off season camping in Colorado...need help

patperry2766 wrote:
We are kicking around the idea of going back to Colorado around Christmas time to hopefully find some snow. The Colorado State Parks (awesome by the way) are walk-up during the off season with no reservations capable of being made.

It's a long drive from Ft Worth to take a chance on finding a site to stay at for a few days, so I need some knowledgeable advise from people who are better in the know.

Ideally, would like something that has open shower/bathroom facilities within a day's drive from DFW Texas. We stayed at Mueller last summer, and while they have electric, no shower facilities are available during the off season.

Cheyenne Mountain SP is open with the facilities were interested in, but since no reservations can be made, what are the odds of being able to find a spot. Looking mainly for the week between Christmas and New Years.

If a SP isn't an option, are there any private campgrounds that might fit the bill? Have been to Ridgway & Mueller SP and loved them both, and ideally, that's the kind of place were looking for.

I would even consider New Mexico if we could find something comparable.

Any and all recommendations will be GREATLY apppreciated. I know it's a risk during winter to make the drive due to unpredictable weather, but it might be worth it if we can find a place.

See snow or Ski?

Foothills or Mountains?

Denver or Breck?

Elevation will be the key - so in the foothills you will have a number of options to stay and then drive into the Mountains to be in it. we usually stay in Golden and drive into it. Tiger Run is in Breck and can be pretty heavy or Golden where it will normally melt in a few hours or if really cold a few days.

BOL,