Colorado vacation suggestions

March 20, 2017, 01:06 PM

Were planning on taking the kids to Colorado this summer. I've been all over the state on vacations and hunting trips but my last visit was back in 98. I'm thinking of going to the less developed areas like the San Juan mountain range, starting in Pagosa Springs and going up to Silverton.
Does anyone have any tips/suggestions on things to see and do in that area? Thanks.

March 20, 2017, 01:29 PM

zipriderson

Great Sand Dunes park comes to mind.

Telluride is beautiful in the summer.

Aspen isn't too far away. If you are making your way North, you could hit Glenwood Springs and Vail on your way towards Denver (if you are heading to Denver at some point).

Vail has fun activities on the mountain in the summer. How old are the kids?

March 20, 2017, 01:33 PM

arfmel

Ride a choochoo train, either the Durango and Silverton or the Cumbres and Toltec. I prefer the latter.

Raft the Arkansas River.

Dinosaur National Monument on the Utah/Colo border.

Mesa Verde National Park cliff dwellings.

March 20, 2017, 01:34 PM

OKCGene

I'm very fond of the Durango area.

March 20, 2017, 01:38 PM

ScorpionBoy

quote:
Originally posted by sigspecops:
Were planning on taking the kids to Colorado this summer. I've been all over the state on vacations and hunting trips but my last visit was back in 98. I'm thinking of going to the less developed areas like the San Juan mountain range, starting in Pagosa Springs and going up to Silverton.
Does anyone have any tips/suggestions on things to see and do in that area? Thanks.

Stay on 550 N from Silverton to Ouray, very nice scenery.
I would hit Durango if I were in that area, but it can be pretty warm in the summer. There is a narrow gauge you can take from Durango to Silverton, though I have never been on it, I am suer it has amazing scenery as well.
Pagosa has many music festivals during the summer, so you could time it and see some good music acts.
Are you focusing on the 4 corners area?

March 20, 2017, 01:46 PM

46and2

Ouray is especially beautiful.

March 20, 2017, 02:14 PM

2000Z-71

Already mentioned; Mesa Verde and the Silverton Railroad. Jeep trip through the San Juans is always fun. We found a great bed and breakfast in Durango, The Apple Orchard Inn. They had some beautiful grounds with water features that were stocked with trout for catch and release.

March 20, 2017, 02:44 PM

sandman76

Google San Juan Skyway. A lot to see on that path.

March 20, 2017, 03:48 PM

elde

There is a truly terrific museum in Ouray. And the hot springs are great there as well.
Also Box Canyon Falls a mile out of town.

March 20, 2017, 06:03 PM

scratchy

In Durango, the Silverton Durango railroad is a cool trip and our kids loved rafting the Animas. Purgatory has some fun summer activities. From there it's not a horrible drive to Ouray and Telluride.

March 20, 2017, 07:29 PM

coloradohunter44

Avoid Denver and the front range crowd. Too crowded. Steamboat Springs is a great summertime area with lots to do as well.

March 20, 2017, 08:20 PM

dry-fly

We'll be in Telluride part of July, San Juans are the most beautiful part of the state IMO.

March 20, 2017, 09:48 PM

flashguy

quote:
Originally posted by ScorpionBoy:
quote:
Originally posted by sigspecops:
Were planning on taking the kids to Colorado this summer. I've been all over the state on vacations and hunting trips but my last visit was back in 98. I'm thinking of going to the less developed areas like the San Juan mountain range, starting in Pagosa Springs and going up to Silverton.
Does anyone have any tips/suggestions on things to see and do in that area? Thanks.

Stay on 550 N from Silverton to Ouray, very nice scenery.
I would hit Durango if I were in that area, but it can be pretty warm in the summer. There is a narrow gauge you can take from Durango to Silverton, though I have never been on it, I am suer it has amazing scenery as well.
Pagosa has many music festivals during the summer, so you could time it and see some good music acts.
Are you focusing on the 4 corners area?

If you are going the Durango to Silverton railroad journey, I recommend the option to go to Silverton by rail and return by coach. The paths diverge and go different routes through the mountains.

flashguy

March 20, 2017, 10:00 PM

redstone

My wife is from Grand Junction so I have spent many vacations on the western slope. I too recommend the Silverton railroad, as well as Mesa Verde. Also, Ouray is amazing, and there are old mines that you can tour and mining Ghost towns as well.

March 21, 2017, 10:25 AM

sigspecops

Thanks for all of the suggestions. We booked a fairly isolated cabin overlooking Electra lake near Purgatory, halfway between Durango and Silverton.

March 21, 2017, 11:22 AM

OKCGene

You could go to the Four Corners and get some good family pics.

March 21, 2017, 03:24 PM

bearstarr

Try a mine tour. This one was very fun.

http://www.goldminetours.com/g...etours.com/Home.html
http://minetour.com/index.html

March 21, 2017, 06:04 PM

smlsig

I'll second Mesa Verde and Durango. Our kids (now in their 20's) still talk about it.

March 21, 2017, 06:22 PM

SigSentry

I was going to add Colorado Springs. From there, there are many day trips, cripple creek, cave if the winds https://youtu.be/rFiijGZ3vrw or woodland Park or Mantiou Incline (if you're so inclined). The cabin sounds awesome. Oh, Dragon Man's is on my list to do...someday..would love to meet Mel.