Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rangely
POP 2000 / ELEV 5274FT
An isolated coal and oil town on Hwy 64, Rangely is about 56 miles west of Meeker and
about 90 miles north of Fruita and Grand Junction via Hwy 139. Visitors to nearby Dino-
saur National Monument may wish to detour through Rangely to access the very fine
rock-art sites along Hwy 139 just south of town, but Rangely itself is not much of a des-
tination. The
Rangely Chamber of Commerce
(
970-675-5290;
www.rangely.com
;
209 E Main St;
1-5pm
Mon-Fri)
can provide information on local businesses.
The
Rangely Museum
( 970-675-2612; 150 Kennedy Dr; 10am-4pm Jun-Aug, 10am-4pm Fri & Sat Apr-
May & Sep-Oct; )
is a good diversion with exhibits on energy production, Native Americ-
ans and ranching. There are several notable pre-Columbian rock-art sites on nearby BLM
lands; look for self-guided tour brochures along Hwy 64 East and West, the Dragon Trail
south of Rangely and Cañon Pintado.
Sleeping & Eating
Rangely Camper Park
(940 E Rangely Ave; tent & RV sites $10-15; )
Located beneath a stand of cottonwoods, this city
park has RV hookups and spacious sites. It's an excellent base for rock hounding.
CAMPGROUND
$
Blue Mountain Inn & Suites
( 970-675-8888;
www.bluemountaininnrangely.com
; 37 Park St; d $140; )
Don't forget to
wipe the oil off your boots when you enter Rangely's best hotel. It would be slightly bland
if it weren't for stone fireplaces, the timber-framed entranceway and a nice little indoor
pool and outdoor hot tub. The best value comes when you book directly through the web-
site.
HOTEL
$$
TOP OF CHAPTER
Cañon Pintado National Historic District
It's well worth adding a few hours to the trip between Grand Junction and Dinosaur Na-
tional Monument in order to spend a few moments communing with these spectral, mys-
terious images - ghostly birds and life-sized flutists. The paintings, left as inscrutable
