Rocky Mtn area campgrounds.

OK, most of you know I lived in Estes 8 years. We left in 2003 and been back twice - once we stayed in town and then, because of the deteriorating rv parks and high prices we stayed at Riverview in Loveland. I know it is a drive up to RMNP from there but I highly recommend it over Estes. Estes as a town has changed some but still, of course, a highly commercial tourist trap. Don't get fuel there for sure. RMNP has also changed. The pine beetle had done a lot of damage and many of the beautiful green pines and dead reddish brown. I think the Town has gone is little off kilter as well - three people run for Mayor and a real whacko (knew him well - he was my neighbor) just barely won and the vote was nearly split even - so he got about 1/3 the votes. Hate to pooh pooh it but I would concentrate on southwest CO if go to CO. I even know a guy on here that lived in Estes a long time time moved to Buena Vista and loves it....we love B V as well - been there lots.

And CO Springs is great area - soooooo much to see in CO! We go back often to the SW area.

Hello. Yes we did Glacier back in 05 as well as the Black Hills. my kids were 3 and 4 at the time. Glacier is out, but the Black Hills may be the option.

Glacier is a looooong day (or a couple shorter ones) from Yellowstone, and well worth the time if you have it. If you only have a few extra days, and need to be heading back home, the Black Hills are a good suggestion.

FYI, Bannack SP (Montana) is dry camping only, but there is a decent FHU private CG in Dillon - Southside RV Park - and the owner just loves to help customers with sightseeing options in the area.

If you do want to consider COlorado, but skip Estes, some of the CO SPs are really nice. They are not FHU, but some have electric hookups. We've been to Mueller SP (west of Pikes Peak) and Golden Gate and both are very nice.

Lots of great choices in the Black Hills - if you take I-90 back from Yellowstone, you can visit Little Bighorn National Battlefield (worth a day; there are a couple decent private CGs nearby) and Devils Tower - the KOA there is right at the base of the tower, great view! Lots of good CG choices in the Black Hills and plenty to do, not just Mt. Rushmore.

As long as you're in Yellowstone, have you been to Glacier yet? That might be an option. Also on the W. Yellowstone side in Montana is Virginia City and there's a nice RV park in Ennis (fly fishing, too) or Bannack State Park and stay in Dillon. Both are very nice ghost towns. The capitol in Montana at Helena is beautiful and the tour is great.

Thanks for the link thom. I remember that thread now, I even posted on it. Looks like I have some thinking to do.
Bionic, I`m kind of thinking that way now. maybe going back through the Black Hills and staying there for a bit.

Anyone else have any other ideas or advice to offer?

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.

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'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.

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, CO

Just a thought, as the Cg's around Estes and RMNP leave a lot to be desired.

BOL

Thanks 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.

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, CO

Just a thought, as the Cg's around Estes and RMNP leave a lot to be desired.

BOL