West Visiting CO - looking for someplace close

Gypsy Jo · 08-10-2009, 12:28 PM

Hello, Am going to be heading to Colo. next week to visit Mom who lives in Grand Junction and Daughter who lives inthe Denver ,Westminster area,.A couple of questions .Any place close to westminster for camping? NFS, or county Would probably be best I have a few to many dogs for most campgrounds. Sadly won't be traveling in my Argosy MH. but the other MH. Also to get from Grand Junction to Denver I don't want to drive up 70.How are the roads from Loma #139 to 40 and the other one from Rifle north?And heading on into Denver on 40 should I expect anything?All input is appreciated. Is there any good camping around Grand Junction? I can stay on my Mom's street not ideal but ok for a couple of days Would like to take Mom camping somewhere nice. Thank you. Boondocking is ok .Would prefer boondocking just figured no place close to Denver .And didn't think about GJ.I don't need hookups so any where nice.

purman · 08-10-2009, 02:21 PM

139 is pretty steep and windy over the pass. some 15 mph corners but it is doable.. The road up from Rifle is not as bad and my be a better option, lees stress on the brakes...

The south side of the colorado national monument has some very nice camp sites in the park...

Not sure about the east side of the mountains...

Gen Disarray · 08-10-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purman

The south side of the colorado national monument has some very nice camp sites in the park...

CNM is neat, I was there last year. One caution is that at that time they were doing a poor job of trimming branches in the campground, so some of them where grown up into the parking spaces. I can't speak to the condition of the electric loop though.

Gypsy Jo · 08-10-2009, 03:53 PM

Thanks for the quick replies.Sounds like the way to go would be Rifle.Less stress on the brakes and on me. Am not much for going interstate if I don't have to.Will check out the Colo Nat. Mon.Watching out for branches along the way.Really need some place to stay around Denver have looked on the inter net there are several state county and nfs cg in the area does anyone have experience with any of these.

Seymour1971 · 08-10-2009, 04:02 PM

Gypsy Jo,

Not certain how far this would be from your daughter but you may want to research City of Golden Colorado - Where the West Lives! - Clear Creek RV Park.

Mike

genearnold · 08-10-2009, 05:09 PM

When I visit my Sis is Broomfield (that is adjacent to Westminster) I camp at Boyd Lakes State Park in Loveland. It is about forty miles from Broomfield but to me it is worth it to be away from the congestion of Denver Metro. Except for holiday weekends we've had little problem getting a space there. It is not far from Estes, just down the road from Ft. Collins, etc.

Gene

COArgosy78 · 08-10-2009, 06:05 PM

Here is one you might look at. I haven't experienced it personally, but it is a bit closer than Boyd Lake up in Loveland.

Barbour Ponds State Park | Colorado | Public Lands Information Center | Recreation Search

If you don't mind being a bit further out into the mountains there is Golden Gate Canyon State Park. There you can get hookups or not. Very nice place with many campsites. It is 10miles NE of Blackhawk gambling town.

Here is website...
Golden Gate State Park - Colorado State Parks

mojo · 08-10-2009, 06:10 PM

In Denver check out Cherry Creek State Park.
In Grand Junction, try Saddlehorn CG in the CO Nat. Mon.

Gypsy Jo · 08-10-2009, 08:27 PM

Thanks for all the info. I had been looking at Golden Gate Canyon SP.Looks nice.Does anyone know how busy it will be in 2 or 3 weeks?Cherry Creek looks really nice also but might be little to close to city for me . Barbour Ponds looks nice and quiet.that is a possibility.40 miles might be a little far for my daughter but like the idea of being away from city congestion.Not that I'm going to be driving around much but am not used to city life.Will be checking out the other ones .Thanks again.

hookedonclassic · 08-10-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gypsy Jo

How are the roads from Loma #139 to 40 and the other one from Rifle north?And heading on into Denver on 40 should I expect anything? \

Gypsy Jo: Someone suggested I get the Mountain Directory from Camping World which I just did about a week ago. Here's what I found:
Hwy 139 north of Grand Junction: Douglas Pass - North bound has a descent of 3 miles of steady 7-8% grade with 20, 25, and 30 mph curves. South bound has descent of 6 miles of 6-8% grade with 25 mph curves and numerous 15 mph curves with switchbacks. One section 1/10 miles has a 10-12% grade.
Hwy 13 north of Rifle doesn't list any grade notices.
Hwy 40 has 2 grades east of Steamboat Springs & one closer to Denver. Steamboat grades going east are 5-6% and going west 7%. One grade closest to Denver on Hwy 40 are in the 6% grade with speed limits of 20 to 25 mph hairpin curves.
Hope this helps. Directory for Western US cost $16.95 at Camping World. They also sell a Eastern US Mountain Directory. In most cases, the Directory lists DECENTS from the Summit.

dogpound · 08-10-2009, 09:57 PM

Gypsey Jo

I lived in GJ for a while and I would stay off 130 between Loma and Rangely. Althoug it is considered a state road it is sometimes lacking maintenance. I haven't been on it for several years so it may have been upgraded. Highway 13 north or Rifle has one long hill about 5 miles but it is well kept. If you take 13 watch for deer on the highway.

I haven't done much camping around Denver. Fro the sounds of what the other posts are there are more than adequate campgrounds.

Good Luck.

Bob
4CU/CAC
WBCCI #10105
AIR # 28748

Gypsy Jo · 08-11-2009, 01:34 AM

Definitely not taking 139.Checked out Clear Creek very nice looking cg maybe to nice.Couldn't get the site on Saddlehorn CG.to load but will check it out sounds great and pics of the monument awesome.Have lived in Co. so understand the mountain driving but have not been in that part of the state before ,been to Denver on 70 .That could be a handy book to have around.

COArgosy78 · 08-11-2009, 09:20 AM

GypsyJo - If you click on the GGState Park website on my previous post, it has the reserve a campsite tab available. The weekends look to be filled, but weekdays are open. Depending on you situation, you might be able to book for week, then move to front of daughters house for weekend, or other possibility is moving to private CG for weekend? Here is one operated thru city of Golden...

City of Golden Colorado - Where the West Lives! - Clear Creek RV Park

FLYNCLD · 08-11-2009, 09:45 AM

We stayed at Chatfield Reservoir State Park last night. Very nice park with a variety of accommodations. It is just south of Littleton however, so is a long ways from Broomfield.