Big Rigs and diesel pushers with a car in tow. Just be patient, stay in your lane and maintain a safe speed and stopping distance. Isn't that what they taught us in Driver's Ed 40+ years ago?

 

[phonemannn]

IMO, I25 up from Albuquerque to Denver, is one of the most dangerous interstates in the country. Just be careful, AND there is NO truck stops on the road! To get fuel, you have to go into small towns off the interstate. And they are small, tough to get in and out of. But a beautiful drive in the summer. You can see more road side crosses on that road then any other...Sad..

 

[Quinty]

I was also considering going to the Rocky Mountains, but I don't have any friends who have been there, and I need to learn about the place. Give me some feedback, guys, if you can)))

 

[jjbbrewer]

IMO, I25 up from Albuquerque to Denver, is one of the most dangerous interstates in the country. Just be careful, AND there is NO truck stops on the road! To get fuel, you have to go into small towns off the interstate.

Ummm .. I'll disagree about that section of I25. I drive that route usually 2-4 times a year and it's fine. There are easy access stations north of Bernalillo, in Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Raton, Walsenberg, Pueblo, Fountain, & CSprings.

The weather can always be a factor, but Raton Pass is the only really high pass.

Compared to I70 Denver to Vail, that part of I25 is totally mellow.

 

[jjbbrewer]

Please fill me in BLM land and how to locate / identify. With my new generator I can make two to three night stays a thing.

In addition of the BLM camping link that #D2Reid posted, here's a direct link to find BLM land on the National Map. This is about as comprehensive of a map as you'll find for locating public land ..

Experience

experience.arcgis.com

 

[traveldawg]

I was also considering going to the Rocky Mountains, but I don't have any friends who have been there, and I need to learn about the place. Give me some feedback, guys, if you can)))

@Quinty
You responded to a thread that is 4 years old. Still, it has some good information.

I think if you elaborate on your trip a bit more it would help us....

How long will go plan to explore the Rocky Mountains..
Any specific state (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, etc....)
Any specific things you were interested in.... (states, cities, routes)
Where are you coming from....
Where will you head to after Colorado..

sorry - don't want to dampen the enthusiasm, just hoping to provide some detailed information.

We've been going and coming from Colorado (from all directions) for years, as well as other states mentioned (and a lot more).... there is so much to do and so much to see, some guidelines are helpful.