Colorado 5 day trip Recommendations

Hey All,

I've been to Colorado before but never for a camping trip, so I've allotted 5 days to do as epic a trip as possible. The trip will be 10 days total, 2 days to reach Colorado from NC, stopping in the Ozarks overnight, and the same trip back.

For those of you from the area or with experience overlanding in Colorado, which routes do you recommend? This trip will be at the beginning of September.

 

Ouray is dope. They got so much snow this year that some of the more iconic trails may not open. Go to Moab

 

When are you coming? @Alesimo is right that we still have tons of snow so a trip in late August will give you different options than a trip now. Agreed that Telluride and Ouray are both great and have lots of options for trails. You just have to deal with the Texans if you go to Ouray The Salida, Buena Vista area is really nice too and lower elevation so less snow.

 

Wow Ouray looks really nice. Yeah Moab is the obvious one, but i was trying to keep it a little more east due to my 5 day time constraint.

thanks for your input!

 

first 10 days of september. Do you think there will still be snow then? Salida/Buena Vista look awesome, and are a bit further east so thats a plus. Thanks!

 

Coming in September, the crowds should be less. Hopefully someone from the Northern Colorado area will chime in as there is alot of dispersed camping areas in Northern Colorado. Colorado is pretty much flat prairie east of the Rockies (I-25) camping can be had but it is different than mountain camping. Now if you were backpacking, I could help you in a heartbeat. Enjoy your trip

4BYTOY

 

Camping in Northern Colorado in September is great...unless there is a fire ban. All the kids are in school so there is much less traffic and congestion. In Roosevelt National Forest there is tons of dispersed camping. You will not encounter snow in early September. Check out the Canyon Lakes Ranger District MVUM to see where you can camp.

 

I grew up in the mountains just west of Denver and 4-wheeled lots and lots of places there in my early 20s. What part of the state will you be in? I can certainly send some recommendations

One of my favorite annual trips was Schofield Pass, south of Glenwood springs through the towns of Marble and Crystal. We'd camp the first night above Crystal, spend a day exploring trails around LeadKing Basin before going over the pass. Then camp near the top of the pass on day 2, explore down through Gothic coming out in Crested Butte. Then from there you have lots of options.
https://4x4explore.com/rds/s_rds/schofield_ps.html

Just one of many great trips out there.

 

Are you looking for campsites to stay in, or are you ok with roughing it with disperse camping?

The San Juan Mountains (Ouray, Telluride, Durango area) has a lot of cool areas to camp and wheel in. If you don't want to go that far south, then Aspen, Leadville, Grand Lake, or Lake Granby are also fun.

 

I live in Salida, and keep an eye on these pages:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/colorado.172/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/upcoming-colorado-events.187907/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/colorado-trail-status-closures-repairs-discussion.482224/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trail-etiquette.435698/

Hayden Pass is a fun one, and not that hard at all.

 

The drive up Pikes Peak has to be on your list. One of the craziest roads you will ever experience. DRIVE it! Do not take the tram up. It’s worth it
You hit the tree line and still climb roughly another 4000’

 

Bear spray?

 

I did the million dollar highway loop on a motorcycle trip last year with some buddies. It was awesome and if you incorporate that along with some four wheeling along the route it would be a lot of fun I bet. I’m thinking of doing it myself this weekend.

Edited to add that September could be iffy at the higher elevations. Still early so you’ll probably be ok but it is the Rockies so....

AGREED THAT Ouray at is awesome BTW...

 

It's only needed for bad dogs, bad cats, and bad people.

 

Nice.

 

Is this road accessible in the winter (December timeframe)? Thanks!

 

Hit the Alpine Loop. Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City. Fantastic views. All trails can be done 100% stock 4WD. You're driving on a cliff face for a lot of it, so make sure to have your brakes checked and bring extra tighty whities.

 

Look really nice there too thanks!

 

I absolutely plan on driving pikes peak. Hard to miss as a car enthusiast

 

I haven't really decided which part of the state aside from the fact i'd like to keep it as eastern as possible, because I will be returning to NC afterward, so for example I may avoid moab as its a little far. Thanks for the detailed route, that really helps when planning as I can map it out