Colorado with kids...

[love2tow]

Good morning all,
My wife and I are trying to plan a trip to Colorado with our 4 year old daughter and our 1 year old son. We are looking to head out at the end of June or early July. I ski in Vail every year but don't know much about what other areas have to offer for young families. Any suggestions?

I have 31 ft travel trailer and am looking for full hookups if possible. (No dry camping. Fun for me, not the family)

Also, activities for the kids is a must. We would like to do some hiking but also need outdoor things that tailor to the little ones.

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

[love2tow]

THanks for your quick feedback. I will have to check those places out. You hit the nail on the head for what I'm looking for. Before kids, we went for quiet and secluded places to camp. Now, we find campgrounds with activities for the kids.

And thanks for the heads up about the timing. Unfortunately, that's the only window I have due to my bosses lack of consideration for other peoples need to plan things ahead of time.

[Crazy_Ray]

Fun Valley in South Fork, CO is kid/family oriented.

[4runnerguy]

At that age, I've found that adventure for them is poking around the campground, looking for bugs under rocks, etc. Young children don't really seem to see scenery in the same way adults do. They're more focused close up. So even though you may like to go out and explore, make sure you allot a significant amount of time to places where you sit and let the kids do their thing. And if you're staying in a private CG, I'd make sure I got out every day to the shore of a lake, a small stream, etc.

One park that kids seem to love is Great Sand Dunes NP. Although June is getting a little late, there's an intermittent, very shallow creek that ebbs and flows along the base of the dunes. Sand castles, dams, all the things kids would normally do at a beach.

One other place kids love is St. Elmo ghost town above Nathrop, CO. Yes, a real true ghost town, not some tourist trap. Wooden sidewalks and everything. Across from the little general store is a place where people feed the chipmunks and squirrels. They sell little bags of feed at the store. So you can sightsee and then the kids get to see the little creatures begging for food.

As far as timing, you're picking a very busy time in Colorado. Anything around the 4th of July may be already booked solid.