Once you reach Creede, known as one of the last Silver Boom towns in Colorado during the late 19th century, you have quite a few options before heading back down to South Fork. It is located between I-70 and Keystone, offering an alternative route to I-70 and the Eisenhower Tunnel. North Americas largest sandbox contains some 5 billion cubic meters of sand and stands out against the striking backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: caudesucre.com Cau de sucre - blog de repostera creativa, recetas dulces y mucha fotografa! If you must go out, make sure you are prepared for winter travel and your tires meet the minimal requirements for Colorados new traction law. Tue, Jul 25. Well, youve come to the right place. Denver to Durango - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor The train route links Silverton and Durango, and you can even book a seat in a private car. Tours and campgrounds are also available, and popular activities include sledding down the dunes (a time-honored favorite), four-wheel tours, and horseback riding. For us, one of the most fun things a first-time visitor can do is catch a show at, If concerts and shows arent your scene, no problem! day 2 driving 3.5 hours. Denver Area Road Trip But those in the know, slow down and stop in four . The alternate route out of Denver and straight down I-25 South is about 385 miles in total distance and will take drivers closer to six and a half hours. From hiking to climbing to jeep and segway tours, theres a whole heaping lot to do at this picture-perfect place. It is a 7 hour plus drive, not counting any stops. Having seen and read descriptions of the Million Dollar Highway, I'd like to avoid the drive south between Ouray and Silverton. Driving Distance: 941 miles. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Another possible stop near Salida located in the shadow of Mt. This is a beautiful and quicker drive. Additional terms apply. Driving from Denver to Durango? - Colorado Message Board - Tripadvisor Plus, your guide will provide insightful interpretations on each of the archaeological sites as well as the history of the Ancestral Pueblo people. The Million Dollar Highway is just a small portion of the 236-mile San Juan Skyway, itself a section of U.S. Highway 550, which runs 305 miles from Bernalillo, New Mexico, to Montrose, Colorado . Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? more. Aspen vs Vail vs Breckenridge: Which Colorado Town to Visit? At Red Rocks you can catch concerts, stand-up comedy shows, film screenings, and, in the mornings, you can even join a yoga class. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75890236', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pagosa Springs are the only 2 I hit along the route. There are lots of unique little shops and restaurants in town, and attractions like the Last Chance Mine offer a glimpse of history for those who are interested. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-13124761', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver-Pagosa Springs via Colorado Springs and Walsenburg on I25 and us160 via Great Sand Dunes NP and Wolf Creek pass to Pagosa Springs. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. If high-alpine hikes arent your jazz, another great place to explore near Salida is Great Sand Dunes National Park. What is the least scary route to cross the Rocky Mountains by - Quora What about Mine Tours and Mining Museums? Most crashes on the pass occur at the switchback curve near the Wolf Creek scenic outlook area. The San Juan Skyway & Million Dollar Highway | Visit Durango, CO Is this a summer trip or a winter trip? Maybe there's a faster drive but we have not done that. You have permission to edit this article. If you're looking to just get there as quickly as possible, it's much better to fly. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? This loop of state-maintained highways through the San Juan Mountains can be done in your own car and at your own leisure, but be aware that various parts of this beautiful, scenic drive do feature steep drop-offs without guardrails. Alpine travel often gets a little sketchy along Loveland Pass, an 8.7-mile road that soars high into the mountains at nearly 12,000 feet. We are travelling with 3 children from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The building opened in 1917, and served as a high school until 1976, after which it became the district administration building. Its also helpful to pack warm layers, snacks, water, and a flash flight for unexpected delays and emergencies. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6e6fde05a476155cc84d0616c8a9c0f" );document.getElementById("b934630cd5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi! Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. Thank you :) But I need to leave here at midnight. Click here to browse more Durango hotels! Which route is the best? I routinely make the trip via 285 and it is much shorter and beautiful. You'll be basically traveling in an L-shape on the two long sides of a triangle, instead of driving on the diagonal. Mesa Verde is a world-class attraction that you really should see. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. Maybe see http://www.mapquest.com for that. Private Vacation Rental There are a number of great properties to choose from in Salida such as this beautiful secluded log cabin if youre looking for a peaceful getaway. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. How long will the journey be and what is the fastest route? For a more complete guide on the hike, check out this Out There Colorado article. Thank you for your advise. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. BTW also Mapquest gives the route Casa said but mentioned 5 hours. Your best and most scenic route from Denver to Durango tends to be 285 South, though you could also choose to go straight south from Denver on Interstate 25. You have two route options, both of which take you through amazing scenery and worthwhile stops. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Not much to recommend for food along the way. At Wolf Creek Pass, pedestrians can access the Continental Divide Trail and the Wolf Creek Trailhead. Along this route youll be graced with beautiful views of the town as well as encounter a few sizable waterfalls that make for perfect Instagram backdrops. Portions of I-70 often close due to severe weather conditions. ! Check out our Denver to Aspen drive & Denver to Moab road trip articles! That said, if you do hike Mount Princeston, still come prepared for a long days hike as well as a little rock scrambling. While the route offers a fast connection to Winter Park from Denver, avalanches and snowslides often make winter travel on this route extremely difficult. *Note: At time of writing (May 17th, 2021) there is a road closure along US-50 W between Sapinero and Montrose that is expected to last until Spring of 2022. Cortez is 50 miles away from Durango, while Telluride is 110 miles away. Cheyenne . Drive to Colorado Springs on Interstate 25 and on through Pueblo to Walsenburg where you'll take Hwy 160 west. The creekside hot spring pools here are naturally divided with river rocks to range in temperature from 70 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 49 degrees Celsius), so you can even temper your experience by relaxing in the pool thats closest to your personal heat preferences. Looking for the ultimate Colorado summer road trip experience? Its a stop with good lodging options and plenty of services, and there are also two great options for wine and beer tasting, respectively, in Aspen Peak Cellars and Mad Jacks Mountain Brewery. Our next recommendation is to take a guided tour at Mesa Verde National Park. Along the way, possibly stop in Fairplay, see a reconstructed mining town called South Park City. While its unlikely that traffic jams will ever disappear, avoiding peak travel times allows for an easier and stress-free commute. As the name would suggest, this trail takes you around the entire town dont worry, there are plenty of places to enter or exit the trail for a shorter hike. Cheap Flights from Denver Intl. You can also rent ATVs and off-road vehicles in town if you prefer to not take your own car. Mostly flat in some areas, Colorado gives drivers the most treacherous section of I-70 through the Rocky Mountains. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Thank you :) Located 60 miles west of Denver, this incredible highway is the highest paved road in North America. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, and off-roading are all staple activities here in our hometown. We know what youre thinking: sand dunes in Colorado? From Tiny Town, the next few stops between Conifer and Buena Vista also tend to be good ones for travelers and looking to take their time, relax, and settle into vacation mode while on the way out of the Denver bubble. If youre passing through outside of ski season, Monarch is still worth a stop thanks to the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway thats open from May through the fall. Colorados capital city has something for everyone: great food, impressive history, beautiful views, and plenty of adventure opportunities close by! Brittany is an award-winning journalist based in Denver where she has lived and worked for more than a decade. Be sure to take a peek at, This is one town that has definitely earned its nickname as its surrounded by more than a dozen fourteeners. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Take the bus from Union Station Gate B4 to Grand Valley Downtown Transfer Station, Drive from Grand Valley Downtown Transfer Station to Montrose Airport, Take a shuttle bus from Montrose Airport to Telluride, Take a shuttle bus from Silverton, CO to Durango, CO, Take the train from Silverton to Durango, CO, Take a shuttle bus from Purgatory Plaza to Durango Transit Center, Fly from Denver (DEN) to Telluride Regional (TEX), Take a shuttle bus from Mesa Verde National Park to Purgatory Resort. Durango is the county seat and the most populous municipality of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. Either way there is only one high pass to cross (Wolf Creek, mentioned above), and I wouldn't call it scary. Family RV adventure advice for Colorado, Utah & Wyoming. Driving from Denver to Durango? - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor I-25 is a major interstate highway that travels north and south, serving as the main connection from Denver to Colorado Springs. Not to mention, its known as one of the most treacherous roads in the state. Or, Highway 285 to 160 is more scenic and has mountains but is not scary. It might sound like a bad deal, but these tickets can be a little bit cheaper than United's direct flights and it's still faster than driving. Answer 1 of 6: My friends and I are coming from Europe to Denver Airport and we are supposed to go to Durango by car. There are long swaths of the drive down 285 Southsuch as the section between Fairplay to Buena Vistawhere you may lose cell signal at times and find higher chances of on-road hazards like wildlife, fallen rocks, and icy or snowy road conditions. 16 Best Things to Do in Colorado in Summer, Travel From Madrid to San Sebastian by Train, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From Rome to Naples by Train, Plane, Bus, or Car, The Top 10 Things to Do in Durango, Colorado, How to Travel From Denver to Las Vegas by Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From Montreal to Quebec City by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, The Best Places to See Fall Colors in Colorado, How to Travel from Los Angeles to Denver by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. $195 Cheap Flights from Denver (DEN) to Durango (DRO) - Expedia Loveland Pass Summit in Winter. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! If you hit the turn too fast you will go right off the edge. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. For us, one of the most fun things a first-time visitor can do is catch a show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It is a 7 hour plus drive, not counting any stops. The cheapest month to fly is July. After spending the night in the alpine town of Vail (yes, on the drive over from Rocky Mountain National Park across I-70, we hit several patches of snow and temperatures falling below zero, even at the end of May!