Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [50]
Winter Sports
When the South Rim Road is closed by winter snow, the Park Service plows only to the South Rim Visitor Center, leaving the rest of the park the domain of cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The South Rim Road, running about 6 miles from the visitor center into the park, makes a great trail. Just .2 mile beyond the visitor center, the Vernal Mesa Ski Trail loops off the road, providing another 1.5 miles for cross-country skiers and snowshoers.
Camping
There are campgrounds on both rims with toilets but no showers. The South Rim Campground, which rarely fills, has 88 sites (23 of which have electric hookups); some sites are open year-round. The North Rim Campground, which is open spring through fall only, has 13 basic sites and occasionally fills up. Sites at the North Rim Campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while some sites in the South Rim Campground can be reserved (☎ 877/ 444-6777; www.reserveusa.com). Cost in the warmer months is $10 per night for basic sites and $15 for sites with electric hookups; in the winter, water is turned off and basic sites cost $5 less.
Campgrounds with hot showers and full RV hookups are available in Montrose. Our choice is the Hangin' Tree R.V. Park, 17250 U.S. 550 S., Montrose, CO 81401 (☎ 970/249-9966), which is open year-round. It has grassy tent sites and large pull-through RV sites, a self-service laundry, a convenience store, and a 24-hour gas station. Its 25 sites run $17 to $24 a night, and major credit cards are accepted.
Where to Stay
NEAR THE PARK
There is no lodging inside the park; the nearest facilities are in Montrose. In addition to the properties discussed below, Montrose (zip code 81401) has a Comfort Inn, 2100 E. Main St. (☎ 970/ 240-8000), with rates for two of $59 to $99; Days Inn, 1655 E. Main St. (☎ 970/ 249-3411), double $39 to $69; Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1391 S. Townsend Ave. (☎ 970/240-1800), double $89 to $149; and Super 8, 1705 E. Main St. (☎ 970/249-9294), double $57 to $96. The Uncompahgre Bed and Breakfast, 21049 Uncompahgre Rd., Montrose (☎ 800/318-8127 or 970/ 240-4000; www.uncbb.com), has seven guest rooms in a renovated school building that dates to 1914, and charges $85 to $125 double. Rates in Montrose are usually highest in July and August, and lowest November through April. The appendix (p. 661) lists national toll-free reservations numbers.
Best Western Red Arrow Motor Inn 1702 E. Main St. (P.O. Box 236), Montrose, CO 81402. ☎ 800/468-9323 (direct) or 970/ 249-9641. www.bestwestern.com/redarrow. 60 units. A/C TV TEL. $69–$109 double. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Those seeking the reliability and familiar surroundings of a major chain motel will like the Red Arrow. Occupying a large two-story building near the east end of town, it offers spacious rooms, most with queen beds, plus refrigerators, coffeemakers, bathrobes, and hair dryers. Anyone traveling with a laptop will appreciate the two-line phones with dataports and voice mail. A handful of "spa rooms" have large whirlpool tubs. Amenities include a solarium with a hot tub and fitness center, seasonal heated outdoor pool, playground, coin-op laundry, and courtesy airport transportation.
Western Motel
1200 E. Main St. (at Stough Ave.), Montrose, CO 81401. ☎ 800/445-7301 or 970/249-3481. www.westernmotel.com. 28 units. A/C TV TEL. $57–$66 double, $85–$125 family unit; winter discounts. Rates include continental breakfast May–Sept. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Pets accepted; $5 fee.
A one-story white stucco building with a two-story annex, this attractive independent motel, renovated in 1999, offers comfortable rooms that are a tad larger than average, with some homey touches. Most have queen-size beds. A few two-and three-room family