Road From Alamosa To Durango

[oscarpug]

How is Hwy. 160 driving from Alamosa, CO thru Pagosa Springs to Durango? 

We have an older, 2000, Monaco Windsor, 40ft. but loaded because we're full-timers. 

It will be in late August. 

Where is a good place to stay in Durango if we decide to try it?

[MarkJoan]

160 is relatively flat from Alamosa to South Fork, then you climb 11000 foot Wolf Creek Pass.  Incidentally at the foot of Wolf Creek is Riverbend RV which is where parts of the movie "Vacation" was filmed. Wolf Creek is a pretty good climb but and it will be a little slow but the road is 4 lane and excellent condition.  Your 40 foot diesel pusher should have no problem.  A little past the bottom is Pagosa Springs which is a nice place to stay.  Consider Wolf Run RV park and go to the hot springs.  Past Pagosa the highway is still excellent on to Durango.  There are a number of options for camping.  United Campground on the north end of  town is interesting because the narrow gauge railroad goes right through.  On further is Alpen Rose which is also quite nice. 

When you leave Durango consider going on west to Cortez.  Lots to see there. 

Incidentally, going north out of Durango on US 550 (the "million dollar highway" ) towards Silverton and Ouray is absolutely spectacular!  However, it climbs 3 major passes with multiple 180 degree switchbacks and steep drop-offs (like 500 feet).  Unless you're pretty comfortable with serious mountain driving in the motorhome consider just taking your car for a drive. 

Have a great time.

 

 

[rsbilledwards]

160 is a great road and it will be slow up over Wolf Creek Pass and plenty of places to camp off the beaten trail. use the toad to explore and you will find plenty of places ro camp with out paying a dime. Obviously we have no idea where you are headed but a suggestion. Continue on to Cortez and watch for Hwy 145 and Delores. Use the toad to find one. Fall is busy in this part of the country as well.

It is Colorado's best kept secrets: it is the Delores River road Hwy 145 and going North from Cortez, The traffic is minimal, most of it is coming in from the North. Numerous camping spots. Look at the map, the Delores river runs just east from Cortez north. One can go all the way to Grand Junction with unbelievable sites all the way up . The elevation changes are minimal except where you encounter Lizard Head Pass and then it is not bad at all. Both roads are scenic but 145 is the BEST...145 will also take you by Placerville and the historic wooden viaduct still hanging on the canyon wall, an engineering marvel. It supplied water to the placer mines that were ill fated and produced little. Then there is Telluride!  Follow 145 to 141 and though not marked scenic it is oh my unbelievable. The geology spectacular and NO traffic, easy road to drive off the beaten path a 9 on my scale. Find a place to stay on the 145 and take the toad to explore 550 and Ouray area.

Good luck

 

Bil

[obedb]

US160 from South Fork to Wolf creek pass is certainly not four lane until you get closer to the pass. South Fork is 8209 ft elevation.The pass is 10,857 feet. Stop at the top and read the info on the Forest Service Display. The descent is steeper and somewhat scary to flat landers. It does wind some but when you have a clear view of the valley on a clear day it is striking.

When the Aspen color, usually in late September or into October depending on temps it is gorgeous, but you will miss that based on the date you have described.

The approach to Wolf Creek from South Fork is curvy and narrow at times until you get closer to the top/ then things open up. The descent is trickier because you drop over 3500 to the valley on your way to Pagosa Springs and it winds more on the way down.  

Wolf Creek Run ($$) sets right along the highway (noisy) all concrete roads and sites. Looks gorgeous if it were further away from civilization. We prefer Pagosa Riverside Campground ( they have a website ) . Been using them for decades. 

Good Sam now and previously a KOA . Much quieter. Suggest  reservations for a site right on the river.  Good rates and they stay open into November. 

[hermanmullins]

Have stayed at Wolf Creek Run RV Resort is great and will stay there any and every time we are in the area. They only have 27 sites that are all owned by Rvers.(don't try to stay there over Labor Day Week End, all the owners come it that time) They are as friendly as any place we have ever stayed. They have a Hi and Howdy time each evening and a Continental Breakfast to die for. Yes it is a bit pricey but well worth every cent.

Herman 

[five]

Be sure to make reservations.  Many of these CGs are open only in the summer and stay very busy.