RV to the Rockies - How's the Drought?

[Mike Ellis]

Looks like I won't be able to head out for vacation camping until the middle of August, still trying to decide where to go. Are you guys in the Rockies (NM / Colorado) still tinder dry?



Any suggestions for a good old-fashioned Forest Service type campground in a scenic area (don't want to stay in a parking lot style commercial campground)? Would like to find something near an old mining area, on my last trip up to Colorado I caught the hard-rock mining bug so I would like to take some more mine tours and maybe do some rock-hounding.

 

[Air Bulldog]

I live in Pocatello Idaho 150 miles from Yellowstone 225 from Sunvalley 100 from Crater's of moon 100 from Bear lake 150 from Salt Lake there are alot of places to see around here they tell use we are in a drought but we have been getting rain almost ever day its greener here now then it has been for 15 years. This is a high land desert.

 

[BarryG]

Mike:

The dryness depends on where you are at here. Part of the state is not bad but the west side is still pretty dry particularily the southwest. . The only fire restrictions I have heard were lifted recently due to all the rain we have gotten. But that is pretty much along the front range.

Only mine tour I know of is the one at Georgetown which is supposed to be pretty good. Though there are surely others. Up above Mancos (just west of Durango) there is a nice campground called Transfer or something like that which is real nice on the west side of the La Plata's. Telluride, Durango, Rico and other mining towns are not too far a way. East of Montrose just south of Black Canyon Of the Gunnison is Owl Creek Pass on the North/east side of it is SilverJack Resivoir which has a good campground and you have the 3 forks of the Cimmaron river there which each have some campng but know of no hardrock mines there.

 

[Mike Ellis]

Thanks for the quick response guys, glad to hear some of you are getting rain. I went up to the Gunnison area last summer when I picked up my camper, it was mighty pretty up in that area. Might have to go back this year. Would love to go up to the Idaho / Wyoming area too.



It's a doggone shame to have to work for a living when there is so much pretty country out there to see...

 

[LaxCummins]

Grand Mesa

Consider the Grand Mesa area - great scenery, good fishing, and nice campgrounds for the trailer.



LAXPatrick

 

[jandtjil]

Taylor Rsvr above Gunnison is hard to beat in my book. Have a great time wherever the road leads ya Mike.



JJ

 

[jfrow2]

I can't think of a better place than the area around Ouray Colorado.



Yankee Boy Basin (be sure to see all three pages of this site) should fulfill your mining bug.



Amphitheater Campground is an old forest service type campground with a terrific view on the side of a mountain just a couple of miles from Ouray and less than a mile to Yankee Boy turn-off.



Mine tours are available at both Ouray, and about 20 miles away in the Silverton area (which I also recommend you visit).



Both areas are great for rock-hounding and are very well known for four-wheel drive roads, if you are into that.

 

[C Schomer]

There's a real nice private CG just east of Southfork - right on the Rio Grande river. From that area you can take great daytrips. Slumgullion Pass to Lake City is nearly as spectacular as Trail Ridge Road. Or go over Wolfcreek Pass to Poncho Sprgs. and Durango. As mentioned, The Ouray area is tops, too! Red Mtn. pass and the Million Dollar Highway! Craig

 

[lizzyhermit]

Silverton, Co.

One unforgettable vacation was spent with the TT parked in a Silverton Colorado RV site and doing day trips all over the area.

 

[KBennett]

Ouray and Silverton are some of my favorites too.



It has been wet here on the East side lately and hopefully it will keep coming.

 

[Fred Swanson]

Heading to Ouray then up to Estes Park area in 9 days, can't wait.

 

[Mtngoat]

I highly recommend the KOA outside of Ouray, been going there for years and have never been disappointed!! Great scenery and food there. If you do some trails, don't miss Imogene, Black Bear or Engineer. To me, they are my personal favorites. The miners museum in town is interesting. We don't have a clue as to what manual labor is compared to the hard rock miners!



Robin

 

[Jay]

There are some nice campgrounds in the Twin Lakes area, Lakeview and White Star, plus a couple of others heading up the pass. Nice mining museum in Leadville.



In a different part of the state, Bockman Campground at Sate Forrest State Park is one of our favorite get away from it spots.



Jay

 

[frankram]

I vote for Ouray, Just loved it, The KOA was great! So many trails so little time. Had a great time in Silverton, you can camp outside of Silverton in a ghost town called Eureka. no hook ups, no fee. Don't forget to go on the train ride from Durango to Silverton, it narrow gauge and steam. All I can say about that area is WOW!!!

 

[Mike Ellis]

Thanks guys! I knew the TDR troops would know the best places to visit... now if I can just squeeze loose from work and school for a few days...