Steamboat Lake is a 1,053-acre reservoir that provides camping for all degrees of campers, whether they come in RVs or tents. Activities range from recreational boating, building sandcastles at the day beach, riding an ATV, horseback riding, to hiking one of the hundreds of backcountry trails in the area, including to the top of Hahn's Peak or to the relaxing and secluded Strawberry Park Hot Springs.
Camping is year-round at Steamboat Lake State Park. To enter the park, all vehicles must have a $6 park pass in addition to a $16-20 campground fee for camping overnight.
Steamboat Lake State Park
61105 RCR 129
Clark, CO 80428
(970) 879-3922
http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/SteamboatLake/
Ouray sits at the base of Red Mountain Pass, also known as the Little Switzerland of America. These mountains offer a unique view unlike anything else Colorado has to offer, with sharp, red peaks jutting high into the sky with rivers of gold shimmering in the sunlight. Imagine waking up to these mountains and a view of Ouray every morning when you stay at the Amphitheater Campground. Campsites are nestled amongst oak and conifer trees at 8,400 feet. In the area, summer activities include hiking, four-wheeling, horseback riding, viewing Box Canyon Falls, soaking in Ouray Hot Springs, spotting mountain goats, or something as simple as a scenic drive to historic Silverton and back.
Camping is summer only at Amphitheater Campground, although visiting Ouray during the winter is a must, especially to experience the world's first ice climbing park. Sites are mainly used by tent campers, but select sites are open to RVs. There is a $16 fee per night.
Amphitheater Campground
Hwy 550 South
Ouray, CO 81427
(877) 444-6777
http://www.ouraycolorado.com/amphitheater
The Great Sand Dunes outside of Alamosa truly presents an extraordinary experience. The 750-foot sand peaks stretch across 30 square miles, continuously changing shape as the wind transforms each dune. Surrounding the dune field is more of the high mountain peaks Colorado is known for, as well as stunning wetlands, shrublands and grasslands. The diverse landscape provides a numerable amount of possible activities, including sandboarding/skiing/sledding, horseback riding, hiking, four-wheeling alpine trails, splashing in Medano Creek, or getting up close with the local bison.
Campgrounds at the national park offer first-come, first-serve camping as well as reservations for select campsites. There is a $3 entrance fee per adult to enter the park; all children under 16 years of age are free at all times. Overnight camping includes a cost of $14 per night and are open year-round.
Get there from the south or west by U.S. Highway 160 and Colorado 150 or from the north using U.S. Highway 285 to Colorado 17 and County Lane 6. Visit http://www.nps.gov/grsa for more information on the area.
