Ouray, CO- Ouray RV Park and Ouray KOA-Recommendations

[Pointman_nh]

Hi folks,

Planning to visit Ouray, CO in mid to late May/early June 2020 and thinking about booking either the Ouray RV Park or Ouray KOA campgrounds for a week or two for some off ride driving on the old mining roads.

I’m leaning towards Ouray RV Park as my choice as the KOA appears to have most sites very close together and more expensive.

Looking to see if anyone has stayed at either and your opinions. I’d be reserving a full hookup 30 amp site for a travel trailer.

Thanks!

[Pointman_nh]

Bill, no meant I did not see that video link before until he posted it and I watched it. Awesome!

[Busskipper]

Pointman_nh wrote:
Thanks 4runnerguy. That’s a great site. One stop shopping for trail status.

You did get Ken's post on Moab I gave you the link to - Ken Knows Colorado - Really Knows it !

Did not mean to not post him as a Major Resource, not just for Moab but for the entire Southwest.

Bill

[Pointman_nh]

Thanks 4runnerguy. That’s a great site. One stop shopping for trail status.

[4runnerguy]

As far as timing on when passes open, check out Bushducks. They have info people have posted as to the status of a lot of the trails here in CO. You can also research prior years by clicking on the appropriate link. Lots of good info can be gleaned here.

[Pointman_nh]

No, I didn’t. Wow, great video! Just amazing. Thanks!

[Busskipper]

Pointman_nh wrote:
Busskipper, thank you! This is great info. I’ve been researching you tube videos of the areas of various months including September. My 4x4 4Runner has good all terrain tires and a mild suspension lift. It can handle many of the most popular easy and intermediate trails.

I’ll keep researching!

Did you discover this one on the State of Colorado by Drone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z6hP1_uSVk

Just a Beautiful view,

[Pointman_nh]

Busskipper, thank you! This is great info. I’ve been researching you tube videos of the areas of various months including September. My 4x4 4Runner has good all terrain tires and a mild suspension lift. It can handle many of the most popular easy and intermediate trails.

I’ll keep researching!

[Busskipper]

Busskipper wrote:

Pointman_nh wrote:
Thank you all for the feedback.

Yes, given my timeline, I was concerned about not being able to access some of the higher trails.

My goal with going then was to beat the summer crowds.

Im retired so maybe I’ll move my timeline forward some for better access and start in Moab then finish my trip in Ouray.

Here's one of the 4th of July - https://pbase.com/sparker1/image/51958806

Look over Stans pictures and dates it might help out - https://www.pbase.com/sparker1/root%26view=tree

San Juan's here - https://pbase.com/sparker1/san_juan

Moab info here may help - https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29448394.cfm

More Ouray info here - http://www.irv2.com/forums/f42/ouray-and-san-juans-rock-n-roll-3-days-to-visit-442372.html

Think that should keep you busy 🙂

Sorry for the short reply - as Colorado is My Second home 🙂 (4 granddaughters there) Was busy on a few other projects when I saw your post.

You may want to contact these two posters as they may have similar interests and similar styles they may also be able to help with the trailer selection;

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/memberprofile/mid/14205916

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/memberprofile/mid/16528723

Thom whom has already replied is an Excellent source for Colorado, so a PM to him and a recall of some of his posts on the area will be informative.

From my own personal perspective I'd suggest September as the Month to spend in the San Juan's - Aspen in the San Juan's 🙂 - Couple other areas that we have enjoyed aside from Ouray, Telluride and Lake City - would be Dunton area - and Trout Lake - the most amazing thing is that even when there in the Summer rush you can find areas where you will not see a single sole all day long - just need to talk to the Locals to find these Jewels.

If you took the time to look through the Links I posted you should be able to understand that the High Mountains have a Short season so timing is critical, BUT as you will also note elevation is even more critical.

Most of the towns are below 9,000 feet so the snow will be gone the trails which will go over 12,000 foot passes are the issue. That noted there are many that will be open usually after May, they just will not cross over the divide until late June to July. Another thing to keep in mind is that to access many of the more beautiful locations you will need a Real 4X4 vehicle with good Tires that work on the Sharp - Slick - often Steep Rocky trails. This is a note that many will not use the same road tires when they go off road into the Mountains as the tires "May" be sliced up quite a bit.

Hope this is of more help in your Quest,

[Pointman_nh]

Thanks Busskipper!

[Busskipper]

Pointman_nh wrote:
Thank you all for the feedback.

Yes, given my timeline, I was concerned about not being able to access some of the higher trails.

My goal with going then was to beat the summer crowds.

Im retired so maybe I’ll move my timeline forward some for better access and start in Moab then finish my trip in Ouray.

Here's one of the 4th of July - https://pbase.com/sparker1/image/51958806

Look over Stans pictures and dates it might help out - https://www.pbase.com/sparker1/root%26view=tree

San Juan's here - https://pbase.com/sparker1/san_juan

Moab info here may help - https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29448394.cfm

More Ouray info here - http://www.irv2.com/forums/f42/ouray-and-san-juans-rock-n-roll-3-days-to-visit-442372.html

Think that should keep you busy 🙂

[Pointman_nh]

Thanks Caver.

[caver]

I only recommend to friends two KOA's and this is one of them along with the one in Arco ID. My first trip I stayed at the one along the highway that the owners had everything painted John Deere green and yellow. He seemed cool until maybe my third trip was rude to me. It caught me off guard so I never went back. I did one time in 4J?? right in town and then tried KOA. I also tried the SP but the lady at the gate said I would have to pay for a second vehicle if I wanted to ride my dual sport motorcycle in and out of park so I turned around. This was many years ago so owners may have changed.

[Pointman_nh]

Thanks Bob and I agree about reservations.

[bob_nestor]

Pointman_nh wrote:
Thank you all for the feedback. Yes, given my timeline, I was concerned about not being able to access some of the higher trails. My goal with going then was to beat the summer crowds.

Im retired so maybe I’ll move my timeline forward some for better access and start in Moab then finish my trip in Ouray.

The KOA is nice but regardless of the time you plan to be there you'll probably want to make reservations and make them early.

That's not as much of a concern in Moab unless you're there during Jeep Safari Week. The Jeep trails in both places are great though and can be a lot of fun. Nice hiking trails in both places too if you're into that as well.