Camping at NAFO?

[Sully1300]

Hello local Coloradians,

I very much looking forward to touring through the Rockies with my fellow Feejers. I don't mind camping at all, in fact enjoy it, and with a 160 room block at the Golden Marriott that is quickly filling up I don't mind letting another rider have my hotel room.

I am from Indiana and the EOM family with no local knowledge of the Golden area. I have been out to Colorado a few times in the past but never in this area. I want to be close to the Golden Marriott but the only places I have found online have been the Dory Hill Camp 25 miles away at Hwy119 and Golden Gate Canyon Rd (Hwy46) and a few other RV parks. Is there anything else nearby that I am unaware of? I did see a few parks in the surrounding area - how are the local ranger's attitudes toward camping in these parks or elsewhere?

Any help would be great. I have a couple other friends that will be making the ride out there with me who will also be camping. I look forward to meeting all you WFO's and others for a great weekend of riding and cuttin' up.

 

[madmike2]

I used Google and found this: campgrounds Golden CO

If you have AAA auto insurance, they'd have camping guides for the area.

I also sent you a PM.

 

[Ari Rankum]

I like camping, too. I'm going to be building a rockin' blanket fort in my hotel room.

 

[Old Michael]

I like camping, too. I'm going to be building a rockin' blanket fort in my hotel room.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[shokdimn]

I like the idea of some camping too. Could be that several riders might decide to camp. I’d like to take a week or so and tour the state on my bike. I’m kinda wondering if there are others planning to camp/motel and tour for a while before or after the meet.

Anyway, here’s a CDNR link:

https://parks.state.co.us/parksquickfind

I’m also kinda wondering if anyone is planning to. …whispering now…”trailer” their FJR and a dirt/dualsport bike out there? Forgive the highjack. Will start another thread if response requires.

 

[madmike2]

But I only found a couple in Golden. Then your 30 miles North by Rocky Mtn. Park or East of Denver @ the KOA. Some local advice about the Golden area would be extremely helpful.

 

[twistedcricket]

Book the camping spots now or you won't get them. You can always cancel if your plans change or maybe someone else could use them.

Worldbound4now and I had problems finding tent space around RMNP last July. In fact, we didn't find any and ended up at a Super8.

 

[Geezer]

Last year I carried camping gear to and from WFO and it was so hot I never set it up. I'll carry it again this year and plan on using it this time, but I plan on staying in the hotel for the actual NAFO event.

I scheduled three weeks vacation around NAFO this year, the week before for a liesurely ride out there, and the two weeks after. I figure on heading out to California to see Yosemite when I leave NAFO. Not only do I enjoy camping, but I am too frugal to pay for hotels for three weeks if I can avoid it.

 

[shokdimn]

Worldbound4now and I had problems finding tent space around RMNP last July.

Similar situation for us at Ridgway. But, we rolled in early enough in the evening to score one of the last few spots.

 

[exskibum]

A useful campground location resource:

https://www.epgsoft.com/CampgroundMap/index.html

 

[okmac]

According to my "Woodall's " tenting directory I would check out Golden Gate Canyon State Park. It is about 15 miles west of Golden. It has 164 sites, 32 with elec. and 132 with no hook ups. You can find it on the state map.

Phone 303-582-3707

My Woodall book is 6 years old so you may want to call to check it out. However I doubt that a state park would dissappear.

If I make it out to the Rally that is probably the place that I will try to stay.

Mac

 

[Geezer]

The first time I ventured west of the Mississippi was during a gas shortage when gas was all the way up to, um, 50 or 60 cents a gallon. There were plenty of campsites available everywhere we went, including the more popular national parks. I wonder if the $3 plus gas prices will have a similar effect this summer.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I'm taking almost a month off before NAFO and a few days after; need to camp a lot to afford a long trip. But for NAFO I'm treating myself.

 

[pinhead]

I like the idea of some camping too. Could be that several riders might decide to camp. I’d like to take a week or so and tour the state on my bike. I’m kinda wondering if there are others planning to camp/motel and tour for a while before or after the meet.<clip>

I’m also kinda wondering if anyone is planning to. …whispering now…”trailer” their FJR and a dirt/dualsport bike out there? <clip>

If the Gunnison area makes it onto your itinerary for camping and riding (street or dirt), ping me if you'd like some insight on roads, trails, or camp sites. The same goes for anyone else. It's looking like I won't be making it to NAFO, but maybe I can still help somehow.

Dave

 

[shokdimn]

I like the idea of some camping too. Could be that several riders might decide to camp. I’d like to take a week or so and tour the state on my bike. I’m kinda wondering if there are others planning to camp/motel and tour for a while before or after the meet.<clip>

I’m also kinda wondering if anyone is planning to. …whispering now…”trailer” their FJR and a dirt/dualsport bike out there? <clip>

If the Gunnison area makes it onto your itinerary for camping and riding (street or dirt), ping me if you'd like some insight on roads, trails, or camp sites. The same goes for anyone else. It's looking like I won't be making it to NAFO, but maybe I can still help somehow.

Dave

Thanks Dave. It’s good to know there’s someone local willing to share info.

I wouldn’t be surprised if several riders make it thru Gunnison, especially knowing that DaveT is going to make the meet.

 

[bvail]

Hello local Coloradians,
I very much looking forward to touring through the Rockies with my fellow Feejers. I don't mind camping at all, in fact enjoy it, and with a 160 room block at the Golden Marriott that is quickly filling up I don't mind letting another rider have my hotel room.

I am from Indiana and the EOM family with no local knowledge of the Golden area. I have been out to Colorado a few times in the past but never in this area. I want to be close to the Golden Marriott but the only places I have found online have been the Dory Hill Camp 25 miles away at Hwy119 and Golden Gate Canyon Rd (Hwy46) and a few other RV parks. Is there anything else nearby that I am unaware of? I did see a few parks in the surrounding area - how are the local ranger's attitudes toward camping in these parks or elsewhere?

Any help would be great. I have a couple other friends that will be making the ride out there with me who will also be camping. I look forward to meeting all you WFO's and others for a great weekend of riding and cuttin' up.

Sully,

There is a KOA in Strausburg at Exit 310 on I-70. That would be just a bit east of Denver. About 20 miles. The Marriott is at exit 263, so you would be looking at 47 miles, but it would be a straight shot, unfortunately with a lot of city traffic.

Golden is right up against the foothills, so a trip up to Goldengate Canyon would be no big whoop, but might take as long to a campground as this KOA. I don't know of any campgrounds close in the Denver metro area, but I will see what I can find out for you campers. I like to moto-camp myself while traveling. One can save a lot of money and it's a lot more fun IMHO.

+++EDIT+++

I did a bit of digging and came up with this:CHIEF HOSA CAMPGROUND

The Chief Hosa Campgrounds has been around for ages. Used to be the gathering place for Deadheads and followers of Phish. I don't know if they are still open, but there is a phone number listed on the website. This place is just up the road about 10 minutes from the hotel.

Here's another: JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE You can probably back into the JEFCO website and find other campgrounds.

 

[Sully1300]

Sully,
There is a KOA in Strausburg at Exit 310 on I-70. That would be just a bit east of Denver. About 20 miles. The Marriott is at exit 263, so you would be looking at 47 miles, but it would be a straight shot, unfortunately with a lot of city traffic.

Golden is right up against the foothills, so a trip up to Goldengate Canyon would be no big whoop, but might take as long to a campground as this KOA. I don't know of any campgrounds close in the Denver metro area, but I will see what I can find out for you campers. I like to moto-camp myself while traveling. One can save a lot of money and it's a lot more fun IMHO.

+++EDIT+++

I did a bit of digging and came up with this:CHIEF HOSA CAMPGROUND

The Chief Hosa Campgrounds has been around for ages. Used to be the gathering place for Deadheads and followers of Phish. I don't know if they are still open, but there is a phone number listed on the website. This place is just up the road about 10 minutes from the hotel.

Here's another: JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE You can probably back into the JEFCO website and find other campgrounds.

Bvail,

I was going to PM you tonight (recommendation from MadMike) but you beat me to it. Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into those sites you suggested.

After digging a little myself I found a great campground map listing of the state Visit My Website. I was looking into "Golden Gate Canyon State Park". Do you know anything about this location? The scenery seems to be pretty good from the pics on the website, but would love to hear from you. Again, thanks.

If all else fails, I could still do what Ari suggested and build a great fort in a hotel room - not.

 

[bvail]

Sully,
There is a KOA in Strausburg at Exit 310 on I-70. That would be just a bit east of Denver. About 20 miles. The Marriott is at exit 263, so you would be looking at 47 miles, but it would be a straight shot, unfortunately with a lot of city traffic.

Golden is right up against the foothills, so a trip up to Goldengate Canyon would be no big whoop, but might take as long to a campground as this KOA. I don't know of any campgrounds close in the Denver metro area, but I will see what I can find out for you campers. I like to moto-camp myself while traveling. One can save a lot of money and it's a lot more fun IMHO.

+++EDIT+++

I did a bit of digging and came up with this:CHIEF HOSA CAMPGROUND

The Chief Hosa Campgrounds has been around for ages. Used to be the gathering place for Deadheads and followers of Phish. I don't know if they are still open, but there is a phone number listed on the website. This place is just up the road about 10 minutes from the hotel.

Here's another: JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE You can probably back into the JEFCO website and find other campgrounds.

Bvail,

I was going to PM you tonight (recommendation from MadMike) but you beat me to it. Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into those sites you suggested.

After digging a little myself I found a great campground map listing of the state Visit My Website. I was looking into "Golden Gate Canyon State Park". Do you know anything about this location? The scenery seems to be pretty good from the pics on the website, but would love to hear from you. Again, thanks.

If all else fails, I could still do what Ari suggested and build a great fort in a hotel room - not.

I don't know what the ameneties are at Golden Gate state park. They probably have them listed on a State of Colorado website. I like to ride up the canyon from Golden up to Nederland and beyond. The ride from Nederland to Estes Park is very nice and then down Big Thompson canyon. I'd say the ride up from Golden to the state park is probably 45-60 minutes. I'll check it out this spring and time it.

Since all the WFOs I attended were at least a thousand miles away, I would usually camp along the way and stay at the hotel when I got there so I could be close to the action. In the past I would camp near the Star Days (Cheyenne WY) and ISRA (Hot Springs AR) and had a good time.

When I gets nicer this spring, I'll check out that park for you. Sorry I can't be more help, but I don't camp much here in Colorado - no need.

 

[Sully1300]

I don't know what the ameneties are at Golden Gate state park. They probably have them listed on a State of Colorado website. I like to ride up the canyon from Golden up to Nederland and beyond. The ride from Nederland to Estes Park is very nice and then down Big Thompson canyon. I'd say the ride up from Golden to the state park is probably 45-60 minutes. I'll check it out this spring and time it.

Since all the WFOs I attended were at least a thousand miles away, I would usually camp along the way and stay at the hotel when I got there so I could be close to the action. In the past I would camp near the Star Days (Cheyenne WY) and ISRA (Hot Springs AR) and had a good time.

When I gets nicer this spring, I'll check out that park for you. Sorry I can't be more help, but I don't camp much here in Colorado - no need.

Bvail,

Thanks again.