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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?
And I should clarify. Some of the comments I've read have been on here but most were off this site.
Last edited by Countryfreak; 05-25-2022 at 04:29 AM..
I think Canon City would be just fine. Yes, there is a tourist season here so traffic will likely be a bit more than off-season. But this isn't Disneyland.
Also, if you plan to do any outdoor mountain activities, June is thunderstorm season. The general rule of thumb is get an early start and be off the mountain by 1 PM.
Also, if you plan to do any outdoor mountain activities, June is thunderstorm season. The general rule of thumb is get an early start and be off the mountain by 1 PM.
I am an early riser so I'll be out there right away.
I think Canon City would be just fine. Yes, there is a tourist season here so traffic will likely be a bit more than off-season. But this isn't Disneyland.
Canon City is just my layover before I start heading east. Most of the sightseeing I'd like to do will be west of Canon City.
The popular stuff is crowded - national parks for example, but there are many, many areas of the western part of the state that are still pristine and uncrowded. I encourage you to explore and discover.
The popular stuff is crowded - national parks for example, but there are many, many areas of the western part of the state that are still pristine and uncrowded. I encourage you to explore and discover.
Agreed. Rocky Mountain NP will be a nightmare in late June. Great Sand Dunes NP, Black Canyon NP, and Mesa Verde NP will be busy, but nowhere near the level of Rocky Mountain and still worth visiting if they're on your list. Most of the crowding is along the I-25 corridor and the mountains just west of that.
Don't let the summer tourist crowds deter you from taking your trip, though. Even us locals are in the mountains in the summer. The more obscure your destination, the lesser the crowds. Have a great trip and let us know if you need recommendations on where to go.
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.
I live 45 minutes from Black Canyon NP. It't not to be missed and right, it's hardly crowded. I've had visitors say it was more rewarding than Grand Canyon.
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