Trailer Camping

[tmleadr03]

I am planning on renting a camping trailer from the base this next weekend and was looking for a recommendation for a place to take it with my daughter. One kid (age 5) and myself. It is a self contained and I should be able to last two nights off the propane and propane accessories. But hook ups wouldn't be horrible either.

Any good locations? She likes hiking (though easy trails, we ain't humping no rucks yet) and water to play in would be a hit as well, though I expect that to be pretty packed and would rather slightly less crowding.

[jerrymrc]

http://www.castlemountainrec.com/ A thought. I have camped in the area but never at the lake. When we used to camp at Buffalo Creek GC I would go through a 30 lb tank in 6-7 days with the fridge and cooking.

[sniper7]

The camp sites at carter lake were nice. Water and camping right near by. Cheap enough and easy to hook up power and water.
Also granby was nice when we went up this year. Water nearby and a short drive to some great hiking.

[killianak9]

Jellystone at larkspur is really nice. They have a flag raising ceremony with Yogi every morning and say the pledge, all you can eat pancake breakfast, swimming pool and petting farm. Pretty sure there are hiking trails for the kids also. Must spots are shaded with activities for to do with your kid. It's pretty nice park and our family had a great time. Have fun

[theGinsue]

A co-worker (and absent member of this site) rented a camper from MWR @ Schriever a couple of weeks ago and went to the FamCamp at the Academy (http://www.militarycampgrounds.us/milcamps/27-colorado/69-peregrine-pines-famcamp). While there isn't any water that I'm aware of, there's plenty of EASY hiking around to do. It was really easy and convenient for his 5 yo. Also, if they have anything available, there is always Farish (http://www.usafasupport.com/the-great-outdoors/farish) which does have water. Being just behind (roughly) Woodland Park, it's still an easy place to get into/out of for a quick weekend camp.

ETA: Just looked at Castle Mtn's website. Place looks great but the killer for me is "no firearms" (which also applies to the USAFA FamCamp, if not also Farish). This is why I prefer to just find a spot in the woods vs formal campgrounds.

[ruthabagah]

+1 for jellystone.
It depends how far you want to go. One of my and the kids favorite is the KOA in Buena Vista (http://koa.com/campgrounds/buena-vista/). Nice campground, nice people, and you can go to the Mount Princeton hot springs / pool (http://www.mtprinceton.com/slide). On your way there, do a side trip to the Agnes Vaille falls (http://www.coloradoguy.com/waterfall-sawatch-mountains.htm). Nice short hiking trail with a rewarding waterfall at the end.

[JMBD2112]

Geneva Creek (duck creek) at Guenella pass

[kawiracer14]

Don't know how far you want to drive but Blue Mesa Res near Gunnison is nice and plenty of hiking to be found around there.

[th3w01f]

PM sent

[Dave]

I went down to Pueblo State Park a few years ago and it wasn't bad. They have a lake to swim, boat or fish in. Also some areas are designated for small game hunting that I saw some coyotes and rabbits in. The last time we went it was late September though, so it was around 80 in the day but about 45 at night and my wife almost froze to death since we were in a tent.

[Sawin]

Molly Brown campground near the res in Leadville is scenic. If you don't want to go that far, there are a few along peak to peak hwy, north of Nederland that are closer and also very pretty. Brainard lake if I recall correctly, could accommodate a large camper/trailer, easily.

[sandman76]

Chatfield can be fun for a weekend. Pretty nice campground, water and some cool things to see there. Wildlife and whatnot. Radio controlled airfield is good for an hour or so of spectatorship. Close to home.

[tmleadr03]

The rig I went with:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/tmleadr03/20130823_172228_zps8ed471a8.jpg

3.0 X5 which is slow to begin with but has a tow capacity of 6000 lbs. *cough* Bullshit *cough* It did alright with the trailer, which loaded was about 4000 lbs. But going up 285 was 3rd gear pull and just under 50 mph. I would not try 6000 lbs in the mountains.

Ended up here:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/tmleadr03/20130824_074041_zps108cda88.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/tmleadr03/media/20130824_074041_zps108cda88.jpg.html)

Found what looks to be the Colorado version of the Loch Nes...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/tmleadr03/20130824_155225_zps2a19b851.jpg

And a pretty nifty water fall.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/tmleadr03/20130824_141327_zps237abb64.jpg

[Irving]

Where is "here?"

[tmleadr03]

Where is "here?"

Wellington Lake. Nice. I would probably go again. Though I would rather explore and find someplace else next time. It was packed. I got the LAST spot available Friday night. And I pulled in at 845 and they closed the gates at 9 so it was by the hair of my chin I made it. There was a tri-athalon Saturday morning.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Looks like a really great spot!

[tmleadr03]

Looks like a really great spot!

Even packed like it was there was plenty of room. They also have "family" spots so you can get a group together and camp.

[jerrymrc]

There is a back road/trail that runs from the lake to the Buffalo Creek gun club. Just saying. Also understand that the range is only 44ac and many of the old army ruins and ranges are outside of the range.

[sniper7]

Nothing beats being outdoors!

[tmleadr03]

Nothing beats being outdoors!

Unless it is being in the outdoors swimming, having a storm come in and soak you to the skin with ice cold water and having a hot shower after... Cuz that happened this weekend.

I have sooooo lost my edge. Tent? Screw that. Camper all the way. Hot food over a stove, a bed to sleep in. When it rains I just listen to it hit the roof. Good lord what a wimp I am. Gone are the days of a small tent and sleeping bag for me.

[jerrymrc]

Unless it is being in the outdoors swimming, having a storm come in and soak you to the skin with ice cold water and having a hot shower after... Cuz that happened this weekend.

I have sooooo lost my edge. Tent? Screw that. Camper all the way. Hot food over a stove, a bed to sleep in. When it rains I just listen to it hit the roof. Good lord what a wimp I am. Gone are the days of a small tent and sleeping bag for me.

The wife and I have tent camped twice in the last 15 years. We like the trailer.[Flower]

[tmleadr03]

The wife and I have tent camped twice in the last 15 years. We like the trailer.[Flower]

Not that I have any money for it, or will for a while in point of fact but I was drooling over the Lance 2185. Bunk beds in the back and a queen in the front. Nice. Kids get the bunk beds, wife and I get the bed, slide out to make it a bit more roomy.

[Bailey Guns]

I was having the front window resealed in my 93 Lance camper a few weeks ago and got a chance to look at some of the Lance trailers. All you have to do is step inside and look...the quality in everything they put in their campers is evident. Wish I had the coin for one.

[tmleadr03]

I was having the front window resealed in my 93 Lance camper a few weeks ago and got a chance to look at some of the Lance trailers. All you have to do is step inside and look...the quality in everything they put in their campers is evident. Wish I had the coin for one.

Nope, not going to go look. Can't even afford to look inside. This weekend trip strapped my wallet hard. Good lord are they pretty though.

[tmleadr03]

Found this in my price range!
http://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/4025105010.html

http://images.craigslist.org/01616_jhpdyTkbAuC_600x450.jpg

ETA: Damn, not for sale...

[jerrymrc]

Not that I have any money for it, or will for a while in point of fact but I was drooling over the Lance 2185. Bunk beds in the back and a queen in the front. Nice. Kids get the bunk beds, wife and I get the bed, slide out to make it a bit more roomy.

Ours has the queen in front and is 24' Does not have a slide but it is a quality trailer. The only thing that would replace it would be a Nash/Arctic fox 26X. National tried their hand at trailers for a couple of years and lost $$$. One like ours. http://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/4008696146.html

[tmleadr03]

Ours has the queen in front and is 24' Does not have a slide but it is a quality trailer. The only thing that would replace it would be a Nash/Arctic fox 26X. National tried their hand at trailers for a couple of years and lost $$$. One like ours. http://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/4008696146.html

I like arctic fox because from my reading they really are the only once who make trailers you could use year round in CO.

[jerrymrc]

I like arctic fox because from my reading they really are the only once who make trailers you could use year round in CO.

You are correct. Ours has R10/R13 but no heated tanks. For a 24' it has a large fridge and carries 50 gal of fresh water. We almost always dry camped (no hookups) and with a little solar power have gone 7 days.

Power and how to manage it is the big thing dry camping with a trailer without a generator and I hate the noise.[Flower]

[tmleadr03]

You are correct. Ours has R10/R13 but no heated tanks. For a 24' it has a large fridge and carries 50 gal of fresh water. We almost always dry camped (no hookups) and with a little solar power have gone 7 days.

Power and how to manage it is the big thing dry camping with a trailer without a generator and I hate the noise.[Flower]

How about water? We ran out saturday night and supposedly it had 28 gal with the heater full. Though I know the heater wasnt full, so about 25 gal. I though I had been good about water usage but I guess not.

[JMBD2112]

PM sent

[jerrymrc]

How about water? We ran out saturday night and supposedly it had 28 gal with the heater full. Though I know the heater wasnt full, so about 25 gal. I though I had been good about water usage but I guess not.
I think the most we used in 7 days was about 35 gal. I always had the 1/4 tank light lit when we left and the drain ran from where you were at to Deckers. (always dumped the fresh water on the way home)

If you treat it like your faucet at home then you can go through it quick. The grandchildren were the same way but they learned. One thing you mentioned, Showers. Just like in the sandbox where I was at least... get wet, soap, rinse because the bag you brought to throw on top of the shower with 2 gal of water was what ya had. Just thoughts for the next time.[Flower]

[sniper7]

We just bought a keystone fireside and love it. I wish it had heated tanks, but I'll just carry water in 5 gallon jugs and use it outside for hunting. Also got a nice generator by smarter tools from Costco and it runs everything except the a/c which is rare to get used where we camp anyways. I like the idea of a queen bed but it still sleeps 7 so good enough for us and small enough to get up into my hunting spot.

[RonMexico]

Get one of these;http://earthroamer.com/

I was @ 12000 feet when one of these came rolling by. I wanted to save up for one until I noticed their prices online. Maybe it will be in my 20 year plan.

[hurley842002]

Get one of these;http://earthroamer.com/

I was @ 12000 feet when one of these came rolling by. I wanted to save up for one until I noticed their prices online. Maybe it will be in my 20 year plan.

One of these is on my 20 year plan. We drive by Earth roamer quite frequently on our travels, been meaning to stop by, but they'd probably want to see a pay stub or something.

[rockhound]

Matterhorn campground in Ophir, just above telluride

[Bailey Guns]

Get one of these;http://earthroamer.com/

I was @ 12000 feet when one of these came rolling by. I wanted to save up for one until I noticed their prices online. Maybe it will be in my 20 year plan.

$365,000 for a used model! That may be just out of reach for me...unless I win the lottery.

[hurley842002]

$365,000 for a used model! That may be just out of reach for me...unless I win the lottery.

It will definitely depend on if the wife continues on with her physicians assistant goal, otherwise my lowly government paycheck will not subsidize one of those beasts.