What must we do in Colorado?

[chompchomp]

The mountains are calling and we must go. Last summer, our trip to Yosemite and Oregon was beautifully interrupted by the birth of our first grandson. We're definitely leaving Florida and heading West this summer with our focus on Colorado.

We have done Durango, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Littleton, Red Rocks, Ouray, Ridgway into Telluride, Silverton, Grand Lake, and Vail and loved all of it.

This summer, I can see us revisiting Ouray and Last Dollar Road into Telluride just to share that with my son-in-law. We're also both fishing fanatics, so that will be a priority. We live an hour from Disney and five minutes from the World's Most Famous Beach, so we don't like crowds. That said, though I know Estes Park will probably be crowded in July (we stayed on the West side for that reason last time out), we really want to add the East side of RMNP and Crested Butte and any other scenic byways you might recommend. A friend just posted pictures of Loveland Pass, which looks appealing as well.

I'd love any input from you experts (4Runnerguy Ken I hope you're listening)out there not only on destinations, but scenic routes to connect them as well. We'll have our Jeep and my daughter's 4x4 truck, kayaks, bikes and hiking boots. Thanks so much for any advice you can share with us.

[rexlion]

If you're getting CO fishing licenses, have you thought about boondocking at one or more of the state wildlife areas? Free camping and maybe a short stroll to the water.

If you get around Pagosa Springs, head up the road toward Wolf Creek Pass and stop at Treasure Falls. Then a couple hundred yards north of that, the overlook gives a fabulous view of the valley below. Back south a bit, you can drive past the East Fork NF CG and follow the dirt road with your Jeep to Silver Falls, it's a pretty drive and a nice waterfall. Oh, and near the top of Wolf Creek Pass there's a road to the west that takes you up to the top and another great view all around. You could probably get hookup campsites in Pagosa and lounge in the hot spring waters while there.

[chompchomp]

Goducks, we only need two sites a night. My daughter and her husband pull a camper behind their truck. We drag a Wrangler behind our MH.

[Rug]

What about a drive up Pikes Peak.
We did this a couple years ago.
It is paved all the way to the top.

[goducks10]

Can you actually book enough spots?

[12th_Man_Fan]

Royal Gorge, Great sand dunes, Mesa Verde.

[Lwiddis]

“Crowded” in Estes Park in July is an understatement IMO. Try to make reservations.