Hello. So I'm planning next years Yellowstone trip. 3 1/2 days in Yellowstone (Fishing Bridge). 2 1/2 days in the Tetons (Colter Bay). And then 3 1/3 days in CO.I wa thinking of staying around the Estes Park area, but I was just wondering if there were other nice areas to stay around the Rocky Mtn NP area? Looking for FHU campgrounds.

dodge guy wrote:Hello. So I'm planning next years Yellowstone trip. 3 1/2 days in Yellowstone (Fishing Bridge). 2 1/2 days in the Tetons (Colter Bay). And then 3 1/3 days in CO.I wa thinking of staying around the Estes Park area, but I was just wondering if there were other nice areas to stay around the Rocky Mtn NP area? Looking for FHU campgrounds.Have you thought about Doing Flaming Gorge and Dino then on By Steamboat Lake CG with the water, IMHO the Kids will have more fun and enjoy the drive, because it would be so broken up.Map from GT to Kremmling, COJust a thought, as the Cg's around Estes and RMNP leave a lot to be desired.BOL

Busskipper wrote:dodge guy wrote:Hello. So I'm planning next years Yellowstone trip. 3 1/2 days in Yellowstone (Fishing Bridge). 2 1/2 days in the Tetons (Colter Bay). And then 3 1/3 days in CO.I wa thinking of staying around the Estes Park area, but I was just wondering if there were other nice areas to stay around the Rocky Mtn NP area? Looking for FHU campgrounds.Have you thought about Doing Flaming Gorge and Dino then on By Steamboat Lake CG with the water, IMHO the Kids will have more fun and enjoy the drive, because it would be so broken up.Map from GT to Kremmling, COJust a thought, as the Cg's around Estes and RMNP leave a lot to be desired.BOLThanks for the ideas. I've been reading the reviews for the Estes area campgrounds and I'm not impressed! Which is why I'm looking for other ideas.Ill check out your map tonite.

I'm completely in agreement with Busskipper, Estes Park used to be a really nice place but it has become so much about the money, you really do not get the CO experience there anymore. I have no desire to ever visit Estes Park again after my last visit there 4 years ago.

dodge guy wrote:Hello. So I'm planning next years Yellowstone trip. 3 1/2 days in Yellowstone (Fishing Bridge). 2 1/2 days in the Tetons (Colter Bay). And then 3 1/3 days in CO.I wa thinking of staying around the Estes Park area, but I was just wondering if there were other nice areas to stay around the Rocky Mtn NP area? Looking for FHU campgrounds.H E R E is a prior thread, detailing some of the pros and cons of Estes Park versus the "other" side in Grand Lake. FHU parks/campgrounds are going to limit you somewhat on both sides. There are more on the Estes Park side, but they are all over priced IMHO. The cheapest you will find in Estes Park is Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake, managed by the Estes Park Recreation and Parks Department. $47/night for FHU sites, they also have W/E sites for $40/night and there is a dump station on the premises. All the others will be commercial parks, and expect to pay around $60/night and more on weekends, depending on the park. The Grand Lake side has fewer parks/CG with FHU, but there are more USFS CG over there that are close by. If you can get by without FHU, something to consider. There are several USFS CG on the Estes side, south of town, along the Peak-to-Peak Highway (CO7/CO72) that runs past Allenspark, Raymond, Peaceful Valley, Ward and on to Nederland. But these don't have any hookups. In Loveland, on the west side of town is the Riverview RV Park and Campground, between town and the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon. It's one of the better parks in the area, and is now practically a new resort since they were flooded back a few years ago. Had to rebuild everything. Definitely should consider them. There are state parks in the area, but they are not full hookup, but do have electric and showers. If interested, Boyd Lake and St Vrain SP are the 2 closest, but you could also consider Golden Gate Canyon SP. If interested, consider making your reservations 6 months out, they are very popular during the summer months.ETA: H E R E is another thread where a poster was asking for some specific info and I posted a reply based on my experiences in Estes Park. I'm up there frequently, but nowadays I usually stay either inside Rocky at one of the CG, or one of the USFS CG south of town.

I love Colorado, but if I were you, I would skip the Colorado portion, and spend more time in Yellowstone/Tetons. There is plenty to do there.

Rocky Mtn area campgrounds. | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Lauren
Explorer
Aug 06, 2016
4runnerguy is right on - we are already planning on going back there to that area ONCE AGAIN next year. Love it. But I kinda repeated myself!
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Aug 05, 2016
I would definitely do the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Museum in Cody while you are there.
May want to look around Durango and Pagosa Springs. Lots of activities in Durango. Mesa Verde Nat. Park is cool.
But maybe consider staying in Yellowstone longer.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 02, 2016
I forgot to add there is river rafting in Durango, also. We enjoy Haviland Lake national forest campground when in the area. There are a limited amount of electric sites but no dump station. For your two days it would be very doable. Come in with empty grey/black and a full fresh water tank.
4runnerguy
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016
If CO is still on your agenda, might I suggest the Upper Arkansas River Valley from Leadville down to Salida. So much to see and do. Great activities for kids of yours ages. Our 14 and 16 yo nieces love Salida, summer and winter (and they live in a mountain town). Rafting, mountain biking, fishing, ghost towns, scenic drives, and some of the highest mountains in the lower 48. Always my go-to place when we have out-of-state guests with kids. Of course Glenwood Springs and environs is another option, with the Hot Springs Pool, Hanging Lake, Aspen and Maroon Bells, Marble and Redstone, Glenwood Canyon and the paved bike trail.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 02, 2016
Thanks guys. Yes I`m only picking one place and then staying for a few days. just trying to get the most out of a 2 week trip without feeling like I`m rushing through it.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016
I am typing this response from Durango. Arguably the most scenic part of the state, and tons to do here. But you are probably adding 2 days of travel time to your itinerary (from Wyoming, not sure how much more time to get home). Can you afford to do that? If so, go for it.

If not, and you want to do Colorado, I would suggest Steamboat Springs. Great part of the state, and probably a day closer to your Wyoming destinations.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 02, 2016
Telluride - Ouray, Silverton, Durango and possibly Mesa Verde

This area would be our choice. It seems your wife and kids need entertainment and are bored with driving through parks.

In these areas you could rent a Jeep and do some awesome trails of all abilities in the Silverton area. This is a well-preserved mining town of old days in a gorgeous mountain area. Stay in Durango and take the train up to Silverton is another suggestion. Elect to take the bus back - too much train is tiresome for some - it is slow. There used to be glider rides out of Durango. The local gym has an awesome pool. Nice stores for shopping for trinkets, too. Good restaurants.

Mesa Verde - take a ranger-led tour of the ruins where the family can climb ladders and there one tour that you crawl a short distance through a tunnel. Kids love it!
RedRocket204
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016
dodge guy wrote:
Thanks again guys. so I`ve been doing some thinking. sounds like Estes is just OK. Now I`m also thinking of maybe Aspen, Breckenridge, Telluride and Vail.

What do you guys think of these?

Very hard to disagree with what Bionic Man and 4runnerguy have stated as CO deserves it's own lengthy time.

However, I get it too if you have something stuck in your mind and you are determined. If that is the case and you are intent on visiting CO, what you have mentioned are all great places to visit but those towns are too spread out to spend any quality time in even two of them with the timeframe you have stated. Unless you are throwing those options out there and only choosing one of them?

My personal order of preference for those towns: Telluride, Breckenridge, Aspen and then Vail. The margin is very close though and none of those places are bad. But, visiting X location, you'll also want to visit on the same trip:

Telluride - Ouray, Silverton, Durango and possibly Mesa Verde

Breckenridge - Keystone, Frisco, Dillon/Silverthorne and maybe Leadville

Aspen and Vail can be doable on the same trip but don't miss Glenwood Springs if you do either Aspen/Vail.

Another couple awesome places are Crested Butte and Steamboat but those are not close to each other. And there are still more unique CO places to go visit.
4runnerguy
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016
Bionic Man wrote:
I love Colorado, but if I were you, I would skip the Colorado portion, and spend more time in Yellowstone/Tetons. There is plenty to do there.
CO native here and I love so many places in this state, but I think Bionic Man has it right. Lots to do in YNP and GTNP. We spend no less than a week just in YNP when we go. Get bored? Go just outside the park and hit Earthquake Lake. Or stop for a day in Cody on the way out or back. The kids will like that better than spending more time in the truck getting to CO. Besides, CO is a full week or two just by itself.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 02, 2016
Thanks again guys. so I`ve been doing some thinking. sounds like Estes is just OK. Now I`m also thinking of maybe Aspen, Breckenridge, Telluride and Vail.

What do you guys think of these?