Fall/Winter Season : September through mid-October. Location: Buena Vista, CO, 96 miles west of Colorado Springs.(Photo Credit: NPS Dinosaur National Monument) Chalk Creek Canyon The remote nature of the campsites gives them a more secluded, almost backcountry feel.Ĭampsite at Echo Park Campground. “ Visitors need to be prepared for changing weather and road conditions, and be more self-sufficient, as these campgrounds are quite a ways from the nearest services,” Wilson says. Each campground has vault toilets, picnic tables and campfire rings. All sites are first come, first served, and the campgrounds rarely fill, according to Amanda Wilson, Park Guide with Dinosaur National Monument’s Interpretive Division. Current conditions can be found on the park’s website. All three campgrounds are open year round as long as the dirt roads to access them are clear-once the snow starts to fall, it is best to plan on the roads being impassable due to snow or mud. On the remote Colorado side of the monument, visitors have their pick from three campgrounds- Echo Park, Deerlodge Park and Gates of Lodore. Snowmobiling is permitted near the southern end of the monument on Harpers Corner Drive between the Plug Hat Parking Area and the Echo Park Road turnoff, if you are looking to explore the park once the roads are snow-covered. In the winter, bring along your snowshoes or cross-country skis. Or, head across the state line to Utah, where the Quarry Exhibit Hall displays the interesting dinosaur fossils from which the monument derives its name. During the day, you can head out for a hike, take a scenic drive, have a picnic or go river rafting in the early fall. With its proximity to the winding Green and Yampa Rivers, the monument is a scenic setting for stargazing around the fire at a riverside campsite. Spanning two states and 329 square miles, Dinosaur National Monument is worthy of an overnight trip-especially during the cooler months. Dogs: Leashed within 100 feet of developed areas such as roads, parking lots, campgrounds, day-use areas, river launches and on designated trails.Best For: Stargazing around a campfire at a riverside campsite.Fall/Winter Season: Open year-round but recommended September through October.Location: Dinosaur, CO, 110 miles north of Grand Junction.Here are 10 recommended locations to get you started planning your next camping trip. With a little creative planning and the appropriate gear, fall and winter camping in Colorado is just as enjoyable as camping in the summer. Most campgrounds offer reduced amenities during the fall and into the winter, but this doesn’t mean you have to rough it. If you are planning to book a hut or yurt, be aware that you will need to make reservations well in advance, though many campsites will transition to filling on a first come, first served basis in the off season. Planning ahead for the weather regardless of season or where you are headed is key, so be sure to check the weather, roads and avalanche conditions prior to setting out. And for those looking for lower elevations and a drier climate, the Western Slope offers cool-but-not-cold weather and ideal trail conditions, making it an excellent place to spend a night or weekend out. As winter sets in and snow covers the peaks, some of the state’s most popular locations offer winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling and sledding. During the fall, you will enjoy beautiful days and crisp, clear evenings, and the cooler temperatures tend to thin out the summer crowds. The changing aspens, cool nights, potential for fresh snowfall and abundant outdoor daytime activities ranging from hiking and mountain biking to skiing and snowshoeing, make this a great time of year to get out and explore. Crisp days and cool nights provide prime conditions for camping, hiking, mountain biking and even skiing-all without the peak-season crowds.Ĭamping in the fall and winter in Colorado offers a unique experience.
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