Parks packed with campers for holiday weekend
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- Created on Friday, 03 September 2010 16:42
- Written by Nathan
By DENA ROSENBERRY, THE GAZETTE
It’s looking like a perfect weekend to enjoy the great outdoors.
But if you were planning to camp, prepare to rough it or set your tent next to an RV; you’ll be hard-pressed to find a campsite at a state park or U.S. Forest Service campground.
Forest rangers and parks officials say nearly every campsite in the state is booked through Labor Day weekend, and the only chance you have of finding a spot is by luck (open sites are available first-come, first-served — in person, no reservations) or through someone else’s cancellation.
Mountain towns expecting more visitors than last year.
“We’re lucky. Some friends have space at their campsite up near Glenwood Springs,” said Kevin Martin, 26, of Colorado Springs as he stocked up on snack foods (Twizzlers, Chips Ahoy!) and burger fixings (Dijon mustard, mind you) at the 8th Street Wal-Mart. “We waited around until it was too late; they saved our buns.”
There are private campgrounds across the state, but they’re filling up, too. It appears everyone is hoping to give summer its last hurrah while fishing, hiking, off-roading, or simply toasting marshmallows under the stars.
“We have a few sites left, but not many,” said Kathy Harvick, owner of Arrowhead Point Camping Resort near Buena Vista. “It seems everyone wants to give summer one last big kicker.”
Not into group camping? You can pitch a tent nearly anywhere on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management acreage. Too tame? You can always find solitude in Colorado with a bit of sweat equity. Strap your backpack on and start hiking.
When camping outside an official campground:
• Camp at least 200 feet from bodies of water.
• Keep food out of reach of bears.
• Take your trash out with you.
• Use an existing campsite and fire ring.
Colorado State Parks: http://parks.state.co.us
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