Southwest Colorado Road Trip

Question

I am looking into a southwest Colorado road trip to mostly hike, enjoy the towns, do some fishing, and enjoy the scenery. I plan on spending about a 7-8 days on the trip, starting and ending in Denver. I am not a skiier. Some of the places and towns I am planning on visiting would be Great Sand Dunes NP, Crested Butte, Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Durango, Mesa Verde NP, Gunnison NP, and Aspen. Is late April a good time to explore these areas or am I better off waiting til summer for warmer weather? Thank you in advance for any input.

Answer

Hi there,

A southwest Colorado road trip is a fantastic way to explore some of the state’s most scenic and diverse landscapes. Your plan to visit Great Sand Dunes NP, Crested Butte, Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Durango, Mesa Verde NP, Gunnison NP, and Aspen covers a lot of ground and includes a mix of hiking, fishing, and exploring charming mountain towns.

Regarding timing, late April can be tricky in southwest Colorado, especially for higher elevation destinations like Crested Butte, Aspen, and the San Juan Mountains around Telluride, Silverton, and Ouray:

Snow and road conditions: Many mountain passes (like Kebler Pass near Crested Butte, and routes around Silverton/Ouray) may still have snow or be partially closed in late April. Some scenic drives may not yet be accessible.
Temperature: High elevations can still be cold, with daytime highs in the 40s–50s°F and nights below freezing. Lower elevations like Durango, Mesa Verde, and Great Sand Dunes are milder and more accessible.
Hiking and fishing: Lower-elevation hikes and rivers may be fine, but higher trails could still be snow-covered or muddy. Fishing in streams at lower elevations should be okay, but alpine lakes may remain frozen.

If you are set on late April, consider this approach:

Focus on lower-elevation destinations first, like Great Sand Dunes NP, Durango, Mesa Verde, and Gunnison.
Use higher-elevation towns like Crested Butte, Aspen, and Telluride mainly for sightseeing, exploring the towns, and accessible scenic drives, rather than expecting full hiking access.
Check road conditions and closures in advance, particularly for mountain passes and scenic byways.

If your goal is full hiking access, warm weather, and reliable fishing, waiting until late May or June would be safer. By summer, most mountain passes are open, snow has melted on trails, and temperatures are more comfortable for outdoor activities.

Tips for a southwest Colorado road trip:

Plan for flexible itineraries—weather can change quickly in the mountains in spring.
Book accommodations in advance if visiting towns like Telluride, Ouray, and Durango, especially over weekends.
Pack layers and gear for cold mornings and possible snow in higher elevations, even if you’re mainly visiting lower areas.
Consider starting and ending your trip at lower elevations to maximize accessible outdoor activities in late April.

In summary, late April can work if you focus on lower-elevation activities, but summer will offer more consistent weather and access to hiking and mountain roads.

Southwest Colorado Road Trip

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