Camping in the Denver area

K

kemosabee

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Pagosa Springs,CO
Hi Guys and Gals,

I've got some friends coming in from the Midwest and they want to go camping close to Denver. I'm trying to convince them to go to the Sand Dunes but they dont have much time out here and want to make the most of the time to do have. I don't know any good camping spots near the Denver as I am in the 4 corners, so looking for some nice spots with good lakes\streams nearby and some nice peaks nearby. I dont think that they're going to want to hike any peaks but rather see them. They are going to be driving a Montero Sport which I think will be able to get to some nice spots away from the campgrounds, I'll have the XJ. I like Idaho Springs but havent spent much time there, only been to the Chicago Campground last winter. Don't really want to go further North than Denver but open to ideas!

And yes of course they are coming the busy time, over Labor Day.
 
SW of Denver is the Rampart Range area which has some rough dirt roads and decent camping. You can hike in a short ways in some places to get away from the roads and people. If you're willing to hike a little higher in that are you get a nice view south to Pikes Peak and into the front range.

Definite car camping and it gets quite a bit of activity so you won't be out there alone. It's a good place to break people into 'camping' or just a one night get away but like I said, don't expect to be out there alone!
 
goden gate state park is huge and has some nice walk in tent spots, 11 mile is nice in the backcountry spots but it's a hell of a hike. all of which will be crawling with people though :(

rampart range is freaking FULL of ATV's and dirtbikes, I couldn't camp there for fear of clotheslining a few of the noisy little effers.
 
I'd second Rampart Range Road...Dakan Road (Mapquest about 10 miles of off 25) winds up to it and has some pretty cool campsites and scenery. I saw a Acura RSX in there the other day (don't know how, but he got it in). Not too bad for a stocker to get into...
 
Blue96XJ said:
I'd second Rampart Range Road...Dakan Road (Mapquest about 10 miles of off 25) winds up to it and has some pretty cool campsites and scenery. I saw a Acura RSX in there the other day (don't know how, but he got it in). Not too bad for a stocker to get into...
Click to expand...

jackson creek campground was closed when I was there this summer, maybe it's open now.
 
Rampart Range gets a lot of ATV and dirt bike traffic and you're right I've met a couple less than polite people doing such things but there are some good areas away from where they tend to be that are really nice. Agreed though, you just have to know a good spot but it's tough to beat for camping close to Denver that (last I knew at least correct me if I'm now wrong) still lets you have a campfire.
 
Well I think i can get away with taking them 2.5 hours W or SW of Denver, I don't want to go further North than Denver area. A friend recommended the Winter Park area for some nice camping. Not too sure about the Rampart Range place, I'd rather not deal with a bunch of ATVers or dirt bikes.
 
i'm tellin ya you will have a blast at gross and it is so wide open you'll hardly see anyone....and you don't have to drive 2 hours to get there
 
Last edited:
kemosabee said:
Well I think i can get away with taking them 2.5 hours W or SW of Denver, I don't want to go further North than Denver area. A friend recommended the Winter Park area for some nice camping. Not too sure about the Rampart Range place, I'd rather not deal with a bunch of ATVers or dirt bikes.
Click to expand...

Rampart Range can be a circus. There are some nice places but you stand the chance of dealing with dirt bikes, ATV’s and rude people. I would recommend the Winter Park area. Try Jim Creek. I believe it is the first or second right after you hit the bottom of Berthoud pass. It’s an easy dead end 4x4 trail that follows the creek. There are great meadows, mountain views and brookies in the creek. Bow season starts in a couple of weeks so keep an eye on the kids and dogs.
 
spekter said:
loch lomond near alice is nice with a decent trail for a montero and good places to camp and fish. 1.25 hrs west of denver approx.
Click to expand...
Pretty strange: I can make it up Clear Creek canyon to Idaho Spgs in about 20 min, up Fall River Road to the road in Alice in another 20 Min., but that last three miles takes yet another 20 mins.

Well worth the trip! After baking in 100* temps all day, it was 62* and cloudy at the top, fish were jumping all over the lake, then the rain started again.

I feel a virus coming on....

sunset.JPG
 
If you can navigate your way over Kingston Peak, you wind up a hop-and-skip from Rollins Pass East/Jenny Creek. Write-ups and maps are in traildamage.com.

From what I've seen and heard, there is a lot of water erosion this year: Extra rocky trails and a few unexpected "tippy" spots for some pucker. Nothing really demanding, I expect you'd have a blast in your Heep.
 
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