It’s not usually the kind of place we cover on our channel... but there’s a reason we’re in Montrose, Colorado today — and by the end of this video, you’ll understand why it might be your next favorite destination in the West. Hi, we’re Mark and Paula! In this episode, we’re exploring Montrose — a charming small town on Colorado’s western slope that offers big-time adventure without the big-city crowds. From historic downtown strolls and quirky coffee shops to modern rec centers and scenic parks, Montrose has something for everyone. 🏡☕🎶 We’ll show you: 🛏️ Where to stay (hotels, boutique motels, riverfront RV parks) 🍽️ Unique restaurants and coffee shops 🎶 Live music venues and local entertainment 🚲 Parks, trails, and lakes for outdoor fun 🏛️ Museums including the Ute Indian Museum & Museum of the Mountain West ⛳ Golf, shopping, recreation, and so much more Videos mentioned in this video: 🎥 Stick around till the end where we reveal the real reason people choose to “Stay here and play everywhere”—and why this town is a perfect base for exploring some of Colorado’s most iconic and underrated destinations. Don't forget to check out our other videos on nearby hot spots, national parks, and off-the-beaten-path places across Colorado and beyond! Videos mentioned in this Video: Curecanti Recreation Area: https://youtu.be/pkTqEwP5Oks Colorado National Monument: https://youtu.be/S4rVK0e5xow Last Dollar Road: https://youtu.be/yyC0k-B2T_A Off-Roading Silverton: https://youtu.be/Ofkxs7S0u_k Silverton: https://youtu.be/qxvodMBH-Xo Million Dollar Highway: https://youtu.be/482zQNctiI8 Yankee Boy Basin: https://youtu.be/4nEq3EBcSD0 Ouray: https://youtu.be/o-Lc8vnxUxg Uncompahgre Platuea: https://youtu.be/Mxd3GF5xDbo Ridgway: https://youtu.be/_Wx34iCr1VQ Owl Creek Pass: https://youtu.be/IkaR0MjEdEY Grand Mesa: https://youtu.be/8GJFmGdgFUA Telluride: https://youtu.be/ksrv4_oxmGM Silver Jack Reservoir: https://youtu.be/v1BP_g7KfmY 📍 Coming soon: Our full guide to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park — once the wildfires are out and it's safe to explore again. 🛎️ Subscribe for more small-town travel, road trip inspiration, and hidden gems across the U.S. 👇 Have you been to Montrose? Planning a trip? Let us know in the comments! 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel

🚙 Drive the Burr Trail — one of Utah’s most scenic and thrilling backroads! From red rock canyons to sweeping desert vistas, this iconic route through Grand Staircase-Escalante offers unforgettable views and adventure. 🌄 Perfect for off-road lovers, hikers, and nature photographers! 👍 Like & follow for more epic Utah road trip spots and outdoor adventures! #BurrTrail #UtahRoadTrip #ScenicDrive #GrandStaircaseEscalante #OffRoadAdventure #DesertViews #UtahTravel #RoadTripShorts #OutdoorExploration 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel

I-70 cuts through the heart of Utah’s San Rafael Swell, revealing jaw-dropping canyons, cliffs, and geologic wonders. 📍 This stretch of interstate has no services for 100+ miles, but the views are unforgettable — it's like driving through another planet! 🌄 A must-see for road trippers, geology lovers, and desert explorers. 👍 Like & follow for more epic drives and hidden gems in the American West! #SanRafaelSwell #UtahRoadTrip #I70Utah #EpicDrives #DesertViews #GeologyLovers #UtahTravel #RoadTripShorts #HiddenUtah #AmericanWest 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel

Join us, Mark and Paula, as we take you on a breathtaking drive through the Curecanti National Recreation Area in Western Colorado! This episode follows Highway 50 west from Montrose, winding through incredible history, engineering marvels, epic campgrounds, and even a sweet stop in Gunnison, Colorado. 💙Learn about: 🚂 The old railroad town of Cimarron, where narrow-gauge trains conquered the Black Canyon 💧 Stunning Blue Mesa Reservoir (the largest lake in Colorado) 🏕️ Campgrounds from primitive spots to sites with services. ⚡ Hydroelectric power stations and fascinating dam engineering feats 🛶 Kayaking, pontoon rides, and hiking to hidden scenic overlooks ⭐ Stargazing under the protected dark skies of the West 🐟 The massive Kokanee salmon runs 👻🏚️ tales from the flooded ghost towns beneath Blue Mesa ✈️ Super Scoopers fighting fires from above 🏛️ The Gunnison Pioneer Museum — a massive collections in Gunnison, Colorado. 📍 Whether you're planning a trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, looking for historic railroads, or scouting for epic camping, this guide is packed with tips, stories, and great stops to help you plan your journey. 🧭 Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 0:21 Curecanti Recreation Area 16:53 Gunnison 18:51 Pioneer Museum 🔗 Helpful Links: 🌐 Curecanti National Recreation Area: https://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm 🎟️ Campground Info & Reservations: https://www.recreation.gov 🏛️ Gunnison Pioneer Museum: https://www.gunnisonpioneermuseum.com/ 🙌 Support Our Journey! If you found this video helpful, give us a thumbs up 👍, leave a comment 📝 with your favorite spot, and don’t forget to subscribe for more road trip guides and outdoor adventures across the West! 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #camping #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel

Hidden in the San Rafael Swell, this ancient rock art has sparked debate — is it a dragon, a shaman, or something else entirely? 🪨 Created by the Fremont or Barrier Canyon cultures, this panel is a must-see for fans of ancient art, petroglyphs, and Utah’s wild landscapes. 📍 Near Green River, Utah ⏳ Estimated age: 1,000+ years 👍 Like & follow for more ancient mysteries and hidden desert treasures!#BlackDragonPanel #UtahRockArt #Petroglyphs #AncientMysteries #SanRafaelSwell #UtahTravel #RockArtShorts #FremontCulture #BarrierCanyonStyle #HiddenUtah 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel

Once booming in the 1800s, it’s now a quiet ghost town with stunning views, rich history, and hidden charm. 📍 Located along the Turquoise Trail, Golden is home to the iconic San Francisco de Asís Church and remnants of New Mexico’s mining past.✨ Perfect for road trippers, history buffs, and ghost town explorers! 👍 Like & follow for more hidden gems across New Mexico and the Southwest! #GoldenNM #NewMexico #GhostTowns #TurquoiseTrail #HistoricNewMexico #SouthwestTravel #RoadTripStops #ShortsTravel #HiddenGems #GoldRushHistory 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel

Discover the stunning beauty of Colorado National Monument and the surprising charm of Fruita, Colorado—a quirky small town famous for breathtaking red rock canyons, desert wildlife, and... a headless chicken festival?! 🐔 In this video, we: ✔️ Drive the epic Rim Rock Drive ✔️ Visit the peaceful Vietnam Memorial Welcome Center ✔️ Explore camping options at Saddlehorn Campground ✔️ Uncover Fruita’s weird and wonderful side ✔️ Share tips for visiting with limited time or hot weather 🌄 Colorado National Monument Highlights Located just minutes from Fruita, this hidden gem offers national park vibes without the crowds! ✨ What to Expect: 🚘 Rim Rock Drive – A 23-mile scenic route with jaw-dropping overlooks, 3 tunnels, and unique rock formations 🪨 Must-sees: Independence Monument, Coke Ovens, Redland View Overlook, Balanced Rock 🐏 Wildlife sightings: bighorn sheep, eagles, and desert creatures 🌵 Dramatic desert landscapes, wildflowers, and red rock canyons 🥾 Easy-access trails near the Visitor Center 🛠️ Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s–40s 🏕️ Camping at Saddlehorn Campground 79 reservable sites (2 seasonal loops + 1 open year-round) Picnic tables, charcoal grills, flush toilets, and water in summer 🚫 No electric hookups, showers, or dump stations ⛺ Just 4 miles from the Fruita entrance—some sites have killer views! 🇺🇸 Vietnam Memorial Welcome Center – Fruita, CO A quiet, shaded spot for reflection and remembrance. 🎖️ Small museum with free admission 🪑 Benches and trees for peaceful rest 🚐 RV-friendly with a free dump station 💬 Thoughtful displays honoring local Vietnam veterans 🎉 The Quirky Side of Fruita Fruita may be small, but it’s full of surprises: 🐔 Home of the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival 🚴‍♂️ Biking capital with a laid-back vibe 🥾 Gateway to Colorado’s red rock country and outdoor adventure 📌 Helpful Links Below! 🗺️ Interactive Map – Colorado National Monument 🔗 https://home.nps.gov/features/colm/virtualtour/section/map/ 🌄 Official NPS Page – Colorado National Monument 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm 🏕️ Saddlehorn Campground Info & Reservations 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/camping.htm 🌆 Visit Fruita – Things to Do & See 🔗 https://gofruita.com/ 🎉 Mike the Headless Chicken Festival 🔗 https://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org/ 💬 Comment below if you've visited this area or have it on your list! 👍 Like the video, subscribe for more offbeat road trip stops, and help others discover these underrated places by sharing the video! #ColoradoNationalMonument #VisitFruita #ScenicDrivesColorado #CampingInColorado #RoadTripUSA #HiddenGems #RimRockDrive #SmallTownVibes #DesertViews #HeadlessChickenFestival 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com 0:00 Introduction 0:17 Fruita Colorado 3:29 Colorado National Monument #RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel

Looking for the perfect free camping spot near Santa Fe, New Mexico? 🌄 Check out this scenic boondocking location just outside the city! Nestled in the high desert, you'll wake up to stunning sunrise views, peaceful solitude, and easy access to the vibrant culture and art of Santa Fe. 🎨 Just a short drive away, explore the historic Plaza, browse world-class art galleries on Canyon Road, or visit the incredible old churches. Don't forget to sample delicious New Mexican cuisine—think green chile everything! 🌶️ This spot is ideal for RVers, van lifers, and off-grid adventurers looking to soak in nature while staying close to one of the most artistic cities in the Southwest. #Boondocking #SantaFeNM #VanLife #RVCamping #OffGridLiving #DesertCamping #NewMexicoTrue #FreeCamping #PublicLands #SouthwestAdventures #NomadLife #VanLifeSpots #TravelNewMexico 👉 Like & follow for more off-grid camping finds across the U.S.! 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com