I’m going to aim to pin down simply 5 locations that made me fall in love with tenting in Colorado. This was a tough job, and I’m most likely going to spend the subsequent few days kicking myself for not dishonest and together with a half dozen different campgrounds together with these.
As a result of, actually, you’ll be able to simply head to the mountains right here and discover a tremendous place to camp. After I’m driving to a hike, or for a weekend within the mountains, I continually marvel on the good luck I’ve to dwell right here.
After I camp, I search for a number of issues. I’m a sucker for a beautiful location, which isn’t exhausting to seek out round right here! I’m additionally a mother of 4, so I search for family-friendly facilities, or close by actions for individuals of all skills from toddlers on up. We don’t thoughts roughing it, however I’m not usually a very primitive camper (I like a rest room!). I’ve executed each tent tenting and RV tenting at completely different locations across the state.
So listed here are 5 locations to get you began on exploring Colorado. That is positively not an exhaustive listing, it’s only a jumping-off level. I additionally included some close by campgrounds for every, to provide you some selections and backups.
Additionally, it looks as if an increasing number of individuals are discovering the enjoyment of tenting in Colorado. In case your campground of selection affords reservations, I’d seize them. You don’t need to wing it and present as much as uncover all of the spots are full, though we do have dispersed tenting in lots of areas as properly.
YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch
YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch helped me recapture the texture of being a child at summer time camp, however I received to expertise it with my very own youngsters! Snow Mountain Ranch is in Granby, Colorado, simply to the west of Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. In truth, you’ll be able to drive to the park in about 20 minutes. The ranch is in a valley, with sweeping views of the Rockies within the distance. You would possibly spot elk, deer, and even moose within the space. It’s what individuals who’ve by no means visited the state think about once they image Colorado.
Our household first found Granby and the encompassing space after we had been in search of smaller, inexpensive locations to take our 4 youngsters snowboarding. The Granby Ranch ski resort has raise tickets which can be far more reasonably priced than fancier resorts like Breckenridge or Vail. Additionally, the resort is sufficiently small that I felt comfy sending my older youngsters off to ski with out worrying about dropping them in a crowd.
I’m additionally in love with the views, mountaineering, and actions round Granby in summer time. However then within the fall, you get the placing shiny yellow aspens and different foliage. I can’t choose a favourite season right here (or anyplace within the mountains in Colorado, actually!)
Snow Mountain Ranch is a couple of two-hour drive from the Denver space. The very best route is to take I-70 West to Freeway 40 West in direction of Winter Park. Observe 40 over Berthoud Cross, by means of Winter Park and Fraser, to the ranch, about 12 miles previous Fraser. RVs are allowed on Berthoud Cross, however it’s a winding, steep street with plenty of switchbacks. I’ve needed to make a number of stops for carsick individuals on the drive! Take it sluggish, and examine climate reviews forward of time throughout winter and spring to keep away from snowstorms. There may be an alternate route by means of Silverthorne, however it provides an additional hour to the drive.
Why I Love It
That is considered one of my favourite locations to take my household. There’s a lot to do on-site on the YMCA that you possibly can spend your total keep simply on the grounds. However Granby can be near Grand Lake with its boating and water actions. It’s additionally near RMNP, and you possibly can make this camp your house base to discover the park.
Why It Stands Out
The YMCA has camp actions, together with archery, an aerial problem course, arts & crafts, mini-golf, mountaineering, curler skating, horseback driving, and deliberate actions. In winter, you’ll be able to go dogsledding and ice skating. You can also make meals at your campsite, however there’s additionally a cafeteria and a restaurant with burgers and different grill objects. That is additionally an amazing possibility for household reunions or bigger teams.
Greatest Time to Go
Like I mentioned, I really like each season within the mountains! Nonetheless, summer time or early fall are the very best instances to go and revel in all the outside actions within the space. When you can go after Labor Day Weekend, you’ll miss a variety of the summer time crowds since youngsters are again in school.
Tenting Choices
Snow Mountain Ranch has pet-friendly RV and tent campsites. Some websites have full hookups, whereas some have electrical and water hookups. There are laundry amenities and showers accessible. Campsites can accommodate RVs or trailers as much as 40 toes in size, and have a picnic desk, a hearth ring, and free WiFi.
Accountable Tenting
Though it is a privately-owned, well-maintained campground, you need to nonetheless depart no hint while you pack up on the finish. Don’t overlook to do one final sweep to wash up any pet waste or trash. Make sure that to pack away any meals after meals so that you don’t appeal to wildlife.
Professional Ideas
The waterfall hike is a reasonably brief hike with a good-sized waterfall on the finish. I additionally loved the humanities and crafts as a result of everybody may spend a day creating, and so they every had a novel memento on the finish of our journey! Some actions, like crafts and horseback driving, have an additional payment on prime of your campground charges, whereas others, like mountaineering, are free.
Runners Up
The campgrounds inside Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park have extra primary facilities. Moraine Park Campground is the one one with electrical hookups, and the remainder of the campgrounds shouldn’t have any hookups. These are lovely campgrounds that put you near RMNP points of interest, however they do refill shortly.
When you can’t get a reservation contained in the park, you can too search for campgrounds in Grand Lake to the west of the park, or Estes Park to the east.
Piñon Flats Campground, Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park
This ranks as one of many prime most-scenic campgrounds I’ve ever had the great luck to go to.
Piñon Flats is the one developed campground inside Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park, and I nonetheless bear in mind after we first pulled as much as our campsite there. I didn’t notice till we arrived that you may see the dunes looming proper in entrance of you out of your website. They’re very shut – in reality, you’ll be able to stroll over to the dunes fairly simply from the campground. The Rocky Mountains tower within the background behind the barren-looking sand dunes, that are the tallest dunes in North America.
Why I Love It
The panorama right here is so distinctive, and it is a view of the Rockies that you just received’t get anyplace else.
Why It Stands Out
As a result of these are sand dunes, they’re continually transferring and altering. There aren’t any marked hikes or trails – you’ll be able to simply begin wandering. It’s also possible to go sand sledding or sandboarding down the dunes – there are a number of locations close by that hire sleds and boards. You possibly can attempt your individual sled or snowboard, however they don’t work in addition to these made particularly for sand.
In late Might and early June, Medano Creek runs by means of the underside of the dunes. Children love splashing within the water and driving the surge waves that roll by means of fairly continuously. If you wish to get to the dunes whereas the creek is flowing, be able to take away your sneakers and wade the creek, or put on water sneakers like Tevas or Chacos. This distinctive seashore space has even been named among the best seashores within the U.S. by Journey & Leisure … not dangerous for a landlocked state like Colorado!
Greatest Time to Go
Late Might and early June are the very best instances to go to and benefit from the creek in addition to the dunes. You’ll even be there earlier than the warmth of summer time. Nonetheless, the tradeoff is that that is the busiest time on the park, and chances are you’ll expertise lengthy strains and crowds. You’ll must make campground reservations properly prematurely.
Late fall can be a very good time to go to – you’ll discover fewer crowds, however the creek will seemingly be dry.
Tenting Choices
Piñon Flats has tent and RV tenting. There aren’t any hookups, showers, or different facilities. Websites have a tent pad, a hearth ring, and a picnic desk. There are bogs accessible with flush bogs, and there’s a dishwashing sink and potable water. There are outside rinse showers on the Dunes Parking Lot in the course of the summer time months.
Accountable Tenting
As with every tenting, you’ll want to deposit all of your trash and depart your website clear earlier than you permit. Additionally, ensure any campfires are utterly extinguished earlier than going to mattress, or earlier than leaving your campsite. There are bear containers at every campsite, so you’ll want to pack up and retailer meals or different smellables earlier than going to mattress or leaving your website.
Professional Tip
One of many strangest suggestions we received earlier than going was to hike in socks…and it labored surprisingly properly! The socks present some safety in your toes – the dunes can get sizzling. However the sand doesn’t get in them in that annoying manner it does when it fills up your sneakers. Give it a attempt!
Additionally, get to the dunes as early as doable, particularly in hotter months. We explored at about 8 am, and by the point we had been headed again to our campsite for lunch, the sand was already heating up. Go early, and chill out at your campsite, or head to the Customer Middle, or hike to Zapata Falls later within the day when it’s hotter.
Runners Up
When you can’t get a reservation contained in the nationwide park, Oasis Campground is true ouside the park. It has full hookups, showers, a playground, a restaurant, and sand sled and board leases. It’s also possible to attempt campgrounds in Mosca and Alamosa.
Morefield Campground, Mesa Verde Nationwide Park
It’s true, I’ve one other nationwide park on this listing. However Colorado’s nationwide parks are extremely distinctive and every is properly value a go to! The cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde Nationwide Park are startling the primary time you see them – kivas and buildings with home windows and full communities that appear to spring out of the cliffs themselves.
Mesa Verde is about 30 miles from Durango and roughly a 7-1/2 hour drive from Denver, in southwestern Colorado. It’s a part of the Colorado Plateau, and there are a number of overlooks the place you’ll be able to look throughout the valley to the La Plata Mountains. Whereas the primary focus of the park is the cliff dwellings, take a while to cease and take a look at these views!
Why I Love It
You’ll be taught in regards to the historical past and ingenuity of the Ancestral Pueblo individuals, and the way they carved out a residing on this a part of Colorado. My youngsters discovered this park simply as fascinating because the adults did, and getting up shut to those dwellings made historical past and tradition come alive for them.
Why It Stands Out
This UNESCO World Heritage website has greater than 5,000 archeological websites, together with 600 cliff dwellings, pit homes, kivas, and towers. You possibly can see many of those websites from stops alongside a driving tour, so individuals with mobility points can nonetheless see most of the constructions without having to hike.
Greatest Time to Go
Mid-fall, after Labor Day, is a superb time to go to. Temperatures start cooling down after the warmth of summer time, and crowds fall off as youngsters return to high school. And whereas youngsters from throughout can recognize this park, my Colorado youngsters received much more out of it after studying in regards to the Ancestral Puebloan individuals in 4th grade once they studied the state’s historical past. If I may, I’d ship each Colorado 4th grader right here to deliver their textbook alive.
Tenting Choices
You possibly can camp in a tent or RV at Morefield Campground, which has electrical hookups. There’s a well-stocked camp retailer, a restaurant that serves pancake breakfasts, laundry, showers, and a gasoline station. There may be additionally a kennel within the camp village – an amazing possibility if you wish to do a variety of mountaineering or discover the dwellings, as a result of pets aren’t allowed in most of these areas.
Accountable Tenting
Make sure you depart a clear campsite behind you and that any campfires are totally out earlier than you permit your website or go to mattress. There are wild animals, together with bears, within the area, so you’ll want to safe all meals and different smelly objects while you’re not at your campsite.
Professional Tip
Join a tour to get an excellent nearer take a look at the cliff dwellings and benefit from your go to. Excursions are ranger-led, for a nominal payment. The Cliff Palace Tour is finest for households – you’ll be climbing brief ladders and strolling uneven steps.
Runners-Up
When you can’t get a reservation contained in the park, there are many campgrounds in Durango to take a look at. Truly, even if you happen to do camp contained in the park, put aside a while to discover this historic city!
Clear Creek RV Park, Golden
I’ll be trustworthy – I haven’t personally camped at Clear Creek RV Park as a result of it’s near my dwelling. However we’ve had company go to us who keep right here, and I’ve frolicked within the park with them. It’s an amazing possibility as a result of it affords year-round RV tenting and seasonal tent tenting. It’s a 20-minute drive from Denver, so this makes a very good dwelling base to discover the town and the Entrance Vary. You’re additionally near Purple Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, and you may stroll into Golden from the campground.
Why I Love It
This isn’t a secluded campground. You’re proper on a preferred strolling path, subsequent to Clear Creek. However if you wish to be nearer to city adventures and Denver, that is your spot! In the summertime, you’ll be able to hire tubes a brief stroll away and hop into Clear Creek to chill off (this was a preferred exercise with my youngsters). In the course of the holidays, the strolling path and close by Golden Welcome Middle twinkle with lights. You’re additionally near the Golden Historical past Museum and to the outlets and eating places in downtown Golden. The Coors brewery is only a brief drive away as properly.
Why It Stands Out
This campground is subsequent to a creek so that you get a bit of style of nature. However largely, it’s near Denver and about half an hour from Boulder. If you wish to discover these Colorado cities, it is a strategic spot.
Greatest Time to Go
As with many Colorado locations, early fall is an efficient time to go to! The warmth begins to die down, and crowds head again to high school. Nonetheless, if you wish to reap the benefits of tubing within the creek, summer time is healthier.
Tenting Choices
There may be tent tenting right here in the course of the summer time, and RV tenting all 12 months. The campground has full hookups, showers, and laundry and is near a pool, playground, strolling trails, and downtown Golden.
Accountable Tenting
As a result of everyone seems to be shut collectively on this park, be able to be a very good neighbor! Observe quiet hours from 10 pm to eight am every day, and be aware of your pet (and their barking).
Professional Tip
The Colorado Faculty of Mines has a free Museum of Earth Science with gem and mineral reveals and. a scavenger hunt for teenagers. It’s a lesser-known museum that’s a enjoyable, free place to probe for an hour or two.
Runners up
The Dakota Ridge RV Resort is one other of our RVing company’ favourite spots. It has full hookups, a pool, and a clubhouse with health tools and a recreation library. The resort is out there for tenting year-round. Chatfield State Park can be a pleasant possibility that places you a bit of nearer to nature, however nonetheless simply 20 minutes from Denver.
Turquoise Lake, Leadville
I really like the city of Leadville! It’s a mountain city, however not a resort-style city like Vail or Breckenridge. You’ll nonetheless really feel a variety of the city’s mining historical past while you stroll the streets of downtown. It’s additionally near Turquoise Lake, an attractive mountain lake with fishing and boating (though I like to simply sit in my seashore chair and skim there!). The view of the lake, with the hovering, snowy mountains past, is simply excellent.
Turquoise Lake is about two hours from Denver. Take I-70 west and exit at Copper Mountain. Observe Freeway 91 into Leadville, after which comply with indicators for Turquoise Lake Highway (County Highway 4).
Why I Love It
I really like this space for the surroundings, full cease. You possibly can stroll the Turquoise Lake Nature Path, which is a simple, flat 1.2 miles to the lake and again. If you attain the lake, you’ll be able to join with the Turquoise Lake Path, that goes 6.4 miles alongside the shore.
Why It Stands Out
Look ahead to wildflowers in summer time, and altering leaves in fall. When you’re fishing, you’ll seemingly catch mackinaw or rainbow trout. Additionally, whilst you’re within the space, try the Leadville Nationwide Fish Hatchery and the paths that start there. Twin Lakes can be a enjoyable cease, about half an hour away. You’ll discover a small downtown with some outlets, and extra mountaineering and fishing at these lakes. The Interlaken Path close to Twin Lakes is considered one of our household favorites.
Greatest Time to Go
As a result of the lake is so excessive, early summer time should still be chilly and even snowy. July and August are excellent, and the elevation retains the world from getting too sizzling. Early fall can be lovely with placing fall foliage.
Tenting Choices
There may be tent and RV tenting accessible at developed campgrounds across the lake. There are a number of, comparable campgrounds round Turquoise Lake, so nab any considered one of them that’s accessible! Begin with Molly Brown, but when these are booked, you’ll be able to click on the opposite campgrounds on the map. These are primitive websites, with no hookups, vault bogs, a hearth ring, and a picnic desk. Dispersed tenting can be allowed within the close by Mount Huge Wilderness.
Accountable Tenting
Make sure that to depart no hint while you pack up camp. Choose up trash and any pet waste, and ensure your campfire is totally extinguished. There are wild animals within the space, so you’ll want to preserve meals and different smellable objects like sunscreen and lotion secured.
Professional Tip
As a result of it is a good getaway from the Denver space, weekends are usually busier than weekdays. For fewer crowds, camp in the course of the week or after Labor Day when faculty is in session. There are additionally a number of widespread occasions in the course of the summer time, together with the Leadville 100 and Leadville Increase Days. When you’re not planning to attend these occasions, choose a unique time to go to to keep away from the crowds from these widespread days.
It was actually exhausting to slim my favourite tenting spots down to simply 5! For my part, you’ll be able to go nearly anyplace within the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and discover tenting amongst among the most wonderful surroundings on the earth. Simply you’ll want to assist us preserve it wonderful – choose up after your self, concentrate on any hearth restrictions, and make completely certain any fires are utterly out earlier than leaving. I stick my hand into the ashes – if it’s too sizzling to do this, my hearth’s not all the best way out! We’ve had some devastating fires on this state, so being cautious of that’s actually necessary.
Thankfully, Colorado is a spot that virtually begs you to get outdoors and do stuff! Whether or not you’re heading to the mountains to hike, raft, fish, or attempt one other outside exercise or whether or not you’re headed to Denver or Boulder for enjoyable, you’ll discover a campground and an RVshare automobile that’s appropriate for you!
When you need assistance planning your street journey, try our assets for planning the proper street journey!
