Looking at taking a road trip....

-

66340SEDAN

FABO Member #3649
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
29,028
Reaction score
48,890
Location
Minnesota
I’m looking at taking a road trip real soon, never been to Colorado, what’s it like there this time of year/early March? Anything really cool to see? How about Wyoming? I enjoy historic sites, museums, Americana, roads with awesome views. Or any other places in other states? I’m in Minnesota and have about a week of travel time for March, just wasn’t sure how the weather is out west with the snow and all, I’m sure many mountain areas will have more snow or passes closed. We love road trips and meeting new people so let me know what you got for ideas, thanks!
 
I’m looking at taking a road trip real soon, never been to Colorado, what’s it like there this time of year/early March? Anything really cool to see? How about Wyoming? I enjoy historic sites, museums, Americana, roads with awesome views. Or any other places in other states? I’m in Minnesota and have about a week of travel time for March, just wasn’t sure how the weather is out west with the snow and all, I’m sure many mountain areas will have more snow or passes closed. We love road trips and meeting new people so let me know what you got for ideas, thanks!
We went through Denver a few years ago in late January on our way to California. We encountered heavy snowfalls that caused road closures just before and just after we went through the area. The weather changes really fast around there. You should be prepared to wait out the weather if need be. Beautiful area with a lot of up and down driving. When the snow comes it can be fast and heavy. Kinda like the heavy spring snows we have in Minnesota except not as predictable.
 
I’m looking at taking a road trip real soon, never been to Colorado, what’s it like there this time of year/early March? Anything really cool to see? How about Wyoming? I enjoy historic sites, museums, Americana, roads with awesome views. Or any other places in other states? I’m in Minnesota and have about a week of travel time for March, just wasn’t sure how the weather is out west with the snow and all, I’m sure many mountain areas will have more snow or passes closed. We love road trips and meeting new people so let me know what you got for ideas, thanks!
A trip sounds good right about now just to get out of North Dakota.
Been thinking a lot of going to South Dakota on the West end of the State in 2 months and doing some rock hunting just for fun.
 
We usually go around June/July so I am not sure how the weather would be but if you do go to Colorado make time for Silverton, Creed, or Durango. I recommend all three. If you can and make sure to check out the Durango to Silverton train.
 
A trip sounds good right about now just to get out of North Dakota.
Been thinking a lot of going to South Dakota on the West end of the State in 2 months and doing some rock hunting just for fun.

Cool, what kind of rocks? We all love to hunt for agates here in MN, spent a week in the black hills over a week ago and found many cool rocks, museums, and things to do. The geology center in rapid city was really cool too.
 
You'd be wise to start looking at snow levels and road closures. I love Colorado, but wouldn't pick March to visit, especially with the recent precipitation (read snow in the mountains) you probably wouldn't get to drive the most scenic roads, up in the mountains. I'd pick a different destination this time of year and go to Colorado later in the year and see it at it's best. The roads to Silverton/Durango area would be snow covered with thousands of feet of exposure on the downhill side :steering:. This is getting on to avalanche season as things warm up a bit and big snowpack gets unstable. Most of the passes are closed in WA state and they had to close I-90, the main east-west artery, this week due to unstable conditions (24 have died in WA from avalanches since January) I'd say head south but Texas ain't lookin' too good right now...
 
Well, you could roll the dice and come through now, or save the trip for later in the year. Springtime when the wild flowers are bloomed in the mountains is pretty cool, and in the fall when the Aspens turn is awesome as well.

Early March can be mild and it could also be super gnarly. A couple years ago we had the bomb cyclone hit in early March and it dropped something like 14" of snow across the front range and 3'+ in the mountains.

Overall, never a "bad" time to road trip to Colorado, just have to be prepared for any and all weather between November and late March. For example, high 60's today, tomorrow we're in the 30's with snow in the evening and into the night. Then warms up a bit going into the weekend.

I honestly love the weather here! Can have every season within a week.
 
well keith, all i know is if you happen to come this way i'll make sure you have a good time! march usually isn't to bad, especially late march. weather can be crazy though, march is one of our snowiest months. but there's usually a week or two of 60 to 70 degree weather. we played golf today it was 62......c'mon out!
higgs
 
March traveling can be somewhat chancy in Wy/Colo/Neb with the possibility of ice storms/snow storms. I lived in Colo for about 4 yrs and still have relatives there. I suggest going to Loveland and up to Estes Park - - and all the way up (But wait! Not in March!).. LOL So maybe head down South and stay out of the mountains and visit the Royal Gorge! That's fun! Wait! Are they open with Covid??? Better Check! Wyoming is beautiful! Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole! Yellowstone! Cody is a beautiful town! Not sure March is the right time, though. Hmmmmm
 
Aurora CO is where we went to pick up Dads cuda. 2nd weekend in February 2012. Loaded it on the trailer wearing shorts. I think it was close to a 5000 km round trip. Never once put the wipers on! Got lucky with the weather, got a great car and met some good people.
Have fun, from what the 3 of us saw, a beautiful state.
 
I was going to say Black Hills! I'm with 318 otherwise, you could make Jackson Hole without crossing any major passes. I would pick up a set of snow chains for your vehicle anyway if you don't already. Most passes will require that you have them if you do decide to go into the mountains.
 
Was in Denver during autumn. Driving up to the Pikes Peak. Visiting a drag race at Bandimere raceway. 7 Falls Park, absolut lovely. Drinking beer in the Coors brewery for free and going to the ZZ Top concert in the Red Rock amphitheater.
 
Cool, what kind of rocks? We all love to hunt for agates here in MN, spent a week in the black hills over a week ago and found many cool rocks, museums, and things to do. The geology center in rapid city was really cool too.
Just got into rocks I have some petrified wood I found down in the south west area of North Dakota but a new hobby for an old retired guy.
 
Lots of things to do here, just need to look for things you like to do. March can be hit or miss as far as weather conditions. Could be shorts or snow shoes, you never know. There are a lot of good folks in Colorado.
 
Lots of things to do here, just need to look for things you like to do. March can be hit or miss as far as weather conditions. Could be shorts or snow shoes, you never know. There are a lot of good folks in Colorado.

He’s used to that kind of weather being
Minnesota.

My mom had a saying for our part of Mn. by Lake Superior “When you go any where around here you take two kinds of suits a swim suit and a snow suit”.
 
Lived in CO before TX in 2017. Bandimere raceway is cool. Estes park is fricking beautiful, pretty much anything in the mountains is going to be worth the trip. Contact the folks at ColoradoMopar.org and see if they have anything planned. great group of folks with amazing mopars. if you PM me, I can give you direct contact info.
 
In Colorado, be prepared for any kind of weather at any time. The only consistency is that it can change suddenly.

Some of my favorite places after living in Fremont County (south of Colorado Springs and west of Pueblo) for over ten years:

Bishop's Castle -- all I can say is Google it and work it in somehow if for no other reason than to see true Old World craftsmanship. It's been a work in progress for decades now.

Seven Falls -- a true tourist trap but always a fun experience, especially at night.

Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, especially the chapel.

Estes Park is spectacular (look up -- and take note of -- Thompson Canyon's flash flood, a regular occurrence in mountainous areas (which I missed as a kid by three days whewwwwww)), as is South Park and everything in the Ridgeway area if you want the most incredible scenery on Earth.

The Royal Gorge, 1053 feet deep, has the highest suspension bridge in the country (or maybe the world? - I don't remember). I'd suggest Buckskin Joe a few miles earlier along the same road too ... but some millenial bought the property, moved nearly the entire old west movie set town to Arizona or some **** (The Cowboys, Duchess & The Dirtwater Fox, White Buffalo, etc. etc. etc. were all filmed there) and turned it into a lot for miniature homes or something. "Progress.":elmer:

Since you're getting into rocks, you can find fossils anywhere if you know what to look for: Morrison Formation, a light tan colored layer sometimes dozens and hundreds of feet thick you can spot along the trip from the highway.

Florissant is a cool town too, and even has formal fossil beds. What few others knew when I lived there was you can also find them in that entire area everywhere the road cuts through the substrate! Just pull over where it's safe, walk back and start looking.

Manitou Springs is a fun tourist trap with lots of little shops. I still have a 1" long pool table made of blown glass from my first trip there as a kid.

Wow, your post sure brought back some memories!!! Regardless, you could spend your entire vacation in western Colorado and still miss out on a ton of cool stuff. The best part about living there -- if you enjoy the outdoors -- is the ability to get in the car, drive ten or fifteen minutes and be away from EVERYTHING and everyone on a new adventure every time without spending a dime other than gas. I know I've stepped in places there where no other human has ever walked, and that's what I call FREEDOM.

Have fun and be safe! I know I'll think of thirty more as soon as I hit Post Reply ...:rofl:
 
Thanks for all the replies, we want to go somewhere fun and new, we have time off in April and may too for more trips and thinking we would like to take atleast 2 road trips so we are pretty open to where we go. I know the weather might not be the best where ever we go...might just get in the car and see where we end up, thanks and I’ll look into these places mentioned!
 
In Colorado, be prepared for any kind of weather at any time. The only consistency is that it can change suddenly.

Some of my favorite places after living in Fremont County (south of Colorado Springs and west of Pueblo) for over ten years:

Bishop's Castle -- all I can say is Google it and work it in somehow if for no other reason than to see true Old World craftsmanship. It's been a work in progress for decades now.

Seven Falls -- a true tourist trap but always a fun experience, especially at night.

Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, especially the chapel.

Estes Park is spectacular (look up -- and take note of -- Thompson Canyon's flash flood, a regular occurrence in mountainous areas (which I missed as a kid by three days whewwwwww)), as is South Park and everything in the Ridgeway area if you want the most incredible scenery on Earth.

The Royal Gorge, 1053 feet deep, has the highest suspension bridge in the country (or maybe the world? - I don't remember). I'd suggest Buckskin Joe a few miles earlier along the same road too ... but some millenial bought the property, moved nearly the entire old west movie set town to Arizona or some **** (The Cowboys, Duchess & The Dirtwater Fox, White Buffalo, etc. etc. etc. were all filmed there) and turned it into a lot for miniature homes or something. "Progress.":elmer:

Since you're getting into rocks, you can find fossils anywhere if you know what to look for: Morrison Formation, a light tan colored layer sometimes dozens and hundreds of feet thick you can spot along the trip from the highway.

Florissant is a cool town too, and even has formal fossil beds. What few others knew when I lived there was you can also find them in that entire area everywhere the road cuts through the substrate! Just pull over where it's safe, walk back and start looking.

Manitou Springs is a fun tourist trap with lots of little shops. I still have a 1" long pool table made of blown glass from my first trip there as a kid.

Wow, your post sure brought back some memories!!! Regardless, you could spend your entire vacation in western Colorado and still miss out on a ton of cool stuff. The best part about living there -- if you enjoy the outdoors -- is the ability to get in the car, drive ten or fifteen minutes and be away from EVERYTHING and everyone on a new adventure every time without spending a dime other than gas. I know I've stepped in places there where no other human has ever walked, and that's what I call FREEDOM.

Have fun and be safe! I know I'll think of thirty more as soon as I hit Post Reply ...:rofl:
  • Manitou Springs.... Penny Arcade :D Might as well hop aboard the Cog Train and head up Pikes peak if your in Manitou Springs.
  • Garden of the Gods - Colo Springs...
  • Laser show??? I actually found that neat :)
  • Georgetown - ride the train and Boa's Pizza. Pizza was MUCH better than the train ride
  • But..... My HIGHEST recommendation and a MUST to every traveler is the town "Last Chance, Colo"
 
Last edited:
You should try Holdingford, MN.the good moonshine was made there smuggled around the country.
 
-
Back
Top