In 2013, I took my first RV road trip to Colorado. I just barely scratched the surface in that first visit, but it left me with a longing to see and experience more of this beautiful state.
I love being in the Rocky Mountains and marveling at those white-capped 14,000 ft peaks. As I drive over Colorado’s mountain passes and scenic roads, I’m constantly mumbling “Oh my God.” or “Holy Crap!” at the scenes in my windshield.  In fact, the whole place is loaded with scenic eye candy that I can’t seem to get enough of.
This will the third year that I’ve headed west to the Mile High state. Each year I try to see and experience a different part. I love the Mountains and Western Slope parts of the state. Last year’s trip was spent exploring former mining towns that are now playgrounds. I enjoyed visiting these small mountain towns. So, on this years trip, we’ll be visiting more of the same that I’ve missed in prior visits.
Here’s a map of my 2016 Colorado road trip route.
This years trip, we’ll be visiting / stopping in the following places;
- Cripple Creek, Victor, and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
- Royal Gorge
- Salida, Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, Buena Vista, and Leadville
- Mosca, San Luis State Park
- Pagosa Springs, Chimney Rock National Monument
- Durango
- Silverton, Ouray, and Ridgeway State Park
- Colorado River State Park
- Colorado National Monument
- Grand Mesa National Forest
- Rifle Falls State Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- North Sterling State Park
My son, Cavin, will be joining me and riding shotgun in the RV as he takes a summer break from college. We’ll be on the road for 6 weeks and do our best to stay out of the newspapers and the nightly news 😉
J. Dawg and son Cavin
We’ll be westbound and down in a couple of days. Trip reports and pictures will start to follow. Just stay tuned to the blog or Follow J. Dawg by Email below and sign up to follow us on this latest adventure.
Diane and I just came across the country with the dog…our 6th trip.
Arizona and NM on Route 60 were spectacular, especially the Salt River Canyon.
We are now on the Cape for the summer and Fall.
Have fun on your trip. We enjoy your writing and adventures.
All the best.
Thanks, Don. I’ve looked at Route 60 and would like to drive it someday.
Welcome to Colorado (again)! Any tips on how you plan your trips? I get overwhelmed by how much there is to do/is out there! Currently planning a trip to Oregon/wine country and the west coast of Michigan. (2 trips).
I may be on the road myself, but if you need a flat driveway out in the country, let me know. We are 2 miles off I-70 in Clifton (east of Grand Junction).
Janice
Thanks, Janice. I use other bloggers to get ideas for trips and just like to look at maps. I don’t set a time limit for an overall trip. I just add up the days I plan for each stop and see how it comes out. We’re planning to be in Grand Junction (Fruita) for Country Jam.
Thanks, J. about planning.
I remember than you used to do a lot of biking; we have an extensive River Front trail system that goes from Fruita to Palisade (almost with no interruptions)
Janice