stops along the way to Colorado

[pinkflame]

Our older boys are going to southwestern Colorado this summer for a 5 day backpacking trip off the Silverton-Durango Railroad. We are from San Antonio Texas. Any suggestions on free/cheap places to spend the night along the way

[GernBlansten]

Philmont would be a great stop. About half way. Don't know if they can put you up for the night, but just hanging around the base would be cool for the scouts.

[Eagle69]

On a National Tour permit you are allowed 600 miles of driving in a day. I would plot that from your starting point and then start looking for a military installation of some kind. I spent 6 years back in the 80's taking my Troop on high adventure trips out of state and we stayed at Army Reserve Centers, National Guard Armories, Navy/Air Force bases, etc. The rules may have changed and they don't allow Scouts to stay anymore, but since you are in the San Antonio area with Fort Sam Houston I would see if they have a Scouting liaison and see if he can help you. Another alternative is to figure out what Scout Council serves the area where you are looking to overnight and go through them and see if someone can hook you up with a church to stay at.

[moxieman]

San Antonio, huh? How far does that put you from Lubbock, TX? 8...9 hours? Try contacting South Plains Council, which has two council camp properties: Camp Post in Post, TX (roughly 40 miles SE of Lubbock) and Camp Tres Ritos, Tres Ritos, NM (about 20 miles or so east of Taos, NM).

 

Website: http://southplainscouncil.org/

 

Another member suggested contacting the military. The folks at Fort Sam Houston, might be able to give you contacts with the Clovis Air Force Base in Clovis, NM (just over the border from west-central TX).

 

 

[Dizzy ona cliff]

If for some reason you are planning to go North on I-35 to Wichita and then West to Colorado there is a Scout Hut with a kitchen and shower in Stillwater, OK, which is about 540 miles North, that would be free for your use provided the day does not conflict with other activity.

Jeff

[Herms]

The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs has an area just for scouts to camp. Additionally, if the cadets are not there they will put you up in the gym. The grounds are really interesting to see, and you could also visit the nearby Garden of the Gods National Monument.

[Eagledad]

This may be too close, but Kwahadi Kiva Indian Museum in Amarillo. They charged us a dollar per scout way back when. Im sure the price is still a bargin. Very nice.

http://www.kwahadi.com/hostel.htm

 

Then there is Korshar Indian Museum in La Junta Colorado. One dollar/scout and good cheap food as well. But their Fancy Dancer program $1.00 is as good as any Fancy Dance you will see from Tribes in Oklahoma. And, it is all done by Boy Scouts. La Junta is in South East Colorado just east of Pueblo.

http://kosharehistory.org/koshare/summerscouts.html

 

Have a great trip. I know that is great hike.

 

Barry