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Colorado Camping And Campgrounds Info.
What Colorado camping and hiking danger should you avoid? Also find campground, park, weather and other resources toward a better vacation... So if you like mountain views and hiking fourteeners Colorado is a good place to be. :-) But you'll want to be careful... As mentioned on our
Colorado hiking
page, Colorado presents a unique danger you'll want to be aware of... abandoned mines. While old mines might seem like a fun place to play and explore they can be extremely dangerous. Besides old rickety wood supports, ladders, and beams they're also prone to cave-ins and flooding, but probably the most deadly thing about old mines is the odorless and invisible gases they can contain. By the time you notice you're feeling dizzy or "funny" it may already be too late. So even though you like adventure, stay away from the mines, it's just not worth the risk. If you're camping in the mountains the temperatures can vary from the possible 80's F during the day down to 40's (about 4º C) at night. At "lower elevations" like 3,000 feet, the temperatures can hit the 90's (32º C) in the summer, with lows at night between the mid 40's and 60º F. Remember your sunscreen as you'll burn easier because of the higher elevation. And also remember to drink plenty of water as you can become dehydrated more easily. Some parts of Colorado average 2 to 3 inches of rain per month during the summer time but Denver averages 70% sunshine over the course of an average year. Depending on where you're camping in the state you'll see more or less rain. Spring doesn't come to the higher elevations, up to 9,500 feet (2,896 meters) or so until late April. Keep in mind that Colorado weather can vary widely and change very quickly especially when in the mountains. Be prepared for this by bringing high quality camping gear and appropriate clothing you can layer and remove easily. If you think of your camping and hiking equipment as a life-support-system you will be on your way to a safer trip. Colorado Camping Guides/Books/Resources: Colorado Campgrounds: The 100 Best and All the Rest, by Gil Folsom. 5/5 This book will save you time and money or at least make your camping trip better. Covering 434 campgrounds, and breaking those campgrounds down into regions makes this book comprehensive and easier to use. And with 129 color photos you'll also have a better idea of what to expect once you get there. The downside? Like any other guide book it's based on opinion, so even though you'll have information to help make your trip better you may not agree with their ranking system. But really isn't some of the fun of camping finding your own favorite spot? This book will help you to get started. The Colorado Guide: by Bruce Caughey, Dean Winstanley. 5/5 This book isn't just about camping. It covers festivals, museums, galleries and other things that are worth checking into. If you're only looking for camping or hiking information don't get this book as you'll be disappointed, but if you like to throw some other ideas into the mix this book will give you some great ideas. Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer: by Delorme. 5/5 This is the map to have unless you're planning to use it to hike small trails. But at 1:160,000 it should be fine for most backroad adventures. Colorado Campgrounds And Parks Colorado State Parks With 41 State Parks and over 4,000 campsite to choose from, Colorado has got a lot to offer. What's cool about this site is once you select a park there's a link underneath the park description that shows a photo gallery for the park. If you needed help deciding where to go, what a park looks like, or (opens new window) if they offer Colorado camping, have a look. If you're looking to make reservations they can be made through Reserve America's website or call 800-678-2267. Colorado National Parks Even though Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular national parks, it only offers 6 campgrounds. What makes things confusing is some recommend reservations, while others won't take them at all. Keep this in mind because depending on the month, campsites can fill easily by early afternoon. If you'd like to look for (opens new window) National Parks in Colorado follow this link. There's no direct link so click on "more >>" under "Search by Topic". Then under "ACTIVITIES" check the camping box, select the state, and click the "Find a Park" button. Colorado National Forests Here's a list of the (opens new window) National Forests and National Grasslands in Colorado. To find Colorado camping information first click on the park you're interested in. When the new window pops up click on "Recreation" in the upper left column to find out what that park has to offer and whether or not they offer camping (not very user friendly, but it works). If you're looking to make camping reservations in a National Forest in Colorado then either go through Reserve USA or call them at 877-444-6777. I hope this Colorado camping guide has helped to make your trip better.
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