Campgrounds near mountain biking in Colorado?

cannesdo wrote:
Been on the road for 7 years. First time heading to Colorado. Really interested in doing a lot of mtn biking while I'm there. Anyone know of any campgrounds near some good trails?

Mtn. biking aside -- favorite campgrounds in Colorado? Looking for a middle-of the road place. Up to $600/mo. Like wide-open space and views. And need to be w/in about 5 miles of a post office.

Really enjoy hot springs too.

Just me, no pets -- 36' fifth wheel.

Thanks!

4runnerguy has a lot of info so this is not to infringe on his suggestions -- My son lived outside of Boulder for 10 years and IMHO Boulder is the center of Colorado Biking, just because of the population and the easy access to so much varied terrain. so look at Lyons, and Golden to put you near a lot of possibilities, biggest issue will be the road damage from the epic floods last year. Lyons was probably wiped out but Golden should be fine, they were $600/month if you could get in before the season. Clear Creek is in town and near everything, my son spent a few months there and loved the biking and the access to the world. The kids loved the community center and the library just down the street.

Buena Vista is more of a Mountain biking (may be what you are after, as many of the roads in the Collegiate, are gravel. The road out of Leadville through Red Cliff is part of the Tour de Colorado so it is a good ride - not sure it is great with traffic.

What you might do is just bump around using the SP system as most are located in and around great areas.

If I were you I would not worry much, as most locations in Colorado are just great, and each one will open up more of the state to explore.

BOL,

Look at Lake Pueblo State Park. There is a very dedicated group that works to build and maintain the trails around the lake for mountain biking. If you are coming from the east it is also the way up to Buena Vista and Salida along Highway 50.
Lake Pueblo Trails


And if you do stay in Pueblo please visit the Center for American Values. Pueblo is home to three Medal of Honor recipients and this is a non-political center dedicated to honoring those that have served. It is located downtown on the Pueblo Historic Riverwalk.

Mark

Fruita CO Glenwood Springs Colorado Springs

The above 3 areas we have camped in and ridden some amazing spots all straight from camp.

A few suggestions. Note, we're not hard core, but rather intermediate older riders.

There's a BLM CG's right in the middle of the 18 Road trails north of Fruita. Ride right from your campsite. map camping brochure

Once the mosquito season ebbs (after mid-July) camp up on the Grand Mesa and ride the Flowing Park Trail. It's a mountain bike/hiking trail. Up high, so cooler. Not a lot of up and down, but amazing wildflowers in the summer. Ride the Mesa Top Trail from CO 65 if you want a little more mileage. This trail was just completed late last year. It's a little more technical than Flowing Park. map Also up in that area is the West Bench Trail. You'll pass the upper terminals of a couple of ski lifts on this trail. map

Lots of great mountain biking in the SW part of the state. Check out the Boggy Draw trails near Dolores. info We camp at McPhee CG when we're there. Some FHU sites in this NFS CG. The nearby Anasazi Heritage Center is definitely worth a visit. The Sand Canyon Trail 12 miles west of Cortez is open to bikes. You'll ride by a variety of ruins along this trail. Treat them with respect. map

There is a load of MB around Durango. Check out this link. North of town off of Molas Pass, heading SW on the Colorado is a great ride although it is high altitude (over 11,000' -- real Mountain biking!).

There are a number of newer singletracks above Salida. Trail descriptions and maps If you're in shape and used to high altitude, the Monarch Crest Trail west of town takes off from the top of Monarch Pass and stays high. Eleven miles of the trail are above 11,000'. Several different shuttle services available out of Salida or Poncha Spring. map and description

This is just a sampling of what's available in Colorado. While you're in the vicinity, don't forget about Moab. They've added something like 120 miles of singletrack in the last three years. Check out this link

Check out ColoradInfo.com or just stop by the Info center in Fruita, CO. We just stayed at North Desert bike park in BLM land north of Fruita, sometimes called 18 Road??? Wow! If you can't find some 2 week free BLM land - or campsites - between Grand Junction and Vernal, Utah with mtn biking and camping, something is wrong.

Ridgeway State Parkbetween Ouray and Montrose.

In the beautiful San Juan Mountains
Hot Springs
Mountain Biking Trails

Campgrounds

Priest Gulch RV Park is a beautiful park with lots of amenities. Dolores River runs right through it. It is not close to post office though.

Trails

Dolores River Campground I have never stayed here but did drive through and looks like nice Campground. 1.5 miles from town of Dolores.

Ridgway State Park near between Ouray and Montrose. Awesome scenery. 4 miles to post office in Ridgway.

We have "camped" at Buena Vista many times. We always enjoyed staying at the KOA out at Johnson Village because I could hike right out of the campground and "rock scramble" up Midland Hill and on into town--trails down to town, none up to the summit from the campground.

In more recent years we stayed out at Arrowhead RV resort, north of town. Purchased several years ago by a young (at least by our standards) couple who are really tying to make a go of it.

National Forest campgrounds all around for those we are real "campers."

Ah! That's it! I've heard of that. Couldn't remember it. Thank you! And thanks for the link, RC. :)