Colorado summer camping!

[mandrroofing]

Taking the family out to Colorado from ohio for a 2 week camper trip.anyone here have any suggestions on some good areas to camp.beutufull scenery fishing.lol I know Colorado has a lot of this to offer.just wanted to see if anyone has any good camping spots there willing to share.my kids are 3,6 and 8

[Lark Bunting]

You looking for off the beaten path type camping or staying in an actual campground?

[mandrroofing]

We want off the path,we will have a 26 ft bumper pull camper

[cnelk]

Definitely stay away from campgrounds.
They are noisy and overcrowded.

Just pick a central location in a National Forest, not too far away from a town, travel a forest road, pull off and camp.
The FS lets you pull off the road and camp within 300ft of a traveled roadway. Its called 'Dispersed Camping'
You camp find many of these spots that already have a fire ring and a place set up camp for a couple weeks.
I would recommend to go in late July. The 4th of July rush is over, and the mosquitoes arent so bad then.
Find a place with a stream nearby to fish brookies or splash around in.
Bring the kids' bikes, let them go get dirty, and get lost.
Builds character

I did this for years when my kids were young.

[easeup]

hello mandrroofing,
I am a Lake City guy and know the country there well. If you decide to head to the SW corner of CO, send me a PM and I will share a few spots.

[Elkduds]

2 weeks won't be enough! I'd camp near Owl Creek Pass (E of Ridgway) for awhile. From there you can visit Black Canyon, Ouray, Telluride, Silverton, Silver Jack reservoir, Lake City. A camp near Vallecito Reservoir N of Bayfield would access Durango, Mesa Verde, Pagosa Hot Springs, Chimney Rock archaeology, etc. As lifelong resident, to me the most scenic country is in the southern part of the state. Feel free to PM if I can help further.

+1 on mid-late July, the monsoon is usually less rainy in July than Aug. Crowds are always there, bigger around July 4 and August b4 school resumes.

[Navesgane]

I also favor SW CO to RMNP. There are endless places to visit and less crowds. Plus the San Juan Mountains are more scenic IMO