National forest

[bnrevergreen]

So, does anyone have any favorite NF sites in colorado? We like to set out on spur of the moment trips, and often don't have the advanced notice to make reservations. We thought this might be our answer, Dry camping....

[DoubleD]

I realize you posted this 6 months ago, but I hope you are still around.  Been in Colorado and camped in many parts of this state.  Since it appears you are in Evergreen and if you do the quick 'weekend' trips, US 285 is your best bet for getting in and out of town.  I like the San Isabel NF, near Buena Vista.  Both Cottonwood Canyon and Chalk Creek Canyon are beautiful, sprinkled with private property, National Forest Campgrounds and dirt roads, both improved and unimproved, giving you your choice of camping experiences.  Check out Cottonwood Lake, nice National Forest Campground that has been closed for improvements the past 2 years and should be open this year.  There is also a hot springs and pool near there.  Drive past the CG and there is a maze of off roading and streamside campsites you can drive to with any vehicle.  Or, go up over Cottonwood pass and down into Taylor Park Reservoir.  Once again, established camping, or unimproved 'sites' all up the Taylor River Valley.  Off roading, easy touring dirt roads, old mines, gold medal, stream, large or small lake fishing, We stayed there last year and it is about one hour out of Buena Vista.
If you go up Chalk Creek there are 3 or 4 National Forest Campgrounds, Mount Princeton Hot Springs, St Elmo, a ghost town and great 4WD trails to lakes and over passes.  I could spend months exploring that one canyon!
That area is one of my favorites in the whole state, 2-3 hours from Denver, but far enough to get away from the city crowds.
For a shorter trip try Hall Valley, at the eastern bottom of Kenosha Pass on US 285 or Jefferson Lake, just west of Kenosha pass.

[Kavoom]

Yes, one I haven't camped in but want to.  It is right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park down by Allens Park just north of it toward Estes Park.  I can't remember the name.  You get great access to the park and are away from Estes Park and Allens Park is a great place for breakfast... you have to find the place and they have a public natural spring (please give your donations) with the best water I have ever tasted.  I have stayed in a friends cabin there but driven through the campground a few times...  It was always at the back of my mind when I bought my pup.

[Starryart]

There are a lot of CGs on the Taylor river road north of Gunnison. Take 135 north of Gunnison and take a right at Almont. Of course this is a bit far to go for a short weekend but for a longer stay there are some real nice places right on the taylor river. Some have water and electric but not many. The prettiest is called Lakeview CG on Taylor reservoir. It is high on the side of the mount and over looks the lake with the west side of the continental divide and 14 footers across the background. Gorgeous!! This is the other side of the divide from Buena Vista.

[KHSXC204]

I agree with the Gunnison ,Taylor river bunch and would also add Crested Butte area . My daughter lives in Gunnison and we have been going to Co. for 5 years.tried Ft Collins, Oury , Durango liked Gunny best

[kwatson51]

We went to Turquoise Lake last year and will go agian this year. There are many NFCGs around the lake and all are nice. Each caters to different interests...some on the lake accessible for fishing, canoeing etc. Some in the woods away from the water, some in between. This lake is just outside Leadville. Reservations can be made at ReserveAmerica, but you have to know thw names of each campgroud which can be hard to find. I will be glad to share the info with via email if you wish.

[CUL8R]

I would suggest this book:  "Colorado Campgrounds:  The 100 Best and All the Rest" by Gil Folsom.  It is an excellent reference resource for all Forest Service, NP, BLM, and State Parks in Colorado.  I've found it extremely helpful!  

Jim

[DoubleD]

I am real partial to the Buena Vista area.  Taylor Park is less than an hour further over Cottonwood Pass.  San Isabell and Gunnison National Forests, I believe.  There are nice, not over used campgrounds and lots and lots of secluded, dry camping spots.  That area is close enough to Denver (2 to 3 hours driveway to campsite) for a weekend getaway, but far enough away to get away from it all.  BV is a great town, has a good size grocery store and quite a few restaurants, but small enough to have avoided that "tourist trap" environment, so far.
Arkansas river transforms from its headwaters to prime fishing and rafting waters, alpine lakes to large reservoirs, ghost and mining towns, beautiful scenery, etc, etc, etc.
Man, I wanna go now!

[SpeakEasy]

I would suggest this book:  "Colorado Campgrounds:  The 100 Best and All the Rest" by Gil Folsom.  It is an excellent reference resource for all Forest Service, NP, BLM, and State Parks in Colorado.  I've found it extremely helpful!  

Jim

I want to thank you for recommending this book!!!

I bought it, along with the Colorado atlas by DeLorme. What a great combination pack! Our plans are starting to take shape. We'll spend a week in Rocky Mountain National Park, where our daughter and son-in-law will join us. After that, they head back home while we begin our explorations. We want to see the Sand Dunes for sure. I may want to see the cliff dwellings down at Mesa Verde. Of course, we can't do EVERYTHING in our 2-week stay in Colorado, so the books will help us pick the places that are the best.

Any suggestions for places that we must not miss?

[mountainrev]

The Sand dunes and Mesa Verde are both amazing places.  But be warned that they both can be pretty hot in the summer.  We camped at Mesa Verde a couple of years ago in June, before it got too hot.  It was just right at night, but the days were getting pretty hot already.  If you don't have a/c on your camper, be prepared to be a bit warm (but no humidity!).

If you want to continue to camp in the high country after Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park, a great campground that is highly recommended in the "100 Best and All the Rest" book is Pawnee, which is actually Brainerd Lake, just south of the park in Roosevelt Nat'l Forest.  At 10,000', you definitely won't be too hot!  You'll want to run the heater at night.  Absolutely gorgeous scenery.

[CUL8R]

There are a number of small, beautiful NF campgrounds just west out of town from Crested Butte.  Here are 2 pictures at lost lake.  First is from our camp site on the lake.  The second is looking down from that mountain at the lake (small NF campground on far side).  There are no reservations and it is a small campground, so arriving mid week is the best bet.  There is fishing (3 small lakes - no power boats), hiking, and solitude.


Jim

[CUL8R]

Lake Irwin is also just west of Crested Butte.  It is a little bigger NF campground and does have reservations, and some sites that are not reservable.  First picture is looking down from part way up the mountain behind the campground (campground is on near end of lake).  Second photo is up the 4WD trail behind the lake near where the first pic was taken.  There is hiking, fishing (no motor boats), 4 wheeling, moutain biking, etc.


Jim

[CUL8R]

Someone mentioned the Great Sand Dunes National Park (not a NF campground, but very worthwhile).  Off season is the best time.  There is hiking in the dunes, several other hiking trails, Medano Creek 4 WD trail, and lots of nearby things to do (fishing, waterfalls, one of the hardest 4WD trails in the state-Mt Blanca, hot springs, etc).  There are also remote, dispersed camping sites past the dunes on the Medano Creek 4WD trail, but you need a 4WD to get in there, and it is mostly tent camping. The pictures below were taken in March, 2005.





Jim

[CUL8R]

If you want to camp at the dispersed camping sites on the backside of the dunes, and you have a 4WD and offroad (or lifted PU), you can go in from the north side (south of Westcliffe) of the Medano Pass 4WD trail.  Here are a few pictures of area.  The 4WD trail is pretty easy, but quite narrow in most spots.  There is hiking, 4WD, fishing, and it is the back way to get over to the dunes. CAUTION!  Don't try to bring your PU in here unless you have some 4WD experience!  Also don't go farther then the first couple of dispersed camping spots on the downhill side of Medano pass (after going thru the gate entering the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve) unless you have pre-run the trail and know you can make it in farther than that with your PU!




Jim