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Picking the Right Campsite
For some vacationers, "roughing it" means no room service or high speed internet access. Yet, for those who like to camp, what site you pick can determine the level of nature you "experience." So, how do you pick the right campsite for your needs?
Here's a look at the types of campgrounds available in Colorado, how to find the right site for your camping needs and some helpful hints about camping in our beautiful state, whether it's in an RV, a pop-up trailer, tent or out of a backpack.
National, State or Private?
If you are camping in Colorado, you have four options: National Forest Service lands, National Park Service, State Park Lands or private campgrounds. So, what's the difference?
National Forest Service Lands & National Park Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture maintains National Forest Service lands. Here you will find both primitive dispersed and established campsites with areas for groups and individuals.
Primitive dispersed camping is for seasoned outdoors people. There is typically no fee, campers use "minimal impact" camping techniques, and pack in belongings and pack out all trash.
The developed sites on National Forest Service Lands are usually more remote locations, with few modern services. Facilities often include campsites with tables and fire grates, vault-type toilets, some garbage containers and some provide developed water systems with hand pumps for potable water. You probably won't find electrical hook-ups or drive-thru sites for RV's and there are smaller sites where maneuvering trailers might be difficult.
The National Park Service maintains campsites in National Parks, and there are 7 National Parks in Colorado that offer camping. In addition to paying the National Park admission, you will also be charged for campground use. There is also backcountry camping where you may hike in and camp in non-campground sites.
National sites offer larger campground areas which can accommodate RV's, camper trailers and pop-ups trailers as well as tents. Water, toilets (and some flush!), electrical hook-ups, some showers, tables and fire grates are often available. What these amenities and the 'national park' status means, is… more people, and higher fees to maintain the extra facilities. Additionally, in areas where reservations are required, there could be a wait for space and, in areas without reservations, first-come, first-served means one needs to arrive very early to guarantee a good location.
National Forest Site Examples:
Rio Grande Divide District: Palisade Campground
Palisade, Colorado
This site is popular with rafters and fishermen due to its proximity to the river. 12 campsites are available with tables and fire grates, vault-type toilets and a developed water system with 1 hand pump. Some campsites are open, while others are under large Cottonwood trees.
Saguache District: Stormking Campground
Monte Vista, Colorado
The Forest Service website describes this site as "a wild, rustic undiscovered feeling," with sites that are widely spaced for privacy. 11 campsites are available with tables and grates, is a pack it in/pack it out site, has vault-type toilets and a developed water system with 1 hand pump. Fishing nearby is catch and release brook and cutthroat trout.
National Park Camping Area Examples:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Gunnison, Colorado
On the North Rim, there are 13 sites in Pinyon-Juniper forest with vault toilets, tables and grills. Water is available mid-May to mid-October. No hook-ups. Vehicles greater than 35-feet are not recommended. Each site allows a maximum of 8 persons and 2 vehicles. Summer months are busiest. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations) and have a maximum 14 consecutive day stay in a 30 day period. Fee: $12.00 per night ($6.00 per night with Interagency Senior/Access)
Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, Colorado
There are five drive-in campgrounds and one drive-in group camping area in the park. Two campgrounds, Moraine Park and Glacier Basin, take reservations, as does the group-camping area. Other park campgrounds are first-come, first-served, and fill up on most summer days. There are no electric, water or sewer hookups at any camp sites. Moraine Park Campground (8160 ft)-245 sites. Open year round. Reservations are taken and recommended from May 25 to Sept. 30, 2007. First-come, first-served is the process for the remainder of the year. The camping fee is $20/site/night during the reservation period. Water is on May 13-October 14, 2007. The fee after water is turned off is $14/site/night.
The AAA CampBook and Forest Service websites (www.fs.fed.us) offer good descriptions, including what type of terrain you'll be camping in, if there are lakes, streams or other geological features nearby. Online reservations can be made for those sites offering reservations. Other sites are secured on a first-come, first-served basis. Fees for these campgrounds are inexpensive (typically less than $20 per day).
The website for The National Parks Service is www.nps.gov. However, for most national parks, reservations are taken at www.recreation.gov.
State Parks
There are 41 Colorado State Parks which offer a wide variety of camping options. You can camp in your own RV, pop-up camper or tent, or you can stay in one of the Colorado State Park yurts or cabins. Campground amenities at many parks include restrooms, full-electrical hookups and shower facilities. Many parks also offer campsites or cabins for large groups. Almost 300 campsites are ADA accessible. Yurts and cabins offer comfortable, year-round alternatives to traditional camping.
Fees for camping in a Colorado State Park vary, and are in addition to an also varying park admission fee. Yurts and Cabins cost extra. For fees and information visit the Colorado State Parks website at www.parks.state.co.us
State Park Camping Area Examples:
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Buena Vista, Colorado
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area offers a choice of six campgrounds from north to southeast along the Arkansas River: Railroad Bridge, Ruby Mountain, Hecla Junction, Rincon, Vallie Bridge and Five Points Campgrounds. The AHRA camping fee is $14 per night per site. All AHRA overnight campers outside of developed camping areas must use a portable toilet system and fire pan. All waste must be carried out and disposed of properly. At the Hecla Junction campsite you can expect to see all sorts of rafting and kayaking activity. Fishing has been known to be pretty good in this stretch of the Arkansas river, and several hiking opportunities are available around the site. Facilities include 22 campsites (each consists of tent pad, fire grill and table), four vault toilets and two changing areas.
John Martin Reservoir State Park, Lake Hasty Campground
Hasty, Colorado
There are 213 campsites in two separate campgrounds in the park. Group camping is available at the Caddoa Shelter. Lake Hasty Campground is open year round with electrical hookups at each of the 109 sites. In winter, 54 sites remain open. Potable water is available in various locations throughout the campground. All sites are at least 60 feet long, accommodating any size RV, motor home, trailer, camper or tent. The Lake Hasty Campground offers electrical hookups at each site, a camper services building with flush restrooms, a laundry room, coin-operated shower facilities, fish-cleaning station open during spring and summer, north comfort station open during spring and summer, centralized water hydrants, trees and a playground, and a dump station, which remains open year round, although the flush stands are closed during the winter.
Private & KOA's
Private campsites exist throughout the state of Colorado. From KOA's to independently owned camping "resorts," AAA's Tourism Editors evaluate and rate, on a scale of 1 to 3, all privately operated campgrounds based upon the overall visual appeal, environmental quality and completeness, cleanliness and condition of the facilities.
- A facility rated 1 means that surroundings are adequate with modest natural appeal and limited facilities. Sites are visibly rustic and include basic essentials. Showers, toilets and other comforts are not consistently available within direct proximity of each site.
- A facility rated 2 means that surroundings provide an enhanced natural setting. Sites are visibly appealing, easily identifiable and well defined. There is at least one general service facility onsite such as a visitor's center, store, meeting room or mail center.
- A facility rated 3 means the surroundings reflect the ultimate camping location featuring prominent natural elements. Extensive recreational facilities and social programs are available. All sites are groomed and enhance the natural beauty of the environment. A variety of services are offered such as a visitor's center, store, meeting room and mail center.
Please refer to a AAA CampBook for more details about campsites & area attractions offered throughout the USA and Canada. Colorado has 424 sites listed in aaa.com alone.
So — get your gear ready, hit the road and have a great time!
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