Boondocking I-70 in Colorado?

[KazooTom]

We will be traveling from SW Michigan to Las Vegas, NV this summer. We want to spend a couple nights in the Vail area, but know that the area is not very RV friendly. Brother in law lives in Vail but has no room in his driveway for us (36' motorhome). I know there are a few nat forest campgrounds close by, but they are all booked up.

Noticed that at exit 168 there is a Walmart Super Center. Does anyone know if they allow overnighting there? We would have planned to stop at Tiger Run in Breckenridge but they are sold out for our dates.

We just need an overnight and some time to visit the next day then on our way. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[LenSatic]

At exit 147 in Eagle, is a Tourist Information Center. Further west along Fairgrounds Road is a large gravel parking lot that is used by truckers. I did see an RV in there once, but it may have just stopped for lunch.

It's been on my "possible" list for quite awhile but we always pass it in daylight. We use the Rest Area at Rifle. It's right on the Colorado River and the locals go there to fish.

LS

[Campfire_Time]

Another to check is motels. I have called ahead to a couple on past road trips. If you tell them what you need many will let you overnight for free and even let you use the facilities in the lobby.

[Thom02099]

KazooTom wrote:
We will be traveling from SW Michigan to Las Vegas, NV this summer. We want to spend a couple nights in the Vail area, but know that the area is not very RV friendly. Brother in law lives in Vail but has no room in his driveway for us (36' motorhome). I know there are a few nat forest campgrounds close by, but they are all booked up.

Noticed that at exit 168 there is a Walmart Super Center. Does anyone know if they allow overnighting there? We would have planned to stop at Tiger Run in Breckenridge but they are sold out for our dates.

We just need an overnight and some time to visit the next day then on our way. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Since you were considering Tiger Run in Breckenridge (which is about 35 miles from Vail), have you considered other areas than along I-70 per se, ie, the Leadville area? It's about 42 miles from Vail, there are some commercial parks there as well as USFS CG. I know they are popular as well, but may want to give consideration in the off chance that there may be something available up there. I've stayed at Sugar Loafin' RV Campground, outside of Leadville, and they've never been completely full the times I was there,including weekends. Not to say they won't be, but worth considering. Not the amenities of Tiger Run, but hookups avaiable and at that elevation, much more climate friendly for your traveling fur companions. 🙂

Also, for that area, might want to check to see if there are any bike races in the general area (Vail/Breck/Leadville); many times CG can be booked due to races and staging in those areas.

[KazooTom]

Thank you one and all for your suggestions. While we would like to have an electric hook up if it is hot, we can certainly settle for dry camping. We travel with two indoor cats, so it is important to keep it reasonably cool inside during the day. Brother in law lives in an area where his driveway is too short for us and on street parking is not allowed.

We will certainly keep checking for cancellations at the areas where sites can be reserved.

[kohldad]

Good reference as they seem to keep it up to date is the Walmart with No Overnight.

In regards to the campgrounds that are booked, just keep checking and watching for cancellations. For the commercial, you could call and ask about if they have an over flow area without hookups. And lastly, call the NF District office and see what they have to say as they too may know someplace or an over flow area.

[4runnerguy]

Not much close to Vail. There are a couple of BLM CG's you might check out. Walcott CG is ~ 1.5 miles west of Walcott (exit 157) on US 6. A little down from the level of the interstate so you hear more river noise than traffic. Further west by Gypsum is another BLM CG. Exit at Gypsum and head west on US 6 (first roundabout on south side of highway) a little over a mile. There is a private CG (Riverdance RV Resort) a little further down the road. The Costco in Gypsum is usually the cheapest gas for many miles along this stretch of I-70.

[rexlion]

Free dispersed camping near Vail

[garyhaupt]

Just Googl'ing the area..if one were to go to Minturn, off #24? And get down to BallPark Road at south end of town on Main Street, road goes left over the Eagle River and what looks like a big church on left and a truck parking area on the right.


Gary Haupt

[1971duster340]

I would call Walmart and Home Depot for overnight parking, then there are businesses that are not 24 hr. with parking, truck stops, rest areas, motels, ski resorts, school fields. Should be parking lots open for the seasonal winter tourist. I think there's a list of individuals thru FMCA that open up their private property.

[KazooTom]

Thanks. We expect to be arriving in the Vail area on a Thursday in late July. There is a very nice forest service campground in Frisco, but is completely booked up. There is another at the east end of Vail for dry camping, but again all sites are booked that can be reserved. There are only 4 "walk in" sites and we'll be arriving later in the day, so can't count on them being available.

[Bionic_Man]

If you go further west towards Eagle, there are some "chain up" areas just off the interstate, but I think where you are discussing will be more challenging.

Your best bet would be to call the Walmart you are considering.

If you are able to adjust dates to come in during the week, many of the National Forest Campgrounds will be empty. Weekends are tough though.