We arrived in Durango, CO on May 2nd for a 4-night stay at Oasis RV Resort. Durango, situated on the Animas River, is a charming mountain town located in the southwestern part of the state and is known for its natural beauty and Old West history. The biggest draw is the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway, a steam-powered train that takes a breathtaking route to the town of Silverton. Because this is an all-day excursion and is not dog-friendly, we decided to opt out of the train ride and drive to Silverton one day from Ouray, our next stop on our Colorado adventure.
Discovering Durango
On May 6th we rolled into Ouray, CO, nicknamed "The Switzerland of America", and spent 5 nights at the 4J+1+1 RV Park. We could immediately see how this quaint town got its name. The town is nestled in a box canyon surrounded by the jagged, snow-kissed peaks of the San Juan Mountains.
Downtown Ouray as seen from the Perimeter Trail.
The Ouray Hot Springs is a major attraction. The town has a public pool filled with natural mineral hot springs, perfect for a relaxing soak while surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. We decided to not go to the hot springs while visiting here and instead opted for the hot springs we would be visiting soon in Glenwood Springs.
We spent time hiking The Perimeter Trail, a 6-mile loop around the town and offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains, waterfalls, and the town itself. The temperature during our visit was much colder than we were expecting, but it did make for good hiking weather, especially for Myah!
Hiking and exploring Ouray.
We drove the 25 miles between Ouray and Silverton, known as The Million Dollar Highway This part of the highway is renowned as one of the most scenic routes as well as one of the most dangerous in the country. The jaw-dropping turns proved to be both beautiful and treacherous, not to mention a little scary.
Million Dollar Highway
The old mining town of Silverton is surrounded by the San Juan Mountains and sits at an elevation of over 9300'. Founded in 1874 at the height of the Colorado Silver Boom, Silverton retains much of its historic charm. The downtown area is lined with well-preserved Victorian-era buildings, reflecting its prosperous past. We spent a couple of hours exploring this interesting town.
Historic Silverton
On May 11th, we headed to Glenwood Springs West/Colorado River KOA in Silt, CO for a 4-night stay. The best part of our stay was a visit to nearby Iron Mountain Hot Springs, a unique spa nestled along the Colorado River with incredible mountain views. This hot springs resort features 17 mineral pools, each naturally heated to varying temperatures from about 98 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The pools range in size and have a mix of mineral content, known for soothing sore muscles and providing relaxation. There’s also a larger freshwater family pool kept at a comfortable temperature for guests who prefer a cooler swim. If you prefer something a bit more adventurous, you can try the 55 degree cold plunge pool for a refreshing experience. Pat took a brief dip, but I decided to skip out on this one.
There is a separate part of the resort with its own entry for adults 21 and older called Worldsprings Pools. The 11 pools in this area offer a globally themed spa experience, with pools inspired by famous hot springs worldwide. These pools each have distinct mineral compositions, temperatures, and even landscaping designed to reflect the essence of their international inspirations. Here you will find pools reminiscent of Iceland's Blue Lagoon, Vichy, France, or the therapeutic waters of Hungary’s ancient thermal baths. There is a large pool with mineral content similar to the Dead Sea where you can float on your back while gazing at the sky.
They offer different "soak" options depending on how long you would like to stay. We opted for the all-day soak at $100 per person so that we could go early in the day, leave to take care of Myah, and return later in the evening. It was well worth the price, and we especially enjoyed the Worldsprings. We had a very relaxing and enjoyable time and hope to return again someday!
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Glenwood Springs is also home to the world's largest hot spring pool. We didn't go to this one, but we did snap a picture while walking around downtown Glenwood Springs.
Glenwood Springs Hot Springs
We ventured to our next destination in Colorado Springs on May 15th and made Foot of the Rockies RV Resort our home for 5 nights.
During our stay, one of the most memorable experiences was conquering the Manitou Incline. Unlike a typical mountain trail, the Manitou Incline is a renowned hike characterized by its unique challenge—it involves a steep ascent along the remains of an old cable car line, featuring more than 2,700 steps constructed from railroad ties. With an elevation gain of nearly 2,000 feet in less than a mile, this hike is famous for its demanding vertical climb and breathtaking views. Reaching an altitude of approximately 8,590 feet, it offers expansive views of the city and the Front Range. Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on this trail, and Myah would probably have chosen to skip this hike if given the chance. Some steps are almost as tall as I am, adding an extra layer of difficulty. This hike is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Halfway through, a few hikers decided to turn back and take the shortcut via the Barr Trail. I advised Pat to set his own pace and not wait for me. He completed the ascent in 1 hour and 10 minutes, while I took a little over 2 hours. Although we witnessed some individuals attempting the steep descent, we chose to hike down the 4-mile Barr Trail after reaching the top. Finishing this hike left us feeling extremely accomplished, as well as exhausted. And no, I will not be attempting it again!
Manitou Incline
We visited the Garden of the Gods during our trip to Colorado Springs. Garden of the Gods is an incredible natural landmark, featuring stunning red rock formations that tower above the landscape, creating an almost otherworldly scene. The park spans 1,300 acres of dramatic cliffs, spires, and balanced rock formations formed by millions of years of geological activity. Some of the most famous formations include the "Kissing Camels," "Balanced Rock," and "Cathedral Spires."
We were fortunate to visit on a perfect blue sky day that made our exploration of the park even more delightful. The striking contrast between the blue sky and the red sandstone formations was truly breathtaking. Catching a glimpse of Pikes Peak in the background was an added bonus to this wonderful day.
Garden of the Gods
We also visited Manitou Cliff Dwellings while in the Colorado Springs area. They consist of Ancestral Puebloan-style dwellings that have been preserved and are open to the public as a hands-on exhibit. These dwellings were built into red sandstone cliffs and showcase the lifestyle of the Ancestral Puebloans (often referred to as the Anasazi), who originally inhabited the Four Corners area (where Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico meet).
Interestingly, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are not in their original location. They were moved to this spot in the early 1900s to protect them from looters and damage and were reassembled using stones from actual Ancestral Puebloan ruins. The relocation was done with the goal of educating the public about the Puebloan culture while preserving the original dwellings in more remote locations.
We found it very interesting to walk through the rooms of the dwelling. We were happy that it was pet-friendly, too. Myah had fun climbing around the structures.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
We concluded our time in colorful Colorado by visiting with family in the Denver area. We stayed at Dakota Ridge RV Park in Golden, CO for 8 nights. We had stayed here before when we were in the area last time.
This time we made it to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, a natural arena known for its iconic red sandstone formations and exceptional acoustics. The park spans about 738 acres and is filled with towering rock structures that create a stunning landscape, combining open space with a unique outdoor concert venue. The amphitheater itself is nestled between massive, tilted sandstone slabs that make it one of the most visually striking music venues in the world. Although we didn’t attend a concert, we enjoyed a fantastic hike in this beautiful setting.
We had an amazing time catching up with everyone. Eric went the extra mile (literally) by driving from Utah to join us during our visit. We had the opportunity to attend Ethan's end-of-year presentation at school as he transitioned to High School. Additionally, we were lucky enough to be present at Lauren's kindergarten graduation as well as an end-of-school-year picnic. We also had an opportunity to visit with my cousin, Chris, and his family again along with their adorable pup, Piper. These are the moments that truly make RV life invaluable and were the perfect way to end an amazing time in Colorado!
