4 Corners/Ute Mountain Reservation

[KS63]

The family was thinking about staying in CO for our next vacation and thought about this destination. Who's been there and did you fly, drive or AMTRAK? We have a 5yr old so the long drive is last on the list. What about CCW in the Reservation? Any and all info/help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[ruthabagah]

Its only a 5 h drive from metro denver...

I was always told that carrying on tribal land/ reservation was a no go.

More info here https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...v9cLt-QKXRx68w

[JohnnyDrama]

I have some familiarity with the area. As far as getting there, it's a place most people pass through on their way to somewhere else or really want to get there. I've driven and flown in. The closest Amtrack is Grand Junction or Gallup, NM. Either of those will leave you with several hours of driving still to go. There is a regional airport in Cortez supported by "Boutique Air" with a 50 lb. luggage limit per person. From what I've read though, the fares are way cheap. It's a whole different story if you fly into Durango. Driving is probably your best bet.

What you want to do may dictate where you want to stay. Cortez and Durango are the closest places to the four corners area. Outside of the Navajo Reservation, Farmington and Aztec, NM are fairly close. Aside from a casino, there isn't a whole lot of draw to the Ute Mtn. Reservation. There is a neat day tour in the Tribal Park where you get to see ruins. You drive your own rig and something with at least high clearance is advised. The Four Corners Monument is accessed through New Mexico in the Navajo Nation. It's about an hour from Cortez and you can maybe spend an hour or so there. Other things to do in the region include Mesa Verde National Park, the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge RR, and rafting/four wheeling offered by any number of tour operators in Durango. If you prefer to explore by yourself, there's Canyon of the Ancients National Monument west of Cortez, and lots of mountains with trails for all abilities around Telluride (maybe 90 minutes from Cortez). There is both warm and cold water fishing around Dolores, CO.

As far as carrying, I've carried at most of those locations. If you are of the tribe where concealed means concealed you shouldn't get into any trouble. Enough people have guns and carry around there that I think the only people who will give you a second glance are other tourists. In the summer months it gets really warm and shorts and a t-shirt are usually all that is required so if you dress around your pistol that may be a consideration. I'm not sure what the law is on the reservations, but then again, I haven't had much reason to stop on one.

[brutal]

Two thumbs up for visiting Mesa Verde.

Very cool place, seen it twice. We vacation at Navajo Reservoir every other summer, sometimes more often, and like to make day trips out or trip to something one day on the way back.

Not sure how anyone gets there in 5 hours, it's 7.5 from Parker according to Google. In the car, sans a little one or any stops, perhaps 5. Takes us longer to get to Navajo with the RV's but we also go south at Alamosa to avoid Wolf Creek Pass and the crap road they call Hwy 511.