Not-so-obvious campgrounds to enjoy this pandemic fall
With camping’s popularity surge during the pandemic, looking for less-traveled campgrounds has become even more of an art form.
Some people have their favorite go-to campgrounds, some have secret spots in dispersed areas, and others Coloradans are always up for exploring. Here are a few non-obvious ideas up and down the Front Range, traveling from north to south.
Elks Campground at North Sterling Lake State Park
Traveling away from the mountains instead of toward them is certainly a “non-obvious” thing to do in Colorado. This state park north of Sterling has several campgrounds around a 3,000-acre reservoir, but head to Elks, on the northeastern shore of the lake. These sites are closer to the water and there are several facilities in this otherwise remote spot, including a marina, store, boat rental, and nearby archery range. The surrounding sandstone bluffs were first seen by settlers traveling west on the Overland Trail in the mid-1800s.
Elks is popular with boaters, anglers, and hunters; out of the 50 total sites, numbers 5-7, 27-32 and 4149 are closest to the water and have the best views. In general, there are few trees and little privacy, but it’s rarely crowded during the week. All sites have 30-amp electrical hookups and the majority are pull-through.
Reservations: 800/2445613 and cpwshop.com. The fee is $36 per night.
Campers must also purchase a vehicle pass ($8) or Annual Parks Pass ($80). From Sterling, take 7th Avenue/County Road 37 north for 10 miles. Turn left on County Road 46.
The park entrance and campground are on the left in 3.9 miles.
Crow Valley Campground at Pawnee National Grassland
This is the main campground in Pawnee National Grassland, 84 miles north of Denver. It is a peaceful, single loop at the end of a short dirt road outside Briggsdale. There are 10 campsites for tents and
RVs up to 35 feet, in a relatively primitive campground with vault toilet, picnic tables, and tent pads. Birders have spotted more than 300 species in this area of northeastern Colorado. The campground has access to a few group and picnic facilities (which may or may not be open), and is near several trailheads.
Reservations: 877-4446777 or recreation.gov. Single sites, $14/night; double sites, $20/night. From Fort Collins, take Colorado 14 to Briggsdale. Turn north on County
Road 77. The camp entrance is on the left in 0.2 mile. More: Pawnee National Grassland, Pawnee Ranger District office in Greeley, 970-346-5000, fs.usda.gov/arp. Open midMay-early October.
Turkey Meadow and Prospector Ridge at Mueller State Park
Mueller State Park is a 5,000-acre park west of Pikes Peak (less than two hours from Denver) with a group of campgrounds totaling 132 sites. There are 55 miles of trails in the park and you can visit nearby Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and the Pikes Peak region.
Some of the campground loops are designed for RV parking, but Turkey Meadow and Prospector Ridge are reserved for walk-in tent camping. There are also cabins for rent in the area. Basic facilities include restrooms, showers, drinking water, dump stations, a laundry room, amphitheater, playground, and interpretive programs (but always ask to see what is currently offered).
Reservations: 800/2445613 and cpwshop.com. Walk-in tent sites are $28 per night and electric sites are $36 per night. Vehicles must also have a Daily Parks Pass ($8) or Annual Parks Pass ($80). Revenuer’s Ridge loop is open year-round. The rest of the campground is open midMay-mid-October. From Woodland Park, take U.S. Highway 24 west for seven miles. Go south on Highway 67. In 0.9 mile, turn right at the park entrance. The campground is two miles past the fee station.