Colorado Campground???

[DinTulsa]

Looking to take a family trip next summer to Colorado. We would like somewhere in the mountains, with excellent views. If possible the park would have 50amp service, not absolutely needed, but full hookups if possible. Once again full hookups are not a must, but with a family of four its nice. We would like somewhere that we can rent side by sides and travel over some passes. We have considered the Durango\Silverton area for the train. We are open to any and all ideas.

Thanks in advance

[Busskipper]

2gypsies wrote:
On the 50A thing... why is it necessary? Especially if you'll be at an elevation of 7,000' or above you really don't need air conditioning especially at night and if you have two ACs, one will do just fine. Just monitor what appliances you have plugged in at any one time. You'll be out playing during the day anyway.

^^^^^Correct^^^^^

We sure are enjoying this post - wonder if the OP has ever Looked back in:-)

[2gypsies1]

On the 50A thing... why is it necessary? Especially if you'll be at an elevation of 7,000' or above you really don't need air conditioning especially at night and if you have two ACs, one will do just fine. Just monitor what appliances you have plugged in at any one time. You'll be out playing during the day anyway.

[profdant139]

You might also find some useful stuff in our blog -- this is a link to Part 1 of our month in Colorado:

Part 1

You can easily get to the other three posts from that one. Lots of pictures, too.

[Parrothead_Mike]

We've been to the Durango-Ouray area a few years back and liked it a lot. We have some friends that have been to the Buena Vista area several times and love it. It's on our bucket list. Here's a RV Park Reviews.com listing for that area if you're interested in campgrounds.

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/colorado/buena-vista

[Thunder_Mountai]

terry thiessen wrote:
Lake city is hard to beat. Several ghost towns , Lots of log cabins. The Alpine Loop has fantastic views.. we've been going to Lake City for about 15 years see something new every time we go.

Lake City is great. We've been there several times. But I'm going back to the OP's original posting. He would like 50 amp. Probably too late to snag a spot in Lake City with 50 amp. We make our reservations a year in advance. Would take a look at Silverton. Many more campgrounds. Ample places to rent UTVs for the family.

[terry_thiessen]

Lake city is hard to beat. Several ghost towns , Lots of log cabins. The Alpine Loop has fantastic views.. we've been going to Lake City for about 15 years see something new every time we go.

[patperry2766]

We have been to Mueller SP near Colorado Springs & Ridgway SP. Impressed with the facilities and the scenery. If you do look at Ridgway, the best sites IMO are Dakota Terraces, sites # 184 & 186.

[RedRocket204]

Thunder Mountain wrote:

RedRocket204 wrote:
Buena Vista/Salida is a good suggestion for the CO experience. Just west of BV over the Collegiates is one of the best concentration of OHV trails in CO, known as Taylor Park. Normally you can access TP though BV going over Cottonwood Pass but that pass is closed until probably 2018 now due to road improvements. Until it is reopened, access into the Taylor Park area must be done south via the town of Gunnison but it is well worth it.

There is a RV park with full hookups at the Taylor Park Trading Post and there is also a place to rent ATVs/SxSs where you can ride directly to trails without having to trailer somewhere. If this place is of interest, you best get reservations early for both the RV park and SxS rental.

Be prepared for high altitude if you go there. There are many, many trails out there to legally take an ATV/SxS and many trails that go up to 12,000 ft with incredible views. Also be prepared for rain and cold as you never know when the weather can turn, even in the summer.

X2 We boondock in Taylor Park every summer. There are days of riding out of there. BUT BE AWARE Cottonwood Pass between BV and Taylor Park is closed through 2018 for reconstruction. Getting there will require going over Monarch Pass. Long way around.

Yeah, I also boondock in TP, such a great area but I'm also there to ride my ATV not just boodock. The place is so big that there are so many places to camp and not feel like your being cramped with other campers or OHVers. I already have a trip planned to be there in 2018.

Just a FYI that having to go south to Gunnison, with Cottonwood Pass closed, only adds about 1 hour to the drive if you are coming from the east. Coming from the south or west, the most logical access is through Gunnison even if Cottonwood Pass was open. Besides, the canyon drive after Almont into Taylor Park is a beautiful drive and shouldn't be missed.

I'm mostly posting back in the thread to make sure the OP is aware that his/her mention of wanting to drive a SxS over some passes will involve planning their visit at the right time. DO NOT plan a trip that will put you in the high country any earlier than July. Sometimes even early July is too soon as it is fully dependent on the snow pack. It is pretty much guaranteed many OHV trails will be blocked at some location on the trail by snow pack through June. Mid July, August and September are pretty safe bets to be able to fully access trails above 10,000 feet and this goes for all of Colorado, not just TP.

[padredw]

Well, I guess it won't hurt to have a Texas view in full agreement about Buena Vista, the Arkansas Valley, the Presidentials, and Cottonwood Pass.

From a Texan with lots of Colorado experience.

[Lauren]

Let's see - Thom, Busskipper, Thunder Mountain and I all agree! That is a lot of CO experience speaking!

I think you can get up the east side of Cottonwood to the summit ok and I would do that drive. We did it again this summer. Beautiful.

BTW, we already have reservations for a month Buena Vista next summer. We were there again for two weeks this summer.

[Heisenberg]

Taylor Park is the best place for ATV's that I have ever used. You are there. No trailering!

[Thunder_Mountai]

Bipeflier wrote:
Another vote for the Buena Vista area. We have stayed at the Snowy Peaks RV park a couple of time. Recommend!

X2 Stayed there several times before moving to BV.

[Thunder_Mountai]

RedRocket204 wrote:
Buena Vista/Salida is a good suggestion for the CO experience. Just west of BV over the Collegiates is one of the best concentration of OHV trails in CO, known as Taylor Park. Normally you can access TP though BV going over Cottonwood Pass but that pass is closed until probably 2018 now due to road improvements. Until it is reopened, access into the Taylor Park area must be done south via the town of Gunnison but it is well worth it.

There is a RV park with full hookups at the Taylor Park Trading Post and there is also a place to rent ATVs/SxSs where you can ride directly to trails without having to trailer somewhere. If this place is of interest, you best get reservations early for both the RV park and SxS rental.

Be prepared for high altitude if you go there. There are many, many trails out there to legally take an ATV/SxS and many trails that go up to 12,000 ft with incredible views. Also be prepared for rain and cold as you never know when the weather can turn, even in the summer.

X2 We boondock in Taylor Park every summer. There are days of riding out of there. BUT BE AWARE Cottonwood Pass between BV and Taylor Park is closed through 2018 for reconstruction. Getting there will require going over Monarch Pass. Long way around.

[Bipeflier]

Another vote for the Buena Vista area. We have stayed at the Snowy Peaks RV park a couple of time. Recommend!