Palo Duro Canyon, TX to Ridgway State Park, CO

[isobar]

We are looking for recommendations for our route from Palo Duro Canyon Texas to Ridgway State Park Colorado. It seems there are a couple of possibilities,

1) take highway 50 thru Monarch Pass over to Montrose and then down to Ridgway State Park
or
2) take highway 550 up through Durango and Ouray to Ridgway State Park.

We are NOT concerned about sights on the way because we are base camping and will be doing that. All we need at the moment is which way to haul the camper! It's a long days travel so I am looking for ease and efficiency.

Should I be worried about Monarch Pass on Highway 50?
How tough are the mountains between Durango and Ridgway on Highway 550?
Which route would you choose and why?

Thanks!

[Skyliner]

I've towed on both. Monitor engine oil and transmission temps during any of the climbs. My tow vehicle transmission fluid temp got a little high during climb on highway 550 but not on Monarch. Hill down Monarch requires careful braking so as to not overheat your brakes.

Both can be "scary" for rv'ers not experienced in mountain towing. 550 is narrow and has no guard rails on sections but if you pay attention on the road ahead of you, you'll be ok.

I would choose Monarch since the speeds are faster on Highway 50.

[Maman325]

Originally Posted by Skyliner

I've towed on both. Monitor engine oil and transmission temps during any of the climbs. My tow vehicle transmission fluid temp got a little high during climb on highway 550 but not on Monarch. Hill down Monarch requires careful braking so as to not overheat your brakes.

Both can be "scary" for rv'ers not experienced in mountain towing. 550 is narrow and has no guard rails on sections but if you pay attention on the road ahead of you, you'll be ok.

I would choose Monarch since the speeds are faster on Highway 50.

X2. Take Monarch - there are plenty of places to pull over on that route, if need be. And you can do the scenic Hwy 550 (Million Dollar Highway) route w/out your camper once you've made home base in Ridgway. Not that the Monarch route isn't scenic...

[fanrgs]

x3. Take Monarch Pass. For ideas on the US 50/550 route and its scenic attractions, see my blog HERE.

[isobar]

with x3 for Monarch Pass, we will be taking it to get to Ridgway. Thanks for the replies and I'll check back in after our trip to let you know how it went.

[Maman325]

Safe travels - we are headed there in July!

[cpttimerstraint]

Any tips on good RV parks along the 50 & 550?

[Maman325]

Originally Posted by cpttimerstraint

Any tips on good RV parks along the 50 & 550?

Those are some pretty long stretches of road (50 runs from Kansas to Grand Junction, for example) - but the OP mentioned Ridgway State Park in the subject, and if you're looking in around the same area, that's a great place to stay. State parks out here often have really nice setups - many with full hookups, level paved pads, and much nicer spacing between sites than you'll find in a lot of RV parks. Nice place to make home base if you're interested in exploring Telluride/Ouray and even Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Are there any specific areas you're interested in? And do you typically like RV parks w/full hookups or are you willing to do any dry camping?

[CedarCreekWoody]

"Are there any specific areas you're interested in? And do you typically like RV parks w/full hookups or are you willing to do any dry camping?"

The OP didn't respond but I am interested in full/electric hookup campgrounds along this same route.

[fanrgs]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

The OP didn't respond but I am interested in full/electric hookup campgrounds along this same route.

We have stayed at the Heart of the Rockies RV Park (FHU) on US 50 on the east side of Salida and found it very popular with summer seasonal Texans. Also recommend Elk Creek cg (30/50A electric sites with separate water, dump, swim beach, and marina) on US 50 at Blue Mesa Reservoir and the electric-only sites at Black Canyon NP (bring your own water and NO dump). You can find more details on that route in my blog link shown in my post above.

[JohnD10]

My favorite RV park on Highway 50 is 12 miles west of Gunnison called 'Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch'.

Click here for their website: Home

I have a membership there so get discounts and stuff...

I love it!

Here is my rig there last October:

[CedarCreekWoody]

Thanks, I will check those out.