Late Friday Night Camping

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Rollie Free
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Joined: 6/8/2012
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Late Friday Night Camping

Post by Rollie Free »

Hope I can get some good advice.

I will be coming in tomorrow night to Denver around 9pm. Ideally I wanted to camp (have 4 women in tow) somewhere that can be easily accessed from the interstate west of Denver. I've seen traffic on Friday afternoons and know what that's about. What is it like in the later hours? As for camping I had tried to reserve something over a month ago but it was pointless. Is there anything convenient that is not too far from the interstate between Denver and Dillon (give or take a few miles)? National Forest camping would be great I am just not sure about availability at that point. I want to avoid a fruitless search. I could always camp somewhere in Eastern Colorado );
"Quicker than I can tell it, my hands failed to hold, my feet slipped, and down I went with almost an arrow’s rapidity. An eternity of thought, of life, of death, wife, and home concentrated on my mind in those two seconds. Fortunately for me, I threw my right arm around a projecting boulder which stood above the icy plain some two or three feet." Rev. Elijah Lamb
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HikerGuy
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Re: Late Friday Night Camping

Post by HikerGuy »

Not sure what kind of vehicle you'll be driving, but maybe you could drive up Stevens Gulch Rd (Grays Peak) to the turnoff for Grizzly Gulch. From the satellite map it looks like there is some parking there and maybe a spot in the trees for a tent. Also another spot on the right a short ways up Grizzly Gulch Rd. Be mindful of private property in the area.

Disclaimer: I've never driven up Grizzly Gulch Rd., only Stevens Gulch Rd., and have not camped there. Just an idea, maybe someone else can chime in on the feasibility of this option.

Another option is Kenosha Pass on US285. Not sure if that route would work for your plans, but the campground on the EAST side of the pass usually has empty spaces even during busier times. There is also some dispersed camping in some meadows further down the dirt road past the campground.

Stevens Gulch Rd. (Grays Peak)
stevens_gulch.png
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wyyld
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Re: Late Friday Night Camping

Post by wyyld »

Colorado is filled with random dispersed campgrounds. Especially near trailheads, national forest land. ETC. As long as you have the gear to be comfortable and you have a spot to throw a tent down you should be good to go. I’d research a particular area off the interstate that you feel comfortable with. If it’s on public forest land more than likely you will run across a campsite. One thing to note is that Friday and Saturday everyone is out camping! (You can still find a spot)
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." - John Muir