Most of the places I been in Colorado & Arizona are touristy places.
The train between Durango and Silverton is a wonderful day trip.
The towns are very touristy but train is easy way to see the back country.
Ask for a set on a window less car.
The train also stops along the way to pickup & drop off hikers & fishermen
Durango h as a lot of good food!
Silverton is all one big tour trap.
Sedona, Arizona – Red Rock State Park
Lots of hiking areas, and touristy jeep rides,
I took the Pink Jeep Tours’ broken arrow tour,
They stop any time you ask for pictures
I rate them a “10+”
You have to go thru Utah or New Mexico to get to Arizona from Colorado
I would go thru Utah, lots of nice national parks in south east Utah.
Drive thru Monument Valley if it on your way, it’s a Navajo Nation park, the road thru is free,
If you what to go in the park you have to go with a Navajo guide $$$, they also charge a camera fee
If you go to the Grand Canyon, the north rim is a lot less touristy; it also has a few back country roads passable by car in good weather
If it’s in your budge take an air tour, I when on Grand Canyon Airlines over the park,
Some of the airlines with helicopters fly in the canyon over the Indian reservations out side of the national park,
There are about a dozen airlines at Grand Canyon most fly out on the south side
I gave the Grand Canyon Airlines a “10+” before going on the Pink Jeep Tour
Sedona also has a few air tour companies but I did not go on any.
Hope this help
Jeff
