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Nice National Forest campground

1323 Views 2 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Tallyman
For any of you familiar with National Forest Campgrounds, you know they are not the most RV - friendly places around. I love the outdoor experience that I get at a NFS campground as opposed to the "subdivision-style" experience at most private RV campgrounds. But at most NFS campgrounds you're lucky if you find any amenities short of a level parking spot and a pot to pee in.

Except at Redstone Campground in the White River Natl Forest in Colorado. Reservable sites in one of the two loops of this campground have both water and electric hook-ups (sorry... no sewer - but you can't have everything). They also have flush toilets and real showers - both kept surprisingly clean.

Hey..... That's CLASS for a National Forest campground!!!

The campground is on the Crystal River (bring your fishing gear) just north of the tiny burg of Redstone, and about 15 miles south of the town of Carbondale on Colorado State Highway 133.

About 10 miles further up the highway is the town of Marble where the new stone for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was just mined last year. And about 30 miles away, on the other side of Mounts Sopris and Snowmass is the town of Aspen (for all you shoppers and people-watchers out there).

One night when we were camped there, the 80 year-old mayor of Marble came down to the campground to put on a slide show presentation of the history of the Crystal River valley - cowboy hat, boots, six-shooter, and all.
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USFS Campgrounds and RVs

Thanks for the tip on the campground. Whenever I get around to visiting my nephew in Colorado, I will make it one of my stops.

As for Forest Service campgrounds not being set up for RVs, I believe they will slowly evolve to provide more RV type spots. Although I have never read any position statements, I believe that the USFS campgrounds are provided for those that really want to camp as opposed to RV. For one thing a cleared space with pit toilets and fire rings is a lot cheaper to make than a 'campground' with electrical/water hookups and paved, level sites. I too now use an RV and enjoy my comforts. When I was younger, I preferred setting up a tent, sleeping on the ground and cooking over a real fire. I believe the Forest Service provided campgrounds for those of us who wanted to really experience nature and the woods in a basic setting, not listening to TVs, stereos and generators all night long. I don't say this to be mean but just to acknowledge the change I have seen over my life. I doubt if I will ever go backpacking or true rough camping again but have many fond memories of past experiences. Now I do want the warm soft bed, thermostat controlled heater, lights on demand and other amenities of modern RVing. Either way one goes, it is great to get out in the country.
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Colorado has many state park campgrounds for those who want the comforts of running water, etc. Cherry Creek campground (SW of Denver in Aurora I-225 & Parker Road) has concrete pads and full hook-ups (incuding sewers) at each site.

RESERVATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED !!

See http://parks.state.co.us
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