Drive through beautiful South Park via Highway 285, heading south and passing
through Fairplay, near Buena Vista, through Saguache, over Wolf Creek Pass, and
into Pagosa Springs. Continue on Highway 160 west from Pagosa Springs through
Durango and Hesperus until you reach the town of Mancos. At Mancos, turn on
Highway 184 toward Dolores (you can lay over a night in the comfortable yurts or
campsites at Mancos State Park).
Follow the directions from Dolores below. Total distance from Denver
is about 400 miles. Depending on weather conditions, road construction, and
other variables, routes through Grand Junction or south through Pueblo/
Walsenburg/Alamosa/Monte Vista are also options.