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Camping In Colorado In October

Relaxing Luxurious Yurt Manitou Springs

Post Pandemic City of Seattle Starts Enforcing 72 Hour RV Street Camping Rule

If you were looking for some proper glamping in Colorado, this one really does offer a spiritual upgrade to a regular ol tent. Its a yurt, yes, but with all the amenities and stylish decor of a city apartment. Think wood-clad walls, armchairs, a large bed, and even a fitted kitchen. Theres even a fireplace. And a bathtub.

Cozy is definitely the word here. But apart from all that, this romantic getaway makes for the perfect base to explore Manitou Springs and everything nearby. That means Garden of the Gods and Cave of the Winds Mountain Park will be at your fingertips. Plus restaurants, shops, and other conveniences within walking distance of the yurt.

Primitive Camping In Colorado

If you want to get even further off the grid than regular, everyday campsites can afford, theres primitive camping. Its a chance to experience nature up close and personal, away from busy campgrounds and their electrical hook-ups.

In Colorado, primitive camping is also referred to as dispersed camping. It simply means youll be staying well away from the regular amenities of a campsite: no toilets, no drinking water, no showers. Itll just be you and the wilds of nature .

Dispersed camping in Colorado doescome with some rules, however. But despite those, youll still have plenty of options for camping and plenty more room than youd get at a run-of-the-mill campground.

Its easy to figure out as long as you know the the dos and donts:

In other places the Rocky Mountain National Park, for example primitive or dispersed camping is not allowed. However, the national park does have over 250 wilderness camping sites.

These provide the next best option. Theyre pretty much the same experience as primitive camping but require a permit. Because of this, staying in one of these campgrounds takes a bit of planning.

Not for you? Dont worry. Theres a ton of choice when it comes to campsites in Colorado.

Mueller State Park Campground

Take in panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains at Mueller State Park Campground while you relax in the shade of a verdant forest made up of spruce, pine, fir, and bright green aspens. This campground has the added benefit of being close to two major Colorado cities , so its ideal for a quick weekend getaway!

This area used to be a popular hunting ground for Ute Native Americans. But when gold was discovered in the late 19th Century, prospectors and ranchers rushed in to strike it rich. One of those settlers, a rancher by the name W.E. Mueller, turned the area into Mueller Ranch. In the 1980s, Muellers descendants turned the ranch into a game reserve, and then later sold it to the Nature Conservancy and Colorado State Parks, who then turned it into a State Park.

Today, 5,121-acre Mueller State Park Campground is accessible to tents, trailers, and RVs, and offers year-round camping and excellent amenities, including a laundromat and showers. This is also a great place for equestrians with specially-designed facilities for horses and trails for horseback riding.

  • Showers

What to Do Nearby

How to Get There

From the north or south, get on I-25 to Colorado Springs. Continue west on US-24 W/W Hwy 24 to Woodland Park. Pass through Woodland Park and take CO-67 south to your destination in Teller County.

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Pion Flats Campground At Great Sand Dunes National Park

Pitch your tent at Piñon Flats Campground to gain access to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, one of the great wonders of Colorado! Nestled on the edge of the San Luis Valley in the embrace of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this field of brilliant yellow sand stretches as far as the eye can see. Home to the tallest dunes in North America, this iconic landmark is a must-see.

Whats so cool about this place? Theres evidence that humans were active in this area as far back as 11,000 years ago. Today, 19 Native American tribes maintain active cultural affiliation to the Park and surrounding area. For instance, the Navajo hold the area as sacred and part of the boundary of The Navajo Nation nearby Blanca Peak, or Sisnaajini, the White Shell Mountain, play a prominent role in the Navajo origin story.

Because of its unique landscape, NASA used the park to test rovers, including two Viking spacecraft that first landed on Mars. And Bing Crosby was inspired by the parks singing sands phenomenon that he wrote his 1940 hit love song The Singing Sands of Alamosa in honor of the place. Its definitely a fascinating area.

General Notes

What to Do Nearby

How to Get There

This campground is easily accessible from major roadways. Take I-25 from the north or south to Walsenburg . From there, head west on US-160 past Fort Garland. Turn north on CO-150 in Alamosa County.

Browns Lake San Isabel National Forest

Colorado Camping  Tent &  RV

Intrepid off-roaders can drive over the bulky hump of Mount Antero to reach this sublime alpine lake, but hikers get the best views on a mostly pleasant backpack from the Arkansas River Valley, with a short side trip to a stunning waterfall where most day hikers stop and turn around.

To get there: From U.S. Highway 285, midway between Poncha Springs and Buena Vista, take County Road 270 west for 1.5 miles to a four-way intersection. Continue west at a yield sign as it becomes Forest Road 272. After 2 miles, 272 goes west at an intersection. Follow this for 1.5 miles to the trailhead.

The hike: Follow the Browns Creek Trail to the Colorado Trail, which you will follow to the left for a few minutes before Browns Creek turns off to the right. This trail then ambles gently across meadows with great views of the Sawatch Mountains, your destination. Cross two creeks on flimsy log bridges the balance-challenged hiker might want to remove boots and walk across and if you are hankering for a sweet side trip, turn left at the sign for the falls.

After soaking in the scene and spray from the waterfall, return to the trail, where the challenging section begins. The trail heads endlessly upward through a dense blowdown that the U.S. Forest Service spent much of 2012 clearing. After a total of 8 miles and more than 2,000 feet of climbing, youll reach the lake. A great campsite can be found at the east end, with more wide-open camping for larger groups at the west end.

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Perfect Fall Camping Spots In Colorado

Fall in Colorado is a beautiful time as the aspen trees turn from green to a golden yellow. The best time to view fall foliage in Colorado is from September to October. Trees in the high mountains start changing as early as September while fall foliage isnt at its peak in lower elevations, such as Denver, until October. To really enjoy this beautiful season, choose to go camping at one of these five perfect fall camping spots in Colorado.

Elk Run And Fishermans Paradise Campgrounds

Sylvan Run State Park is home to some of the best camping in Colorado, especially if you have an RV.

Two campgrounds are set on the lake: Elk Run and Fishermans Paradise.

Both campgrounds are incredibly beautiful. The area is set in the heart of the Rockies. Take in the groves, wildflowers, wildlife, and, of course, the really, really, really big mountains!

During the summer, the lake is perfect for kayaking or canoeing. This campground is perfect for family relaxation.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is amazing and camping at North Rim Campground will make your visit even better.

The remote campground is located off an unpaved road, although all vehicles should be able to make the drive just fine.

The campground is quite small and the campsites arent all that spacious, so we recommend camping elsewhere in a large rig .

Do be ready to look down into the 2,000 foot deep canyon, fly fish in amazing streams, and take photos that will pale in comparison to the real-world views youll experience.

Learn more about North Rim Campground.

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Best Campgrounds In Colorado: Moraine Park Campground

Moraine Park Campground. Located about 2.5 miles south of the Beaver Meadow entrance station, this is another gorgeous park, with great views of the meadowlands. Wildlife such as elk, deer, and even the occasional bear can be seen! As this is a dry campground, there are no hookups or showers, and there are vault toilets. There are many trails to explore. Nightly rates are $26, with a park pass of $9.

North Sand Hills Campground

Bradfield Campground, Cahone, CO near Mesa Verde – Campground Review – Full Time RV Living & Travel

North Sand Hills Campground is made up of 13 free-to-use campsites complete with restrooms, tent pads, picnic tables, and fire pits. With over 300 acres of sand dunes nearby, ATV and OHVing are the top activities nearby. However, there is plenty of hiking in the area as well.

Find It

North Sand Hills Campground is located between County Roads 6N and 6S, with access from both. Take Highway 125 10.5 miles north from Walden, turn east onto County Road 6, then turn right on BLM Road #2509. Map it.

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Sounds pretty cool, doesnt it? For more information, check out our full Harvest Hosts review.

Different Types Of Camping In Colorado

Theres a wide range of different camping options to choose from in Colorado. Whether you like communing with nature or an outing with more creature comforts, we have something to suit your style including accessible campsites at many of our state and national parks. Here are several camping methods that are perfect for beginners and experts alike:

Tent camping The most popular form of camping. There are two main types: The first is camping at an assigned campsite with your car close at hand . Benefits include being able to take more comfort items along since you can stash them in your car. In addition, youll often have access to amenities like bathrooms, showers and an electricity source. The second is camping at a dispersed or backcountry campsite where you may have to hike in to a spot and wont have access to bathrooms or power. The upside to this style of camping is that youll be further away from other campers in a more natural and remote setting, many times in a clearing with just an established fire ring. Learn how to set up camp > >

Glamping A more luxurious form of camping . Youll sleep in a tent permanently located in a scenic outdoor area, but will have an actual bed, private bathrooms and various perks, from Wi-Fi and kitchens to fire rings and mountain bikes you can use for free.

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Browns Canyon National Monument

Why you should camp here: World-class fishing, views of the Rocky Mountains, and relaxation for days

  • Reservations accepted: No
  • Campsite type: Tent, small RV
  • RV hookups: No

Browns Canyon is a relatively new National Monument in Colorado it was one of the designations in 2015s Antiquities Act. Between Buena Vista and Salida, Browns Canyon is on a Gold Medal Water section of the Arkansas River.

Fishing and rafting the Arkansas River from Browns Canyon are very popular. You can easily find outfitters and guides for both activities in Buena Vista or Salida. Out of the water, Buena Vista is home to the Collegiate Peak range of 14er summit trails and Salida has epic mountain biking trails.

A post shared by matthew blackwelder on Sep 12, 2020 at 3:36pm PDT

Why you should camp here: An amazing hideaway in the canyons of the Western Slope Desert

  • Reservations accepted: No
  • Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Campsite type: Tent, RV
  • RV hookups: No

South of Grand Junction lies a massive plot of BLM land known as Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. And if youre looking to find peace and quiet in a canyon, Escalante Canyon wont disappoint. The location has fabulous views, especially at night.

I have yet to find another location that has better star gazing than Escalante! The canyon walls block out light pollution and just simply create a stunning nighttime view.Writer

A post shared by Jon C. Reed on Sep 30, 2019 at 6:03pm PDT

Best Fall Camping In Colorado

The Crags Oct. 11, 2013  Camping in Colorado

Missed your window of summer camping in the Colorado outdoors? Dont worry, Autumn can be a fantastic time of year to explore the wonderful Colorado outdoors. Theres a reason our is the way it is it reminds me of the great outdoors and fall season. With temperatures cooling and less crowded parks, fall makes for excellent camping. Not to mention, the unique flora in these regions means you can witness, first hand, the towering Aspens, and their changing leaves displaying brilliant shades of orange, red, and brown.

Here are some prime locations for the best fall camping in Colorado. Make sure to prep your gear for fall conditions, including bringing warmer sleeping gear, camping drink of choice, and bear-proof containers, and get ready to enjoy these ideal camping spots.

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Jellystone Park At Larkspur

Only 30 minutes south of Denver, along Interstate 25, youve probably driven past Jellystone Park at Larkspur, a Sun RV Resort, which was just completely rebuilt into full-service commercial campground resort. As of this summer 2020, it is also a 40,000-square-foot waterpark: Yogi Bears WaterZone , has a large pool, wet deck, six waterslides, and other activities. When we stayed there, before the renovation, my kids couldnt care less about the noise from the highway or rumble of the trains , and they couldnt get enough of the Yogi and Boo Boo characters, and all the activities.

Garden Of The Gods Rv Resort

Why you should camp here: All the fun of camping with the convenience of staying near the heart of Colorado Springs best tourist destinations.

  • Reservations Accepted: Yes
  • Campsite Type: RVs, cottages, suites, bunkhouse, tents
  • RV Hookups: Yes

With TWO swimming pools, free WiFi, an arcade, and its own dog park, Garden of the Gods RV Resort is truly a resort!

This fun camping destination offers several lodging options to accommodate any group or family. Conveniently located right next to Garden of the Gods, its easy to get outside and explore the plethora of attractions Colorado Springs has to offer.

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Cherry Creek Cherry Creek State Park

A super convenient spot for camping in Colorado, Cherry Creek State Park is in the Denver area. Its basically like a backyard playground for locals, who come to enjoy the 4,000 acres of natural environment that encircles the Cherry Creek Reservoir. Hiking, biking, birdwatching, leaf-peeping, and swimming its all here.

In summer, it seems like Cherry Creek Campground is the place to be. With 130 sites, pitch up your tent or park the RV and get your grill on after day hiking or chilling at the Swim Beach. Its a sociable spot in summer, but offseason its a spot beloved by nature enthusiasts, who come for peace and quiet.

Amenities: Campfires allowed, Toilet available, Pets allowed, Potable water available, Showers available, Picnic table available

Campsite fee: From $18 per campsite per night.

North Fork Poudre Campground Roosevelt National Forest

Camping & Cooking at 9,000 feet in Colorado’s Buena Vista!

Roosevelt National Forest, located in north-central Colorado, is easily-reachable from Boulder or Fort Collins. Besides being simple to access, it also delivers a delicious dose of outdoor adventures amid its valleys, rivers, and forested areas.

Theres a selection of campsites throughout the forest, but wed recommend North Fork Poudre Campground. Its a rustic, unfussy place to pitch up along a creek, among the tall trees of a pine forest. Think fire pits, straightforward facilities, and free-roaming moose. Keep in mind, youll also have to bring along your own supply of water.

Amenities: Campfires allowed, Toilet available, Pets allowed, Picnic table available

Campsite fee: From $24 per campsite per night.

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Percy Quin State Park

This 1700-acre park is home to an abundance of magnolia trees, the 490-acre Lake Tangipahoa, plenty of wildlife, and even a championship golf course ! Percy Quin gives guests plenty of places to go camping. In addition to using basic tents, there are also 100 RV sites, 27 cabins, and even a small handful of villas and motel accommodations for those looking for something more along the lines of glamping. With NOLA not too far from this area, rest assured this camping destination is a winner when it comes to finding a fun place to unplug and hit the reset button.

Hike Among The Ancients

Near: CortezAccessiblity: Accessible campsites are available on Apache LoopTucked in a canyon within the park, this campground is known for its incredibly quiet, serene setting with the advantage of being just half an hour’s drive from the park’s famous archeological sites. Hikers will also enjoy the options of leisurely and challenging trails. For a special moment, take the Knife Edge trail and gaze down upon the Montezuma Valley at sunset.

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Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Located at the northern part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this is one of the best places to go camping in Pennsylvania. Take advantage of a slew of rec activities within the parks 696 acres. Hike the Appalachian Trail, or explore the surrounding Michaux State Forest. For fishing fans, nothing will compare to dropping a line in the parks Laurel and Fuller Lakes, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of fiery tree colors. A number of designated tent and RV sites are available for use until mid-December each with a fire ring and picnic table. Furry friends are allowed at certain sites for a fee .

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