Colorado camping?

[deecarr]

Will be ready to hit the road this year in may for the first time! Anybody have recommendations for must hit spots in colorado. Going to stay local till we used to our second home.
Thanks
Deecarr

[Denis4x4]

Lucy's has three vintage Airstreams for rent

[Bk Yd Safari]

Head over to Pagosa Springs and enjoy a day in the hot springs. From there over to Durango and the Alpen Rose RV park. Make the day long loop to Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, Delores and back to Durango. Next day go to Mesa Verda near Mancus. Monument Valley UT is about 170 miles west of Durango. Stay at Gouldings Lodge and be sure to try the Navajo tacos at Gouldings Lodge. Then north to Moab UT and catch Arches and Canyon Lands National Parks as well as Dead Horse State Park. Riverside Oasis is a nice park on the north side of town near the entrance to Arches. At Moab go 30 miles north to I-70, or head back south to Monticello and turn east to Durango. Its about 160 miles from Moab to Durango.
Lots of other locals including Vail and Aspen or Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Just remember that you can use these towns as base camps, drop the A/S and head-out to discover the high mountain locals.
Happy Travels

[sandlapper]

We are also hopefully headed to RMNP in June so good timing on the info. Only have 6-7 days to cover the state.

Thanks for sharing.

John

[Denis4x4]

Tried to post several times and been bounced! Head south on I-25 and turn right at Walsenberg to 160 and check out Lucy's in LaVeta. Take the loop to Trinidad as there are several USFS campgrounds. Use the internet to find Colorado State Campgrounds (Lathrop between Walsenberg and LaVeta is great) and the San Juan National Forest has a bunch of great campgrounds near Pagosa Springs, Durango, Silverton and Cortez. Forget 550 over Red Mountain until you get some miles under your belt. You can get to Ouray via 145 through Rico.

Several years ago, my wife and I decided that we really donT need to go outside of Colorado for the ultimute AS experience! FYI...Garden of the Gods campground in Old Colorado City is one of our favorite spots

[deecarr]

Thanks for the awesome suggestions everybody. Sounds like there's plenty to do in colorado for our first year! Happy trails to all!

[mojo]

You have a great park in your back yard on the other side of Pikes Peak, Mueller State Park. Down the road is a small lake just west of Colorado City, Lake Isabel. Also Great Sand Dunes NP is neat in the spring when the river is running. With more time, there are plenty of places to explore in the mountains.

[deecarr]

Mojo, Does mueller or lake isabel have hook ups or strictly boondocking? Paved roads, pads? Used to tent camp at eleven mile and at the sand dunes. Agree, tons of great places to explore here at home

[handn]

One of our favorites is Steamboat Lake State Park, 29 miles NW of Steamboat Springs up the Elk River Valley. Be sure to make reservations on line as the hookup spots fill up fast. You can usually drive in if you are willing to camp without hookups.
Nearby Pearl Lake is a great fly fishing Lake for cutthroat trout. Bring your canoe or float tube.

[nilesrob]

One of our favorites is Great Sand Dunes NP.

[Antique Pedaler]

Spruce Grove CG on Terryall Creek right out your back door. It was our go-to campground for many years. Friday p.m. after work and 45 minutes from C. Spgs. Our kids grew up there.

[vinstream]

FYI.... Colorado State Parks provide some of the finest camping in all of the state for non boon docking style of camping! www.coloradostateparks.reserveamerica.com/
....