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Likes_to_tow's avatar
Likes_to_tow
Nomad
Sep 25, 2017

Camping near Rocky Mountain National Park

Thinking about a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in late May or early June of next year. What are some good campgrounds for a base camp for a few days. We like to drop off the 5th wheel and then take daily trips of 100 miles or less to see all the sights. I don't like to travel steep mountain grades with the 5th wheel. We will be coming in from Interstate 76 and prefer the Estes Park area.
  • Martyn's avatar
    Martyn
    Nomad
    Sep 27, 2017
    Mandalay Parr wrote:
    Always stayed at Manor RV Park. Good location in Estes Park.


    I second Manor RV Park. Stayed there a couple of months back. All the other parks in the Estes area are big parking lots. You can of course get a site in RMNP, but fewer facilities.
  • Busskipper's avatar
    Busskipper
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    Likes to tow wrote:
    Busskipper wrote:
    Likes to tow wrote:
    Thinking about a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in late May or early June of next year. What are some good campgrounds for a base camp for a few days. We like to drop off the 5th wheel and then take daily trips of 100 miles or less to see all the sights. I don't like to travel steep mountain grades with the 5th wheel. We will be coming in from Interstate 76 and prefer the Estes Park area.


    IMHO this is an OXYMORON - ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK - Sorry but IMHO if you want to see the sights you have to Drive in the MOUNTAINS.

    Not sure I can be of any help.

    St Vrain SP out side Longmont might work. Right off I-25, not in the Mountains - 42 miles from Estes Park.

    We were over Monarch Pass this past June with no issues. However staying in really nice places without too many steep grades to travel just seems easier. Once I get set up and disconnected I could care less what the grade is.

    Best of Luck


    http://www.townoflyons.com/351/Camping

    As we avoid Estes Park Lyons has worked for us - Map https://binged.it/2hxrR9N

    Best of Luck,
  • LowRyter's avatar
    LowRyter
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    I am not fond of the congestion around Estes Park. I'd recommend the south end of the park and Grand Lake. There are campgrounds in the park there, two private ones close to Grand Lake and several public campgrounds in the US Forest and lakes further south.

    Grand Lake beautiful by itself.

    http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/colorado/grand-lake
  • JAC1982's avatar
    JAC1982
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    If you decide to not stay within the park, Carter Lake or Flatiron Reservoir are west of Berthoud and SW of Loveland and have nice campgrounds ran by Larimer County. They're pretty close to Highway 34, but still not too far from Highway 36. Both nice spots and very easy in-out with a trailer. I would stay there and then just drive up to the park during the day (go early!). They have spots with electrical but not water, and Carter Lake has a dump station.

    We stayed at Flatiron in Spot 3 in early May this year and it was very pleasant and easy in-out with our 38' toyhauler. Most of the spots closer to the entrance are big rig friendly, the ones in the loop looked better for smaller trailers/RVs. Only tight spot we ran into was having to turn around in the loop to pull into our spot the right direction, but just took it slow and it was fine. Our Verizon cell phones did not work there, which was fine with us, but just a heads up if it's an issue for you. Carter Lake is busier because it is a larger reservoir that allows boats.

    St. Vrain that someone else mentioned is right next to the Interstate and may work fine, but I think it's noisy. Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland is fine for a base camp too and easy in/out and right off Highway 34. I wouldn't stay there if you're going when 34 is still closed though. It's also right in town so you don't get a great "this is camping" feeling. More just like an in-town RV park.
  • FunTwoDrv's avatar
    FunTwoDrv
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    What Thom said... Actually, 36 isn't a bad route at all. Yes, it's in the mountains but the grade and road width, are very RV friendly(IMHO). I think you will find pulling a 5er up it will not be intimidating at all.
    As for parks, Thom's review is very good. We stayed at Spruce Lake this year and found it to be very convenient and well maintained.

    Gary
  • Likes_to_tow's avatar
    Likes_to_tow
    Nomad
    Sep 26, 2017
    Busskipper wrote:
    Likes to tow wrote:
    Thinking about a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in late May or early June of next year. What are some good campgrounds for a base camp for a few days. We like to drop off the 5th wheel and then take daily trips of 100 miles or less to see all the sights. I don't like to travel steep mountain grades with the 5th wheel. We will be coming in from Interstate 76 and prefer the Estes Park area.


    IMHO this is an OXYMORON - ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK - Sorry but IMHO if you want to see the sights you have to Drive in the MOUNTAINS.

    Not sure I can be of any help.

    St Vrain SP out side Longmont might work. Right off I-25, not in the Mountains - 42 miles from Estes Park.

    We were over Monarch Pass this past June with no issues. However staying in really nice places without too many steep grades to travel just seems easier. Once I get set up and disconnected I could care less what the grade is.

    Best of Luck
  • Rangerman40's avatar
    Rangerman40
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    You aren't gonna get into Estes without taking your fifth wheel up some mountain grades. With that said, we stayed at Elk Meadow which is literally right in front of the park entrance. Good base camp.
  • Busskipper's avatar
    Busskipper
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    Likes to tow wrote:
    Thinking about a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in late May or early June of next year. What are some good campgrounds for a base camp for a few days. We like to drop off the 5th wheel and then take daily trips of 100 miles or less to see all the sights. I don't like to travel steep mountain grades with the 5th wheel. We will be coming in from Interstate 76 and prefer the Estes Park area.


    IMHO this is an OXYMORON - ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK - Sorry but IMHO if you want to see the sights you have to Drive in the MOUNTAINS.

    Not sure I can be of any help.

    St Vrain SP out side Longmont might work. Right off I-25, not in the Mountains - 42 miles from Estes Park.

    Best of Luck
  • Thom02099's avatar
    Thom02099
    Explorer II
    Sep 25, 2017
    Likes to tow wrote:
    Thinking about a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in late May or early June of next year. What are some good campgrounds for a base camp for a few days. We like to drop off the 5th wheel and then take daily trips of 100 miles or less to see all the sights. I don't like to travel steep mountain grades with the 5th wheel. We will be coming in from Interstate 76 and prefer the Estes Park area.


    H E R E - Estes Park is a link to a post I made to a similar thread. I'm up in Estes Park fairly regularly, know the area quite well. These campgrounds/parks are what's available in Estes Park.

    As for gettinng there...if you plan to arrive in Estes Park before Memorial Day 2018, you will have to take US 36 up from Lyons. US 34 from Loveland will not be an option. The Big Thompson Canyon/US 34 is closed for a 12 mile stretch beginning Oct 2, 2017 and is scheduled to re-open the 1st or 2nd week in June 2018.

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