Fall Colorado Trip

[joshuajim]

The wife and I both retired and in our 70’s are planning a trip to Colorado this fall between Sep 15 and Oct 15. We have done most of CA, OR, UT and AZ. We prefer quiet Fed, State and Local campgrounds and rarely go to commercial or private locations. We pull a 27’ Wildwood so size is a consideration, but I don’t need pull throughs.

We don’t need a lot of attractions other than scenery as we don’t do the tourist thing anymore.

We would be coming thru UT on I-70.

Your suggestions?

[Busskipper]

fanrgs wrote:
I have lived in Colorado for 55 years and worked in every part of the state in all seasons. The best fall color I have seen in all that time was Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2016 along CO 17 on Cumbres and La Manga passes (just north of Chama, NM).

As others have said, the fall peak color varies from year to year, but generally starts in early Sept. in RMNP and continues through early October in southernmost CO and northern NM. So, the loop suggested by others is a great way to find perfect aspen color somewhere along your route.

My favorite early Sept. areas--Peak to Peak Highway (CO 119/72) and Rabbit Ears Pass (US 40). Mid-month--Kebler Pass and Marble area (CO 133) and Marshall Pass from Poncha Springs to Sargents (dirt road). Late month--Ridgway to Telluride (CO 62/145) and Lake City to Creede (CO 149). Earliest October--the previously mentioned Cumbres Pass-Chama area (CO 17) and the Spanish Peaks-Sangre de Cristo area (CO 12).

Enjoy Colorado!

Hope they are towing a really good Sports Car - 😉 - As you travel just use the elevation as your guide and you will most likely see something that is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

If you are willing to spend enough time, you will see some unbelievable sights.

Best Time of Year for Colorado, IMHO.

Best of Luck,

[fanrgs]

I have lived in Colorado for 55 years and worked in every part of the state in all seasons. The best fall color I have seen in all that time was Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2016 along CO 17 on Cumbres and La Manga passes (just north of Chama, NM).

As others have said, the fall peak color varies from year to year, but generally starts in early Sept. in RMNP and continues through early October in southernmost CO and northern NM. So, the loop suggested by others is a great way to find perfect aspen color somewhere along your route.

My favorite early Sept. areas--Peak to Peak Highway (CO 119/72) and Rabbit Ears Pass (US 40). Mid-month--Kebler Pass and Marble area (CO 133) and Marshall Pass from Poncha Springs to Sargents (dirt road). Late month--Ridgway to Telluride (CO 62/145) and Lake City to Creede (CO 149). Earliest October--the previously mentioned Cumbres Pass-Chama area (CO 17) and the Spanish Peaks-Sangre de Cristo area (CO 12).

Enjoy Colorado!

[profdant139]

OP, are you open to the idea of boondocking? And are you ok with towing on rough forest roads?

[2gypsies1]

Heisenberg wrote:
If you like the hot tub after a day looking at the colors the casino at Ignacio has a nice RV Park near the indoor hot tubs. Good internet, I mean really good. The million dollar highway to the north and wolf creek pass to the east. Full hooks and entirely pavement ... all the way to the hot tubs. Google Earth Ignacio and go to the north of town and the large parking lot of RVs just north of the indoor hot tubs.

.... or go to Pagosa Springs and soak in their numerous exceptionally clean small concrete pools of varying temperatures overlooking the river, town and wonderful fall colors. Pack a small cooler with snacks and drinks and you can easily spend a few hours there.

[Heisenberg]

If you like the hot tub after a day looking at the colors the casino at Ignacio has a nice RV Park near the indoor hot tubs. Good internet, I mean really good. The million dollar highway to the north and wolf creek pass to the east. Full hooks and entirely pavement ... all the way to the hot tubs. Google Earth Ignacio and go to the north of town and the large parking lot of RVs just north of the indoor hot tubs.

[4runnerguy]

As noted, many NFS CG's shut down in early to mid September. And the second week in October can be iffy certain years. If you can't push your trip earlier by a week, try to plan a loop using SP and NPS CG's.

Heading in from UT, head south from Grand Junction and then east for a couple of days at Black Canyon of the Gunnison. From there, backtrack on US 50 and turn south toward Ouray. Stay at Ridgway SP. Others highly recommend the KOA in Ouray. I know it's a private CG but a great location. Plan a few days in the Ouray area and explore southward to Silverton.

If mountain roads don't scare you, drive south on US 550 toward Durango. The alternative is to head through Telluride on CO 145. Stay at Morefield CG at Mesa Verde NP. The NFS CG's I might recommend all seem to close 9/23. (Hence my recommendation to go a week earlier.) Do take the train from Durango to Silverton. Third week in September is probably the best, but make reservations early as it's a popular way to see the leaves.

From there, head east on US 160 to Great Sand Dunes NP and spend a couple of nights there. Interesting CG.

From there, head north on US 285 to Salida. There are BLM/Colorado Parks CG's open all year along the river in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. Explore the various canyons heading west from US 24 into thw Sawatch Range. Lots of good leaf peeping opportunities, although by the end of September/early October, many will already be gone.

From there, head north to Rocky Mountain NP. Only limited numbers of campsites will be available by the time you get there, and the leaves will be gone. But so will the crowds. Trail Ridge Road may be closed, depending on the snow situation.

Again, I'd strongly recommend moving your travel dates a week early for more campground availability and better leaf viewing.

[joshuajim]

Thanks all for your input. Now I need to ponder on it!

[Barbielab]

I would make a big loop connecting the 4 National Parks. In between I would fill in with State Parks as the CO system is awesome. You will probably hit snow somewhere along the way but won’t stick or delay you for more than a day or two. You seriously cannot go wrong traveling anywhere in the state west of Denver. Have fun!

[IA_boy]

Some of the best scenery and color in CO is.in the Telluride, Ouray, Silverton area. Peak color Sept. 20 to Oct.1.
Might want to rent a Jeep and drive the "alpine loop".

[Busskipper]

joshuajim wrote:

The wife and I both retired and in our 70’s are planning a trip to Colorado this fall between Sep 15 and Oct 15.

We have done most of CA, OR, UT and AZ.

We prefer quiet Fed, State and Local campgrounds and rarely go to commercial or private locations.

We pull a 27’ Wildwood so size is a consideration, but I don’t need pull throughs.

We don’t need a lot of attractions other than scenery as we don’t do the tourist thing anymore.

We would be coming thru UT on I-70.

Your suggestions?

Old thread that might help.

Why this is the BEST Time of the Year to be in Colorado - ASPEN!!!

Get into the mountains of Colorado but - As you roll out of Utah be sure to Drive RT 128 out of Moab to I-70, IMHO one of the Best River drives in the Country. Depending on YOU, and what you might enjoy I'd suggest heading toward Ouray/Telluride/Lake City, some of the most beautiful wild and just stunning areas in Colorado in late September.

Keep in mind that Elevation will be the key to the Color - Rt 133 from Delta towards Aspen is worth the effort, as will just about anywhere in the mountain passes of Colorado. Depending on your location there are many Great options to Camp - we generally just as the Locals as to what will still be open and where might be best.

All of the State Parks in Colorado are Great, but some are closing down in October so be sure to Check that out. Weekends will still be popular but you should be able to find something in almost every location that will work for you.

fangs, has a link with many options in Colorado

Be sure to keep your camera ready as there are soooooo many opportunities in your future. Will also be smart to layer up as a storm of many descriptions will likely great you at least once during your travels or Hikes.

Hope this is of some help, IMHO there are no wrong Choices, just missed opportunities.

Best of Luck,

[Son_of_Norway]

We usually camp at Steamboat Lake State Park at that time of year. No crowds, great scenery and fall colors, and good fishing.

[fanrgs]

For suggestions on US highway routes through the Colorado mountains, as well as free and inexpensive campgrounds and not-to-miss sights, see my blog HERE. Included are some recommendations on where to see the best fall color as well as where we like to camp in the fall.

[patperry2766]

Check Ridgway SP, about 75 miles south of Grand Junction on Hwy 550. Try to get into the Elk Ridge E loop. The odd # sites from 165-183 will have the best views.

Stayed there about 3 years ago, and heading back this July.

[Thom02099]

joshuajim wrote:
The wife and I both retired and in our 70’s are planning a trip to Colorado this fall between Sep 15 and Oct 15. We have done most of CA, OR, UT and AZ. We prefer quiet Fed, State and Local campgrounds and rarely go to commercial or private locations. We pull a 27’ Wildwood so size is a consideration, but I don’t need pull throughs.

We don’t need a lot of attractions other than scenery as we don’t do the tourist thing anymore.

We would be coming thru UT on I-70.

Your suggestions?

Many of the USFS CGs throughout Colorado begin shutting down around September 15, plus or minus, depending on elevation. The further north you go as well as the higher the elevation, the more likely for an early closure.

Many of the State Parks will have at least 1 loop open. H E R E CO State Parks is a link to their website so you can check out the ones that may interest you.

Since you're coming in from the west, if Rocky Mountain National Park is on your agenda, I would suggest heading to the WEST side entrance to the park, coming in from Grand Lake. There's a very nice first come/first served CG inside the park, at Timber Creek. No reservations allowed, and I've never seen it completely full. IIRC, their season runs until the end of September or perhaps early October. H E R E is more info on camping in Rocky.

I would suggest consideration for Mesa Verde National Park. I was down there in that area last September/October time frame and the colours were magnificent. There's the Morefield CG inside the park, 4 miles from the entrance, and highly recommended. Choice of FHU sites, or no hookup sites; we had FHU and it was NOT the typical parking lot type loop. There was privacy between sites, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. From Morefield to the Farview Lodge is another 11 miles, and from there, the majority of cliff dwellings are still further miles, depending on what you might want to see. So be prepared for some driving, but expect it to be wonderful.