Camping
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One of the cheapest ways to stay in the Vail
area is to camp out. Vail is surrounded by National Forests. Here
is a list of the local campgrounds.
- The Gore Creek Campground (elevation; 8,900 feet) at the east end of Vail is
only ten minutes from downtown. Because it is so close to Vail,
it is the most popular campground in the Holly Cross Ranger District.
There is no way to make a reservation so, show up early and grab
a site. There are 25 sites and there is a fee. There are toilets,
drinking water, and trash pickup. Nearby, there are several trails
into the Eagle's Nest Wilderness and the, Vail Pass-Ten Mile
Canyon bike path passes right past the entrance to the campground.
- Hornsilver campground (elevation; 8,800
feet) is just south of Redcliff on Rt. 24, about 25 minutes from
Vail, and it's located on Homestake Creek, with good fishing
and climbing nearby. There are 12 sites, with toilets drinking
water and trash pickup.
- Blodgett Campground
(elevation 8,900 feet) is a small campground with only 6 sites.
It is located at the mouth of Homestake Valley, about 30 minutes
from Vail, south of Redcliff on Rt. 24. Further up Homestake
road is Gold Park Campground (elevation;9,300 feet). Gold
Park campground has 11 sites. There is a fee for either campground.
Both campgrounds have drinking water toilets and trash pickup.
There are good fishing, climbing, and hiking trails nearby.
- Camp Hale Campground
(elevation; 9,200 feet) is located on Rt.24, south of Red Cliff,
and past Hornsilver campground, and Homestake road. Situated
in a wide, flat valley surrounded by mountains, about 35 minutes
from Vail and 20 minutes from Leadville, this campground is near the head-waters of the Eagle
River. The Campground is sparsely timbered with lodgpole pine.
the are opportunities for fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing,and
hiking. Camp Hale was the headquarters for the 10th mountain
Division, and the foundations of the barracks, and a memorial
plaque are all that are left from the base that was used to train
our elite mountain fighters. To find out more about the Tenth
Mountain Division visit the Ski Museum in Vail. Right up the
road from Camp Hale is Ski Cooper.
Ski Cooper was, and 1942 the original training ground for the
10th . After WWII it was established as a ski area. At the entrance
to Ski Cooper, stands a monument to these "Soldiers of the
Summit," and to 990 comrades- in- arms ,who gave their lives.
There are 21 camp sites with toilets drinking water and trash
pickup. The access road is paved and there is a group site available.
The group site can be reserved by calling 1-800-280-CAMP.
- From south Minturn follow Tigiwon Road's
bumpy switchbacks for ten miles to the Tigiwon Campground
(elevation 9,900 feet). It's a long haul, but the views are worth
the dusty ride. Located at the edge of a sub-alpine meadow on
the boundary of the Holy Cross Wilderness, this forested campground
overlooks the Gore Range. Trailheads for popular hikes including
Mount of Holy Cross and Notch Mountain are nearby. There are
9 sites. There is no drinking water and no trash pickup. Due
to the 10 mile dirt road Tigiwon campground is no used very often
and you very well may have the whole campground to you're self.
Half Moon Campground is another couple of miles up the
road. The views aren't as good from this campground, but it is
often used by hunters during hunting season .
- Another very convenient
campground to consider is 20 miles west of Vail. This one would
be a good choice early in the season when the campgrounds in
the National Forest may still be snowed in. This campground opens
early in May. Get off interstate 70 at Wolcott (exit #157) then
go 1.7 miles more to the west on Hwy. 6 to the B.L.M. campground
down next to the Eagle River. This campground. is a favorite
for fishing, boating and climbing. Just remember this campground
is first-come, first-serve, and no reservations are necessary.
- One more B.L.M. Campground can be
found down river in Gypsum. Take I-70 to exit # 140 , then follow
the Frontage Road, on the south side of the interchange, west
along the Eagle River for less than 2 miles. The campground is
between the road and the river. You can't miss it.
- Finding a camp site in a remote area away
from developed campgrounds is a popular form of camping. The
Forest Service calls it "dispersed camping." Dispersed
camping is permitted in most areas of the District. Unlike developed
campgrounds which are designed and maintained to protect the
vegetation, soils and natural setting; camping in undeveloped
areas requires help from the camper to keep the site in the condition
in which it was found.
One good location to look for a dispersed camping site is Homestake
Road. There are many sites along the road and near Homestake
Creek, between Blodgett Campground and Gold Park Campground.
Another good area to look for an unofficial camp site is Red
Sandstone Road. Red Sandstone Road leaves Vail from the North
Frontage Road across Interstate 70 from the Village. You will
have to go about 6 to 7 miles up this dirt road to find a good
site, but it is beautiful country, and the road is well traveled
and in good shape.
The Ranger Station just off I-70 and exit # 171 has maps and
information about these areas, and other areas, that are well
suited to dispersed camping. Please stop by or call (970)827-5715.
They are open five days a week during most of the year, and they
are open weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Need a shower? Head to the The Avon Recreation
Center in Avon, The Gypsum Recreation Center 0052 Lundgren Blvd.
(next to Town Hall) Phone (970) 777-8888, The Lake County Recreation
Complex in Leadville (468-6850
or 486-4226), or to the Yampa Hot Springs at Glenwood
Springs.