Texan looking for CO camping advice in July

[Coin]

Gents, I'm looking to take my wife and teenage daughter on a camping trip to CO from July 5th through the 10th.
I have never been camping in CO and know absolutely nothing. Can you guys give me advice on where to go, what to do, and any tips you may think important.
Also, where not to go and what not do is equally important.

Thanks

 

[Goslow]

There are prairies, 14,000 foot mountains, mountain pass trails, and everything in between. What sort of experiences are you looking for?

 

[Coin]

We have plenty of prairies in Texas. Looking for something in southern-ish CO with nice mountain views, streams, and quiet. Some lighter trails are welcome. I do not have sliders.

 

[vabluefish]

Gaia, OnX off-road, and the free Colorado COTREX app would be a good start for planning, as well as the Guide to Colorado Back roads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails book. Then you can get a sense of what's available in the southern part of the state and go from there.

 

[ranchero7]

Check out FR7788 between North Pass (west of Saguache) and Lake City. Plenty of dispersed in there, plus a couple FS campgrounds. Quiet and stream. Probably see moose. Not too far from Cinnamon Pass if you want an easy outing, although I think they are doing one way this year, so you would have to do Engineer too.

 

[cbmontgo]

Look around the Taylor Reservoir area. Lots of variation in trails, creeks, and great views.

 

[Coin]

So on a scale of 1-10, how concerned should I be about bears and tent camping?

1 - bears are a conspiracy theory to keep people out of the woods
To
10 - Cocaine Bear is a documentary

 

[ranchero7]

So on a scale of 1-10, how concerned should I be about bears and tent camping?

1 - bears are a conspiracy theory to keep people out of the woods
To
10 - Cocaine Bear is a documentary

2. No food anywhere near the tent.
Bears aren't super common though. You're unlikely to encounter one.

 

[Coin]

Thank you

 

[Goslow]

Another area to check out is Alvarado Campground SW of Westcliff. It’s a USFS campground and is next to the mountains with a hiking trail to Comanche Lake.
There is dispersed camping at Lake Deweese, but the reviews are pretty bad.

 

[Goslow]

If you end up camping near Westcliffe, there are four-wheel-drive trails up and down the range and none of them require rock sliders.

 

[RevISK]

Check out FR7788 between North Pass (west of Saguache) and Lake City. Plenty of dispersed in there, plus a couple FS campgrounds. Quiet and stream. Probably see moose. Not too far from Cinnamon Pass if you want an easy outing, although I think they are doing one way this year, so you would have to do Engineer too.

Cinnamon is one way this year?
Lake City to Silverton or vice versa?

To the OP, I am not a Texan, just have lived here for too long.
Definitely get the COTREX app if nothing else. The other ones mentioned are good but spendy.

The is tons of public (for now) land to camp on from northern New Mexico and all through Southern Colorado but factor in a few state park nights in there to properly clean up. The Lincoln National forrest is a great pit stop on your way up depending on where you live in TX.

One piece of advice I would strongly give is to not get too into the weeds with having too much gear. Keep it simple.
On that front, what is your set up plan? May help with getting advice.

 

[ranchero7]

Cinnamon is one way this year?
Lake City to Silverton or vice versa?

To the OP, I am not a Texan, just have lived here for too long.
Definitely get the COTREX app if nothing else. The other ones mentioned are good but spendy.

The is tons of public (for now) land to camp on from northern New Mexico and all through Southern Colorado but factor in a few state park nights in there to properly clean up. The Lincoln National forrest is a great pit stop on your way up depending on where you live in TX.

One piece of advice I would strongly give is to not get too into the weeds with having too much gear. Keep it simple.
On that front, what is your set up plan? May help with getting advice.

s***e. I went to look up where I saw that and....the post was dated April 1. Sorry! I'm usually vigilant about anything on April Fools. No direction restriction. Color me a fool!

 

[RevISK]

s***e. I went to look up where I saw that and....the post was dated April 1. Sorry! I'm usually vigilant about anything on April Fools. No direction restriction. Color me a fool!

HaHa! I was wondering if that was what you were referring to.
It was a good one, almost got me too!

 

[RevISK]

@Coin Cinnamon is a great and chill route through the mountains. California is another to check out that is pretty leisurely.

Pack some O2 bottles, altitude can hit some folks pretty hard.

 

[Goslow]

If you camp in a state park in Colorado, please note that all camping is my reservation only. You can book through Colorado Parks and Wildlife or Reserve America.