winter camping near rocky mtn national park

Golden is about 6000 feet, Estes Park is about 7500 feet and Breckenridge is about 9600 feet. Loveland is about 4900 feet.

Snow is mostly on the western slope (Breckenridge) of Colorado - hence all the ski resorts are cluster there. Which is the only reason I can see anyone staying in Breck in the winter.

For many of us, we would not stay at Tiger Run anytime....have learned from bad experience. (Off topic I know).

fanrgs wrote:

Thunder Mountain wrote:
You must be a youngling. The rest of us gave up camping during the winter in Colorado decades ago. Did it in a tent a couple of times 40+ years ago. Long johns, wool socks, sock hat, down sleeping bag, warm wife, etc. Now it's Arizona, king size bed, heat, a couple of cats, warm wife, etc.

I am with you! I have been in Colorado for 50 years and my wife is a native. The last time I camped in the Colorado mountains in winter was for a Boy Scout Klondike Derby with my sons. That was 30 years ago and I still shiver just thinking about it. Give me southern Arizona or New Mexico any winter over Colorado.

Lot's of experience here, just let me chime in as an outsider who has wintered in an RV in Colorado. The advice is to stay out of the high mountains in the winter, good advice but if you look at Tiger Run you will see that a number of people winter over just fine, but that is not RMNP.

If I recall on the western side of the Park you might find something, but do not know from personal experience. We have winter over, three years, in Golden, and loved it, so I think what I'm saying is that it might be good to stay in the foothills and do day trips to the high mountains elevation's.

BOL,

Thunder Mountain wrote:
You must be a youngling. The rest of us gave up camping during the winter in Colorado decades ago. Did it in a tent a couple of times 40+ years ago. Long johns, wool socks, sock hat, down sleeping bag, warm wife, etc. Now it's Arizona, king size bed, heat, a couple of cats, warm wife, etc.

I am with you! I have been in Colorado for 50 years and my wife is a native. The last time I camped in the Colorado mountains in winter was for a Boy Scout Klondike Derby with my sons. That was 30 years ago and I still shiver just thinking about it. Give me southern Arizona or New Mexico any winter over Colorado.

Lived and worked in Estes Park for 31 years. I'm not sure what your definition of winter is... Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Moraine Park campground in RMNP is your only choice. Why not borrow or buy a cheap generator. You'll probably have the place to yourself. You only need enough of a generator to keep the battery up for lights, heat and fridge. You probably don't need to worry about the official generator hours since you'll have the place pretty much to yourself.

Just remember that anytime after about December 1st you should be prepared for temperatures well below zero. Your biggest issue may be water and propane. Your profile or signature gives us a clue about your unit.

Also, be prepared to get stuck in your camping spot for 24/48 hours in case of heavy snow.

You can stay in Loveland but the commute to Rocky will be 1 hour plus in good weather.

You must be a youngling. The rest of us gave up camping during the winter in Colorado decades ago. Did it in a tent a couple of times 40+ years ago. Long johns, wool socks, sock hat, down sleeping bag, warm wife, etc. Now it's Arizona, king size bed, heat, a couple of cats, warm wife, etc.

Jrod08 wrote:
I was wondering if anybody knows of a campground that is open year round around rocky mtn national park. That has at least electric.

thanks

OP - Perhaps if you could provide more info, such as interests (winter) and rig, we could provide more detailed responses.

There's also some KOA's in the Fort Collins area that are open all year. The KOA in Estes Park is seasonal, closes in October.

Lauren wrote:
Yup, only been past it hundreds of times and have stayed there - you would think I could get the name right! Sorry. Nice place.

Easy to get confused! I've also called it Riverside. The "other" one, further up the canyon above The Narrows, was completely destroyed. That's the Riverside one! Ironically, the CDOT campground signs are still up, but someone put a "closed" sign on the upstream side.

Yup, only been past it hundreds of times and have stayed there - you would think I could get the name right! Sorry. Nice place.

It's Riverview not Riverside and a nice campground.

Having lived in Estes for 8 years I have to ask why you want to come there in the winter. Yes, we loved to snowshoe and I did some photo work and other things but we lived there and could stay in by the fireplace if needed. To come any distance just to see it is very iffy in my mind - cold, can be snowy and very windy.

Thom02009 has very good advice and I agree that staying lower and going up is the safest idea. But Loveland is at least 45 minutes and Ft. Collins at least an hour to the Park - could be more depending on where you stay.

Don't know their open / closing schedule but I would suggest Riverside in Loveland. It is very close (west side of Loveland) - on Hwy 34 - to the head of up Estes. And a good place - have stayed there.

On edit - one thing you will not have to worry about is the crowds! Come about Nov 1st you are down to the "locals" for the most part.

Welcome, New Member!

Jrod08 wrote:
I was wondering if anybody knows of a campground that is open year round around rocky mtn national park. That has at least electric.

thanks

Moraine Park CG inside RMNP is open all year. However, it doesn't have electricity. None of the CG in RMNP do.

The commercial campgrounds in the Estes area begin closing mid-September. Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake is open until mid-October.

Three State Park campgrounds fairly close by may be what you're looking for. There's Boyd Lake SP in Loveland, Golden Gate Canyon SP outside Black Hawk, and St Vrain SP outside Longmont. All are open during fall/winter months and have electricity. All are excellent choices.

Colorado State Parks

US 34 between Estes Park and Loveland was rebuilt right after the flooding last year and opened in early December last year. US 36 between Lyons and Estes Park sustained heavy damage and just recently reopened completely. US 36 would be the best choice if you decided to stay at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont.

ETA: Weatherwise, the SP in Loveland and Longmont, or the Boulder County Fairgrounds would probably be good choices as well, depending on when you plan to be in this area, since they are at lower elevations than Estes Park and RMNP. Golden Gate Canyon SP is at approx 9200 feet elevation. December, March, and April are generally our snowiest months, and December, January, February are generally the coldest months. That said, they can also be great times to visit, as we also can have relatively mild weather during those months.