Colorado camping

johnnyv · 05-21-2021, 10:14 AM

Any camping availability, dispersed or other wise in the great state of Colorado. I know we are a little late to the game. Just got trailer this month.

Thx!

oldwave · 05-21-2021, 10:26 AM

I’d put allstays on your phone, the app is free. I have iOS so not sure if it’s available on Android. We use it all the time.

drjp · 05-21-2021, 10:38 AM

Allstays is very useful.

Boondocking: freecampsites.net. No dedicated app; it’s browser based.

Another browser based app which we’ve yet to use but could come in real useful (not as many public tank dump stations here in New England line as there are out west): rvdumps.com

Jonathan

Vermilye · 05-21-2021, 10:46 AM

A useful app for non commercial camping is The Ultimate Public Campground Project. Not free, but inexpensive. Also available as a POI list for your GPS.

rmitch · 05-21-2021, 11:30 AM

We use Campendium. Inexpensive app for finding campsites. It will find all campgrounds in an area. There are also different filters you can apply to your search, Free, RV Park, State Parks, National Parks, and others.

johnnyv · 05-21-2021, 12:19 PM

Plenty of apps out there, its availability that's the issue. Boondocking in a low humidity location (Colorado) would work, otherwise need some power. Not sure about a generator yet. Will check out Ultimate campgrounds Jon.

thx

UncleTim · 05-21-2021, 01:57 PM

Of course there is!

Where are you trying to go?

Thee are plenty of private campgrounds with power. it get much tighter with open range camping. We never fret about humidity or air conditioning (almost never).

Mike G · 05-21-2021, 02:07 PM

Colorado is a huge state. I hope to head that way in July, drive up some national forest road in the mountains, and find a pull-off spot for a few days.

If you want to see or do particular things while you're there, those desires will dictate somewhat the area you seek out for camping. But if you just want to be in Colorado for a while, you have tons of options. Keep in mind that areas close to Rocky Mtn Natl Park and close to the population density (Denver metro) will be saturated with campers. The more out-of-the-way place you pick, the easier it is to find sites.

When I decide what part of the state I want to visit, I use the aforementioned websites/apps and examine the satellite view (in Google Maps or Campendium) to look for likely pull-off spots. If in doubt I also check the national forest's MVUM (motor vehicle use map, posted on the NF website) to make sure it's allowed along that road.

Or you could throw a dart at the map, then start calling state parks and other campgrounds in the vicinity (or checking their websites) until you find an opening that suits you, and make a reservation.

Calicia · 05-21-2021, 02:42 PM

iOverlander is a good app for finding free overnight stops

Ryanb-72 · 06-01-2021, 06:54 AM

Colorado has a lot of public land available for use. We have camped in a few over the years. They of course would be boondocking sites. Just depends where you want to go.

johnnyv · 06-01-2021, 08:12 AM

Maybe central Colorado for starters. Clean air with a view.

sjnuss · 06-01-2021, 08:20 AM

If you are interested in the Gunnison area do a search for Hartman Rocks. This is a huge BLM area on the edge of town with a lot of dry camping spots some with great views as well. I would suggest the McCabe entrance as the other one has a very steep road up to the camping spots on that side. I just rode my mountain bike up there yesterday for the first time and it is impressive (note that the photo is not from a camping site but on one of the many trails).

Steve

johnnyv · 06-01-2021, 08:26 AM

Great tips, thank you !

UncleTim · 06-01-2021, 08:35 AM

Here is one to file away.

East Portal Campground.

It is in the park, at the very bottom of the Black canyon. There is usually a monster Salmonfly hatch in June that fills this campground up. World class fishing.

If you like canyon bottoms, and this one is spectacular, then take a look. It might be full now. Note: The campground might be practically tent only. The paved road down into it, is 16%. They may let you bring your trailer in and camp. I think I would. No electricity. Stunning drive!

UncleTim · 06-01-2021, 08:50 AM

One other item to know.

There are several areas around Gunnison, namely Crested Butte, Gothic, Ohio pass and Kebbler pass, that all have new restrictions in place for this season. These new regs. specifically are designed to limit open range camping. You need to know about this. Because this is brand new.

They are basically freaking out over the threat of all these new campers coming in. Mean it!

sjnuss · 06-01-2021, 09:02 AM

Do note that the East Portal is closed this season for road work.

Steve

Shiny · 06-01-2021, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleTim

Here is one to file away.

East Portal Campground.

It is in the park, at the very bottom of the Black canyon. There is usually a monster Salmonfly hatch in June that fills this campground up. World class fishing.

If you like canyon bottoms, and this one is spectacular, then take a look. It might be full now. Note: The campground might be practically tent only. The paved road down into it, is 16%. They may let you bring your trailer in and camp. I think I would. No electricity. Stunning drive!

East Portal road is closed for repair this summer. And yes, it is super steep.

US 50 between Gunnison and Montrose is also disrupted this summer. Limited windows during the week but is open on weekends.

NPS Black Canyon of the Gunnison Alerts Page

Ridgway State Park has some nice spots and great views. It gets booked up and gets hot in the summer but is a nice park in this area with relatively short drives to Ouray and the San Miguel canyon.

Shiny · 07-17-2021, 02:24 PM

550 between Ouray and Silverton (Red Mtn Pass / Million Dollar Highway) will be closed in both July and August. Per CDOT:

July 19 - 30 (open on weekends)
CLOSED 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

OPEN 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

CLOSED 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

OPEN nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.

August 9 - 20 (open on weekends)
CLOSED 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

OPEN 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

CLOSED 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

OPEN nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.

johnnyv · 07-17-2021, 02:35 PM

Thanks for the info !

Shiny · 07-21-2021, 04:31 PM

Never mind...

Apparently the power company has delayed the work.

We pulled our trailer over the pass yesterday and had ZERO construction delays! That never happens in CO during the summer so we are happy about the postponed mess:

"URGENT UTILITY WORK UPDATE — San Miguel Power postpones work that would have required Red Mountain Pass closures
July 19, 2021 - Southwestern Colorado - No closures are required at this time
SOUTHWEST COLORADO — San Miguel Power Association has postponed power line reconstruction work south of Ouray. For the time being, there will be no closures associated with this utility project on US Highway 550 Red Mountain Pass.

For information about this utility project contact San Miguel Power Association.

San Miguel Power Association: 970-626-5549

San Miguel Project Website: www.smpa.com/content/red-mountain-electrical-reliability-and-broadband-improvement-project"

We are staying 3 nights in the USFS Graham Creek Campground on Vallecito Reservoir and it is VERY nice and we are out of the heat for a few days.

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