Moved from 5th wheels to RV Parks, Nat'l Parks, State CGs and more...
Frank
2011 Palomino Maverick 1000SLLB on a 2004 Dodge Quadcab CTD Ram3500 SRW long bed equipped with Timbren springs, Stable Load bump stops, Rickson 19.5" wheels/"G" range tires and a Helwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar.
Been going to Colorado all my life. I always went into the Colorado Springs area, and loved i and still do. However; some friends encouraged the South Fork colorado area. We found a park called Fun Valley. Best family CG I've ever seen. They have security a the gate. Inside the have rides on the Rio Grande, min. golf, snack shack, huge game room, paddle boats, not to mention all the relation ships that are made among the kids and adults as well. They also have a number of fishing ponds, plus you can leave the park and there are a lot of lakes in the area. Course can also do 4 wheelers, and jeep tours. I'm no longer a kid and just love the place. At 66 this is the best me and the wife have found. Not that I still don't like other areas of Co. I love them, but for now this is where we will spend our summers.
Love the kids an enjoy watching them.
kenneth wooster- retired farmer. Biblical History Teacher in public HS, and substitute teacher.
wife Diana-adult probation officer, now retired.
31KSLS Full Body paint Cameo
Ford F250 2011 model, 4X4, King Ranch.
18K SuperGlide Hitch
wildwood32 wrote: Need some help as looking for a great family campground in Colorado.We made a trip out to the Black Hills last summer and now want to hit a little more south.Have 3 kids,9-13 so looking for a kid friendly campground.Help with an area and campground.Want the perfect views of course with lots for the kids to do.Don't want the Koa's,want to get away some.Any help would be great.
For kids, the Salida/Buena Vista/Leadville area is tops in the state IMHO. There are so many activities there, both free and pay. We take our nieces there a couple of times a year, and they love it, even though they already live in the mountains. The river rafting is some of the best in the state (for all ability levels), there are many ghost towns to explore, a variety of lakes and rivers to fish, both road and mountain biking (rentals available), jeeping for all levels, and several nice hot springs pools for the kids to swim and the adults to relax (check out the stream-side pools at Mount Princeton Hot Springs). For more info on Chaffee County, look here. Don't miss the St. Elmo ghost town (easy graded gravel road). In Leadville, there is a paved bike trail all the way around the town with many stops with information signs showing historical points of interest. On a rainy day, the Mining Museum there is a great place to spend a few hours. Downtown Salida has really improved in the last 5-10 years. Some really interest shops and off the wall art galleries, along with a variety of restaurants from burgers to upscale. What kid wouldn't want to visit an art gallery that looks like this?
In terms of places to stay, O'Haver Lake is a NFS CG near Salida with no hookups, but right on the lake. The kids can go fish or skip rocks anytime they want. And views of the mountains reflecting in the water is a nice benefit. Cottonwood Lake CG is another NFS CG a little further from its namesake lake, but refurbished in the last few years. There are several nice CG's around Turquoise Lake up by Leadville, but can be some snow until mid June. On the road up to St. Elmo along Chalk Creek, there are more great NFS CG's (esp. Chalk Lake CG), although Iron City CG, up by St. Elmo, wouldn't be high on my list for an RV.
Yes, Rocky Mountain National Park may be somewhat more scenic(?) and the San Juans definitely are, but for a kid-friendly place to go, Chaffee County is where locals go to play.
I agree with KennethWooster re Fun Valley near South Fork. For children, this would be paradise as it has everything possible to keep them entertained and having fun, without leaving the property. For the same reasons, it is not the type of place you would want to go to without children. Check it out on Rv Park Reviews. Have fun and enjoy our beautiful state, wherever you end up.
I would recommend Fun Valley also. We have been going there since 1976 and you cant beat it for family fun. Our kids did not want to go anywhere else in the summer and now the grandkids love it also. Try it you will like it.
Fun Valley is an incredibly densely packed CG. Whatever activities they offer, you'd better be really good friends with your neighbors, as the CG looks like a parking lot. RV's are packed so closely. Take a look at the pictures on their website and you'll see what I mean. Not sure if that fits your "Don't want the Koa's, want to get away some."
You have gotten some good and some, in my opinion, marginal advice here IMHO. Lived in Estes Park '95 - 03 and love Rocky Mtn NP. That being said, one has to realize that it is kinda up there all by itself and the private RV parks there have really deteriorated. The campgrounds in the park are great but no hookups - not sure if you want those or not. There is a tremendous amount to do in the Park - and if you need your tourist fix the town is great for that so you can pass on the Royal Gouge as we used to call it. Jellystone is about 6 or more miles out of Estes and not all that good; and you have to drive THRU Estes (lots of traffic) to enter RMNP. If you just want to go to an isolated RV park and play games or something, it might be ok; not sure that is why one goes to CO!
We have been back several times to CO since moving from there and really like the Buena Vista area and keep going back there. Lots to do for the family - all kinds of things from drives to rafting to fishing to you name it. St. Elmo is really neat.
And I recommend the KOA as they have a great place for the kids - even horseback rides right there.
If you decide on CO Springs, stay at Cheyenne Mtn SP - rv park about 2 years old and very nice.
CO is big and so many beautiful places - hope you enjoy the beauty and don't spend too much time getting caught up in tourist traps.
Be safe. Enjoy.
DW of 50 great years, Barbara
2nd Best Friend-"Aussie" Terrier, Sadie
2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3
2006.5 Chev 3500 3LT XCab 4x4 Dmax Allie
4runnerguy wrote: Fun Valley is an incredibly densely packed CG. Whatever activities they offer, you'd better be really good friends with your neighbors, as the CG looks like a parking lot. RV's are packed so closely. Take a look at the pictures on their website and you'll see what I mean. Not sure if that fits your "Don't want the Koa's, want to get away some."
lol...you are right! It DOES look like a parking lot for RVs...not my cup of tea, but some probably love it!
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