The San Juan Skyway In A Day
4 Reasons The Skyway Makes The Perfect Day Trip Drive
The San Juan Skyway, part of the Million Dollar Highway, was named by Travel + Leisure Magazine as one of “America’s Best Road Trips” and when you are driving along this scenic route through the mountain it’s easy to see why. The “road to the sky” passes through towns such as Ouray, Silverton, Durango and Telluride in a 232 mile loop. The journey will take you through craggy peaks, huge valleys, historic old west towns and dense forests – leaving you staring in awe out of your car window the entire time.
It’s Rich In Wild West History
Driving along the San Juan Skyway will give you a chance to glimpse into the history of the Wild West and learn about the many fascinating characters who have shaped this land. Did you know that the infamous bank robber Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank in Telluride? You can discover a lot of history at many points along the journey, such as the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose, Colorado or the Ridgway Railroad Museum in Ridgway.
It’s Doable In One Day
The San Juan Skyway will take approximately 7 hours to drive if you go straight through with no stops, which means that with a few stops to look around in between it is possible to do the entire thing in one day. Of course, if you don’t have a lot of time you can begin the trip at any point along the route. If you want to take more time to stop and hike along the way, you can always do a smaller portion of the route. Or, you can break up the journey into more than one day if you want more time to explore the many attractions along the route.
You Can Stop In Mesa Verde
The site of one of the most concentrated collections of prehistoric artefacts in the USA, as well as an amazing 5 million acres of gorgeous undisturbed wild national forest, Mesa Verde National Park is a stunning destination you can visit as you drive along the San Juan Skyway. Stop and go for a hike so that you can find solitude and natural beauty in the quiet of the forest.
You Might Spot Some Wildlife
Keep your eyes peeled for wild animals on the side of the road. There is a chance that you will spot some of Colorado’s wildlife along your route, including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, black bears or mule deer. Be ready with the camera to take some amazing shots of these creatures in their natural habitat. However, stay within your vehicle and don’t try to approach an animal in the wild – this can be very dangerous.
These are four reasons why the San Juan Skyway makes an amazing day trip, so why not hit the road? Contact us for more information about planning your journey.
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