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Old 06-11-2020, 08:45 AM   #41
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Looking at up 550 past Durango and Silverton as far as Ouray. The Uncompahgre National Forest area. Ridgeway State Park I think still has kept 5 each first come first served spots available. Then Ironton. Anywhere, that entire area looks to be fantastic.

Have read very dire reports of some roads being high risk.

Drove once through Silverton out the back end of town along the Animas River a few miles to an old mining area which I think was the place that horrible pollution got released. Wasn't towing. We stopped and when I asked a ranger if I could continue on he said that road will knock your running boards right off.
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Old 06-11-2020, 09:29 AM   #42
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We like going to South Fork ,Co but in past stayed in the cabins at the highway junction there in town. I know there are campsites on the upper and lower Beaver creek. Any suggestion for more campsites around South Fork.

David
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Old 06-11-2020, 09:42 AM   #43
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Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
Looking at up 550 past Durango and Silverton as far as Ouray. The Uncompahgre National Forest area. Ridgeway State Park I think still has kept 5 each first come first served spots available. Then Ironton. Anywhere, that entire area looks to be fantastic.

Have read very dire reports of some roads being high risk.

Drove once through Silverton out the back end of town along the Animas River a few miles to an old mining area which I think was the place that horrible pollution got released. Wasn't towing. We stopped and when I asked a ranger if I could continue on he said that road will knock your running boards right off.

Starting at Durango going north:

In Durango there is a Giant gas station on US-160 not far out of town. Free dump & water.

The Junction Creek USFS campground is nice. Several First Come First Served (FCFS) sites. 37.3395 -107.9174

Haviland Lake USFS. 37.5338 -107.8067 Several FCFS sites.

Little Molas Lake USFS. Very nice but also very popular. All FCFS. One of our favorites if you can get a place. 37.7446 -107.7099.

A real gem is South Mineral Creek Road(FSR 585) just out of Silverton. Free. All FCFS. Very popular. Start here and continue west looking for good spots. There are lots of nice camping spots right on the creek. 37.8196 -107.7142

Water at the Silverton Visitor Center. Pay to dump at the commercial campgrounds.

These should get your started.

Enjoy. Colorado needs your $$$. Covid-19 has made a mess of state and local budgets.

Ed


550 between Silverton and Ouray is an easy and beautiful drive. Nothing to fear, just take it slow.
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Old 06-11-2020, 09:53 AM   #44
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We like going to South Fork ,Co but in past stayed in the cabins at the highway junction there in town. I know there are campsites on the upper and lower Beaver creek. Any suggestion for more campsites around South Fork.

David
Here is a winner if you like boondocking. Park Creek. 37.595983 -106.727392
Drop your trailer here then continue down FSR 380 looking for a spot. Lots of possibilities if you have a higher clearance vehicle.

There is also a USFS campground just south of here also called Park Creek. Very nice.

Big Meadows USFS. 37.5398 -106.7954 Several FCFS. Nice area.

Enjoy Colorful Colorado.

Ed
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Old 06-11-2020, 09:58 AM   #45
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I might add West Fork campground just at the west base of Wolf Creek pass on the North side. About 3/4 of a mile in, then some dispersed sites about another mile in.

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Old 06-13-2020, 10:16 AM   #46
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The Lake Fork Campground on the Conejos River is not too far.
37.3038543,-106.5063725

The Alamosa river will have boondocking as well as a campground. The town of Jasper is a good destination. It's down by La Jara and Antonito.

Don't forget the obvious choice.
Upper Beaver Creek Campground
37.6108931,-106.6858403
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Old 06-13-2020, 02:23 PM   #47
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Thank you all for the info much appreciated

David
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Old 06-13-2020, 04:04 PM   #48
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on our extended Utah trip last year, we freecamped on the side of the Extraterrestrial Highway a couple miles north of Rachel, NV, we freecamped in the NF just outside Bryce NP's main entrance, we freecamped at a Walmart parking lot, and we freecamped just off I40 in the southern extreme of the Mojave National Preserve. The walmart parking lot was 'meh', but the rest were actaully quite pleasant spots to spend a night while traveling.

in particular, the Bryce spot, the loop formed by FR090, FR1175, and FR1173 had tons of places you could park a trailer and tug. sure, it was all dirt road, but we had no trouble with our E21 navigating that loop. The ground is red clay, so probably not advisable if its raining, it could get pretty slick.
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Old 06-13-2020, 06:15 PM   #49
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in particular, the Bryce spot, the loop formed by FR090, FR1175, and FR1173 had tons of places you could park a trailer and tug. sure, it was all dirt road, but we had no trouble with our E21 navigating that loop. The ground is red clay, so probably not advisable if its raining, it could get pretty slick.
Good point John. Any red dirt road in Utah is subject to becoming soup for 2-4 days after a GOOD rain. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! August is the monsoon season and the time they get most of their rain. You can see them coming from miles away. Flash floods are the order of the month!

The roads firm up in a few days but are trailer traps until then. Otherwise get out there! Late September is best for camping. Utah is like no place on Earth!

Sunsets! OMG! Fires at night are a must!
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