Colorado?

[guinness1]

What to see, where to go, where to stay in Colorado?

[Heisenberg]

Mancos State Park is absolutely outstanding if you do not need electricity.

[NinerBikes]

Lauren wrote:
Yes, Rocky Mtn NP has taken a hit with the pine beetle and some recent fires for sure but it is still great; we were back there again this summer for the 4th time since we moved from there in 2003. Having lived in Estes Park for 8 years - and been back as mentioned - I would disagree with busskipper on his preference for the west side. Nearly all the Park activiites are on the east side; hence, more crowds to be sure. The west side has a very small visitor center and a couple isolated hiking trails - that is about it. The east side has two major visitor centers, programs, lots of wildlife viewing, all kinds of hikes for all levels of hikers, drives, picnic areas, campgrounds, etc. And less moisture - rain or snow - and less bugs.

As mentioned, this year we are, once again, returning to Buena Vista, Montrose (Black Canyon), Mancos and Ouray.....concentrating on BV and Ouray. Going to be there for fall colors. Pikes Peak is great - either driving it with tv or toad or the cog railway. Forget the Royal Gouge (as we used to call it) - very pricey for what there is there.

4runnerguy and ThunderMountain are good resources as they also have spent a lot of time in CO.

Enjoy that great state!

Any ideas on dry camping self contained in a 21 foot Travel Trailer near Mancos for fall colors and aspens. Would like to do a bit of mountain biking too, while in the area on my Niner.

[ExColoradans]

If your travels take you to the Denver area we recommend Chatfield State Park (where we stayed for two weeks last summer)... you can see the Front Range of the Rockies from your campsite, and there is room between the sites so you don't feel cramped. However, there are not many trees so not much shade.

Even though it is difficult to get a space particularly on weekends if you don't reserve long in advance, keep trying because people do change their plans.

[Squonk61]

Silverton area for old mines and gold panning. My daughter loved the idea of finding her own gold. Even found a tiny bit!

[MPond]

guinness1 wrote:
... I will have about 3-4 weeks to spend in Colorado during the month of July. I will definitely be going to Rocky Mtn NP. Any other ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

We spent 4 weeks in Colorado last summer. Our route out and back was different, but my trip report might give you some ideas:

Trip Report: 4 Weeks in Colorado

[TyroneandGladys]

Mostly unknown would recomend the highway of legends West of Trinidad CO. There are several Forest Service campgrounds to choose from: Blue Lake & Bear Lake are GREAT. link 1
link 2

[Casinojunkie]

moman1 wrote:
I would say its hit or miss. We can get snow storms into May. We can also have 70+ degrees in April. If we have a week of warm weather prior to your attempt, you should be fine. Just give it a go knowing that the worst hing that could happen is you have to turn around.

Thank you for your input.

[moman1]

I would say its hit or miss. We can get snow storms into May. We can also have 70+ degrees in April. If we have a week of warm weather prior to your attempt, you should be fine. Just give it a go knowing that the worst hing that could happen is you have to turn around.

[Casinojunkie]

moman1 wrote:
Pikes Peak should be at/near the top of your list. We drive up at least once a year and take a picnic lunch with us. We stop at Glen Cove (about halfway up) and take our picnic to an area at the bottom of a 2000ft shear rock cliff. Then at the top, we hike around to many of the small peaks up there. Also, there is Garden of the Gods, and Old Colorado City for western shopping. If you want a serious workout, try climbing the incline in Manitou Springs. The local Olympians find it challenging enough to include it in their training regimen. About 1.5 hours SW of Colorado Springs, you have Royal Gorge. Then you can take the Phantom Canyon Road to Cripple Creek.

Enjoy!

Can you drive a 3500 Dodge Ram dulie diesel on the Phantom Canyou road the end of April?

[Lauren]

Agree on Pikes Peak for sure - either driving or taking the cog railway or, if you are REALLY ambitious, hike it up the Barr Trail.

[moman1]

Pikes Peak should be at/near the top of your list. We drive up at least once a year and take a picnic lunch with us. We stop at Glen Cove (about halfway up) and take our picnic to an area at the bottom of a 2000ft shear rock cliff. Then at the top, we hike around to many of the small peaks up there. Also, there is Garden of the Gods, and Old Colorado City for western shopping. If you want a serious workout, try climbing the incline in Manitou Springs. The local Olympians find it challenging enough to include it in their training regimen. About 1.5 hours SW of Colorado Springs, you have Royal Gorge. Then you can take the Phantom Canyon Road to Cripple Creek.

Enjoy!

[modern_family]

Did anyone mention Pikes Peak, (colorado springs).. I loved that mountain, drove up it many years ago, (before it was all paved!) I worked at the Olympic Training Center, also in Colorado Springs, They have a cool tour that the kids may like.

[4runnerguy]

My answer will be largely dictated by your two daughters and their ages and interests. Kids like to experience more than sightsee from the vehicle.

Our favorite part of Colorado is in the SW corner. Many prefer to stay someplace like Ridgway SP and head into the hills from there. The area around Silverton is spectacular. Rent a 4x4 for a day or two of trips to some amazing scenery and old mining ruins. Check out some of the possible trails here. Lots of pictures there to give you an idea of what you'll see. The best flower season seems to be mid July to mid August (elevation dependent). The girls will love the Ouray Hot Springs Pool and you'll love the view from there. Definitely worth an afternoon followed by a meal in town.

The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is another don't miss. Get reservations early -- it's popular. Your girls will like the train ride and the western feel of Silverton. Lots of shopping in Silverton, too! For the train, you should be based out of the Durango area. While there, Mesa Verde NP is something else the girls will love. We prefer to camp in the park. FHU's are available in the CG there. Get your tour tickets in the morning to be sure you get to see the ruins you want. It's a full day adventure.

With kids your age, I'd head to the Arkansas River Valley between Leadville and Salida. Soooo much to do and much of it kid friendly. Ton's of 4x4 trails, lots of hiking and 14'ers to climb, ghost towns, river rafting, biking, fishing -- there's something to keep you busy for days. A visit to the ghost town of St. Elmo where the kids can feed the chipmunks is well worth the scenic drive on an easy graded gravel road. If you've rented a 4x4, you can then head south to Hancock Pass. Once over the pass, visit the west end of the Alpine Tunnel (an old RR tunnel way up high). Then head north to Tincup and east past Mirror Lake over Tincup Pass back to St Elmo. Check out Now this is Colorado for lots of ideas in this area. Leadville has lots of interesting historical places related to the mining industry. Cottonwood Lake has a great picnic area. A walk around Salida in the evening will reward you with great little shops and art galleries (not too high end though) and a nice selection of restaurants. We've been taking our nieces (who are about your kids ages) there for several years and they love it. As for camping, there are a variety of private CG's. The NFS CG's don't have HU's, but are nearer to the scenery. There are quite a few around Turquoise Lake and several on the road up to St. Elmo. But do get your reservations NOW.

As for RMNP, you'll probably want to be on the east side. Be warned, Glacier Basin CG will be closed all summer and that is going to put a lot of pressure on the other NPS CG's plus the private CG's in town. We prefer Moraine Park in RMNP, but no hookups. Still close enough to town to enjoy going there in the evenings. Plus, close to Bear Lake and all the trailheads there. Those trails get busy in the summer, but still some of the prettiest hiking in the park.

Several have mentioned the Sand Dunes and kids seem to love it there. Typically, Medano Creek has quit flowing by July, but if you hit the area first, there might still be a little flow. A little water makes it easier to build sand castles rather than just run up and down the dunes.

Someone else mentioned Bishops Castle. It's a little out of the way, but if you're in the area, your girls will love it. When take the nieces down to our cabin in the area, the first thing they want to do is go to Bishops Castle. It may be their favorite "touristy" thing to do in Colorado, and the best part is that it's free!

Other places to consider:

Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Great gash in the ground and the CG up there is one of the darkest places around -- lots of stars to see.

I must mention the area around Aspen and Glenwood Springs. Many have seen pictures of Maroon Bells, but it's well worth a day to go up there and hike. Mid July is great for wildflowers and a hike up to Crater Lake above Maroon Lake is a nice place to go for a picnic. Of course there's the Hot Springs Pool here in Glenwood Springs. You might consider camping at Redstone NFS CG about midway between Carbondale and Marble. Some sites have electric hookups and there are flush toilet and showers in the CG. A trip to Marble will take you to the town where marble was quarried for buildings and monuments around the country.

So much to see and so little time!

[Howdja]

The Gunnison area has a lot to see and do. A lot of scenic drives and places to go. Crested Butte is nearby and worth spending a day visiting. There are some nice RV parks in the area. Nice museum to spend some time in. We went there last year and planned on 2 nights, but ended up staying 2 weeks and would have stayed longer if it hadn't been for one of those infernal Dr. appts back home.