Camping in Colorado

[Gappy]

Hi Everybody,

I am from Indiana and we are planning a 2 week family (2 kids,14 and 11) camping trip out west for the first 2 weeks of july. We will primarily be in Colorado with hopefully enough time to see the Moab area for a little while.
My question is regarding recomended sites to see and camp grounds in Colorado. This won't be my usual "wheeling camping" with no comforts. We will be in our motorhome with a stock 4x4 "toad" in tow (not the 40) for exploring. So campgrounds we would be looking for could be full hook up or remote because of being self contained.
If you guys could give me what you feel are must see, don't miss sights, then we can find campgrounds. Or if you do know of some great campgrounds, please tell!
Thanks a lot for any input!

Tom

 

[jonharis]

Too much to list and not enough time.

I would personally recommend that your route through Co avoids I-70. Take either US-50 to the south or 40 to the north depending on how you come in.

My favorite route to cross the state on pavement from east to west is as follows:

From Denver > US 285 south to Buena Vista (great campgrounds, rafting, hiking) > US 285 South to Saguache (Valley View Hotsprings one of the best in the state though clothing optional may not be your thing) > CO 114 North to Gunnison (Camp at Buffalo Pass CG half way, no hookups, no crowd, nice facilities) > CO 149 to Lake City/Creede > US 160 to Pagosa Springs and Durango (Spend a day or 2 at Mesa Verde Natl Park) > US550 to Ouray (This is the one MUST DRIVE road in Colorado. (Look into taking the Durango/Silverton Train, Hot Gprings in Ouray are family friendly and great. Good hookups in Ouray. > Ouray to Grand Junction Via CO 65 camp on top of the Grand Mesa. > Grand Junction (stop in for a beer) to Moab via I-70 and UT 128.


Other than above, Some of the best areas to visit for a family.

Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado National Monument
Black Canyon National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park (when water is flowing)
Grand Mesa
Ouray/Telluride
Maroon Bells
Ouray Hotsprings
Glenwood Springs Hotsprings

Enjoy your Trip! If you have any specific questions let us know.

 

[Gappy]

Jonharis, thanks for all of the good info.
We will do some web homework.

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

Concur with Jon's suggestions but recomend making camping reservations in the tourist towns like Ouray. Also I would avoid Grand Mesa in early July unless you really like mosquitos.

 

[Gappy]

We are in the midst of this trip...wow, what eye candy your state is. We started at Mueller SP and now down by the great sand dunes NP. That drive on 24 west of Wilkerson pass is incredible!
Headed west on 160 tomorrow towards Durango.

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

Eye candy it is indeed. We have been in Ouray this past week and it's just awesome here. You will want to load up that 4x4 and run some of the back roads here. Combine Imogene and Ophir passes for an outstanding loop that is friendly to a stock vehicle. Guide books and maps are readily available in town.

Ace