Planning a trip to Durango, CO

[wrapperman]

Has anybody driven out of Durango to Pagosa Springs, CO?
I am planning a trip and would like to know if the roads are okay. We have a Georgetown 378XL and towing a Honda CRV. We have never been in this part of the country.
Any suggestions on routing and campgrounds.
Our adventures will take us through Farmington, NM, Durango then maybe through Pagosa Springs before heading back towards Dallas. We will not be in a hurry. All in September.
Thanks

[RamsFan1]

We were there just a couple of weeks ago, except we came from the other direction; Salida thru Pagosa Springs to Durango and then Mesa Verde.

The roads were in fine condition and it was a beautiful drive!

[wrapperman]

How is the drive from Pagosa Springs north? We were thinking of maybe going north then to Alamosa then down.

[RamsFan1]

As you head north from Pagosa Springs, you will go up Wolf Creek Pass. The scenery is terrific.
It is about 8-10 miles to the top at about 6% grade (elev ~11,000 feet).
Other than a few short stretches, there is plenty room for passing/passing lanes. There are some sections that have switchbacks and the speed limit in most of it was only 35-45mph range, so my 35-40mph crawl wasn't too bad.
Once you come out of the pass and through South Fork, you are in a valley and it is relatively flat.

[wrapperman]

Sounds wonderful. Thanks for the info and are looking forward to this route.

[RamsFan1]

Glad to help.
Enjoy your trip!

[kentdavido]

We headed into the Durango area soon. We've driven the SUV several times and this is a first for the Georgetown and the new Toad. Have a great trip.

[Grampy Dan]

We travelled that road this winter on a cross country tour that covered almost 12,000 miles and can say that area of CO is very nice. We stayed at the Mountain Landing Suites & RV Park, Pagosa Springs, CO, Private Campground.
Fairly new and a bit pricy but nice. Golf course close if interested.
Short walk to restaurant/ bar

[mitchellm68]

We just got back from there Monday. Great roads. We stayed Northeast of Durango and Blue Spruce RV Park about a mile north of Vallecita Lake. Great people. Will be going back when I am ready to drive 2,000 miles roundtrip again. Have Fun!

[wrapperman]

Originally Posted by mitchellm68

We just got back from there Monday. Great roads. We stayed Northeast of Durango and Blue Spruce RV Park about a mile north of Vallecita Lake. Great people. Will be going back when I am ready to drive 2,000 miles roundtrip again. Have Fun!

Mitchell's, what type of RV do you have. We have a 378XL with a toad. Can Blue Spruce RV Park accommodate us okay?

[mitchellm68]

They had some of your rigs there. Might call to see if they even have any open spots. I booked 2 months early.

[wrapperman]

Thanks, will do.

[Craiginok]

We are doing the reverse of your trip right now. We came out from Oklahoma on I-40 and through Santa Fe and Chama and stayed in Pagosa Springs at the Pagosa Riverside Campground. Plenty of room for your rig. We have a 377 and could have it and our Jeep in the spot just fine.

We didn't come over Wolf Creek Pass so I can't say how we would do for sure but it is 2 lanes up most of the way going east so I would think you wouldn't have any problems at all.

The drive from Durango to Pagosa is easy. Anything steep has a passing lane so even if you slow down you won't be making everyone else mad.

We just checked into the Durango Riverside resort and RV park. Very nice place. The river is much swifter here than in Pagosa so I'm going to have to watch my grandson a lot closer. It is 12 miles north of Durango and is in the trees and mountains. The ones closer into town are more exposed and further from the mountains. We are impressed and schedule 3 nights in late September when we come back through on our Grand Canyon trip.

[Wsmith60]

Lots of national forest sites around Durango that are better than the standard RV Parks. Check out the Vallcetio Lake area as well.

[RogerD]

We were there in May and traveled almost every road with our 13'6" tall 5th wheel except the Million Dollar Highway. One of the cuts through the mountain is listed as 13'9" but it looked shorter and the Colorado Highway Department couldn't guarantee the clearance. Beautiful drive but we did it without the 5er.

[elchilero53]

The road to Pagosa Springs from Durango is very nice and smooth. The road going over Wolf Creek Pass is steep on the west side with a 7% grade up to the top of the pass. But once you top the pass, the east side is a gradual down hill grade to South Fork and on to Alamosa.

If you don't want to tackle Wolf Creek Pass, turn south on 84 to 64 to Chama NM and go north on NM 17 out of Chama over Cumbres Pass. It is lower in elevation and the grade up isn't as steep. It will drop you out at Antonito CO, south of Alamosa and you can turn north to Alamosa.

Enjoy the trip!

[kenword]

I'm in Durango now. I came up from Santa Fe on Hwy550. No problems. Staying at Durango Riverside Resort & RV park 15 mile north of Durango on the Animas River.

[Gloryhog]

NEast of Wolf Creek Pass and just southwest of South Fork is a place called Fun Valley which is situated on the South Fork of the Rio Grande. It is a large park with stocked trout ponds, restaurant, mini golf, rec room, etc, etc. It's been there for almost 60 years, being owned by a west Texas family for most of that time. Probably not the greatest for a one night in and out, but pretty unique as RV parks go. My parents spent 25 summers there in the 60's-80's. Plenty of online reviews to check out. Each Sept. they used to have a big square dancing "meet".

[Wantoby]

I was just there and stayed in the Bayfield Riverside RV Park. It was beautiful. Could have stayed another week! 17 miles from Durango and worth it!
If going to Ouray, the Ouray KOA was great also!