Fun campgrounds with full hookups?

[Tim K]

We're new to camping and have just purchased a travel trailer. I'm on the hunt for some great campgrounds to try this summer. To start, we'll want full hookups until we figure out all our systems. We have little kids (5 and 10), so while great views are important, a place with stuff for them to do is probably more important.

Nothing in Colorado is too far, but the closer to Colorado Springs area the better.

[BushMasterBoy]

Lake Pueblo. Bring your own firewood. Not sure about navigating the reservation site. I never actually stayed there since, I live so close. I have visited others that have stayed there. Lots of activities, has its own beach, see eagles, fishing etc.

http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/LakePueblo

[Tim K]

Funny you mention lake pueblo. We rented a camper last summer to see if it was something we'd enjoy. We took it to Lake Pueblo. The beach was nice.

[crays]

Not Colorado, but...

Whittington Center

Sent from somewhere

[clodhopper]

Lake Ogallala. Adjacent to Lake McConaughy, less wind and bad weather. Mellow and calm for the kiddos, 2 minute ride up to the top of the dam for big water activities. Seems far, but worth it.
http://outdoornebraska.gov/lakeogallala/

[crays]

Mueller State Park. Close to you, and have heard good reviews from extended family.

Not sure what all stuff for the kiddos, though.

Sent from somewhere

[Martinjmpr]

By "full hookups" do you mean sewer as well? Reason I ask is because most modern RVs have holding tanks that are perfectly adequate for a weekend, and most of the campgrounds that have full sewer hookups are commercial "rv" parks - expensive and IMO not much fun (more like a big parking lot for giant RVs than a fun place to camp.)

Wife and I have been camping for about 6 years now and have gone from a small teardrop, to a bigger T@B and now we have an R-Pod, 20' with full amenities (water, bathroom, AC, etc.)

If "full hookups" for you means "electrical power and water" then there are lots of options.

We REALLY like state parks because they almost always have electrical and usually water, and they have nice facilities like showers and sheltered picnic tables.

Now, having said that, I can tell you that campgrounds are usually reservable 6 months out and if you try to reserve at 5 months and 20 days you will most likely be out of luck. Campsites fill up fast for weekends, for holiday weekends even more so. There are some great parks near you (including Cheyenne Mountain SP which is brand new) but I would guess that they are fully booked up every weekend through September.

However if you are willing to travel further away from the metro area you can often find campgrounds. National Forest campgrounds with hookups are not nearly as common but they are out there - check out Elk Creek Campground West of Gunnison. It has water and electric (which as I said, is pretty much all you need for a weekend.)

As far as state parks, I'd check out Ridgeway, Stagecoach, Rifle Falls and Rifle Gap.

Also, don't rule out neighboring states. New Mexico has great state parks and they are dirt cheap (an electrical and water site will run about $14/night and that includes park admission!) Check out Heron Lake SP near Chama, we stayed there last year over the 4th of July and it was fantastic.

[Martinjmpr]

Best way to search for campgrounds: For Federal sites (National Parks and Monuments, National Forest, BLM, Corps of Engineers, etc) use http://www.recreation.gov. You can set search parameters to only search for sites with electrical and water, pet friendly, etc. You can reserve your campsite on that web page.

For state, you can try the various state park web pages but also https://www.reserveamerica.com has many state parks on it. Be warned, CO implemented a new "integrated" registration process so you will have to set up your "account" through the state before making state park reservations. If you already have a hunting or fishing license you should already be in the system.

[O2HeN2]

Do a test run at Cheyenne Mountain Park? That's real local. Great view and nice hiking as long as it's not muddy (which it will be for the next couple of weeks after this snow).

Muller would also be an option.

O2

[Martinjmpr]

At this point, though, you'd have to either try for one of the first come/first serve sites or go during the week.

[Tim K]

That confirms what I'm seeing, Cheyanne is booked solid already on the weekends. Being self employed, we can go during the week once the kids are out of school, but until then we are tied to weekends just like every other schlub out there.

Is it safe to assume the commercial campgrounds will have more availability? I'm not against KOA or whatever in principal.

We intend to try Mueller once it warms up. I'm specifically on the hunt for a place to go the last weekend in April. I'm thinking lower elevation for some warmer temps.

[colorider]

I'm more of the type that loves to avoid the full hookup places. Way too many people, close to each other, rules, etc. to me, the only advantage of using a hookup style place is that you don't have to empty the tanks. I'd head up to Texas Creek and boondock it Weather is nice, kids can ride bikes, fish, pan for gold, hike, toss rocks etc. fill water tank, turn on water pump and you are some. Be cautious on how much battery you use unless you have a generator. If you have a generator I think a hookup space is a total waste. He only more work with boondocking is filling the water tank and dumping after.

[TFOGGER]

Gateway RV park in Carbondale. Walkup access to the bike path along the Roaring Fork river, 15 minutes from all the fun stuff in Glenwood Springs, full hookups (electric, water, and sewer).

http://www.gateway-rv-park.com/

[killianak9]

Congrats on the New camper Tim. We really enjoy our camper and look for the places to camp that have stuff for kiddos too
Check out GrapeCreekCamp grounds in Westcliffe https://grapecreekrv.net/
I believe all spots are full, sewer included,hook ups!
We spent last yearJuly 4th week here for the town parade and fire works at Lake Dewese. My kids , age 6&4, have a blast.
Not far from great Atv trails,hiking and fishing. Full hook up spots are nice and the views of the Sangre de Cristo are awesome.
The town of Westcliffe has everything you would need if you run out.

We have stayed at Jelly Stone in Estes Park and Larkspur before. Both are great but prefer Larkspur. Really geared towards the kids! With the flag raising ceremony every morning and pancake breakfast on the weekends, the kids really enjoy it. Spots at Larkspur have plenty of room. Water and electricity in most spots on the camp ground with a dump station on the way out.
Estes Park has less room to roam and spots are tight. My 35ft 5th wheel barely fit in their “40 foot” back in spot.
Enjoy and safe travels [emoji1303]



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[GilpinGuy]

Chalk Creek campground is very nice. Just outside of Buena Vista. Lots of fishing around and hot springs. There's one with a water slide and stuff for the kids. He campground has a decent playground and a huge grass field for frisbee, tossing the football, etc. We've only tented it though. But this has to be the cleanest campground I've stayed at.

[Bailey Guns]

Chalk Creek campground is very nice. Just outside of Buena Vista.

That is a nice place. My son and I stayed there for a few days way back in 02...just a "get away for a few days" kinda thing. Wound up going into town for pizza one night and the place was closed...so I bought a new Camaro SS instead. It was one of the last ones made. Kid thought I was crazy until he realized who would be driving it home.

Yeah...nice place!

[opie011]

We've been to a lot of the state parks camping and love to boondock as well, Jefferson is great during the week, but every year we make sure we get at least one trip to Rifle Gap in May and Mueller in September! Good fishing at Rifle Gap plus if you get bored there's a public shooting range down the road. Mueller is probably our favorite spot and go for my wife's birthday every year and the hiking is awesome especially when all the aspens are turning!
https://i.imgur.com/QCcueDT.jpg

[OtterbatHellcat]

That....is funny.