How much time do we need to see Black Canyon NP, Natural Bridges, and Arches?

[Judy]

How long should we plan to spend in each of these: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Arches National Park?
I'm thinking about making a circle trip from Steamboat Springs, Colorado to Durango and back, stopping along the way at Black Canyon, Natural Bridges, and Arches. We have a week in Durango to see Mesa Verde and Aztec Ruins, but the other parks are a little far for a day trip from Durango. I'm wondering how many overnights to plan and where.

Should I add a stop in the Needles area of Canyonlands National Park? Then how much more time should I allow?

 

[Bonnie_Raitt]

Are you a driver or a hiker? Makes a big difference

br

 

[Judy]

Both. We only do short hikes because my husband has a bad ankle, but we wouldn't be satisfied with only driving through. Where available/allowed, we like to see the scenery from bicycles or mule/horseback.

 

[Judy]

How about Canyonlands National Park. Should I add that to the trip? I think we could only visit The Needles area, because the other entrance is many miles out of the way. How much time should I allow for Canyonlands?

 

[laynemiller]

When you're talking about Canyonlands National Park (it's actually three different sections) and Natural Bridges, you're talking about mostly undeveloped parks. They require four-wheel-drive or a great deal of hiking. I have spent three days in the Needles District of Canyonlands and not seen but a handfull of people and spent four days in Natural Bridges and came across only six or eight. You simply can't do those parks by "driving through." If you want details please email me privately and I will help. They are not like other parks where the main attractions can be seem from the pavement or through short day hikes from a developed campground or hotel.
Layne

 

[Judy]

When you're talking about Canyonlands National Park (it's actually three different sections) and Natural Bridges,.......They are not like other parks where the main attractions can be seem from the pavement or through short day hikes from a developed campground or hotel.
Layne

Thanks for telling me. I'm disappointed, but it's good to know so that we can use our time for something else instead. We have a 4-wheel drive, but can't do more than short day hikes or bicycle rides.

 

[Rose Pink]

Think about using Moab as a place to stay when visiting Arches and Canyonlands. http://www.moab-utah.com/ Since you like biking, you may want to check out some of the bike trails in the area. Just don't ride off a cliff Thelma and Louise style. Depending on how modified your 4WD is, you may want to take some of the jeep trails. Dan Mick is a colorful guide and pioneered some of the trails and obstacles in the area. http://www.danmick.com/

When recreating in these areas, make sure you take lots of water. I mean lots of water! Whenever we've gone jeeping with Dan, I've always known him to take a case of bottled water with him. He hands it out to the bikers he meets along the trails. Most of them are grateful as they didn't bring enough. Since he is on the search and rescue team, he sees this as a bit of pre-emptive planning. Better to hydrate them when he comes across them than to have to go out and rescue them later.

Sunscreen is also a must if you like to show skin. I personally wear long sleeves and pants and a wide-brimmed hat. It keeps me cooler than skimpier clothing that allows the sun to beat down on bare skin.

The Moab area is packed with outdoor activities including river rafting. It's too bad it doesn't have a timeshare. I'm sure it would do well. There are lots of different types of accomodations from camping to condo rentals. We prefer the B&Bs when it's just the two of us.

 

[Ozlander]

Black Cannon is mostly a drive along the rim and stop at several (6 or 8)overlooks. In two or three hours you will have seen most of it. It's worth the trip.
Merlyn

 

[madra dubh]

How long should we plan to spend in each of these: We have a week in Durango to see Mesa Verde.

We spent a week in Pagosa Springs last August. There is a lot to do in that part of Colorado.

While in Durango, try the Durango-Silverton Railway. It's a full day locomotive ride into (and up) the San Juan Mountains. The train stops in Silverton for lunch and then returns to Durango.

Mesa Verde takes at least a full day, depending on how many of the ruins you want to explore. The park rangers are skilled at helping you decide if your physical issues might make you uncomfortable on any of the walks or climbs.

East of Durango, about 20 miles before Pagosa Springs, check out Chimney Rock http://www.chimneyrockco.org/mainnew.htm. It's much smaller than Mesa Verde; you drive to the top of Chimney Rock and walk around the ruins on top.

Have fun!