Colorado State Park Advice

LibertyMan wrote:
So I am in the beginning phases of planning a Colorado trip for June 2020. I have my reasons, but I am a State Park kinda guy so that's where I want to stay. I was thinking about the RMNP but dang all of the negative things I have come across. Mainly overcrowding and reservations just to hike some trails. Plus I really don't care all that much about having to go through Denver. But, if the wife overrules me I was looking at Stagecoach or Golden Gate. Which of the two do you prefer as far as avoiding crowds. And, which one of the two is easier to access RMNP. The other option I am heavily weighing is Ridgway SP. The area looks really neat and not that I need full hook-up but Pa-Co-Chu-Puk looks inviting with its full hook-ups. If Ridgway wins the decision, is that the better campground or do you all prefer Dakota Terraces or Elk Ridge. Again, I'm just looking for less crowds and good views. Thanks

RMNP has no hook up campgrounds inside the park. If you're OK with that, then consider Glacier Basin as the place to stay. There are 4 loops there; A and B are in the trees and a bit tight, IMO. Loop C is a mix of trees and open, but don't allow generators. Loop D is where I stay, it's open and has a great view of Longs Peak that is different from the usual view. Moraine Park is the other CG there, but it's very hard to get reservations in, so you'd have to be willing to compromise and have several choices in mind. Of the 2, Glacier Basin is the easier one to get reservations.

I am a fanboy of Rocky. I'm up there frequently, have multiple trips planned. The trick to Rocky is to be willing to get up early to hit Trail Ridge Road, or very late in the afternoon/early evening. "Problem" with evening is that the elk will be out in abundance, and thoughtless drivers will stop in the middle of the roadway for the photo op, backing up traffic significantly.

Another trick to Rocky is to use the shuttle system, which is required at some locations such as Bear Lake. Shuttles run from various locations in the park, including the CGs, and also goes into town.

Neither Golden Gate Canyon nor Steamboat SPs are close to RMNP. Steamboat, in particular, is a couple hours drive from the west side of Rocky. Golden Gate is about an hour or so south of Rocky and the east entrance. If you're into hiking it's closer to the SE entrance at Wild Basin, which has some great hiking.

I'm heading up to Golden Gate Canyon SP for Memorial Day weekend. It's a wonderful SP, but it is always crowded due to it's popularity. The campground there that you want is Reverend's Ridge, which has electric at all sites, common water, and a dump station that's easy to access. Loops B and E are all pull thru sites, Loops A, C, and D are all back in sites, but easy to get in. The road and pads are all paved. For the back in sites, try to get one that is at the beginning or end of the circle drive, so you won't have neighbours on both sides. H E R E - RRCG is a map to the CG, look at Loop D, for example. I have #43 reserved, it's great site and I won't be looking at someone else's RV. I've also stayed in C Loop and have reservations in E Loop.

GGCSP is a reservations only park now, as are others in the system. In a random check of various SPs, appears that the whole system has gone reservations only. So competition will become tougher. If this is of interest to you, make SURE you book at exactly 8am EST on the 180 day window date. This is true for all of the Colorado State Parks, the 180 day window. Set up an account ahead of time and be logged in or ready to log in immediately at 8am EST.(I say EST because you will be booking in December or January prior).

Depending on where you're coming from (not necessarily where you're FROM), you don't have to go through Denver, but even if you do, timing can be important. And if you're coming from the east, you may be able to avoid Denver completely. If you want more info, feel free to PM me.