Alright folks, here's my 5-day planned vacation route, what should I be sure to see and do? (Alamosa: campsites, rated)

[Action100]

For what it's worth, I wasn't actually listing Four Corners as a destination, just pointing out which direction I would be leaving! It doesn't have much appeal to me.



Thanks for all the responses guys. I'm going to slowly but surely start studying up.

Please keep the info coming!

[beezle1]

You need to go to Bishop Castle in Beulah....
Bishop Castle (Westcliffe, CO) on TripAdvisor: Hours, Address, Top-Rated Point of Interest & Landmark Reviews

[bluescreen73]

FWIW, the Four Corners monument isn't even in the right spot. A GPS survey a few years ago came back and said it's about 1/3 of a mile east of the actual four corners.

[TechMike]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

FWIW, the Four Corners monument isn't even in the right spot. A GPS survey a few years ago came back and said it's about 1/3 of a mile east of the actual four corners.

Once the survey markers were placed, they became the legal boundaries, even if they differ from the written description. See https://supreme.justia.com/cases/fed...7/30/case.html

So, while the four corners monument is off from the written description by a bit (thanks to the primitive survey techniques in use at the time), it is the legal boundary.

[NW Crow]

South Fork only mentioned as a navigation point, not destination. But fishing the Rio Grande is an option. Montrose and Gunnison are fine for supplies or sleeping but I wouldn't spend vacation time there compared to other options.

[mic111]

Looks like your headed over to the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

If so then swing by and hike Zapata Falls.
Zapata Falls (Alamosa, CO) on TripAdvisor: Address, Waterfall Reviews

Lots of hot springs along the way. For example:
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Its not that big and therefore not that crowded. You can pick one of the more well known spots for more specialness.

Make sure when you get to Glenwood Springs you go east a bit on I-70 to drive through Glenwood Canyon. Really spectacular.

Looks like you will be in Rifle. If so swing up to see Rifle Falls and visit the caves.
Rifle Falls (CO) on TripAdvisor: Address, Top-Rated Waterfall Reviews

If I were up in the NW part of the state I would make sure to see the Colorado National Monument.
Colorado National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

We like Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Sort of our version of the Grand Canyon.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

No matter how I look at it I can't see how to cover that route in 5 days and see even the highlights, much less off the beaten path stuff. I tried to pick stuff close to the roads. So many good hikes and such. Are you camping? If so then I can suggest a few campgrounds. Good luck and have fun!

[Rainbow Demon]

If you find yourself in Glenwood Canyon on I-70....the hike to Hanging lake (and spouting rock above it) is memorable stuff. Not sure you'll ever see anything quite like it anywhere else... budget 3-4 hours.....take a lunch/etc. There will be other folks there but the sheer beauty and magnitude of it all will make up for having to share.

I also second Rifle Falls. Definitely an oasis. If you are camping head farther up the road and you may get lucky and find a creekside spot...

My suggestion.....go to a good bookstore (or online) and buy a Delorme Gazetteeer map (book). It's not the be all/end all....but it is more in depth than any road maps you'll encounter. Shows FS and BLM boundaries...campgrounds....scenic features/geologic wonders/etc.

have a safe trip

[TechMike]

Hanging lake is a very gorgeous hike, if you have the time.

[sunsprit]

Given your interests, you've left virtually no time to actually see anything beyond a "drive-by" in your travels.

IMO, you've got way too much travels planned ... and you're missing out on some of the best of Colorado at this time.

As long as you're on the West Slope I-70 corridor, to not drop into Palisade at the height of the growing season and check out the history and production of this area would be a major miss on your trip.

I think you'd do better to narrow your focus on your interests ... say, for example, if you want to see old mining districts, there's a lot of interesting areas within the scope of your route. Many can justify a whole day to explore just to see the highlights.

From your plan, it looks to me like you're on track to do something like "see everything that there is to see in Yellowstone National Park in a couple of days". All you can really do in that time is drive past the highlights, tagging them for your notebook, but really seeing nothing. As well, if you want to access some of the remote areas of Colorado away from the crowds, you'll need to get out of your car and spend time accessing those locations. You cannot do so in such a limited time frame as you've planned.

PS: there's a lot to see in the Four Corners area ... if you'll take the time to visit the ruins of the Indian community of the area. But the again, you'll need time to do so and to get out of your car for a day or two to justify the visit, to see and explore. But worth it only if it's of interest to you

[jim9251]

You can easily spend 5 days in any one of the places you mentioned and still not see everything. Still, have a great time.