Colorado Help Please

Drew_K wrote:
Do you know of any other state parks or RV campgrounds that have an adjacent lake suitable for kayaking and paddleboarding? Thanks again.

Nearly every state park in Colorado has a lake because lakes are few and far between here in the semi-arid West, so that's where the state locates its parks. And most are man-made reservoirs--some large, some small, some really scenic, some not as scenic.

Just keep in mind that we get thunderstorms and accompanying wind nearly every afternoon in summer, starting about 1:30-2:00 PM. As a Colorado sailor in my younger days, I can tell you from experience that big lakes get big afternoon waves, little lakes have smaller waves. So, despite the colder air and water temps on high-altitude mornings, you want to do your paddleboarding in the morning on a small lake or very protected cove on a large lake. Now if you were windsurfing, I would suggest waiting until afternoon because, during my sailing days, I couldn't even cross a lake many mornings due to the lack of wind.

Just get on the Colorado Division of Parks & Wildlife Website and pick parks along the route you have planned. Or PM me with your route and I'll give you a couple of recommendations.

Drew_K wrote:
Thanks for this! I'm in the process of planning a Colorado trip for August and both of these places look great. I'm definitely going to book them both.

We want to do some kayaking and paddle boarding, so Ridgway looks like a winner. Do you know of any other state parks or RV campgrounds that have an adjacent lake suitable for kayaking and paddleboarding? Thanks again.

We just spent a few days at the FS campgrounds on Turquoise Lake near Leadville. There were a few out with kayaks but it might be a little too cold for paddle boarding.

Beautiful area with the snow capped mountains reflecting off of the lake.

We also spent a half day in the Colorado Springs area, the Garden of the Gods is a must see. We also went on a 1 hour tour of the olympic training facility. You can't beat the price, they're both free.

Tripalot wrote:
...And I would definitely skip the KOA's in Montrose and Ouray if I were traveling with you. I would stay at the Black Canyon NP campground on US 50 east of Montrose and at Ridgway State Park on US 550 north of Ouray...

Thanks for this! I'm in the process of planning a Colorado trip for August and both of these places look great. I'm definitely going to book them both.

We want to do some kayaking and paddle boarding, so Ridgway looks like a winner. Do you know of any other state parks or RV campgrounds that have an adjacent lake suitable for kayaking and paddleboarding? Thanks again.

Hi Tripalot. X2 on campgroud inside Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. Only has vault toilets but we enjoyed the atmosphere. Numerous overlooks as you drive the canyon rim.

Another option for Ouray is 4J + 1 right in town along the river. We spent a weekend there walking up to the box canyon - well worth it - and strolling into town to shops and restaurants.

You mentioned Grand Junction. Allow at least two days there. Colorado National Monument is stunning, and you are overlooking the city from up there. A big surprise for us was the number of wineries on the outskirts of GJ. They welcome visitors, and it reminded me of visiting Napa Valley in the 1970s.

An ideal place to stay for GJ area is the James M. Robb CO River campground in Fruita. Very nice, fills up.

Tripalot wrote:
We will have about 7 days to spend in Colorado before moving on to St. George, Utah. We will be doing a caravan so will be goring to Durango, Cortez and Moab/Arches so want to avoid those places to start with.

If you are going to Durango and Cortez, you will undoubtedly be visiting Mesa Verde NP. So, under no circumstances waste your money on the Cliff Dwellings in Colorado Springs. They are a tourist-trap stolen from SW Colorado and transported to the Springs for the benefit of early 20th Century travelers who never ventured west of Pikes Peak. No self-respecting Anasazi ever got within 200 miles of the area that became Colorado Springs!

And I would definitely skip the KOA's in Montrose and Ouray if I were traveling with you. I would stay at the Black Canyon NP campground on US 50 east of Montrose and at Ridgway State Park on US 550 north of Ouray.

Those are strictly my opinions, but I have lived here for 50 years and traveled every paved road in the state and many of the unpaved ones.

4runnerguy wrote:

Lauren wrote:
Also rather than Gunnison go up to Buena Vista. Great area. Get to St. Elmo.

Lauren has good advice here. Salida is also another option in the same area. I'm a CO native in this is one of my favorite places to go. We just got back from a week there. Ghost towns, scenic drives, river rafting for all ability levels. Downtown Salida (NOT on US 50)has a booming art scene and the restaurant selection downtown will keep you eating for days!

Between Gunnison and Montrose you'll pass the Cimarron Post Office. There's a NPS visitors center there for the Curecanti NRA. Turn in there, visit the little center, then drive the mile or so to the end of the road, where you'll find yourself below Morrow Point Dam and in the bottom of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. A scenic sight missed by many who buzz on by on US 50.

Personally, I'd spend little time in Colorado Springs and get into the mountains. CO Springs has lots of traffic and lots of tourist traps. It's not a place I take our out-of-state guests.

US 50 is a relatively easy route across CO, with only Monarch Pass to contend with. The Pueblo to Salida segment has no passes. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison has a nice CG that is incredibly dark at night and high enough up off the desert floor to be cool.

By late August, things aren't quite as busy as the middle of July, as schools seem to be starting earlier all the time.

Good advice. I second the BV, Salida area. Great place to vacation and live.

Lauren wrote:
Also rather than Gunnison go up to Buena Vista. Great area. Get to St. Elmo.

Lauren has good advice here. Salida is also another option in the same area. I'm a CO native in this is one of my favorite places to go. We just got back from a week there. Ghost towns, scenic drives, river rafting for all ability levels. Downtown Salida (NOT on US 50)has a booming art scene and the restaurant selection downtown will keep you eating for days!

Between Gunnison and Montrose you'll pass the Cimarron Post Office. There's a NPS visitors center there for the Curecanti NRA. Turn in there, visit the little center, then drive the mile or so to the end of the road, where you'll find yourself below Morrow Point Dam and in the bottom of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. A scenic sight missed by many who buzz on by on US 50.

Personally, I'd spend little time in Colorado Springs and get into the mountains. CO Springs has lots of traffic and lots of tourist traps. It's not a place I take our out-of-state guests.

US 50 is a relatively easy route across CO, with only Monarch Pass to contend with. The Pueblo to Salida segment has no passes. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison has a nice CG that is incredibly dark at night and high enough up off the desert floor to be cool.

By late August, things aren't quite as busy as the middle of July, as schools seem to be starting earlier all the time.

I will 2nd the recommendation for the KOA in Ouray. We have been here for a week now. They have a cafe that servers breakfast and dinner. On Mondays and Tuesdays they only server breakfast. It is about 6 miles north of Ouray just off the highway 550. If you need prices for the Jeep rentals or any other info I can get it for you. We will be leaving Saturday morning though.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I wish we had at least a month so we could see/do all the things you recommended. This trip will just be a tease and I am sure we will be returning.

We are looking forward to doing things around Colorado City, Gunnison and Ourey. We will try to do several of the scenic drives as we explore the various regions.

Thanks again

don't miss Garden of the Gods, and also, if you decide to drive up Pikes Peak, don't bring the camper. Leave it at your RV park or whatever.

You've gotten tons of other great advice here. But next time you go thru Colorado, if you head north of Denver to Loveland or Ft. Collins be sure to check out Estes Park.