Newbie from western Co.

[kwatson51]

THANKS to all....for info....we plan on taking lots of quick weekend trips, where would you suggest close to Denver, but yet far

I just bought this book:
Colorado Campgrounds: 100 Best and all the Rest

http://rvbookstore.com/shop/detail.aspx?p=329&m=2
also available here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/156579334X/2/102-3290441-0647308

and can recommend it. Has a lot of good info I haven't found by any other method.
Happy camping!

[cobalt&3]

THANKS for recommendation, almost picked it up when we bought camper....

I just bought this book:
Colorado Campgrounds: 100 Best and all the Rest

http://rvbookstore.com/shop/detail.aspx?p=329&m=2
also available here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/156579334X/2/102-3290441-0647308

and can recommend it. Has a lot of good info I haven't found by any other method.
Happy camping!

[DoubleD]

Thanks for so much info double d...
We made plans to stay here in May, by Buena Vista, have you been?
http://www.chalkcreek-campground.com/

Sorry Cobalt, I have been travelling for work and missed your reply.  I haven't stayed at that campground but have driven by it a number of times.  As I recall and from the picture of it, it is right next to Chalk Creek and near were the creek dumps into the mighty Arkansas.  Looks like a nice place.  I generally camp in the FS campgrounds in the area, but they don't have hookups.  Be sure to take the drive up Chalk Creek towards and beyond Mt. Princeton hot springs.   Any vehicle can make it to St. Elmo, an old ghost town with a general store and a few other attractions.  You can swim at Mt. Princeton, ride horses in the area, and fish the Arkansas, Cottonwood Lake, or a number of back country lakes in the area.  It is also a four-wheeler's paradise.  I am not sure how long you plan to stay in the area, but you will have plenty of things to do while there no matter if it is a weekend or a week.  I enjoy Buena Vista during the week, you can drive the town and see deer in front yards.  Don't miss stopping by the local ice cream shop on the main drag by the park, that is an institution in BV.
Have you used the Cobalt yet, how many nights, and what is your impression of it so far?

[DoubleD]

THANKS to all....for info....we plan on taking lots of quick weekend trips, where would you suggest close to Denver, but yet far

Jefferson Lake is fairly close to Denver (1 1/2 hours) but will get crowded on weekends.  It is the other side of Kenosha pass on US 285.  At the town of Jefferson turn west and follow the dirt road and signs.  The lake is at about 10,500 feet but there are 2-3 cg's lower.  Deckers is also close ( 1+ hours from town) and gets real busy on weekends.  Dillon reservoir has lots of camping around it and is about 60 miles up I-70.  Tuquoise Lake out of Leadville (about 2 hours) has nice campgrounds, too.  Eleven Mile, Spinney Mtn Res, and Mueller SP west of Colo Springs (1 1/2- 2 hrs) on Hwy 24 are places to check out too.
It has been my experience that if I boondock, I can stay in much more secluded spots and not have to go so far from town.  All depends on what you want.  Tour the country you are in and you will find dozens of places you might want to visit on the next trip.  If you have a 4WD, you can really get away.  There is more in this state to see than you will ever be able to, so keep an open mind and a more open set of eyes, a sense of adventure and a reliable vehicle.  The sky is truly the limit in these parts!

[SpeakEasy]

I'd like to know a little bit more about "four-wheeling" in this area. In particular, I'm trying to decide whether or not my vehicle is capable. Are we talking unpaved roads? Or are we talking off-road? If we're talking unpaved roads, are they maintained? Or do they tend to get deeply rutted and eroded? When my travel guides mention "jeep trails" or "jeep safaris," is it safe to say that any four-wheel drive vehicle can handle these? Or are they too rugged for my crossover four wheel drive?

Thanks for any information you can give. (I'm not asking you to offer an opinion on my vehicle's capabilities, just asking for information about the physical conditions out there. Of course, if you know my vehicle - Toyota Highlander V6-AWD - and care to offer an opinion about using it out there, I'll be glad to listen.)

[DoubleD]

I'd like to know a little bit more about "four-wheeling" in this area. In particular, I'm trying to decide whether or not my vehicle is capable. Are we talking unpaved roads? Or are we talking off-road? If we're talking unpaved roads, are they maintained? Or do they tend to get deeply rutted and eroded? When my travel guides mention "jeep trails" or "jeep safaris," is it safe to say that any four-wheel drive vehicle can handle these? Or are they too rugged for my crossover four wheel drive?

Thanks for any information you can give. (I'm not asking you to offer an opinion on my vehicle's capabilities, just asking for information about the physical conditions out there. Of course, if you know my vehicle - Toyota Highlander V6-AWD - and care to offer an opinion about using it out there, I'll be glad to listen.)

I define "four-wheeling" as 'you better have four wheel drive and it better work!' type driving.  We have unpaved, well maintained roads, but those are the roads that I generally use to get to the real "four-wheeling" roads.  I have driven down roads that are no more than two tracks that you can drive any vehicle down, no ruts, smooth as a baby's behind, but to me that is not four wheeling.  We have roads that are only 'maintained' by those off road enthusiasts who toss a few rocks into the hole they can't get through because it is so deep their vehicle hangs up while dropping into it, roads so steep that you can only drive downhill and a majority of motorcycles can't get up.  That is part of what I love about this state.  It doesn't matter what your vehicle's capabilities are or what your driving skills, you will be able to find something that will take both to their limits and keep giving you more.  I have owned or driven a few different 4WD vehicles in my day and I find that the limiting factor is not the vehicle, it is the driver's ability.  Right now I own a stock S-10 Blazer with 30" tires and I can take it places that amaze some folks, scare others, and give me everything in capability I need.  I get plenty of excitement with it and am most comfortable getting there.  
Here's a link that lists many of the roads in Colorado and describes pretty accurately the conditions you can expect.  Of course it doesn't describe the maintained, graded dirt roads you might take to get there:
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/coloradotrails/