George, you didn't mention your time frame
it would be easy to plan you out for 3-6 months worth of tripping
understand several of the prime points of interest are on "loops" meaning you will likely make several loops on your tour
coming in from the southwest stop @ 4-Corners Monument
https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-pa ... -monument/then procede to Mesa Verde NP then over to Durango
https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htmremember camping is free in the National Forests
United CG on the north end of Durango offers all the amenities of commercial CG's and is located conveniently for riding the Durango/Silverton RxR(if it is open)
https://www.durangotrain.comride the train both ways... don't do the bus thing it really doesn't save you any time
on north up US 550 is Siverton (eat the buffalo burger @ Handlebars w/ peach cobbler a la mode)
https://handlebarssilverton.comup n over Red Mtn Pass to Ouray and take a dip in the natural hot springs pool if it's open
Ridgeway is the next burg up 550 where much of the original True Grit movie was fimed and Eat @ the True Grit Cafe
sitting on the front porch you are looking at the park where the hangings were filmed
https://truegritcafe.comgoing north turn right @ Montrose on US 50 and visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
https://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htmon east toward Gunnison is the Blue Mesa RV Ranch (another commercial CG w/ facilities) on the western edge of town
take time to view the tree sculptures in the Gunnison City Park
north of Gunnison thru Crested Butte and Gothic are some National Forest CG's w/ level sites picnic tables & pit toilets for cheap
on east of Gunnison over Monarch Pass and thru Salida just south of US 50 is Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
https://royalgorgebridge.comsouth from Salida toward Alamosa is Great Sand Dunes NP
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htmback west towards your Cali home up n over Wolf Creek Pass to Durango
realistically this would take you well over a week and then some AFTER you cross into Colorado and you've never left the southwest corner of the state
time to do some research to help decide whether you want to SEE Colorado or just make a WFO pass at it
BON CHANCE
sw