Visit to Co in late June. Mistake? (Denver, Colorado Springs: hotel, prices)
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I can't imagine that most areas are crowded. There are a few spots that everyone feels are must sees but the state is big and there are just as good, equivalent sites with similar views/attractions all over the place that aren't crowded. You don't mention what you are hoping to see. If you do and people think it is one of the crowded ones they can suggest alternatives.
A lot depends on the type of tourist you are. Some like to check off the popular spots so they can say they have been. Some like to feel they have uncovered a hidden gem that no one knows about. Neither is wrong and both provide a fantastic experience. Both will leave you very impressed with Colorado.
Black Canyon is about as far north as I'll likely go. I'm staying the night in Pagosa Springs. Many other areas had some very high priced hotels so I am pushing to Pagosa. It makes for a very long day but I am dropping my wife off around 3-4am in Phoenix at the airport.
Black Canyon is about as far north as I'll likely go. I'm staying the night in Pagosa Springs. Many other areas had some very high priced hotels so I am pushing to Pagosa. It makes for a very long day but I am dropping my wife off around 3-4am in Phoenix at the airport.
That would be a shame to do that drive so quick. You have Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Mesa Verde right on the way. If you've not seen them they are all worth a look.
I've posted on here a few weeks ago looking for advice as I'll be spending a couple days in AZ and CO doing some quick sightseeing before driving back east. But I keep reading where late June is a horrible time to visit due to crowds and traffic. On day 2 I'll drive through various areas and eventually end up in Canon City for the night. Is trying to do some sightseeing really as difficult as I keep reading elsewhere? Are things really this crowded?
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Aside from Royal Gorge tourists and groups rafting the Arkansas River, Canon City isn't particularly crowded; at present, it's more of a gateway than a destination. If you plan to stay in a hotel though, book early. There are only a couple of what I consider to be decent hotels in town and they fill up quickly.
Rocky Mtn NP begins a reservation/timed entry system the end of May.
I visited Black Canyon NP last summer. it was not crowded at all. It's one of the least visited NPs in the country.
Two completely different entrances too. The one from the north through Crawford is very lightly used.
Stop in the West Elks - Paonia and Hotchkiss on your way out. 13 wineries and cute eateries. Then up over McClure Pass to Carbondale or better yet, the back way into Crested Butte - Kebler Pass outside Paonia.
All summer is crowded. It starts about late June since the snow is gone enough to get about everywhere. And it stays crowded through hunting season.
Since a bunch have brought up black canyon... Yes it is worth visiting, but it is also crowded. It isn't big so it might not be as crowded as the big parks, not even close, but it is crowded in respect to having a hard time parking at lots of the pull offs. Send to be a trend with national parks. Never enough parking. But honestly if there was more parking there would be more people.
If you come in on the north rim by Crawford reservoir though I have never seen it crowded. And it really isn't stupid crowded on the more developed south rim. It's mostly just crowded in regard to parking. Worth seeing for sure though.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mic111
That would be a shame to do that drive so quick. You have Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Mesa Verde right on the way. If you've not seen them they are all worth a look.
We had a pretty thorough discussion about this about a month ago and on a tight schedule to get home (cross country)OP seems to be somewhat mobility impaired. Making sights visible from the car or parking lot preferred to 'trekking' / (Mesa Verde / Grand Canyon type visit).
That would seriously cause me to choose a tailored, but very specific and special route, that would meet those objectives. I travel a lot by motorcycle, so similar in that you can't leave your bike for long and go off hiking, but when on the road, you have 360 degree enjoyment of the view. OP was not desirous of significant 'INPUT' or ideas, more so, to self validate their chosen route. That's OK, just don't go researching and spending a bunch of your time and typing on 'ideas' that fall outside of prescribed path. (Especially if you are burning YOUR dollars doing it. (Pay-per-byte' internet. Every keystroke costs you.)
We had a pretty thorough discussion about this about a month ago and on a tight schedule to get home (cross country)OP seems to be somewhat mobility impaired. Making sights visible from the car or parking lot preferred to 'trekking' / (Mesa Verde / Grand Canyon type visit).
That would seriously cause me to choose a tailored, but very specific and special route, that would meet those objectives. I travel a lot by motorcycle, so similar in that you can't leave your bike for long and go off hiking, but when on the road, you have 360 degree enjoyment of the view. OP was not desirous of significant 'INPUT' or ideas, more so, to self validate their chosen route. That's OK, just don't go researching and spending a bunch of your time and typing on 'ideas' that fall outside of prescribed path. (Especially if you are burning YOUR dollars doing it. (Pay-per-byte' internet. Every keystroke costs you.)
Kind of feel like I have my own stalker here. "Pay-per-byte internet". Is that even a thing? My trip is still fluid at this point and I am still open to ideas keeping in mind I have limited time to do this. I plan on driving and stopping where I can in hopes of some great pics. Some of your suggestions were certainly good but you also were suggesting routes nowhere near where I was discussing. I do appreciate the suggestions and I'll keep reading them but I also will not have the time to vary off course very much so I want to find some great areas along the possible paths I have chosen.
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