Mountains. Hot Springs. Railroads. Oh my!
What more could you ask for in a stretch of Colorado highway?
As the snow begins to melt over the U.S., RVers are planning to visit the great state of Colorado to avoid the extreme heat and find time to relax outdoors. Colorado offers many activities and much scenery, of which can be found along the San Juan Skyway.
The San Juan Skyway, made a National Scenic Byway in 1988, begins in Durango, Colorado. The Skyway is known as the “road to the sky” with views of mountains and rolling hills being its main staple. With its 233 miles of road from start to finish, one can expect to see the San Juan Mountains, towns, Indian pueblos, and railroads along the way. The Skyway ascends to 11,008 feet in elevation from its lowest point of 6,200 feet. This All-American road is also home to many outdoor activity hotspots such as hot springs, lodges, hunting grounds, and fishing holes.
Joe Hendricks, a regular RVer, talked about his experience along the Skyway. “The road [San Juan Skyway] was out of the way of our destination [Gunnison, CO], but so worth taking the extra time to experience it! The mountains were flourishing with colors you don’t see anywhere else.”
Hendricks was towing a 30-foot trailer at the time he visited the Skyway and was worried about hauling it up the mountain roads. After experiencing it himself, Hendricks only had good things to say about taking an RV or trailer up the winding roads. “Towing a 30-ft Airstream through these winding mountains is a lot easier than it looks. As long as you know that your RV will never be wider than the road you’re on, it’s pretty easy to drive,” was his only tip for taking a recreational vehicle around the mountain roads.
“Fall yellows along the San Juan Skyway.” [Photo by Joe Hendricks]
The Skyway, which covers the renowned Million Dollar Highway, encompasses many of Colorado’s smaller cities and towns including Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Placerville, and Dolores, while ultimately passing through six counties and 11 towns. As most RVers know, traveling isn’t about the destination so much as the journey and the San Juan Skyway offers much to do along its route. The Department of Transportation recommends taking one to two days to experience the byway even though it can be driven in 5 hours.
There are peak seasons when travelers and tourists hit the Skyway. The best time of year to avoid sever weather is during the warmer months. RVers and nomads alike will be hitting the Skyway in time to experience the better parts of the year along this road. Hendricks was making the trek to Gunnison, Colorado, during the off-months and recounted the people he met along the way. “We hit them [San Juan Mountains] at the “non-peak” season, because there were only hunters out there and no one else.” During the winter months, there are few travelers who want to experience the snow and ice that accumulate on the Skyway.
No matter the time of year, RVers need to stay alert on the San Juan Skyway. The Skyway is home to wildlife and frequent travelers, so keeping one’s eyes peeled is important to staying safe on the road. Deer are one of the most commonly seen animals along this road. You can expect to see wildlife out and about on the road itself during the cooler months.
Weather, as with any road, can make or break a trip. Planning to visit the San Juan Skyway during the spring or summer months will ensure an RVer’s trip goes exactly as planned. The warmer months give travelers more time to experience the amazing views they expect to see.
There are many rest stops along the way fit for photographs and overnights in case the days of driving begin to wear on travelers. During non-peak months, RVers can expect to have these areas all to themselves. Hendricks and his family made great use of the rest stops and took some stunning pictures that show off the beauty and tranquility of the Skyway during this time of year (the ones your see here).
The Skyway offers travelers views of some of Colorado’s most well-known peaks including El Diente Peak, Mount Wilson, and Wilson Peak. RVers will also have the opportunity to drive through Lizard Head Pass as well as the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests along their journey. During the snow season, many roadies stop in ski-towns like Telluride and Purgatory.
Mining towns are frequent along the San Juan Skyway and RVers can experience the culture of these towns by catching a ride on the trains that stop through along the railroad. Other notable stops along the Skyway are Riverside Slide avalanche zone that features a monument remembering those who lost their lives in an avalanche. Red Mountain Pass is known for its views of Red Mountain and the surrounding ghost towns that once flourished with life in the mining days.
The San Juan Skyway gives back so much to RVers who choose to encounter it and makes the perfect summer getaway for those seeking solace in the outdoors. Not only will the mountains invite travelers to stick around a few extra days, the activities available to travelers will keep most RVers busy for more than a day or two.
A trip down the Million Dollar Highway is the perfect voyage for those who want to experience all that Colorado has to offer in a little over 200 miles. As Hendricks puts it, “The road was out of the way of our destination, but so worth taking the extra time to witness!” Although the Skyway isn’t necessarily off the beaten path, RVers will be glad to have given the San Juan Skyway a chance.