Museum of Northwest Colorado

 Located in the former Colorado State Armory , the museum exhibits touch on many aspects of pioneer and cowboy history with a special emphasis on notable individuals, both honorable and notorious, plus a few who were just eccentric characters. 

       

The original stage features a large painting by local artist, Israel Holloway, who worked on it during the COVID epidemic while the museum was closed. At 16’x10’, it's the largest watercolor in the world. The second floor houses a collection of  saddles, guns, and spurs donated by collector Bill Mackin.

 

   

The accessible entrance is on the left side of the building, down a long ramp. There isn't a bell so call beforehand. A lift accesses all the floors. There's a platform lift on a short flight of stairs that accesses the  area behind the stage. The ramp to the room housing Bill Markin's collection is very steep. 

Parking is on the street.The sidewalks and curb cuts are in good condition.  Museum  40.51593, -107.54741 

White River Museum

 The White and Yampa river valleys and the mountains of eastern Utah and western Utah were the territories of the White River Ute tribe but by 1878 they had been forced onto a reservation west of Meeker, Colorado. The incompetence of the Indian agent and a shortage of food and other promised supplies lead to an uprising which culminated in the tribe being relocated to an already established Ute reservation in Utah. 

The land was soon put to use by settlers who began large ranching and farming operations. Some ranches are now managed by the forth generation of the original settlers and it appears that they and other area residents saved everything and donated it to the museum. The rambling rooms of the museum are crammed full. Most of it is not categorized but the museum staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions. 

The museum is housed in a 1880 barracks built for U.S. Army officers who resided in the town after the uprising. The army left after three years when they were no longer needed and the building was sold to the town. 

The museum is fairly accessible but there are two dangerously steep ramps that bridge changes in elevation between the rooms. Some of the exhibits have narrow passageways. 

Parking is on the street. The sidewalks do not have curb cuts. Museum  40.0386, -107.91361

 

Rio Blanco Lake Camping

It's always a good idea to do your own research when deciding on a camping spot. I use Campendium often because I like the reviews and photos that other campers post. Lake Blanco looked like a good spot to spend a night but I didn't read everything on the Campendium page which could have resulted in a large fine. 

 Most of the reviewers stayed in the parking lots at the boat ramp or picnic area but a few followed the dirt road and parked on the south side of the lake. All of this is part of the Rio Blanco Lake State Wildlife Area. We found a level spot in the lot next to the boat ramp and settled in for the night. We didn't notice the small print at the bottom of the welcome sign until the next morning. 

I looked it up on the state website, and yikes, we could have been fined $139.50 each for not having passes. A yearly pass for a youth/senior pass is only $11.73 so there's little reason to risk getting a fine. Scroll down on the website to find more wildlife areas. I can't find a filter for camping but each area has the information.

It is possible to stay near the lake for free by going south on the dirt road west of the lake then east onto BLM land designated by the brighter yellow on this map. Camping 40.09119, -108.20791

 

 

David Sipe’s Folkart

   We were driving west on US 160 in Colorado and spotted these carvings on the hillside. We had to turn around to get a better look!  David Sipes and his partner Nancy Segel, have been creating art here for about 20 years so there’s a lot to see. When we pulled into the driveway loop Nancy came out to greet us but unfortunately we had a deadline and only had time for a short chat. If you like folk art to buy or just admire this is a must stop!

  We didn’t wander around but I suspect that wheelchair access is not very good.

   Navigating around the driveway loop should be possible with most RVs. There’s also room to park along the side of the road. Art  37.32351, -108.35314

Sauls Creek Dispersed Camping

  British Petroleum has gas well leases in this section of the San Juan National Forest.  We were expecting ugly, torn up forests and were pleasantly surprised to find beautiful, healthy trees and grassy meadows. The network of roads all lead to gas wells but the wells are mostly hidden in the trees. This is a popular area and since we arrived late in the afternoon the camping spot that we found was close to the road and dusty. The little dots along the roads on this map indicate that camping is allowed on the roads open to all vehicles.

  Some spots are very nice. The first ones are large and easy to access but are also sloped and dusty so scoping out the other spots is a good idea. Boondocking  37.23726, -107.5426

Wolf Creek Pass Overlook

  We finally reached the mountains! US 160 climbs 2,500’ from South Fork Colorado to Wolf Creek Pass then starts an eight mile downhill run with 7% grades. The overlook is about six miles from the summit and provides sweeping views of the valley of the West Fork of the San Juan River and the surrounding mountains. 

  The view for wheelchair visitors is obstructed somewhat by a railing.

   Driving over the pass is fine with any RV-  just downshift and go slow. The overlook is at the bend of a hairpin curve. The parking lot is small with one entrance/exit and not much turning room so I don’t recommend it for long RVs. Pass  37.45028, -106.88915

Lake Como Road Boondocking

 

  Since this was just an overnight stop we took the quick, easy, and dusty spot at the informational sign clearing right off of Hwy 150. Hwy 150 dead ends at Great Sand Dunes National Park. We did not go to Great Sand Dunes because very little is accessible.  Lake Como Road continues into the mountains, getting rougher as it goes before dead ending too. There are camping spots along Lake Como Road, before it hits the mountains, where most people go if they’re planning on a longer stay. Lake Como Road  37.52197, -105.60121

Fleming RV Parking

  Many small towns in the Midwest have free or inexpensive campgrounds. While Colorado isn’t considered a Midwestern state this town is really close to Nebraska so it kind of fits. Some of the campgrounds are wonderful little parks with tables, trees, drinking water, dump stations, and at times electricity. This one is a mixture of good and bad. The parking area is just dirt - no pavement, gravel or treatment to keep the dust down – so if anyone drives through a cloud of dust is raised. It’s also close to the train tracks and we got a wakeup whistle at 6:30 in the morning. On the other hand the community park that is adjacent to it is great with grass, tables, shade trees, a playground, and even a small museum which was closed during our visit.

The parking area is large enough for any RV. Tenting may not be permitted.  Campsite  40.68059, -102.84545

Overland Trail Museum

  The museum was a WPA project built in 1936 of native rock and constructed to look like an early trading post. Its been added onto over the years but the first building is still used as the entry area and has displays of Native American artifacts and early pioneer history.  Other areas of the museum hold donated collections of all types of items neatly organized but with little historical information. From what I could glean this area was first settled by families from the deep south looking for a better life after the Civil War and Germans from Russia escaping from a famine and conscription into the army. 

  Exhibits of recent history are more interesting. One explains the excitement felt when electricity came to the rural communities in the 1930s.

   A courtyard outside includes a group of relocated and new constructed buildings holding more donated items. All of the machines from the Lawrie Tannery are set up with detailed descriptions of the the tanning process. The Daily Cash Store, owned and operated by Mable Markham for 47 years until her death in1962, was moved to the site in 1992. It had been closed for 30 years with all of the merchandise and furnishings left in place, capturing a moment in time.

   We were very impressed with the level of accessibility especially since the museum building rambles a bit.  There are ramps, lifts, and doors that must be opened by the staff but almost everything is accessible. One exhibit in the main museum building has a step without a ramp. The courtyard has smooth, paved walkways and the buildings all have ramps. The caboose, depot, farm machinery exhibit, teepee, and gold panning creek are not accessible.

  The parking lot is too small for RVs but parking is available on the street or in the lot across the street.  Museum  40.61797, -103.18085