Colorado or Tenn campground advice wanted.

[DinTulsa]

Looking for the best camp ground in Colorado or Tennessee in October. We will be staying for 5 days and would like a comp ground that is in the mountains and next to a lake or stream that has fish in it. I will be RVing in a 33 ft class C motorhome. Any and all recommendations would be appreciated.

[Thom02099]

Dcarner wrote:
Looking for the best camp ground in Colorado or Tennessee in October. We will be staying for 5 days and would like a comp ground that is in the mountains and next to a lake or stream that has fish in it. I will be RVing in a 33 ft class C motorhome. Any and all recommendations would be appreciated.

"Best" is a rather subjective word, it really depends on what your expectations of that "best" would be. Some folks will find that a USFS campground with no amenities but killer views would be best, while others may think that a resort park with paved roads and paved patios with site escorts and full amenities is best. And you'll get varying opinions on what fits the criteria.

However, as others have pointed out, there are factors that may influence your choice, such as the weather and elevation. Here in northern Colorado, USFS campgrounds will begin closing soon, starting with right after the Labor Day weekend for some, and extending on to mid-September for others. Some may be open until October, not many beyond that, and the ones that are, are at lower elevations. Some of the State Parks will be open year round, but with limited facilities. Private campgrounds in the mountains will try to stay open until early to mid-October, but most will likely be closed by October 15. Always some exceptions.

For example, there is a loop in Rocky Mountain NP's Moraine Park CG that is open all year, but there are no amenities...other than that killer view thing. And you'll have a bonus of lots of wildlife still around for your viewing pleasure. Estes Park also is still open for business all year, albeit with some shops closing for the season. But as far as restaurants, etc, they will be open. And the park service tries to keep Trail Ridge Road open through October if possible; sometimes they're successful, other times not. Depends on when the heavy snow arrives. But it's usually open all year to at least Rainbow Curve, which is a goodly way up in the park.

Southern Colorado may offer more choices at lower elevations, but you'll likely run into the same thing at most mountain locations. Again, the private campgrounds/parks will try to stay open longer, and some are open all year at some lower elevations, such as in Colorado Springs. May also be some in Pueblo, but I don't know for sure as I've not stayed down there.

[TyroneandGladys]

As long as what you want is good fishing in the mountains with great views you can not go wrong with Monument Lake or Bear Lake Google shows Monument Lake Resort is 570 miles from Tulsa.

[NanciL]

Roan Mountain State Park in TN. is as beautiful as any state park you could go to.
the campground is along a small trout stream and if you luck out, you could get a spot that backs up to it.
It is right at the base of 6000 foot Roan Mountain, where the Appalachian trail crosses it at Carvers Gap and in October it is beautiful.
I highly recommend it.

Jack L

[IDman]

MOST of the USFS cgs will be closed by the middle of September. A few without water in the cgs may still be open for hunters. You will be pretty much limited to private RV parks or a few State Parks that will be a lower elevations.

[DwnSth]

Maybe too late to get a good site but Elkmont in GSMNP has a nice river running through it if you don't mind no hookups. Lots of good streamside sites but at this point probably nothing left like that for Oct. but there could be other sites. Also check out Smokemont, also has a stream and again no hookups.

[BB_TX]

Around South Fork, Colorado there are a number of forest service campgrounds (but I don't think they have hookups if you need/want those) on both the Rio Grande and South Fork of the Rio Grande Rivers as well as on some of the lakes in the area. Good trout fishing in all.
And there is at least one FHU RV park on the South Fork that you can walk down to the river to fish.
But at 8,500' and in Oct. the weather could be a problem. Mornings are around 40-45 degrees and days around 75 even in July and August.

[DinTulsa]

Thanks for the quick replies. We have been to Colorado a number of times, never in the rv though. I would like to try something different, I may look into the smokies or Dale Hollar. Are there any attractions close by? I will be traveling with my wife and 2.5 yo so I don't want to be stuck in the rv with nothing to see.

[TenOC]

In TN/NC try Smokey Mountain NP. Or you could cross the mountain on I40 at try Maggie Vally NC. A number of campgrounds in the area that should have what you want. Mountains and Fishing in TN -- NO Way.

Your best bet would be one of the COE campground at Dale Holler lake (somewhat out of the way) which a person from OK will say is in the mountains, but someone from CO will say is in the "hills". Nevertheless the fall colors should be outstanding.

Closer to I40 -- 60 miles East of Nashville is COE camping at Center Hill Lake. Again "in the hills".

[Bipeflier]

October in the Colorado mountains is "ify" at best. Snow and cold is likely.

[ryanb-72]

Not sure about fish but there is a nice state park in Ridgway Colorado with a lake and mountains not sure how the park would be in October.