It’s also close to Delaney Butte Lakes, Big Creek Lake, Cowdrey Lake and the many alpine lakes of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. Located five miles southwest of downtown Aspen up Maroon Creek Road, the Maroon Bells are one of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes as a twin set of 14’ers that mirror off Maroon Lake. 2021 Camp Dates These two statewide travel planning websites will jumpstart your dream trip travel planning! Considering the park is located at 9,230 feet and is open all year, that’s a very good addition! Head to Lost Creek early or late season for the pine-tastic camping weekend. We jump in ice cold lakes and swim around because it’s unbelievably beautiful. Cook food away from your tent, and store your dishes, cooking utensils and any clothing that might have had food splattered on it away from your tent in a hard-sided container. The website lists hundreds of campgrounds, including the ones already mentioned as well as more high altitude gems such as these, which are listed here in regional order. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis or lottery system during peak months, and can be obtained up to six months in advance through the backcountry office of the national park you are planning to camp in. You don't want to go hiking in Colorado without preparing for the high altitude. “There are some guests who just sit outside their camping unit and glance at the mountains as they read a book,” he said. 1. The region, known as Chicago Basin, is hiked by adventurers who wish to summit the three surrounding fourteeners: Mount … The Colorado Campground and Lodging Owners Association (CCLOA) hosts CampColorado.com, which shows nearly all of Colorado’s camping facilities. High altitude camping is generally defined by setting up camp at elevations between 1500 and 3500 meters, with camping at higher elevations being considered very high camping and extremely high camping. Ouray RV Park & Cabins (Ouray): This 8,000-foot elevation campground is family owned and operated by Jason and Amber Perkins. I’m going around the campground saying, ‘This is crazy! The Centennial state also has some of the highest campgrounds in the country. … Cripple Creek KOA (Cripple Creek): Claimant of the highest KOA in the world! Keep your food in wildlife-resistant containers available at a sporting goods store. When camping in Colorado, be prepared for the dry air, intense sunlight, and cold at this elevation. When hiking in steep terrain, be careful not to dislodge debris that will rain down on hikers below. 5. A permit fee is required during the high-use times of May through September. I also used it as excuse to drop way too much $$ at REI on some new gear: a Big Agnus Q-Core SL sleeping pad , a Big Agnus Lithia Springs sleeping bag, and a whole assortment of freeze dried Mountain … 4 Days of Hiking, Camping & Backpacking on Colorado’s Continental Divide Trail in the Rocky Mountain National Forest. You will need a backcountry permit to camp here. Even the wildlife and wildflowers differ at high elevations. This RV park is so close to downtown that you can walk or take your OHV to the attractions and restaurants. I met people from Japan, Germany, Brazil, England. It is also the gateway to the Ice Lakes and the Ice Lakes Basin Trail , a seven-mile picturesque hike through two basins in the San Juan National Forest. I want to come back here!’ ”. Rocky Mountain National Parks offers a variety of camping opportunities for adventure-seeking souls. You wake up in the morning and you’re staring at Mount Massive. Travelers seeking a high altitude escape in Colorado can find the campgrounds of their dreams at CampColorado.com. Local elite athletes are on hand for special guest speaking appearances. Lake John Resort (Walden): Located at 8,200 feet above sea level this family owned campground is on the banks of Lake John. Pull yourself out of a rut with these high altitude camping destinations in California. It's quite high, nestled at an elevation of 10,100 feet. Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon (Black Hawk): This campground recently renovated its facilities and went so far as to equip the restrooms with heated floors. High-altitude forests are havens for deer, elk, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain lions, coyotes and skunks. Muddy Creek Cabins (Kremmling): This park is at 7,313 feet elevation. “You can’t do anything here that isn’t pretty. Some areas do not allow digging catholes for human waste to prevent damage to plants. Operation high altitude camping adventure resurrected! Highlander RV Campground (Lake City): This 9,000-foot elevation campground is just north of Lake San Cristobal, It’s built on mining claims that date back to the early 1900s. We hike all over the place. Many of the mature spruce trees within the campground have been killed by the Spruce Bark Beetle and were all removed during the spring of 2015. The Ranch, designed by ultra-marathoner Marco Zuniga, reflects a deep love of the mountains & a sensibility for the importance of true rest and recovery iN PURSUIT OF PEAK PERFORMANCE. “The vibe could not be duplicated. The association hosts CampColorado.com, the statewide travel planning website. At the summit of an iconic hike in southwest Colorado, Twin Lakes stands out as one of the most beautiful high altitude lakes in the entire state. A great spot for rejuvenation. Guests often enjoy hiking, fishing, mountain biking, ATVing and photography. Those honors go to the Jellystone Park of Estes at 7,800 feet and to the Cripple Creek KOA at 10,000 feet! With a variety of camping options, this campground is two blocks from downtown Ouray. Freezing rain, hail and snow can sometimes blow in on a summer afternoon, so pack some lightweight rain gear in your daypack if you leave camp for a hike. Don Seppi is a second-generation owner of Sugar Loafin’ Campground. Winding River Resort (Grand Lake): At 8,800 feet, this resort offers furnished Conestoga wagons, cedar sided and log cabin rentals, as well as regular campsites. High altitude is anything that’s higher than 3,000 feet above sea level. Surrounded by Aspens at nearly 11,000' and elevated over the county road, this property gives way to the awesome views of the Mosquito Gulch valley that are at the mouth of the highest drivable (4x4 only) mountain pass in the country (Mosquito Pass), ending in historic Leadville. Cutty’s Hayden Creek Resort (Coaldale): This 7,800-foot elevation campground sits on 157 acres in San Isabel National Forest. It’s also near the Grizzley Helena Trail. DENVER & THE CITIES OF THE ROCKIES REGION. It is normal for families to pitch their tents in campgrounds above 8-, 9-, or even 10,000 feet above sea level. It acts as a base camp for all types of high-altitude activities. You can go walking through pine and spruce forests, over and around streams, and if you hike above timberline you’ll see tundra flowers. When I would bring friends here from college, they would just stand in the driveway and take photos.”. Altitude sickness is sometimes experienced by campers coming from lower altitudes. Starting at the top, Horseshoe Meadows is at a soaring 10,560 feet. Horseshoe Meadows Campground. Depending on where you plan to hike and camp, you might be required to obtain a backcountry permit. What is considered high altitude? Colorado Running Ranch is a premiere high altitude distance running CENTER BASED IN Durango, CO. Indulging her passion for vacation vagary through the written word on a full-time basis since 2010, travel funster Jodi Thornton-O'Connell guides readers to the unexpected, quirky, and awe-inspiring. More than 50 fourteeners, as mountain peaks over 14,000 feet are called, beckon hikers to see the view from the top of the world. They offer cabins with quality linens, a convenient kitchen, and warmth from a gas fireplace, which provides a peaceful atmosphere. Established in 1996 to provide the HIGHEST quality gifts, smoking accessories, and fun toys for adults. This often means difficult access and late season snow. "High Altitude" seems to mean different things to different people. Jellystone Park of Estes (Estes Park): Claimant of the highest Jellystone Park in the world! He had come with his wife and year-and-a-half-old daughter to ride in the annual Leadville Trail 100-mile mountain bike race for his 40th birthday, not knowing it was one of the most popular mountain bike races in the world. The park is just three miles from Lake San Isabel, a 40-acre stocked lake tucked in the mountains. This high altitude campground (9,600 feet) is a single loop tucked into a grove of spruce trees adjoining an open grassy meadow. High-Altitude Tent Camping in Colorado. This 10,560-foot-high campsite is just 0.2 miles beyond the junction of Andrews Creek Trail and Loch Vale Trail. Dave Epperson/Photographer's Choice/ Getty Images The air is thinner the higher you go, which means that there is less breathable oxygen -- as much as 30 percent less at 10,000 feet versus sea level. It’s near the historic mining town of Leadville. 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