Joshua Berman - Moon Colorado Camping: The Complete Guide to Tent and RV Camping

JOSHUA BERMAN

The campgrounds are listed in a consistent, easy-to-read format to help you choose the ideal camping spot. If you already know the name of the specific campground you want to visit, or the name of the surrounding geological area or nearby feature (town, national or state park, forest, mountain, lake, river, etc.), look it up in the index and turn to the corresponding page. Here is a sample profile:

The icons in this book are designed to provide at-a-glance information on activities, facilities, and services available on-site or within walking distance of each campground.

	Hiking trails
	Biking trails
	Swimming
	Fishing
	Boating
	Canoeing and/or kayaking
	Winter sports
	Hot springs
	Pets permitted
	Playground
	Wheelchair accessible
	RV sites
	Tent sites

Each campground profile employs a scenic rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the least scenic and 10 being the most scenic. A scenic rating measures the overall beauty of the campground and environs, and also takes into account proximity to nearby attractions and activities; it does not take into account noise level, facilities, maintenance, recreation options, or campground management. The setting of a campground with a lower scenic rating may simply not be as picturesque that of as a higher rated campground, however other factors that can influence a trip, such as noise or recreation access, can still affect or enhance your camping trip. Consider both the scenic rating and the profile description before deciding which campground is perfect for you.

Lets start with this: Roughly 35 percent of Colorado23 million acres!is public land, including 4 national parks, 8 national monuments, 13 national forests and grasslands, 42 state parks, and 42 designated wilderness areas. Most official campgrounds are in or around these parks and preserves, providing immediate immersion and access. These frontcountry campgrounds are the focus of this book. Some are right next to the interstate, others are 50 miles from the nearest town. As varied as they are, they serve another purposeas buffer zones, concentrating and thus minimizing human impact on the lands we love.

For some people, their favorite campground is the destination. For others, campgrounds are merely stepping stones to access the backcountry. In addition to the nearly 500 public and commercial campgrounds listed in Moon Colorado Camping, there are thousands of small, simple campsites throughout public lands that are accessible only by hiking or on horseback. These backcountry sites usually require a permit and are beyond the scope of this book, but Ill get you to their doorstep.

Colorados campgrounds are as diverse as the people that camp in them. They come to hike and mountain bike along the Continental Divide, four-wheel through ghost towns, raft raging rivers, soak in hot springs, fly-fish on Gold Medal waters, boat and water-ski on reservoirs, tour fall foliage, and snowshoe and ski. And, of course, they come to campthat primordial act of sleeping under the stars that unites us all. From RV parks in the eastern plains to the tent campground at the base of Longs Peak, there is a dream site for every type of camper.

Colorado is an international destination, and youre likely to meet tourists from every part of the United States as well as Europe, South America, and Asia. Some have been camping their entire lives, while others will unpack brand-new tents to sleep outside for the very first time.

The campground listings in this book are short and to the point, while still providing context in the form of brief activity guides, with recommendations on hiking and biking trails, white-water runs, fishing opportunities, winter sports, and any nearby cultural attractions. Each includes practical information on facilities, reservations, and driving directions, as well as a narrative evaluation informed by firsthand knowledge and conversations with camp hosts, campers, and rangers. There are regional maps and best lists to facilitate driving and decision making, and an introductory section of basic camping tips.

Now lets get to ithappy camping!

Avalanche, Western Slope South, .

Silver Jack, Western Slope South, .

Halfmoon, Central Mountains North, .

Elbert Creek, Central Mountains South, .

Collegiate Peaks, Central Mountains South, .

Longs Peak, The Front Range, .

Burro Bridge, Four Corners and the San Juan Mountains, .

Molas Lake, Four Corners and the San Juan Mountains, .

North Crestone Creek, San Luis Valley and the Sangre de Cristos, .

Trappers Lake-Shepherds Rim, Western Slope North, .