So, the GF and I decided we are going to take a little road trip in a week in a half to Colorado. We'll be leaving (CA) fri, the 17th and we need to be back at work wed morning, the 22nd. So that gives us about 2 1/2 or 3 days to hang out in CO!

We'd like to camp as much as possible (for fun and also to save money) so just wondering if any of you could give me suggestions on some nice scenic areas to check out with good camping (preferably near water and ok for campfires). I don't know CO much at all and I know the recent fires have devastated a lot of forest, so I'm lookin' for some suggestions from the locals!

It would be cool to meet a few of you while we're out there too, but I'll be taking my stock Tacoma (for the gas mileage) so I won't be 4wheeling unfortunately. But it would still be nice to meet some of the guys I've been talking to on the forum for the last few years though!

I just recently returned from a trip to Colorado. We left and had the same mindset. If your going to be up in the Colorado Springs area I would suggest camping at Mueller State Park. It is about 25-30 mins outside of the springs. It is a mile away from Divide, CO. Out of all the campgrounds we stayed in this was by far the favorite pick of the weekend. It is untouched by the forest fires so all camping areas are open. It has beautiful scenery and many hiking trails. If you do decide to spend a night or two at Mueller be sure to make reservations. We found this out the hard way. Heres a link to the website if you want to check it out: Mueller State Park

-DirtDawg

I was going say if you were taking your 4runner and passing by Salt Lake City, Utah a couple of us are going on a run on Saturday (8/18) and would love to have you join us.

I'm up here in Coal Creek Canyon West of Denver, and we've had a good amount of rain lately. I know up in Boulder Canyon the fire danger signs indicate the second lowest level. I think the particular sign I saw was up in Gold Hill on Saturday. At the base of CCC, the sign still says high danger. There's only a few linear miles between the two canyons, but it seems either the local FDs judge things differently or there's been substantially more rain up there. The Boulder fire that was in the news was more or less equidistant between CCC and Boulder Canyon on the north side of Eldorado Canyon (also a state park there, and a really cool little town). For what it's worth, Golden Gate Canyon State Park (right up the road from me) has some nice accommodations from what I've seen, but since it's right down the road I've never actually stayed there. Estes Park is usually pretty nice and there's some good camping up that way. Sort of light on real info, but might help a little...

I would head to the SW part of the state - Telluride, Ouray, Durango, Lake City, etc. Much less people and beautiful! Find your own camp sites along any national forest access road. I wouldn't mess with organized campgrounds as they are generally reservation only & full. Locals can give you suggestions on areas to check out for camping. The Front Range (east of the continental divide) is pretty crowded & harder to find camping.

There are a lot of unpaved roads you can run in a stock truck. Talk to some locals, buy a few maps - you will have a great time.

If your starting in So cal...go through arizona...head out 4 corners area..check out monument valley and Canyon De Chelle... out on the navajo rez....i grew up there and some azmazing area to check out...then roll through to 4 corners...back country driving and way more to see...

Any idea what area's you plan to visit?

I know of a lot of great camping spots in the Summit County area, they are all dispersed camping (no facilities) but they have awesome views and are some what secluded. I also know of a couple trails in the same area that you could run in your stock Tacoma that have amazing views, one of them even ends at the Continental Divide. There's also old mines, cabins, etc. If your interested let me know, I can give you directions; or, depending on my schedule I might be able to show you around.

Cool! Thanks for the suggestions guys, keep em coming! I've been looking online at all these spots and they look awesome!

Renosauce,
I think thats more or less the idea to go through the 4 corners on the way, definitely drive through it, but possibly stay for a night too..

Dirtco,
That's exactly the kind of info I'm hoping for! I would love to do a couple minor trails/fire roads that we can just take in the scenery and not worry about breaking anything. At this point, I'm not sure which parts of CO were hit the worst by the fires and the bark beetle so really, we're totally undecided and open to whatever. It's really more about getting out of CA for a few days, wherever we end up. I'm just longing for CO! It's been too long!

I'd love to get more info on some good "car camping" areas around you. Since it's summertime, camping close to a river or lake would be ideal. And definitely, we should try to meet up too, I'd love to see that bad ass 4runner of yours!

Check out this thread from FJ Cruiser forum
Advice Needed: Colorado Adventure - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

Lots of good information on traveling Colorado

Ouray, Colorado

sweet..yeah man if you can hit the north eastern part of AZ monument valley has some legit scenery/ indian stuff..as well as canyon de chelle.

I grew up on the rez, so its my back yard...but i miss the wide open being in cali now.

You have to go to the FJ Summit next year

You will be fine. The trails around here are old mining roads, there's some water bars, and some rocks, but nothing you can't get past in a stock Tacoma. Some of the trails get steep and loose, but I'll let you know what trails to run and avoid. None of the wildfires hit this area (knock on wood!), there is a lot of beetle kill but once you work your way up in elevation it goes away, the area's I'm thinking about have minimal kill. Don't worry about the heat, the sun is intense at this elevation, but highs will only be mid 70's during the day. But... it will get cold at night, figure high 30's if the weather is nice, and there is a good chance it could drop below freezing if the weather is crappy.

For trip planning / weather purposes use "Breckenridge, or Keystone Colorado". If your serious about coming through here I can give you better detailed directions, and trail descriptions. I would love to hang out and show you around if our schedules match up!

I vote southern colorado (Lake City) or up near summit county with DirtCo. I dunno about fire bans anywhere else but I hear the fire ban in Larimer county (Fort Collins/ Northwest CO) was just lifted and there are nice places around there too!

Sweet! I think Micah(FoneRunner) will also be in CO those days as well! I'm not 100% sure if i can camp that weekend but we should all at least meet up for food or something. I'll PM you my cell #.

See you soon!