October trip to Southwestern Colorado

I'm in the area now. Stayed in Ouray 4J campground Mon and Tue nights without reservations. Appears to be open till mid Oct. Couple more campgrounds north of the KOA along the highway didn't appear full. I ate at Outlaw (Ouray) without reservation. Waitress told me last night past the peak season. Pulled into Priest Gulch near Dolores without reservation and numerous available sites.

No recommendation for a trip from KY but I'm banging around here just fine winging it without reservations right now.

We are avid hikers, so not seeing the scenery while in camp is a none issue. After many searches and calls, we could not find a place we liked that would take reservations. Since we make the drive from KY to CO in 1 and a half days, and didn't want to run the risk of getting to a place and not having a place to sleep, we decided to go with Elk Meadow in Estes. They had sites we could reserve and from there we can go to all of our favorite trails on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. It would not be my first choice as it has few trees but they said this time of year it would not be crowed at all.

Here in Buena Vista right now. Was in Montrose for Black Canyon of the Gunnison; off to Ouray in 5 days. Colors are coming!

Coolerman wrote:


Ridgway is one of the ones I'm looking at. I will call them today to ask how busy they are during the first two weeks of October. Though it has beautiful views, I just don't much care for how close together the sites are and how open it is. My wife and I like our privacy, and prefer a site with trees. Of course if no one is there it will be semi- private!

If you get a site with trees in SW Colorado you won't be able to see the magnificent scenery of mountains and fall color. Plus, that warm sunshine will feel good in October. :)

Coolerman wrote:
Thanks for the replies!
Though it has beautiful views, I just don't much care for how close together the sites are and how open it is. My wife and I like our privacy, and prefer a site with trees. Of course if no one is there it will be semi- private!

Then consider Elk Ridge campground at Ridgway. Sites are in the tress so there is more privacy. But it may be closed in October.

Coolerman wrote:
Thanks for the replies!
With our old pop-up, dry camping was the norm so we never worried about camping late in the year. Most state parks were fine. This new TT will take a while to get it figured out for dry camping. So we want to hookup at least the electric for our first long trip with it.

Ridgway is one of the ones I'm looking at. I will call them today to ask how busy they are during the first two weeks of October. Though it has beautiful views, I just don't much care for how close together the sites are and how open it is. My wife and I like our privacy, and prefer a site with trees. Of course if no one is there it will be semi- private!

Look into one of those 2000 watt super quiet generators (Honda - Ryobi - Genrerac) to allow you to go off site and boondock. I used a couple the last couple of years building houses and was able to run them all day on a gallon of gas - they are really quiet and IMHO are just GREAT. They may allow you to do the same things you used to do in the Pop Up.

BOL,

Thanks for the replies!
With our old pop-up, dry camping was the norm so we never worried about camping late in the year. Most state parks were fine. This new TT will take a while to get it figured out for dry camping. So we want to hookup at least the electric for our first long trip with it.

Ridgway is one of the ones I'm looking at. I will call them today to ask how busy they are during the first two weeks of October. Though it has beautiful views, I just don't much care for how close together the sites are and how open it is. My wife and I like our privacy, and prefer a site with trees. Of course if no one is there it will be semi- private!

4runnerguy wrote:
How about Ridgway SP a little further north? Some campsites have at least electric. Don't know if the FHU sites are closed by then. Since October is out of the online reservation window, try calling the park for more details about what might be open at the time you want to visit. 970-626-5822.

Ridgway has one electric only loop open all year. The FHU loops are usually open through October on a walkup basis (no reservations). We were there until Oct. 3 last year in the FHU area and both loops were still open.

How about Ridgway SP a little further north? Some campsites have at least electric. Don't know if the FHU sites are closed by then. Since October is out of the online reservation window, try calling the park for more details about what might be open at the time you want to visit. 970-626-5822.

Coolerman wrote:
We are planning a trip to the Ouray region of Colorado in early October. Normally we stay in Rocky Mt. National Park near Grand Lake, but the pine beetles have destroyed the trees in the campground we stay at so we are looking for something different.

My issue is that so far every campground we have looked at in that area closes Oct. 1st! Does anyone know of a camp ground with at least electric hookup (CPAP machine will be in use for my sister) in that area that is open past Oct.1st? Anywhere in that area is fine. We want to do some off-roading and hiking.

Open Year Round

Possible Options

Might Suggest that it could get to be a test that time of year - but who knows - Look also at Buena Vista and the Collegiate Peaks for another option. Little milder climate and still lots to see and do with Crested Butte and Salida.

IMHO this is a great time to explore just be flexible,