TRAIL GUIDE NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER, 2007

CAMPING THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN WAY
by Layton Smith

My love affair with camping in the Rocky Mountains began in the summer of 1955, when I first traveled to the state of Colorado, and has continued over the years. Approaching the Rockies from the east, the sight of the Front Range was so mesmerizing that we forgot to watch our fuel gauge and ran out of gasoline! Actually, we were just trying to prove our theory that an automobile will run on Coleman stove fuel!

Rocky Mountain National Park was our first mountain park to visit, and the park is spectacularly beautiful. In the summer, the days are mild and pleasant and evenings are cool and refreshing, particularly to a flatland visitor. At 8,000 feet and above, the elevation of the campgrounds in the park, nights can turn cold, so be prepared for such an event. You should also be prepared for rain in the summer months and snow during winter.

There are five developed drive-in campgrounds within the boundary of the park and one drive-in group camping area. None of the campgrounds have water, electric or sewer hookups at any of the sites, although there is water available in the campgrounds during the busy summer season.

The largest campground is Moraine Park with 245 campsites at an elevation of 8160 feet. It is open year round. Reservations are taken for this campground and are recommended from mid to late May until the end of September. During the remainder of the year, it is first-come, first-served.

The second largest is Glacier Basin with 150 sites at an elevation of 8,500 feet, open from late May until early September. Reservations are also taken for this campground.

Timber Creek, with 98 sites at an elevation of 8,900 feet is open year round; however, no reservations are taken as all sites are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Aspenglen, with 54 sites at an elevation of 8,200 feet, is open from mid May until mid September. No reservations are taken.

Longs Peak Campground, with 26 sites at an elevation of 9,405 feet, is open year round and is open to tents only. No reservations are taken.

Glacier Basin Group Sites are open from mid May to mid September, and reservations are recommended. The group sites will accommodate groups from 10 up to 40 people.

There are also numerous back country campsites in the park.

Reservations for summer camping in Moraine Park and Glacier Basin can be made up to six months in advance by calling 877-444-6777.

Just outside the borders of the park are several excellent commercial campgrounds offering full hookups and the ability to accommodate large rigs. They are located in Estes Park and Allenspark on the eastern side of the park and in Grand Lake and Granby on the western side.

Come camp in Rocky Mountain National Park and enjoy the majesty and beauty of one of the most spectacular parks in North America!

Layton Smith is the owner of S and S Apache Camping Center in Jackson, Mississippi and is a frequent visitor to Colorado.


SEPTEMBER'S A BUSY MONTH IN ESTES PARK!

September is a popular time to visit Estes Park for the fall foliage, elk bugling - and festivals galore. Here's a list of some of the upcoming events.

9/1-3 Labor Day Crafts Show
9/6-9 Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival
9/14-16 Estes Park Film Festival
9/15-16 Fine Arts and Craft Show
9/22-23 Autumn Gold - a Festival of Brats 'n' Bands
9/29-30 Elk Fest


NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

August, 2007
July, 2007
June, 2007