Driving my new to me Taco thru CO

Hey Folks,

I just bought my stock 2008 MT TRD OR! and I’m driving solo thru Colorado from Nebraska on 76 to Denver then to Utah. Hoping to go to Arches/Moab and then north to Oregon. I have a week to do it.

I’m a bit unprepared in that I’m not sure where I’m camping tonight...Does anyone have suggestions for free (BLM or forest service roads) car camping between Nebraska and Denver? Preferably closer to Nebraska as I probably won’t be in Colorado till midnight.

Additionally if anyone has suggestions for places to see, trails to drive (in a stock taco) or outdoorsy things to do anywhere along my route, I’d be grateful to hear them. I brought my climbing shoes and harness too.

Thanks in advance!

 

So you have 1 week to go from Nebraska to Colorado to Utah to Oregon? And back? Or are you staying in Oregon?

If you cant find a place to camp tonight, you are welcome to ring my doorbell when you get in town to crash for the night.

 

That’s super kind of you. I might not make it to Littleton tonight- phone says I’m 5 plus hours out...

I’m on a one way trip.

 

Glad its one way. Youll have more time.

Ill definitely be asleep by 2 (5 hours from now). So, if need be, Ill leave the light on for you.

 

Your best bet is going to be jumbo reservoir (free camping) not to far off of I76 somewhat close to the Nebraska border, or Prewitt reservoir (free camping) right off of I76 about an hour and a half east of Denver.

 

Me too, definitely don’t want to go back to Nebraska- lots of points along the road have smelled more like human feces than I’m used to smelling through the air vents. And it’s pretty damn boring. Looking forward to some trees and mountains.

I think I’ll find a place before Littleton, but I really appreciate the offer.

 

Sweet, thanks for the tip!

 

They are both state wildlife areas and will have signs saying habitat stamp is required which is what is included on our fishing licenses, but being from out of state I’m sure you will be fine. I have never seen anyone have any issues as long as you are not fishing without a license.

 

The iOverlander app is pretty good for finding places to sleep and other things, like showers.

Lots of good national forest land in colorado and utah too, always a good time.

NW of Salt Lake is a national forest that I camped at last fall and really enjoyed, although it took some driving over rocks to get to. There's also a nice little campground on US 50 not far from the Utah/Nevada border. Lastly, the Alvord Desert in SE Oregon is awesome.

I can get GPS coordinates for these places if you like.

 

Great, I’ve some residual caffeine coursing through me, so I’m going to try for Prewitt.

 

I’ll check the app, thanks!

Coordinates would be great, if it’s not too much trouble.

 

This one was was pretty, but took some crawling over a few rocks to get to:
40° 38' 56" N 110° 56' 10" W https://www.google.com/maps/place/4...3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d40.6488889!4d-110.9361111

Pretty sure this was free (Sacramento Pass BLM Campground), and very easy to get to.
39° 7' 15" N 114° 18' 13" W https://www.google.com/maps/place/3...3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d39.1208333!4d-114.3036111

The Alvord Desert - You'd be hard pressed to find darker skies at night. Also the Fields Store has excellent milkshakes, and there's a free access road to get down to the playa (you don't have to pay the people at that one place for theirs). Google it before heading out there, its all gravel.
42° 31' 39" N 118° 24' 31" W https://www.google.com/maps/place/42%C2%B031'39.0%22N+118%C2%B024'31.0%22W/@42.5275,-118.44363,13z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d42.5275!4d-118.4086111

 

Awesome, thank you.

 

Because this thread needs more pics. And I don't want to sleep yet.

The Alvord Desert

 

I’ve actually been to the Alvord (my friend’s taco and bikes)

 

Nice. I bet those were a blast out there. I didn't see any bikes, but I did see a Cessna. And a hot air balloon. Kind of figured you might have been there before since you're headed to Oregon.