Camping near RMNP in Estes Park CO.

[Jim W]

I am asking for campground recommendations for next year near RMNP in Estes Park CO. I know I am early but I am planning next year trips already. My DW is finally going to retire early next year and will be able to travel longer, I have been retired since Feb 09.

We both like full hook-ups and our 5er is 35FT long, we need a 50 amp site also. Truck and camper is almost 42ft long when hooked up, so this will prevent us from most federal parks. I know I have been searching.

We would also like recommendations on which month would be better to camp in. We are planning on traveling either in June or Sept of 2011, to the Rocky Mountains. We are then planning on going to Yellowstone park after that and plan on staying in Cody Wy. Found a couple of nice campgrounds in Cody that seem interesting.

Thanks in advance

Jim

 

[mlockner]

We like staying at Spruce Lake. We go there at leats 4 times a year. You can walk to the store, restaraunt, and liquor store. It is not far from RMNP or down town Estes if you choose to go there. The river runs along side the campground. You will find it expensive to camp in the Estes park area. They get a premium because of the tourist thing. Make sure you go to Smokin Daves for BBQ and Dunraven Inn for Itilian.



Mike

 

[CUMMINZ]

We stayed at Elk Meadow RV Park and was nice view. Be sure to take the 13 mile trip over the parkway there. Hwy. 34. It is over 11,000 ft. and the best views in the Rockies.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Rmnp

Rocky is one of our favorite parks we went there 2 years ago and the 3 week's that we were there was not enough. We stayed in the park at Moraine Park campground. These are some of the pics if you need campground info we have detailed info on campsites but Ill need the equipment size to help you out. We have a 29 ft TT. As for outside the park yes there are several RV camps but the one we looked at was just an open field not much in the way of our kind of camping but diffrent strokes for diffrent folks. Moraine had no hookups but did have a sant. dump. The Elk was just outside our TT door went out to enjoy morr. coffee and well WOW! Have lots more pic's so if any way I can help you out let me know. Sure wish I was going back, I guess if I would have read the entire post I would have seen your equip. spec's. The trail's were really nice and some were even easy but the trail sign's will give some idea of distance these were near Moraine Park CG. There were a few really big sites in Moraine and you can resv. We went in June mid mo. and the days were perfect the nite's were cool just the way we like it

 

[Jim W]

We stayed at Elk Meadow RV Park and was nice view. Be sure to take the 13 mile trip over the parkway there. Hwy. 34. It is over 11,000 ft. and the best views in the Rockies.

I tried that in 86 with a Chevy 3/4 Ton Conversion van. My only two wheel drive vehicle in 40 years of owning a vehicle. My wife bailed out at half way up with my daughter. She could not stand the height and no guard rails on the side of the road. When the charter buss and pick up-trucks pulling the 5er attached enter the opposite lanes, she got very very scared to make it around curves. My two sons and I made it to the visitor center on top, stay for 5 mins then turn around. My sons still tease her about this trip.



I do not know if I could get her to try to go to the top again unless guard rails are installed on the roadway.



Thanks guys for the information.

Jim

 

[Bill Stockard]

We've been to RMNP several times over the last 20+ years towing travel trailers or 5th wheels. We like the late summer/fall best. We parked in Estes Park one time, but prefer the "quieter" side of the park near the west entrance.



Bill

 

[BIGNASTY]

View's fr0m the top

11,000 + ft

 

[BIGNASTY]

Photo

Photo's when we were up here some yahoo brought a 5th wheel trailer up the side of this mountain (he would have been ok but he was in a FORD ) and it was really huffing and puffing. I dont think I want to do it to my Dodge

 

[BIGNASTY]

bark beetle

We've been to RMNP several times over the last 20+ years towing travel trailers or 5th wheels. We like the late summer/fall best. We parked in Estes Park one time, but prefer the "quieter" side of the park near the west entrance.



Bill

Thats a shame what has happen to the park over by Grand Lake the Bark Beetle ate the forrest. I guess that's what happens in nature