Colorado near Estes...what now?

[David_and_Deb]

We will be meeting friends for a week in Estes Park beginning Sept 23. Got a chance to head out a few days early so almost to the Colorado line and wanting input on where you'd go near Estes if you had an extra 5 days. We would love a quiet campground on a lake to chill and use as a base for day trips to sightsee, hike, and explore. Any of your favorite RV parks fit that?

[LowRyter]

So far as close to Rocky Mountain National Park, I prefer the southside near Grand Lake.

[David_and_Deb]

Golden Gate Canyon State Park, our first night on the road. We stayed in E loop but don't remember the campsite. All pull through and about the same view. Gorgeous!

[David_and_Deb]

Prospect RV Park in Wheat Ridge near Golden. This is an urban parking lot type park and we were in #57, however #1-10 had a peek a boo view of Prospect Lake shown here, just steps from the RV Park. Nice trail and hiking further into the city park.

[David_and_Deb]

The Boyd Lake peek a boo view outside our window at site #126.

[David_and_Deb]

Cottonwood Campground at Boyd Lake, Loveland

[David_and_Deb]

Mary's Lake Campground, Estes Park site M14.

[Busskipper]

David and Deb wrote:
Thanks to everyone who helped save this trip! Here's an update:

The next morning after the fiasco, we broke camp and drove down the mountain to Prospect RV Park in Wheat Ridge. It is an urban campground but the first 1-10 sites have a peek a boo view of a little lake in Prospect Park right next to the RV Park. It was not exactly what we were looking for but worked out perfectly as a base from which to explore Golden and surrounds. We camped there two days. I would post an iPhone pic if somebody will tell me how.

Then we moved on to Cottonwood Campground on Boyd Lake in Loveland. Loved it here!! Thanks for the recommendation! We got a lake view site and enjoyed this quiet camp very much.

Instructions for Pictures - https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15775751.cfm

I just post to tinypics and then copy and paste to the forum - before the JPG letters in the link insert width=680 so the photo does not post too large.

Best of Luck,

Sounds like you are doing well now that you are there.

Would love to see some Pic's, give it a try.

[David_and_Deb]

Currently at Mary's Lake campground in Estes. Wow!

[David_and_Deb]

Thanks to everyone who helped save this trip! Here's an update:

The next morning after the fiasco, we broke camp and drove down the mountain to Prospect RV Park in Wheat Ridge. It is an urban campground but the first 1-10 sites have a peek a boo view of a little lake in Prospect Park right next to the RV Park. It was not exactly what we were looking for but worked out perfectly as a base from which to explore Golden and surrounds. We camped there two days. I would post an iPhone pic if somebody will tell me how.

Then we moved on to Cottonwood Campground on Boyd Lake in Loveland. Loved it here!! Thanks for the recommendation! We got a lake view site and enjoyed this quiet camp very much.

[TyroneandGladys]

Not wanting to be a downer just FYI when you get back have your brakes checked out as hot as you got them there probably is some damage done,glazed shoes and drums and possibly warped discs,and you probably will want to have the brake fluid flushed because you cooked the brake fluid also.

[David_and_Deb]

Busskipper, no need to apologize...we got an awesome story out of it and got to see it in all its glory the following morning. We spent 2 weeks in Buena Vista a few years back so wanted something new this time around. We have had a great time so far! Thanks for the tips!!!

[Lauren]

Now you know why I am known to many as the "Reservation Guy". We left this summer for 68 nights out and had reserved every one. Would rather be where we want to be and spend the time enjoying why we are there - not looking around all afternoon and then MAYBE get a site. And probably one we don't like. Without reservations are plan would have us in Ouray area over Labor Day. There would not have been a site for many, many miles around - if even then.

[Busskipper]

Heisenberg wrote:
Cottonwood Lake Campground should be beautiful right now. It is 6 miles or so west on Main St (co rd 306)and then southwest 4 miles or so on county rd 343. As many aspen trees as you can imagine! No reservations but mostly empty during the week this time of year!

Good Choice - Google Earth - And those Aspen will never leave your Mind's Eye.

[Heisenberg]

Cottonwood Lake Campground should be beautiful right now. It is 6 miles or so west on Main St (co rd 306)and then southwest 4 miles or so on county rd 343. As many aspen trees as you can imagine! No reservations but mostly empty during the week this time of year!