Suggestions for places in Colorado to camp?

[CaraRose]

It looks like we're going to meet some friends who live in Texas in Colorado this year at Rocky Mountain. I'm trying to talk my mom into also doing a few days at another park. Last time we went to RMNP, we also spent a few days at Black Canyon at the Gunnison.

I'm thinking about Gunnison again, but wondered if anyone here had any recommendations for good places to camp and hike in Colorado that are within a day's drive of Rocky Mountain?

[mwfanelli2]

It looks like we're going to meet some friends who live in Texas in Colorado this year at Rocky Mountain. I'm trying to talk my mom into also doing a few days at another park. Last time we went to RMNP, we also spent a few days at Black Canyon at the Gunnison.

I'm thinking about Gunnison again, but wondered if anyone here had any recommendations for good places to camp and hike in Colorado that are within a day's drive of Rocky Mountain?

Well, obviously RMNP itself. There are many really great (and photogenic) trails and campgrounds. Bear Lake is extremely popular.

Long's Peak is a traditional hike to a 14er.

If you are a hiker with good skills, the Never Summer Mountains to the west of the park are pretty wild. Know how to use a compass and GPS.

Look at the area around Boulder (south of the park). The Flat Irons have lots of different activities including hiking but also rock climbing, bouldering, single track, etc.

Just a hint: if you are going to go to Gunnison, Castle Rock is a cool photo opportunity (the hike is serious however) and the west Elks are beautiful. If you take route 50 to Gunnison, one of my favorite views was the short hike to the high point of the Angel of Shavano Trail east of Monarch Pass. It doesn't take very long but the views of the valley are spectacular. This is part of the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail, so you can continue on to Canada if you wish!

The fact of the matter is that you could spend several lifetimes enjoying all the scenery and photographic opportunities that Colorado provides.

Very short distance north of Gunnison:

[Photo-John]

I love the San Juans on the Western Slope. And Grand Junction is a pretty cool place, too. It's a whole different world from the Front Range