Visiting Colorado? This is your Local Information Thread!

Can anyone suggest some scenic camp sites with vault toilets around that might already be open this early? I usually avoid that type of camp setup or wait longer into the season but my wife is going through chemo and timing and priorities are different.

Much appreciated

 

most state park campgrounds would be options.. remote sites in SPs won't have toilets.
try: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Pages/ParkMap.aspx

I'm a big fan of State Forest State Park (yah thats the name) oops see you from foCo, so not helping, thought OOS.

 

Maybe something down around Cañon City? Being southern and low elevation, that area warms up pretty early in the year.

I was just at The Bank Campground outside Cañon City recently: https://www.blm.gov/visit/bank-campground It's a popular rock climbing destination, so it does fill up on weekends. It has good facilities, and easy easy to access--like, you can get there in a Prius. The campsites were a little too close together for my tastes (you'll both hear and see your neighbors), but the surrounding area is pretty. I think half of the campsites are reserve-able and half are first-come.

There might be better camp sites in the area, but The Bank is the only one I've been to.

 

I'm hoping to do the Rimrocker Trail from Montrose to Moab this June. Any side trails or scenic bypasses that aren't on the main trail that I should add to the plan?

 

I'm planning to be in Silverton July 26th - 31st.

 

are you taking your wife camping while shes in chemo? that does not sound great.

but farish opens next weekend if youre military. camping and cabins available.

i camped canon city, oil well flats, last weekend. if a friend hadn't gotten there friday night, i wouldn't have been able to find a spot. popular for mountain biking.
there are toilets at the beginning of seep springs near canon city. i would guess most of the earlier spots on the road go quick also.
both are dirt roads, but nothing i didnt feel comfortable doing in my tacoma

 

The Bank Campground (which I mentioned a few posts up in this thread) is just a few miles past Oil Well Flats. I haven't camped at Oil Well, but I have biked there. Oil Well looked like it had more space between camp sites, so it did look nicer to me than The Bank... but only if you're alright driving 5-10 minutes to get to the facilities.

 

Did this last year. The official route is grand enough, and trails become limited once you get west of the Dolores River. Dominguez Canyon area has TONS of trails - I haven't driven enough of them to provide a recommendation, but that area is your best bet for customizing your route.

If you want a strong finish, take La Sal Pass into Moab instead of the Rimrocker Trail proper.

 

To get ready for my trip at the end of July, I bought this picture book. I'm familiar with some trails just from watching videos. The book is spiral bound with plastic pages. I help expose me to some lesser-known trails that might have overlooked.

$28 Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails (FunTreks Guidebooks)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934838268/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8

 

keep in mind theres 2 books for colorado. one north of i70 and one south of i70.

really good books. pretty sure there are map packs for gaia and backcountry navigator and other apps

 

That's good to know.

 

Definitely recommend downloading Gaia and making sure you download the maps for "Off-Line" use.

 

I tried to give onX OffRoad another chance yesterday. It still sucks.*

*Disclaimer: I actually know how to read maps, get data sources and how to use GIS software, so I am highly critical of all of these "cool" new mapping apps.

 

Trails Off-road can directly load trails/GPX tracks into Gaia now

 

Does anyone here have any info on the road into the Wheeler (formerly) national monument? Looks beautiful and secluded which are two things that are hard to get these days.

 

It is now part of the La Garita Wildernessand administered by the Rio Grande National Forest.
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So I’d start by looking at the National Forest. Likely you can’t enter motorized since it’s wilderness.

Currently under 20-39” of snow according to NOAA.

here’s some hints for you:

 

I've heard that it's not bad and want to make the trip up to the monument someday myself. You can apparently drive a typical vehicle up to Hanson's Mill Campground, but after that a 4x4 is recommended. But, I'd do it around August. Your best bet is to check with the local ranger station, as road conditions change from year to year.

 

Dam, there is a worm attacking CO!

 

Great idea thanks for the help.

 

No Avenza fans?