Last 2 weeks of July we are planning a trip to Colorado. 2 nights each in Golden, Moab, Mesa Verde and CS with a 3rd night in one of those. The DW and kids 21, 19, 17, and 10. Looking for suggestions for campgrounds with at least W, E and a pool. Also what to see beyond Arches, Mesa Verde, Pikes Peak. What’s the best sights for the day and a half we’ll be in each.

Do yourself a favor and check the average July temperatures in Moab and Cortez. You may want to rethink those two destinations.

Golden Gate State Park for the Golden stop.

That is a great time of year to take a Jeep tour out of Ouray or Telluride on some of the old mining roads. I want to ride over Black Bear Pass myself. It tends to be cool at the high altitudes, so take layers.Arches is fabulous, but you will want to enjoy the park before 11:00 am and after supper. Use the hot part of the day to drive around someplace or to just sit, with air conditioning. I suggest a drive thru Colorado National Monument at some point on your trip.

Since you mentioned pool-check Dakota Ridge RV park in Golden. Convenient to I70. For CS-check Lone Duck RV park near Manitou Springs. Nestled in foothills. In CS-Olympic Training complex, Garden of Gods, Cave of the Winds, kids are prob on older end, but Cheyenne Mtn Zoo is unique, Royal Gorge not too far away with great whitewater rafting, Air Force Academy. Golden-Red Rocks, Coors Brewery, tube down Clear Creek, lots in/around Denver. If it's your thing, hike or rent mtn bikes (day trip to Winter Park from Golden) and hit the mountain trails in any of these areas-tons of them and it's what Colorado is all about.

1-1/2 days in a national park? You'll be limited as to what you can do. Each national park has a wonderful web site such as this one. It includes things to do, hikes, road information, special alerts, etc. Check them out thoroughly.For Arches I'd highly recommend doing the Fiery Furnace hike with a ranger(reservations needed). The kids would love it.https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/hiking.htmAs mentioned, you will experience heat and crowds in the parks at that time so plan to do hiking early morning - beginning at 6-7am. Yes.... really! :)

Denver-Moab-Mesa Verde-Colorado Springs | Good Sam Community

Thunder_Mountai
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2018
Do yourself a favor and check the average July temperatures in Moab and Cortez. You may want to rethink those two destinations.
Heisenberg
Explorer
Apr 05, 2018
Golden Gate State Park for the Golden stop.
rexlion
Explorer
Apr 05, 2018
That is a great time of year to take a Jeep tour out of Ouray or Telluride on some of the old mining roads. I want to ride over Black Bear Pass myself. It tends to be cool at the high altitudes, so take layers.

Arches is fabulous, but you will want to enjoy the park before 11:00 am and after supper. Use the hot part of the day to drive around someplace or to just sit, with air conditioning. I suggest a drive thru Colorado National Monument at some point on your trip.
Mbiviano
Explorer
Apr 05, 2018
Since you mentioned pool-check Dakota Ridge RV park in Golden. Convenient to I70. For CS-check Lone Duck RV park near Manitou Springs. Nestled in foothills. In CS-Olympic Training complex, Garden of Gods, Cave of the Winds, kids are prob on older end, but Cheyenne Mtn Zoo is unique, Royal Gorge not too far away with great whitewater rafting, Air Force Academy. Golden-Red Rocks, Coors Brewery, tube down Clear Creek, lots in/around Denver. If it's your thing, hike or rent mtn bikes (day trip to Winter Park from Golden) and hit the mountain trails in any of these areas-tons of them and it's what Colorado is all about.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2018
1-1/2 days in a national park? You'll be limited as to what you can do. Each national park has a wonderful web site such as this one. It includes things to do, hikes, road information, special alerts, etc. Check them out thoroughly.

For Arches I'd highly recommend doing the Fiery Furnace hike with a ranger(reservations needed). The kids would love it.

https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

As mentioned, you will experience heat and crowds in the parks at that time so plan to do hiking early morning - beginning at 6-7am. Yes.... really! :)
djsamuel
Nomad
Apr 05, 2018
Arches is amazing, but while you're in Moab, take some time for the nearby Canyonlands National Park. The Islands in the Sky section is near Arches and is well worth the time.
Two_Hands
Explorer
Apr 05, 2018
Mesa Verde National Park has a great campground in the park. Some sites have full hookups but fill quickly so make reservations now. Wonderful park with plenty to do and see for everyone.
fanrgs
Explorer
Apr 05, 2018
For suggestions on campgrounds and not-to-miss sights along US 160 and US 550 in SW Colorado, see my blog HERE.
lewisr
Explorer
Apr 05, 2018
Thunder Mountain wrote:
Do yourself a favor and check the average July temperatures in Moab and Cortez. You may want to rethink those two destinations.

Thanks for the heads up. We understand, DW says we'll deal with it, getting 1-3" snow tonight here in Michigan. We went to New Orleans in 2016 100 degrees everyday.
lewisr
Explorer
Apr 05, 2018
rexlion wrote:
That is a great time of year to take a Jeep tour out of Ouray or Telluride on some of the old mining roads.

Is that self guided? If so, would my 4x4 F150 be ok to do that?